FinFan8589
Practice Squad
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2005
- Messages
- 8
- Reaction score
- 0
Obviously many people on this website have expressed there opinions on what the Dolphins off-season should look like. I have looked at most of them and have not agreed with any of them. I want to put out a realistic overview of my projected off-season. I won't do a mock draft because that is ridiculous. It is January, nobody has a clue about the draft yet.
Free Agents (Not including Exclusive Rights Free agents)
Shane Matthews- not re-signed
Cleo Lemon (RFA) - 2nd round tender
Travares Tillman- if no one has interest in him, re-sign to vet minimum
Travis Minor- re-sign for 1 year, again
Michael Lehan- not re-signed
Sammy Morris- re-sign, hopefully to 2 or 3 year deal
Darian Barnes- atempt to upgrade via free agency, still re-sign to 1 year deal
Yeremiah Bell (RFA)- 1st round tender
Keith Adams- not re-signed, made no impact on special teams
Donnie Spragan- re-signed as a backup
Kendyl Jacox- not re-signed
Toniu Fonoti- re-sign to 1 year deal and see him compete in training camp
Damion McIntosh- not re-signed, will get better deal elsewhere
Wes Welker (RFA)- 1st round tender
Jeff Zgonina- not re-signed, need to get younger
Vonnie Holliday- re-sign to multi year deal if money is right
David Bowens- re-sign, he is important to rotation and special teams
Keith Traylor- re-sign to 1 year deal if he still wants to play
Cap Casualties/Trades
Dan Wilkinson- his NFL days are probably over
Bennie Anderson- maybe brought back for vet miniumum
Olindo Mare- seek upgrade, if not re-sign
Jeno James- too much money for being average
Kevin Carter- still good player, but $6 million is too much, and Roth is ready to start
Seth Mckinney- restructured contract seems to be more likely, he is a versatile backup, but probably no more than that.
Joey Harrington- attempt to trade for 6th or 7th round pick, if not then release him. He is a good backup, but Lemon is too and he is younger
-I believe Culpepper should be given one more chance, but we should still draft a QB on the first day to develop. Then, we can have Culpepper start the year, with lemon as the backup, and a first day draft pick as the 3rd QB. I would not be opposed to drafting a QB with the 1st round pick, as I don't have a good feeling Culpepper will ever regain old form. Lemon should also be given a fighting chance against Culpepper in training camp. If Lemon happens to be signed away through restricted free agency, the Dolphins need to bring in a vet to push Daunte, maybe Damon Huard or even Jeff Garcia.
- Hopefully with Ricky Williams back we have one of the best running attacks in the game. With Ronnie, Ricky and Sammy Morris our depth is untouchable. Cam Cameron has had Lorenzo Neal in San Diego, so I can see the Dolphins going after one of the many good full backs set to hit the market. If not Barnes is servicable, but it would be nice to have a top FB with some catching ability.
- At WR, I love Welker as the slot. I had hoped Hagan would be ready to start opposite Chambers, but that is not likely. I feel hagan should spend another year developing, and we should go with the same 4 WR's as last year. No one on the market is better than Chambers or probably Booker for that matter, and drafting a WR early wouldn't be addressing our major needs. I would also like to see Marcus Vick active on gamedays this year, and invovled in the offense in some fashion.
- I love Hadnot and Carey as mainstays on the O-line. I think Shelton should remain at his guard spot. That leaves open two spots. I would like the Dolphins to pursue a big name free agent guard, and then have a traing camp battle for the LT spot. Maybe bring in a veteran and have him compete against Anthony Alabi for the starting job. Kris Dielman, Derrick Dockery and Eric Steinbach are all Pro Bowl calibar players who will hit the open market. Steinbach would be a great choice because he could possibly be moved to tackle. Tonou Fonoti and Joe Toledo I think could also push for a G spot if need be. Seth Mckinney should be here as a versatile backup.
- Rod Wright, Fred Evans and Matt Roth all need to be given the chance to win prominent roles in the D-line rotation this season. I see Roth starting at DE opposite Taylor, while Evans should be worked in at DT and Rod Wright could play 3-4 DE or 4-3 DT. I could also see us drafting a DT early in the draft. With Zgonina, Carter, and possibly Traylor gone I think there need to be a mix of young talent along with Jason Taylor, Holliday and Bowens. Also, hopefully Manuel Wright comes back to compete for a roster spot.
- There are alot of good players at LB hitting the open market. Adalius Thomas or Lance Briggs is a stretch, so I suggest instead going after a Donnie Edwards or a Kawika Mitchell. Spragan doesn't make enough plays and Mitchell and Edwards could both play inside in the 3-4 but move outside in the 4-3 allignment. I can see Crowder and Taylor coming of the edge, and Thomas and one of those two in the middle. If no one is brought in through free agency, Derrick Pope should be given a chance, as he has shown flashes inn limited action thus far in his 3 year career.
- I think we go with Yeremiah Bell, Renaldo Hill and Jason Allen as our top 3 safeties next year. However, CB needs to be upgraded. Will Allen is a solid starter, but Andre Goodman is at best a nickel CB. Travis Daniels I feel is poised to have a big 3rd year if he can stay healthy. The Dolphins need defensive playmakers in there secondary, therefore I feel they should target a no.1 CB via free agency. Nate Clements and Asante Samuel both have good ball skills, and our both great players. If the Dolphins are going to make a free agent splash, it should be at CB. Other guys of interest to me would be Tory James and Ken Lucas if he is released by Carolina. Lucas is a good player but has been bumped by the younger Chris Gamble and Richard Marshall. If a free agent CB doesn't work out, I seriously think the Dolphins explore moving Jason Allen to CB, but I think if they want to go out there and get a big time CB they can. Unlike most positions, CB is one of the few strong positions in this years free agent class.
- With Olindo Mare possibly gone, I feel the Dolphins should try to develop a young kicker, hopefully drafting one late on day two. Donnie Jones and John Denny are fine for now at punter and holder.
Overall my goal for the Dolphins off-season is to solidify the QB position, have a deep draft class, make a couple big free agent signings, and try to get younger by saying goodbye to some older expensive players.
Free Agents (Not including Exclusive Rights Free agents)
Shane Matthews- not re-signed
Cleo Lemon (RFA) - 2nd round tender
Travares Tillman- if no one has interest in him, re-sign to vet minimum
Travis Minor- re-sign for 1 year, again
Michael Lehan- not re-signed
Sammy Morris- re-sign, hopefully to 2 or 3 year deal
Darian Barnes- atempt to upgrade via free agency, still re-sign to 1 year deal
Yeremiah Bell (RFA)- 1st round tender
Keith Adams- not re-signed, made no impact on special teams
Donnie Spragan- re-signed as a backup
Kendyl Jacox- not re-signed
Toniu Fonoti- re-sign to 1 year deal and see him compete in training camp
Damion McIntosh- not re-signed, will get better deal elsewhere
Wes Welker (RFA)- 1st round tender
Jeff Zgonina- not re-signed, need to get younger
Vonnie Holliday- re-sign to multi year deal if money is right
David Bowens- re-sign, he is important to rotation and special teams
Keith Traylor- re-sign to 1 year deal if he still wants to play
Cap Casualties/Trades
Dan Wilkinson- his NFL days are probably over
Bennie Anderson- maybe brought back for vet miniumum
Olindo Mare- seek upgrade, if not re-sign
Jeno James- too much money for being average
Kevin Carter- still good player, but $6 million is too much, and Roth is ready to start
Seth Mckinney- restructured contract seems to be more likely, he is a versatile backup, but probably no more than that.
Joey Harrington- attempt to trade for 6th or 7th round pick, if not then release him. He is a good backup, but Lemon is too and he is younger
-I believe Culpepper should be given one more chance, but we should still draft a QB on the first day to develop. Then, we can have Culpepper start the year, with lemon as the backup, and a first day draft pick as the 3rd QB. I would not be opposed to drafting a QB with the 1st round pick, as I don't have a good feeling Culpepper will ever regain old form. Lemon should also be given a fighting chance against Culpepper in training camp. If Lemon happens to be signed away through restricted free agency, the Dolphins need to bring in a vet to push Daunte, maybe Damon Huard or even Jeff Garcia.
- Hopefully with Ricky Williams back we have one of the best running attacks in the game. With Ronnie, Ricky and Sammy Morris our depth is untouchable. Cam Cameron has had Lorenzo Neal in San Diego, so I can see the Dolphins going after one of the many good full backs set to hit the market. If not Barnes is servicable, but it would be nice to have a top FB with some catching ability.
- At WR, I love Welker as the slot. I had hoped Hagan would be ready to start opposite Chambers, but that is not likely. I feel hagan should spend another year developing, and we should go with the same 4 WR's as last year. No one on the market is better than Chambers or probably Booker for that matter, and drafting a WR early wouldn't be addressing our major needs. I would also like to see Marcus Vick active on gamedays this year, and invovled in the offense in some fashion.
- I love Hadnot and Carey as mainstays on the O-line. I think Shelton should remain at his guard spot. That leaves open two spots. I would like the Dolphins to pursue a big name free agent guard, and then have a traing camp battle for the LT spot. Maybe bring in a veteran and have him compete against Anthony Alabi for the starting job. Kris Dielman, Derrick Dockery and Eric Steinbach are all Pro Bowl calibar players who will hit the open market. Steinbach would be a great choice because he could possibly be moved to tackle. Tonou Fonoti and Joe Toledo I think could also push for a G spot if need be. Seth Mckinney should be here as a versatile backup.
- Rod Wright, Fred Evans and Matt Roth all need to be given the chance to win prominent roles in the D-line rotation this season. I see Roth starting at DE opposite Taylor, while Evans should be worked in at DT and Rod Wright could play 3-4 DE or 4-3 DT. I could also see us drafting a DT early in the draft. With Zgonina, Carter, and possibly Traylor gone I think there need to be a mix of young talent along with Jason Taylor, Holliday and Bowens. Also, hopefully Manuel Wright comes back to compete for a roster spot.
- There are alot of good players at LB hitting the open market. Adalius Thomas or Lance Briggs is a stretch, so I suggest instead going after a Donnie Edwards or a Kawika Mitchell. Spragan doesn't make enough plays and Mitchell and Edwards could both play inside in the 3-4 but move outside in the 4-3 allignment. I can see Crowder and Taylor coming of the edge, and Thomas and one of those two in the middle. If no one is brought in through free agency, Derrick Pope should be given a chance, as he has shown flashes inn limited action thus far in his 3 year career.
- I think we go with Yeremiah Bell, Renaldo Hill and Jason Allen as our top 3 safeties next year. However, CB needs to be upgraded. Will Allen is a solid starter, but Andre Goodman is at best a nickel CB. Travis Daniels I feel is poised to have a big 3rd year if he can stay healthy. The Dolphins need defensive playmakers in there secondary, therefore I feel they should target a no.1 CB via free agency. Nate Clements and Asante Samuel both have good ball skills, and our both great players. If the Dolphins are going to make a free agent splash, it should be at CB. Other guys of interest to me would be Tory James and Ken Lucas if he is released by Carolina. Lucas is a good player but has been bumped by the younger Chris Gamble and Richard Marshall. If a free agent CB doesn't work out, I seriously think the Dolphins explore moving Jason Allen to CB, but I think if they want to go out there and get a big time CB they can. Unlike most positions, CB is one of the few strong positions in this years free agent class.
- With Olindo Mare possibly gone, I feel the Dolphins should try to develop a young kicker, hopefully drafting one late on day two. Donnie Jones and John Denny are fine for now at punter and holder.
Overall my goal for the Dolphins off-season is to solidify the QB position, have a deep draft class, make a couple big free agent signings, and try to get younger by saying goodbye to some older expensive players.
