FA Middleton signs

[Nappy Roots]

Middleton was a middle of the road starting guard, but they are a dime a dozen. I get skeptical when someone says something like "we just signed our new starting such and such, we're a better team for this signing" because let's face it, the dude has been OUT there forever unsigned. There's other teams out there that like big ugly road graters at guard, we're not the only one. Is he a better right guard than Seth McKinney, Damion Cook, or John St. Clair? I don't know that, but I doubt it.

This just came about because of Smith's injury giving us an excuse to put Hadnot back at Center where he will likely start over McKinney. McKinney may start at RG though over St. Clair, Cook, and Middleton. Jeno James isn't set to lose his starting job at LG quite yet, even though he hasn't played so well in mini-camps, and Taylor Whitley is as good as gone from this team.

im gonna agree with ckparrothead on this one, with the way he sat out there unsigned for a while, its likely hes not the player he once was. this signing just added depth and competition in my opinion.

 

[TheMageGandalf]

The Dolphins today released wide receiver Ronald Bellamy and signed veteran guard Frank Middleton.

• Middleton, 30, has played in 109 games during his career (92 starts). He played the past four years with the Oakland Raiders after spending the first four years of his career with Tampa Bay (1997-2000).
• Frank Middleton has a lot of experience and can be effective as an in-line blocker, but has a lot of limitations. He lacks the makeup most teams are looking for at this point. He's one of those traditional Raiders.

Love it. Love the latest moves as it shows Saban isnt content with the crappy play and will go out and bring people in to challenge.

Not that Wanny crap of falling in love with players and thinking that good praises will somehow make them All-Pro's.

 

[Dol-Fan Dupree]

im gonna agree with ckparrothead on this one, with the way he sat out there unsigned for a while, its likely hes not the play he once was. this signing just added depth and competition in my opinion.

I imagine he wants a chance to prove himself and be in a place where he would get a chance to start. Miami is a good place for both.

 

[Joneal7]

wow hope he stays healthy

 

[Surferosa]

Great news boys. Aside from his huge frame, the guy has played on several championship caliber football teams. This has to be writing on the wall for Mckinney, who likely has seen his last days as the teams starting center.

Now Middleton, Cook, Mckinney and St Clair will all have to fight it out for the starting LG spt. As long as FM is healthy, I dont see why, at the very least, he wouldnt be thrown into the mix to start for the starting LG spot.

 

[TheMageGandalf]

McKinney may start at RG though over St. Clair, Cook, and Middleton.

I doubt he will start if hes being manhandled as the reports have been saying lately.

The fact that St. Clair was tried out at RG first before McKinney when Hadnot moved over shows that they are hesitating to start McKinney anywhere now.

 

[Nappy Roots]

I imagine he wants a chance to prove himself and be in a place where he would get a chance to start. Miami is a good place for both.

i agree he has a "chance" to start. but i just dont think he is that old player, so i dont think hes going to run away from competition. its going to be a grind. and thats if Saban decides to move Hadnot in to the center position. he might now want to move a good thing. Hadnot has played well, and imo wouldnt lose his job to middleton, no chance. now i think middleton will make the team, but im gonna say he doesnt start. i think saban ends up keeping mckinney and hadnot where their at unless middleton blows away in camp.

 

[thedayafter]

im gonna agree with ckparrothead on this one, with the way he sat out there unsigned for a while, its likely hes not the player he once was. this signing just added depth and competition in my opinion.

• The big money is long gone in FA... the vets are going to have to wait for injuries or TC evaluations to take place before the market opens up for them.
• Some are going to have decide if they want to continue playing or prove that they can still play.
• Some are going to have to lower their salary demands or wait until a team get desparate.
• At least we are active in the market whether Middleton turn out or not.
• Who knows maybe Houck has local knowledge of the guy.

 

[Deus Ex Dolphin]

Adding veteran depth to our oline doesnt sound like a bad idea to me. Specially a big guy that more than likely (obviously have to see how good middleton still is) wont be pushed into the backfield every play.

:yeahthat:

Given how poorly McKinney and Whitley have performed, even an upgrade to AVERAGE looks good at this point. Hadnot at center, with Middleton at RG?

I think Houck can make this work, and it speaks volumes to me that we are adding guys AFTER Houck has had a chance to work with McKinney and Whitley a bit. It tells me Houck knows that despite good coaching some guys are just NOT NFL caliber players. :evil:

 

[Dol-Fan Dupree]

I doubt he will start if hes being manhandled as the reports have been saying lately.

The fact that St. Clair was tried out at RG first before McKinney when Hadnot moved over shows that they are hesitating to start McKinney anywhere now.

I would be more concerned with the 11 on 11 than the 1 on 1s.

 

[Wildbill3]

mckinney will be sacrificing the chickens this preseason...

 

[ASCII]

Signed another OL

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/

signed frank middleton today from the raiders

anyone know about this guy?

 

[Trackstar]

Good Pick up see u in hell Seth. A Frame is a good back up IMO.

Was that really necessary man? Seth has been busting his butt so far in camp and has emerged as the leader on the O-line.

Back on topic. Another solid addition! Seth is going to have to have a heck of a pre-season to keep his job.

 

[Surferosa]

More on Frank Middleton:

2003: Started eight of the 10 games he played in for Oakland ... Recorded two tackles at offensive guard.

2002: Started in all 16 league games with 10 at LG and six at RG to open the season ... Part of an offense that ranked first in the NFL in total offense (6,237), passing offense (4,475), total yards per game (389.8), net passing yards per game (279.7), total first downs (366) and first downs per game (22.9) ... Ranked second in the AFC and NFL in points per game (28.1) and sixth in the AFC in rushing yards per carry (4.3) ... Blocked for the NFL's MVP quarterback Rich Gannon who set several NFL and Raider records, including 10 300-yards passing games.

2001: In his first season with the Silver and Black, he played in 13 games with 11 starts at right guard ... Inactive for the first three games ... Helped the team rush for over 100 yards in eight contests ... Member of offensive line that only gave up 27 sacks, tied for second-least in the NFL ... Started at right guard in the AFC Wild Card Game vs. the New York Jets (1/6), blocking for a rushing performance of 215 yards and nearly 300 in passing ... At New England (1/19) in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game, he started at right guard blocking for 77 yards rushing and over 150 passing.

2000: Started in all 16 league games with Tampa Bay at right guard ... Blocked for a team that finished ninth in the NFL in rushing yards.

1999: Started in all 16 league games at right guard for Tampa Bay ... Instrumental in helping FB Mike Alstott run for a career-best 131 yards on 25 carries against Minnesota (10/3) ... Paved way for a season-high 173 rushing yards against Chicago (10/24) ... Also started in the Buccaneers two playoff contests.

1998: Emerged as one of the Buccaneers most dependable players, starting all 16 games ... Missed fewest plays of any Tampa offensive lineman, participating in 99 percent of the team's offensive snaps ... Against New York Giants (10/4), excellent interior blocking allowed Tampa to rush for 171 yards ... Blocked for a 1,000-yard running back (Warrick Dunn).

1997: During first NFL season, he played in all 16 regular season games and two postseason contests for Tampa ... Started at right guard in two regular season bouts and both playoff games ... Also contributed on special teams.


College Career

Started 18 games at left guard over the course of two seasons at Arizona ... Started 10 games at left guard for the Wildcats in 1996 and was credited with 74 knockdown blocks ... Transferred to Arizona after two seasons at Fort Scott Junior College ... Earned Junior College All-America honors as a sophomore ... Majored in criminal justice.


Personal Bio

All-America, All-state and all-conference prep star as a two-way lineman at West Brook High School in Beaumont, Texas ... Lettered three times in football and was on Texas Football's Top-50 list ... Married with two daughters.

 

[Zeke0123]

I wonder if Hadnot has A$$ sweat ???