Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Rumors were rampant all March and April that the Miami Dolphins were trying to come up with a package to trade for disgruntled Philadelphia Eagles’ guard Evan Mathis. The veteran offensive lineman became easier to acquire on Thursday. The Eagles released Mathis because he was purposely absent from recent OTAs due to a contract squabble. It is now imperative for Miami to make another play for Mathis.
The Dolphins are in need of a veteran guard. Sure, they signed journeymen Jeff Linkenbach and Jacques McClendon earlier this offseason, but neither are really expected to be starters. The two linemen penciled in at guard right now are second year player Billy Turner and third year pro Dallas Thomas. Turner looks like a future road grader and Miami coaches hope that future is September. Thomas, on the other hand, has been a disaster in previous stints at both guard and tackle. It is so important for Ryan Tannehill to be protected and for the Dolphins’ rushing attack to explode; counting on Thomas to offer assistance in either of those two areas seems like a fantasy. Signing Mathis could allow Miami to play Turner at right guard while the former Eagle lays down blocks on the left side.
Another reason why bringing Mathis to Miami makes sense is the cloud hanging over the head of left tackle Branden Albert. Albert and center Mike Pouncey are Miami’s two best offensive linemen. The problem is that Albert had a severe knee injury last November and it is not a certainty that he will be ready for the start of 2015. That would potentially leave Pouncey as the only experienced offensive linemen in the starting lineup (second year Dolphin Ja’wuan James is the other starter). Having a seasoned Mathis would solidify the starting unit in Albert’s stead.
This may sound like a strange reason to sign someone, but securing Mathis may also keep him away from Miami’s biggest challenge in the AFC East. The New England Patriots were another team that was at times linked to Philadelphia concerning a trade for Mathis. An older player who is unhappy with his current contract situation and has never won a Super Bowl is just the type of talent that Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick is enamored with. Mathis keeping Tannehill upright and mapping out rush lanes for Miami runners is needed so much more than the Patriots picking up more valuable pieces to another championship puzzle.
The price to acquire the 33-year-old guard will be steep. This entire situation exists because Mathis is in search of more money. He is currently in the middle of a five-year, $25 million deal, but has still skipped all voluntary workouts because he wants the contract restructured. The final two years of his agreement are for $5.5 million and $6 million respectively. It seems realistic that Mathis will not sign anywhere for less than $8-$10 million guaranteed. The Dolphins have not been afraid to crack open their piggy bank so far this spring and they have a little bit of cap space left. Mathis played for Miami once before, but was hardly the Pro Bowl player he is now. Dolphins’ head coach Joe Philbin’s job depends on Miami making the playoffs in January. The offensive line is too shaky as it stands here in June to predict a winning season for Philbin’s club. It becomes playoff caliber by bringing Mathis back to man one of the guard spots.
