For what has been made about Ryan Tannehill taking the lead and becoming the vocal leader of the Dolphins, Dolphins Center Mike Pouncey has stepped up as the leader since the beginning of his second season.
Initially doubted as a solid pick by various media members during the 2011 draft (most wanted the Dolphins to seek an impact player), Mike Pouncey has had a similar path like Ryan Tannehill. During the 2011 season Pouncey took his lumps week after week, bad game after bad game, and bad snap after bad snap. Snapping the ball to two different quarterbacks with a lockout shortened pre-season, Mike Pouncey proved the nay sayers wrong with making the blocking calls on the line, run-blocking like the best centers in the NFL, and showed leadership by settling down the line when it got topsy turvy with injuries on the left side.
When Pouncey had a full offseason to work on his craft, he did one thing that he probably needed to do: get in Joe Philbin, West-coast style shape. Pouncey worked his tail off with his brother Maurkice with a high cardio/strength training routine and managed to eat from a healthier set of options getting him slimmer, stronger, and quicker.
The difference in his play was quickly noticed as Pouncey delivered several big runs, kept the line steady, and made things easier for rookie Ryan Tannehill.
Heading into training camp a month from now, the Dolphins will not only feature many guys willing to lead and step up in the locker room, but they will have their undoubted anchor of the offensive line in Mike Pouncey. Pouncey sets the benchmark for his linemen and sets the tone for how they play.
Said Mike Pouncey back in May about this football team:
“I think our football team is going to be great this year,” Pouncey said on NFL Total Access. “We added a lot of key additions to our football team. We look good on paper right now, but it takes chemistry to get where we want to be, and that’s in the playoffs."
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