Dolphins Free Agent Signings: Insider Look at Lance Louis

On Wednesday, the Miami Dolphins jumped back into the free agency game, signing guard Lance Louis. Louis spent the last four years with the Chicago Bears, playing in 41 games, with 28 starts. The 27-year-old, who missed the end of the 2012 season after tearing his left ACL on a blindside hit from Jared Allen, will likely compete for the starting right guard position once his knee is fully healed.

Allen was fined by the NFL for the illegal hit.

Louis also has one career reception when he caught a deflected pass last year and gained four yards.

To get a better look at what Louis will bring to Miami, I turned to SB Nation's Bears blog, Windy City Gridiron. Lester Wiltfong was kind enough to give us an insider look at Louis:

The Dolphins are getting a serviceable offensive guard in Lance Louis. Most of his experience has been at right guard, but he's never played a full 16 game season. After tearing his ACL in December of 2012, odds are he won't play all 16 in 2013 either. I know he's aiming to be ready for training camp, but I don't expect a miraculous Adrian Peterson type return from the 6' 3", 320 pound Louis.

He's a former collegiate tight end, so he has some athleticism to his game, and he has good size and strength so he's rarely manhandled by defensive tackles. The Bears would pull him, and he could get out in front of the play. As a run and pass blocker he's nothing special, but he'll get the job done. The aspect of his game that I liked the best was his attitude. I like an offensive lineman that plays with an edge, and Louis played with a chip on his shoulder.

I was hoping he would have returned to Chicago because I do believe, if fully healed, that his best football is in front of him.

Hopefully Wiltfong is correct, and Louis' best days really are ahead of him.

And, of course, a big thank you to Wiltfong for taking the time to share with us.