Phins possibly looking to add FB, will host Mughelli

BY SEAN DONOVAN

The Dolphins may be in the market for a fullback, a position that has essentially been vacant on their roster since short-yardage specialist Lousaka Polite was released last offseason.

Veteran free agent Ovie Mughelli is planning to visit the Dolphins Thursday, according to NFL.com's Jason La Canfora.

Mughelli is a traditional lead-blocking power fullback, a description no other back on Miami's roster fits. Second-year player Charles Clay is an H-Back -- a fullback/tight end hybrid -- who is more of a receiver, and CFL import Jerome Messam has a fullback-like physique at 245 pounds but has always been primarily a ball-carrier.

Going without a fullback is not an uncommon practice in today's NFL, but Miami's new coaching staff might be looking to get one on the roster.

Green Bay fullback John Kuhn was a frequently-used feature of the Packers' offense in both short-yardage situations and as a blocker when Dolphins coach Joe Philbin was the offensive coordinator. Philbin is expected to install many of the same offensive concepts in Miami and doesn't have a player like Kuhn currently available.

If the Dolphins are looking for a convential fullback for their offense, they could do a lot worse than Mughelli. He was Pro Football Focus' top graded fullback for the 2009 and '10 seasons and a 2010 Pro Bowl selection. His 2011 season was cut short by a torn MCL suffered in Week 7. The injury is not expected to affect him going forward, but he will be 32 years old by the time the season starts.

Mughelli has spent the past four years clearing lanes for Michael Turner in the Falcons' power running offense and was seldom used as a rusher. He only has 42 carries and a single touchdown in his nine-year career. He does, however, provide a receiving option out of the backfield, with four touchdown receptions over the past three seasons.

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