James Walker, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Mike Pouncey settling in at right guard

DAVIE, Fla. -- Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Mike Pouncey was honest Thursday when asked if he missed playing center.

“Of course,” Pouncey said candidly. “I was so good at it.”

But Pouncey and the Dolphins' coaching staff believe playing their Pro Bowler at right guard has been best for the offensive line. A year ago, this was Miami’s most-maligned group. This season offensive line has developed into a strength.

The Dolphins (3-3) are fourth in the NFL in rushing at 136.3 yards per game and have allowed only 14 sacks this season.

Pouncey is the only returning starter on Miami's offensive line this year -- and even Pouncey switched positions.

Pouncey missed the first four games due to offseason hip surgery, and replacement Samson Satele did a nice job at center. Instead of moving Satele, the Dolphins thought it was best to plug Pouncey in at right guard, which was an area of concern.

“But it doesn’t bother me at all,” Pouncey said of the move. “I like the way our five guys jell together and the rotation we have now. Whatever's best for the team, and we're going to keep it that way until they say different.”

Pouncey is still getting his legs under him. He missed all of training camp, the preseason and the first four games of the regular season.

Dolphins offensive coordinator Bill Lazor praised Pouncey for the progress he's making just two games in.

“Mike Pouncey was definitely better,” Lazor said from his first to second game. “I thought in every way we would have expected, balance, finish, drive, pass protection, run blocking. It’s probably what we expected. I thought the guy played a really good game. I’m excited for Mike.”

This wasn’t an easy decision for the Dolphins. Pouncey arguably is a top-five center in the NFL. He’s not a top-five guard.

Pouncey also has shown some early rust. He allowed 1.5 sacks last Sunday to defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff in a win over the Chicago Bears.

But overall Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill is getting the best pass protection of his career, and it’s showing in his career-best 87.8 passer rating. Running back Lamar Miller also is getting bigger holes and on his way to his best individual season.

“I can say that we're much improved obviously, because of the way the statistics are,” Pouncey said. “But we go out there and come in and work every day, trying to work as hard as we can. We've gotten better as an O-line.”

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