Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Two days ago the Miami Dolphins signed free agent offensive tackle Tyson Clabo to a one-year, $3.5 million deal. It sounds great that they signed a former Pro Bowl offensive lineman on the cheap, but there are a few problems with the signing. First off, Clabo is a right tackle and only a right tackle, so the thought by most people is that their now second year offensive tackle Jonathan Martin can man the left side is flawed.
It is a gaffe because if the Dolphins start Martin at left tackle, he could potentially look worse than he did at right tackle last season. That being said, a team like the Buffalo Bills with a new look defense under defensive coordinator Mike Pettine Jr. could expose this since his defense thrives on mass confusion and overwhelming force which could shatter any confidence Martin has left. Buffalo has several pass rushers at their disposal that could turn Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill‘s blindside into a revolving door including Mario Williams, Jerry Hughes and maybe even undrafted rookie Keith Pough to name a few.
Besides the pass game that will suffer, second year running back Lamar Miller will struggle mightily to establish a running game if the left tackle play is poor. If Martin can’t protect the blindside, it will be an extremely long year for the Dolphins and their fans despite all the free agent spending they did to upgrade their linebacker and wide receiver corps.
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