Chargers sign three-time pro bowl center, Mike Pouncey
In what is the team’s first major splash in free agency this year, the Los Angeles Chargers bring on help on the offensive line.
As reported by the NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport, the Los Angeles Chargers are expected to sign former Miami Dolphins’ center, Mike Pouncey. This will be the first major signing the team has undergone this offseason.
While Pouncey struggled on the field in 2017, as seen by his rank as the 27th best center according to pro football focus, he is still an upgrade over last season’s starting center, Spencer Pulley. Pulley was ranked as the 34th overall center in 2017 according to pro football focus.
Pouncey’s sudden struggles last season may have something to do with the fact that he missed the entire offseason and preseason recovering from a stem cell procedure. According to coach Adam Gase, Pouncey was among the team’s top players last season.
“Especially down the stretch, he’s been probably our most consistent guy and he’s probably played his best ball in the back half of the season,” said Gase earlier this year.
It may be that Pouncey wasn’t bad last year, but the entire offensive line underachieved, making it difficult for Pouncey to effectively do his job. If four guys are failing to block their assignments, it is nearly impossible for the center to be successful in his own assignment.
In the years prior to 2017, Mike Pouncey was among the league’s top centers, making the pro bowl in 2013, 2014 and 2015. He missed the pro bowl in 2017 because of injuries, playing only 5 games that year.
Before this signing, the Chargers reportedly flirted with the idea of moving second-year guard, Dan Feeney, to the center position. With the addition of Pouncey, it is now reasonable to believe that will no longer be an option the team will explore, allowing the team to maintain some continuity on the interior of the line by allowing Feeney to remain at his natural position.
More from LA Sports Hub
- Lakers: 5 Players to Target Through Trades to make another championship run
- LA Chargers: Week 8 against Denver Broncos is a must-win
- LA Rams: Jared Goff wants to keep the Los Angeles title streak going
- Lakers Rumors: Los Angeles Clippers interested in Rajon Rondo
- LA Chargers: Justin Herbert wins AFC Rookie of the Month
As of now, the team projected starting offensive line includes Russell Okung, Dan Feeney, Pouncey, Forrest Lamp, and Joe Barksdale.
Okung was the team’s biggest free agent signing of last offseason, and his play left no one disappointed in 2017. Feeney’s 2017 season was one that started positive but tailed off towards the end.
With last year being Feeney’s first experience playing left guard, there is reason to be optimistic that with a year of experience to his name, he will come back next year far more effective.
Barksdale has long been the team’s weak link on offense but has not been let go thanks to his very team friendly contract. Don’t be surprised if the team drafts his replacement this year.
Forrest Lamp and Mike Pouncey are the unknowns of next year’s blocking core. The former second-round pick, Forrest Lamp, tore his ACL before the start of last season, making us wait another year to find out how he will fit with the team. And of course, there is Pouncey, the new guy with everything to prove.
Next: Latest AFC West power rankings
Only time will tell if this offensive line will come together effectively next season, but if they perform as well as they look on paper, the Chargers offense will be something to fear.