The Miami Dolphins' offensive line has been in slight disarray since the announcement of free-agent Jake Long’s departure to St. Louis.General manager Jeff Ireland helped alleviate that Wednesday, as the team signed former Chicago Bears offensive lineman Lance Louis to a one-year deal. (photo: Jeffrey Beall)
Louis, who missed half of last season with an ACL tear, told Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times after the announcement that it was time for a “fresh start,” and that he had no gripes with the Bears.
“Nothing toward those guys, but I felt I needed to start somewhere else," Louis said of his former team. "The decision was cool.
“It's definitely exciting. I'm really looking forward to it. It's another journey in my life."
Lewis’s addition (when he’s 100 percent) may start a chain reaction on the Dolphins depth chart, as he could slide into the right guard spot currently being held by John Jerry. Jerry would likely move to the right tackle position, which would in turn put Jonathan Martin in Long’s old position of left tackle.
That plan obviously would be contingent on Louis being ready to go by the start of the season, and the team will likely look to bolster its depth on the line in the draft. But for now, Louis told Jensen that’s he’s progressing nicely, and that he’s ready to take on any role the Dolphins dish out.
“Whatever they want me at, that's what I'm going to try my best for them," he said.
Louis has started 28 games in his four-year career.
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