Samson Satele likely to start at center for the Miami Dolphins Week 1
Early on in the Miami Dolphins training camp it was evident that the center position on the offensive line was an issue. After starter Mike Pouncey was injured and forced to undergo offseason hip surgery, the Dolphins brought in a number of veterans to try and take his place.
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After botched snaps and poor blocking, the Dolphins opted to re-sign Samson Satele, who played on the Indianapolis Colts last year after leaving the Dolphins the year prior.
While Pouncey’s progress has made the Dolphins optimistic, there is simply no way he could start in Week 1 against the New England Patriots. The good news for Pouncey, however, is that he made the 53-man roster for the Dolphins and was not placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list which would have kept him off the field until Week 7.
Until Pouncey can return, the Dolphins are confident with the veteran Satele and backup Nate Garner to protect Ryan Tannehill and hand him the ball at the start of the play.
During a media press conference with Dolphins’ general manager Dennis Hickey, it seemed evident that Satele would be the Week 1 starter:
Hickey on center position until Mike Pouncey gets back: "We feel confident in Samson Satele and we feel confident in Nate Garner."
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) August 31, 2014
Satele is certainly a serviceable lineman that does his job effectively, but he is definitely not Mike Pouncey. Until Pouncey returns to the lineup, there is still a major red flag when it comes to the Dolphins offensive line.