The Dolphins are making linebacker one of their offseason priorities and have begun informing some of the free agents they want to keep and those they do not. Here's what we're hearing:
### The Dolphins and tight end Charles Clay are in active negotiations and there is cautious optimism that a deal will get done, though not certainty. The Dolphins very much like the Clay/Dion Sims tight end tandem.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins have informed defensive tackle Jared Odrick that they plan to make an offer to keep him. But the Dolphins have confided in people that he might command more than what they’re willing to pay and acknowledge there’s certainly a possibility they might lose him.
### The Dolphins have told multiple people that they want to add a starting linebacker, and they’re expected to pursue the Jets’ David Harris, 31, who had 123 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 2014 and is considered the best free agent inside linebacker.
Mike Tannenbaum, the Dolphins’ president/football operations, drafted Harris out of Michigan in the second round in 2007, when he was the Jets’ GM.
Though Harris played inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense with the Jets, he has the skills to play middle linebacker in a 4-3.
Miami is one of the teams that is believed to appeal to Harris, but it remains unclear how high Miami will go in the bidding. If the Dolphins are outbid for Harris, they have interest in Tampa Bay free agent Mason Foster, 25, who has started 57 games with six sacks and five interceptions in four years for Tampa and was drafted by the Buccaneers when Dolphins GM Dennis Hickey worked there.
If the Dolphins sign Harris or Foster, they could move Koa Misi back from middle to strong-side linebacker, with Jelani Jenkins starting at weak-side linebacker. Joe Philbin has said the move of Misi to middle linebacker last season did not work out "as well as I would have liked it to work."
Misi's durability concerns them (he missed five games last season), but they still like a lot about him. But they also would like to find an upgrade in the middle if they can, with Harris or Foster looming as potential replacements.
Though Philip Wheeler and Dannell Ellerbe have not been informed of their status, many expect at least one or both will be released. The Dolphins have decided not to re-sign Jason Trusnik, barring a change of heart.
### The Dolphins have an interest in keeping two key free agents in their secondary --- safety Louis Delmas, who played well before a season-ending knee injury in the 13[SUP]th[/SUP] game against Baltimore, and safety/slot cornerback Jimmy Wilson.
The Dolphins' pass defense was much better before Delmas was injured, and the safety tandem of Delmas and Reshad Jones was generally a strength. And the Dolphins value Wilson's versatility.
### Receiver remains unresolved, but the Dolphins have told people there will be some turnover at the position. They have been discussing a pay cut with Mike Wallace and resolution isn’t really needed until $3 million of his salary becomes guaranteed on March 15. This matter still could go either way.
Baltimore Ravens owner Steven Bisciotti raised eyebrows when he said Tuesday: “Mike Wallace got $10 million. I don’t anybody thinks that was a good deal.” (It’s actually $12 million a year.)
Brian Hartline, whose current cap number for 2015 is $7.3 million, hasn’t been told what the Dolphins intend to do with him. Same with Brandon Gibson ($4.3 million). The Dolphins want to keep Rishard Matthews ($673,403 cap number).
### As expected, the Dolphins have told people that Mike Pouncey will move back to center. They have interest in re-signing Samson Satele as depth but he figures to have a better opportunity elsewhere.
### The Dolphins want to re-sign Jason Fox, who impressed them late in the season, to be their third tackle behind Branden Albert (who said his recovery from knee surgery is going well) and Ja’Wuan James..
Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/spor...k-lots-of-fins-heat-canes-.html#storylink=cpy[/SIZE][/SIZE]
### The Dolphins and tight end Charles Clay are in active negotiations and there is cautious optimism that a deal will get done, though not certainty. The Dolphins very much like the Clay/Dion Sims tight end tandem.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins have informed defensive tackle Jared Odrick that they plan to make an offer to keep him. But the Dolphins have confided in people that he might command more than what they’re willing to pay and acknowledge there’s certainly a possibility they might lose him.
### The Dolphins have told multiple people that they want to add a starting linebacker, and they’re expected to pursue the Jets’ David Harris, 31, who had 123 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 2014 and is considered the best free agent inside linebacker.
Mike Tannenbaum, the Dolphins’ president/football operations, drafted Harris out of Michigan in the second round in 2007, when he was the Jets’ GM.
Though Harris played inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense with the Jets, he has the skills to play middle linebacker in a 4-3.
Miami is one of the teams that is believed to appeal to Harris, but it remains unclear how high Miami will go in the bidding. If the Dolphins are outbid for Harris, they have interest in Tampa Bay free agent Mason Foster, 25, who has started 57 games with six sacks and five interceptions in four years for Tampa and was drafted by the Buccaneers when Dolphins GM Dennis Hickey worked there.
If the Dolphins sign Harris or Foster, they could move Koa Misi back from middle to strong-side linebacker, with Jelani Jenkins starting at weak-side linebacker. Joe Philbin has said the move of Misi to middle linebacker last season did not work out "as well as I would have liked it to work."
Misi's durability concerns them (he missed five games last season), but they still like a lot about him. But they also would like to find an upgrade in the middle if they can, with Harris or Foster looming as potential replacements.
Though Philip Wheeler and Dannell Ellerbe have not been informed of their status, many expect at least one or both will be released. The Dolphins have decided not to re-sign Jason Trusnik, barring a change of heart.
### The Dolphins have an interest in keeping two key free agents in their secondary --- safety Louis Delmas, who played well before a season-ending knee injury in the 13[SUP]th[/SUP] game against Baltimore, and safety/slot cornerback Jimmy Wilson.
The Dolphins' pass defense was much better before Delmas was injured, and the safety tandem of Delmas and Reshad Jones was generally a strength. And the Dolphins value Wilson's versatility.
### Receiver remains unresolved, but the Dolphins have told people there will be some turnover at the position. They have been discussing a pay cut with Mike Wallace and resolution isn’t really needed until $3 million of his salary becomes guaranteed on March 15. This matter still could go either way.
Baltimore Ravens owner Steven Bisciotti raised eyebrows when he said Tuesday: “Mike Wallace got $10 million. I don’t anybody thinks that was a good deal.” (It’s actually $12 million a year.)
Brian Hartline, whose current cap number for 2015 is $7.3 million, hasn’t been told what the Dolphins intend to do with him. Same with Brandon Gibson ($4.3 million). The Dolphins want to keep Rishard Matthews ($673,403 cap number).
### As expected, the Dolphins have told people that Mike Pouncey will move back to center. They have interest in re-signing Samson Satele as depth but he figures to have a better opportunity elsewhere.
### The Dolphins want to re-sign Jason Fox, who impressed them late in the season, to be their third tackle behind Branden Albert (who said his recovery from knee surgery is going well) and Ja’Wuan James..
Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/spor...k-lots-of-fins-heat-canes-.html#storylink=cpy[/SIZE][/SIZE]
