Branden Albert or Jason Spriggs

[FTLDOLFAN]

I have been all for keeping Albert since we have a lot of other needs to address, however we can save a little over $5M against the salary cap by releasing him. The downside to that is we would have to invest a high draft pick on a LT. Someone who I have had my eye on is Indiana LT Jason Spriggs. He has excellent size and athleticism for the LT position and he has been very durable. He is a 4 year starter at LT and has shown steady improvement each season. He has held his own against the Big Ten's top rushers like Joey Bosa and Shilique Calhoun. He was one of 6 semifinalists for the 2015 Outland Trophy award. He started 46 out of 47 games during his collegiate career.

Most teams have to invest a first round pick on a LT or spend a lot of money in free agency on one like we did with Albert. Spriggs is now projected to be an early to mid 2nd round pick. Of course if he has a good Senior Bowl and combine he will rise up draft boards maybe into the bottom portion of the first round. So should we part ways with Albert now or try to get another year out of him? Either way we will have to invest a high draft pick on his replacement this year or next year. I think if we are able to draft Spriggs in the 2nd round that would be a good opportunity to replace him at a relatively low cost for the next several years.

[AquaXI]

Really need to see what they do in FA. If they address the other important needs.

[cuchulainn]

I'd probably try to restructure Albert first... No idea if James will be able to stay healthy, nor Pouncey. All 3 have had problems the past 2 seasons. Billy Turner should be Albert's backup...

I'd like to draft Max Tuerk in a mid to latter round. Can play every position on the OL and either take over at Center for Pouncey or be solid depth.

[DolphinsFreak]

I'm for restructuring Albert's contract rather then using up a first round draft pick for another offensive linemen. It's not hindsight, it is just football knowledge, the Miami Dolphins FRONT OFFICE really dropped the ball last offseason. The Dolphins DESPERATELY needed offensive lineman and there were a bunch of HIGH QUALITY players sitting there for the taking and the Dolphins brass didn't make a move on one of them. They could have signed TWO linemen for about 5-6 million. Ridiculous! I am a fan of Turek as well.

[cuchulainn]

Agree... and still can't believe we signed Chris Foerster as the OL coach. Wished we'd hired Bob Wylie instead, or even Tony Sprano as the OL coach. As bad as I think Foerster is, the Colts were after him too and only hired Philbin after Foerster rejected the Colts. Go figure...

Maybe we'll get lucky and the FO will finally find us solid players on the OL once and for all.

[DolphinsFreak]

I have officially given up on trying to figure out whether a position coach will be good or not. Aha Wasn't Benton supposed to be a great offensive line coach while working for Kubiak? After Sherman's cousin, Jim Turner was fired it seemed like it may have been a blessing in disguise, getting rid of one of Sherman's relatives and getting a o-line coach who had success under a coach like Kubiak. Nope. It didn't work. Maybe it was the quality of players, the humidity or maybe there is something to that thing about where they built the stadium.

"Dolphins no win again long as stadium built here."

[cuchulainn]

I'd have been fine keeping Benton as well as long as we upgraded the OL. Not a lot Benton could do with both Albert and James missing significant playing time along with Pouncey. Especially with Philbin's love affair with Dallas Thomas' ''stance''...

Better coaching than Philbin or Jim Turner and we never see ''bully-gate'' and Cogs and Jerry are probably still here. Cogs anyway... but even Jerry was better than his replacements.

Agree on the nepotism. Hallmark of Philbin's tenure.

[So Be]

IMO, far and away the biggest problem we faced on th OL has been health and bullying. Put a healthy Albert, Pouncey, James and Cog onr the field for 16 games, and I do not care who the other OG or coach is, we would be good. No doubt in my mind.

[cuchulainn]

IMO, far and away the biggest problem we faced on th OL has been health and bullying. Put a healthy Albert, Pouncey, James and Cog onr the field for 16 games, and I do not care who the other OG or coach is, we would be good. No doubt in my mind.

Agree... as for as drafting for the OL - it has sucked. James is solid, but nothing special. Billy Turner has been a complete waste. We should have taken Trai Turner in the 3rd instead of trading back up for Turner, who has been a disappointment. Douglas was terrible this past season as well at both Guard and Center.

Really hoping whatever Albert has with the injuries hasn't spread to Pouncey and James...

[Daytona Dolfan]

Hell we should have taken Tina Turner for all the good it did

[cuchulainn]

lmao...... indeed...

[IMAWriter]

The Dolphins have been stuck playing "Groundhog Day" for the past 5 years. Reflecting the conversation above Jonathan Martin set this team back as much as any one player other than maybe the selection of Dion Jordan over a LT, true MLB, or, at the time a game breaking receiver. If the latter is taken, last year's pick would have been an O-Lineman or LB. Everything is bass-ackwards right now. The schedule is, if anything even tougher this year, with 3 trips to the West coast. Don't forget, this time due to the AFC division the Fins have, it's another annual game with the Ravens. Yawn. Another 8-8 season.

[Idahomer]

I agree that Jonathan Martin screwed us. Not only was he a bust draft pick he cost us arguably our best lineman - Cogs. If we had Cogs at LG we would be winning football games because I believe solving the RG spot would have been much easier. Now we need 2 guards. I'd personally like to see the phins go after Richie and sign him again. Screw the PC people. Tannabum wants a tough/strong team that can compete in the AFC East, Cogs is a guy that fits the mold we need on our oline, and I believe he learned a valuable lesson as well during that whole scandal.

[kelbail2.2]

I'm a big fan of Spriggs too. Unfortunately his tape and work since then has him on the quick rise with some draft people considering moving him up to the #2 LT behind Tunsil. If he does stay behind Stanley and Decker, he could be an interesting posibility. Start him as a rookie and extend Albert with a lucrative long term deal that will keep him well paid for six years at top OG money and a nice chunk of cash up front.

[Driven_Phinsane!]

Daytona Dolfan commented
[COLOR=#6A6A6A !important]5 days ago[/COLOR]


Hell we should have taken Tina Turner for all the good it did


lol,, yeah, though i would've rather had Ike Turner..Now that cat had some fight in him!!!

[IMAWriter]

Uh, Ike regularly beat up Tina. Nice role model you've chosen.

[Driven_Phinsane!]

Geez, relax! Did i say he was a role model???