Trade for McKinnie shows the Dolphins are all in for 2013

Today’s move is exciting because it shows the players and the fans that winning this year is a priority.  Last year, when Martin was mostly a right tackle, Tannehill was sacked only 35 times.  This year he is already at 26.

As long as McKinnie can do a solid Jake Long impersonation, we can expect much improved play from a line that will have 4/5ths of its starters back in their original 2012 positions.  – Cyrus (@cyruslassus on Twitter)

Bill’s 2 Cents

I like the fact that the Dolphins did something to change up the dreadful offensive line.  And I’ll withhold judgement on McKinnie’s play until I see him in a Dolphins uniform.  He is ranked very close to Tyson Clabo according to ProFootballFocus (Clabo is 66th, McKinnie is 65th).  One key difference is that Clabo has given up 8 sacks in 6 games and McKinnie has only given up 1 on the season.

The addition of McKinnie could be a good one if the change of scenery helps motivate him. It could also improve the line in 2 spots, IF it works out (that’s a big if).  McKinnie will likely be the left tackle, moving Jonathan Martin to right tackle.  Again, if it works out, it could improve both positions (McKinnie > Martin at LT and Martin > Clabo at RT).

In my mind, there are 2 big questions about this move.  First, the Dolphins had to have realized that the line was a problem, even before Sunday’s embarrassment.  Why then, did they not make this move 2 weeks ago, at the beginning of the bye week. That would have given McKinnie and Martin time to adjust to their new positions.  We know McKinnie was available because the Ravens had already traded for Eugene Monroe.

The other question is why the Dolphins didn’t simply sign McKinnie back in the offseason when he was a free agent. I know they’re only giving up a late conditional pick, but they wouldn’t have had to do that if they simply signed him as a free agent.  The Dolphins obviously thought Clabo would play better.  BUT, there was a reason the Falcons didn’t resign him.  They took a chance on Clabo and that chance failed and will likely cost them a draft pick (and a few games, as we’ve seen this season).  I’m hopeful this move works out for the Dolphins because they are quickly running out of time in the 2013 season.

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