The New Guy
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- Sep 14, 2005
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Free Agents Signed from other NFL teams
These players have either already signed with the Dolphins or have agreed to a deal. They all played during the 2005 season for some other NFL team. Name Pos Comments
Will Allen CB
Signed a 4 year deal on 3/19/06. Allen has been a starting cornerback for the last 5 years for the New York Giants, but was not signed at the start of free agency. His best year was his rookie season in 2001, when he had 45 tackles and 4 interceptions. Last year, he had 72 tackles and 11 passes defensed, but no interceptions.
Projected Role: Competing for starting CB
Justin Peelle TE
Signed a 3 year contract on 3/20/06. Peelle has been a backup tight end for San Diego for the last 4 years. Last season, he caught 11 passes for 38 yards and was an effective blocker. He would be a backup tight end for the Dolphins.
Projected Role: Backup Tight End
Renaldo Hill
DB Signed a 3 year deal on 3/16/06. Renaldo Hill is a 5 year veteran defensive back (not to be confused with Reynaldo Hill of the Titans) who spent his first four years in Arizona before signing with the Raiders last year. He started at safety for Oakland last season and racked up 89 tackles, 1 interception and 4 passes defensed. Before joining the NFL, Hill played college at Michigan State under Nick Saban.
Projected Role: Starting Strong Safety
LJ Shelton
OT Signed a 4 year deal on 3/13/06. LJ Shelton is a seven year veteran who is regarded as one of the better left tackles in football. He spent 6 years with the Cardinals before signing a one year deal with the Browns in 2005. The Browns wanted to re-sign him, but couldn't work out a contract extension. A big player at 6'6" and 345 pounds, he has been known as an inconsistent player, but had a good year last season.
Projected Role: Starting Offensive Left Tackle
Sedrick Hodge
LB Signed a 2 year deal on 3/12/06. Sedrick Hodge is a veteran linebacker who was originally drafted by the Saints in 2001 when Randy Mueller was the GM in New Orleans. He was the Saints starting strongside linebacker last year and registered 9 tackles in his game against the Dolphins. He could be an affordable replacement for Junior Seau.
Projected Role: Competing for starting SLB
Andre Goodman CB Signed a 3 year deal on 3/12/06. A 4 year veteran, Goodman started 8 games for the Lions last year and finished the season with 47 tackles, 3 interceptions and 8 passes defensed. However, he finished the season as a backup after having been demoted from the starting job. Given the sorry state of the Lions, that might not be a huge problem.
Projected Role: Competing for starting
Kelly Campbell WR
Signed on 3/19/06. Campbell is a former Viking who started 11 games for them from 2002 to 2004. However, he was released by Minnesota in 2005 after being arrested for Marijuana possession and receiving stolen property. He was out of football last year.
Free Agents Visiting With Dolphins
The following players have visited or talked to the Dolphins, but have not signed a contract as yet
Najeh Davenport RB
Visited the Dolphins on 3/21/06. Davenport has been the Packers' backup running back for the last 4 years and has performed very well in that role. He has averaged 4.9 yards per carry for his career and also plays on special teams, both returning kicks and in coverage. He would be an excellent backup running back for the Dolphins. Signing Probability: Low
Stephen Neal OG
Visited the Dolphins on 3/21/06. Neal is a 4 year veteran from the Patriots who started at left guard for New England the last 2 years. He has been a steady if unspectacular player who helped the Patriots to the SuperBowl in 2004. He could become a starter at right guard if the Dolphins move Rex Hadnot to center.
Signing Probability: Medium
Lionel Dalton DT
Visited the Dolphins on 3/21/06. Dalton is a journeyman defensive tackle who has played on 4 different teams in his 8 years in the league. Last year, he started 13 games for the Chiefs, ending the season with 18 tackles and 1 sack. At 6-1 and 315 pounds, he is another candidate for a nose tackle in the 3-4 defense.
Signing Probability: Low
LaVar Arrington LB The Dolphins are reportedly trying very hard to sign him. Visited the Dolphins on 3/10/06. LeVar Arrington has been to the Pro Bowl 3 times out of his 6 years in the league and is generally regarded as one of the premier linebackers in the NFL. However, he's had injury problems in his last two years and will command a large payday. Still, his first visit before free agency even officially began was to the Dolphins. Arrington would be a replacement for Junior Seau.
Signing Probability: Low
Ron Edwards DT Visited Miami on 3/20/06. Will visit again in about a month Ron Edwards is a five year veteran who has been with the Buffalo Bills all of his career. At 6'3" and 320 pounds, he is shaped like a nose tackle, but while he has been in the league 5 years, his record is less than spectacular. His best year was 2002 when he had 39 tackles and 2.5 sacks, but has he's had trouble staying healthy. In his 5 years in the league, he's only played two full seasons without getting sidelined by injuries. Last year, he only played 4 games and is still recovering from injuries he suffered.
Signing Probability: Low
Tommy Maddox QB Reportedly visiting Miami on 3/21/06. Tommy Maddox first entered the league in 1992, but took 5 years off in the middle of his career. He was out of the NFL from 1996 to 2001 when he returned to play for the Steelers. He has been in Pittsburgh ever since as a starter in 2002 and 2003 and a backup to Ben Roethlisberger in 2004 and 2005. He is a competent veteran in the Gus Frerotte mold. If the Dolphins can't re-sign Frerotte, they have told Maddox they'd be interested in him.
Signing Probability: Medium
Chris Baker TE Visited Miami on 3/15/06. Baker started 8 games for the Jets last year before being injured and missing the last half of the year. While playing, he caught 18 passes for 269 yards and 1 touchdown. If signed, he would be a backup tight end to compliment Randy McMichael.
Signing Probability: Low
Mike Vanderjagt K Visited with Miami on 3/13/06. Vanderjagt is the most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history, hitting 87.5 percent of his field goal attempts. He has had a falling out with the Colts and is available as an unrestricted free agent. The curious part about his visit is that the Dolphins have seemed happy with Olindo Mare'. Mare' has reportedly refused to take a pay cut and that might be why the Dolphins are having Vanderjagt visit, but Vanderjagt wouldn't be cheap, either.
Signing Probability: Low
Fred Beasley FB Visited the Dolphins on 3/13/06. Beasley is a veteran fullback who has played all 8 years of his career with the San Francisco 49ers. Until last year, Beasley was a very effective blocker, short yardage runner and receiver and made the Pro-Bowl as a fullback in 2003. Last year, however, he reported to training camp out of shape and didn't play well most of the season. His visit indicates that the Dolphins may not be satisfied with the play of Darian Barnes.
Signing Probability: Low
Tom Ashworth OT Visited the Dolphins on 3/13/06. Ashworth has been with the Patriots for 4 years and has started 24 games in that time, but has had problems staying healthy. He has played both left and right tackle and could be a valuable backup, but is probably not a starting quality left tackle.
Signing Probability: Low
Sam Adams DT Dolphins are still pursuing Adams. Adams is a three time Pro-Bowl player who, after 11 years in the NFL, is on the downside of his career. Nevertheless, at 6'4" and 335 pounds, he is still a formidible player that can anchor the middle of a defensive line and would still be very effective, especially alternating with Keith Traylor.
Signing Probability: Medium
Julian Peterson LB Signed with Seattle. Peterson is a two time Pro-Bowl linebacker and pass rusher from San Francisco who played for Nick Saban at Michigan State. It was thought that his price tag would be too expensive for Miami, but they have scheduled a visit with him for Monday. Peterson struggled a little bit last year after recovering from a torn Achilles tendon he suffered in 2004.
Ryan Hannam TE Signed with Dallas Hannam started 5 games for the Seahawks last year, catching 13 passes for 89 yards and 1 touchdown. He would be a backup receiving tight end for the Dolphins if he was signed
Chris Hope S
Signed with the Titans. Hope was the starting free safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers last year, finishing the season 3rd on the team in tackles and first in interceptions. It would be a great addition to get him in Miami, but he will probablycommand a first class salary and the Dolphins might not be able to afford him.
David Givens WR
Signed with the Titans. Givens has been a quality receiver for the Patriots for 3 years, saving his best performances for big games and tight situations. While his stats are not eye-popping, he has caught touchdown passes in 7 straight playoff games and has lead the Patriots in touchdown receptions in the playoffs every year since 2003.
Drew Brees QB
Brees has agreed to a deal with the Saints after the Dolphins refused to meet Brees' monetary demands. Brees is reliably rumored to be the number one priority of the team during the 2006 free agency period. So far, the San Diego Chargers have been unable to work out a contract extention with Brees and have not placed the franchise or transition tags on him. Brees is a former second round pick who had a rough start in the NFL, but unexpectedly blossomed in his 4th season (2004), throwing for 3159 yards and 27 touchdowns against only 7 interceptions. More importantly, his team went 12-4 that year and won the AFC West over some tough competition. Last year, he didn't play quite as well, but still threw for 3576 yards and 25 TDs against 15 INTs. The biggest question about Brees right now is how long it will take for his injured shoulder to heal.
Kevin Mawae C
Signed with the Titans Kevin Mawae is one of the top two or three centers in the NFL, but was cut by the New York Jets mostly for salary cap reasons. Mawae has appeared in 6 Pro Bowls during his career. Last year, he had a torn triceps which caused him to miss ten games, but before that he had started 177 games in a row for the Jets and Seahawks. If the Dolphins were to land him, that would be a major coup for the offensive line.
Justin Bannan DT
Signed with the Ravens. Bannan started the last 6 games of 2005 for the Bills at defensive tackle and ended the season with 40 tackles and 1.5 sacks. While not quite the prototypical nose tackle, he could be a valuable addition to the defensive line rotation and would probably be cheaper than Sam Adams.
Interest List
Trey Teague C
The Ft.Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel reports the Dolphins are interested in Trey Teague. Teague is an 8 year veteran who has started the last 5 years in the league - the last 4 for the Buffalo Bills. There seems to be very little information about him available, but he is not widely regarded as one of the better centers in the league. The Bills' offensive line has not been particularly strong the last few years and as the anchor for that line, Teague must take some responsibility for that. On the other hand, he is a versatile player and can play almost any position on the line.
Ty Law CB The Palm Beach Post reports the Dolphins are interested in Ty Law. Ty Law is one of the premier cornerbacks in the league, but also one of the premier prima donnas, as well. Last year, he had 10 interceptions with the Jets, but they cut him loose after the season because his contract demands were too high. If his contract demands were to drop into the "reasonable" range, the Dolphins would probably make him an offer.
Kevin Shaffer OT
Signed with the Browns. Shaffer has started at left tackle for the Atlanta Falcons for the last two years. At 290 pounds, he's not the biggest tackle in the league, but he has started on the offensive line of one of the best running teams in the NFL. He is expected to command a high price.
These players have either already signed with the Dolphins or have agreed to a deal. They all played during the 2005 season for some other NFL team. Name Pos Comments
Will Allen CB
Signed a 4 year deal on 3/19/06. Allen has been a starting cornerback for the last 5 years for the New York Giants, but was not signed at the start of free agency. His best year was his rookie season in 2001, when he had 45 tackles and 4 interceptions. Last year, he had 72 tackles and 11 passes defensed, but no interceptions.
Projected Role: Competing for starting CB
Justin Peelle TE
Signed a 3 year contract on 3/20/06. Peelle has been a backup tight end for San Diego for the last 4 years. Last season, he caught 11 passes for 38 yards and was an effective blocker. He would be a backup tight end for the Dolphins.
Projected Role: Backup Tight End
Renaldo Hill
DB Signed a 3 year deal on 3/16/06. Renaldo Hill is a 5 year veteran defensive back (not to be confused with Reynaldo Hill of the Titans) who spent his first four years in Arizona before signing with the Raiders last year. He started at safety for Oakland last season and racked up 89 tackles, 1 interception and 4 passes defensed. Before joining the NFL, Hill played college at Michigan State under Nick Saban.
Projected Role: Starting Strong Safety
LJ Shelton
OT Signed a 4 year deal on 3/13/06. LJ Shelton is a seven year veteran who is regarded as one of the better left tackles in football. He spent 6 years with the Cardinals before signing a one year deal with the Browns in 2005. The Browns wanted to re-sign him, but couldn't work out a contract extension. A big player at 6'6" and 345 pounds, he has been known as an inconsistent player, but had a good year last season.
Projected Role: Starting Offensive Left Tackle
Sedrick Hodge
LB Signed a 2 year deal on 3/12/06. Sedrick Hodge is a veteran linebacker who was originally drafted by the Saints in 2001 when Randy Mueller was the GM in New Orleans. He was the Saints starting strongside linebacker last year and registered 9 tackles in his game against the Dolphins. He could be an affordable replacement for Junior Seau.
Projected Role: Competing for starting SLB
Andre Goodman CB Signed a 3 year deal on 3/12/06. A 4 year veteran, Goodman started 8 games for the Lions last year and finished the season with 47 tackles, 3 interceptions and 8 passes defensed. However, he finished the season as a backup after having been demoted from the starting job. Given the sorry state of the Lions, that might not be a huge problem.
Projected Role: Competing for starting
Kelly Campbell WR
Signed on 3/19/06. Campbell is a former Viking who started 11 games for them from 2002 to 2004. However, he was released by Minnesota in 2005 after being arrested for Marijuana possession and receiving stolen property. He was out of football last year.
Free Agents Visiting With Dolphins
The following players have visited or talked to the Dolphins, but have not signed a contract as yet
Najeh Davenport RB
Visited the Dolphins on 3/21/06. Davenport has been the Packers' backup running back for the last 4 years and has performed very well in that role. He has averaged 4.9 yards per carry for his career and also plays on special teams, both returning kicks and in coverage. He would be an excellent backup running back for the Dolphins. Signing Probability: Low
Stephen Neal OG
Visited the Dolphins on 3/21/06. Neal is a 4 year veteran from the Patriots who started at left guard for New England the last 2 years. He has been a steady if unspectacular player who helped the Patriots to the SuperBowl in 2004. He could become a starter at right guard if the Dolphins move Rex Hadnot to center.
Signing Probability: Medium
Lionel Dalton DT
Visited the Dolphins on 3/21/06. Dalton is a journeyman defensive tackle who has played on 4 different teams in his 8 years in the league. Last year, he started 13 games for the Chiefs, ending the season with 18 tackles and 1 sack. At 6-1 and 315 pounds, he is another candidate for a nose tackle in the 3-4 defense.
Signing Probability: Low
LaVar Arrington LB The Dolphins are reportedly trying very hard to sign him. Visited the Dolphins on 3/10/06. LeVar Arrington has been to the Pro Bowl 3 times out of his 6 years in the league and is generally regarded as one of the premier linebackers in the NFL. However, he's had injury problems in his last two years and will command a large payday. Still, his first visit before free agency even officially began was to the Dolphins. Arrington would be a replacement for Junior Seau.
Signing Probability: Low
Ron Edwards DT Visited Miami on 3/20/06. Will visit again in about a month Ron Edwards is a five year veteran who has been with the Buffalo Bills all of his career. At 6'3" and 320 pounds, he is shaped like a nose tackle, but while he has been in the league 5 years, his record is less than spectacular. His best year was 2002 when he had 39 tackles and 2.5 sacks, but has he's had trouble staying healthy. In his 5 years in the league, he's only played two full seasons without getting sidelined by injuries. Last year, he only played 4 games and is still recovering from injuries he suffered.
Signing Probability: Low
Tommy Maddox QB Reportedly visiting Miami on 3/21/06. Tommy Maddox first entered the league in 1992, but took 5 years off in the middle of his career. He was out of the NFL from 1996 to 2001 when he returned to play for the Steelers. He has been in Pittsburgh ever since as a starter in 2002 and 2003 and a backup to Ben Roethlisberger in 2004 and 2005. He is a competent veteran in the Gus Frerotte mold. If the Dolphins can't re-sign Frerotte, they have told Maddox they'd be interested in him.
Signing Probability: Medium
Chris Baker TE Visited Miami on 3/15/06. Baker started 8 games for the Jets last year before being injured and missing the last half of the year. While playing, he caught 18 passes for 269 yards and 1 touchdown. If signed, he would be a backup tight end to compliment Randy McMichael.
Signing Probability: Low
Mike Vanderjagt K Visited with Miami on 3/13/06. Vanderjagt is the most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history, hitting 87.5 percent of his field goal attempts. He has had a falling out with the Colts and is available as an unrestricted free agent. The curious part about his visit is that the Dolphins have seemed happy with Olindo Mare'. Mare' has reportedly refused to take a pay cut and that might be why the Dolphins are having Vanderjagt visit, but Vanderjagt wouldn't be cheap, either.
Signing Probability: Low
Fred Beasley FB Visited the Dolphins on 3/13/06. Beasley is a veteran fullback who has played all 8 years of his career with the San Francisco 49ers. Until last year, Beasley was a very effective blocker, short yardage runner and receiver and made the Pro-Bowl as a fullback in 2003. Last year, however, he reported to training camp out of shape and didn't play well most of the season. His visit indicates that the Dolphins may not be satisfied with the play of Darian Barnes.
Signing Probability: Low
Tom Ashworth OT Visited the Dolphins on 3/13/06. Ashworth has been with the Patriots for 4 years and has started 24 games in that time, but has had problems staying healthy. He has played both left and right tackle and could be a valuable backup, but is probably not a starting quality left tackle.
Signing Probability: Low
Sam Adams DT Dolphins are still pursuing Adams. Adams is a three time Pro-Bowl player who, after 11 years in the NFL, is on the downside of his career. Nevertheless, at 6'4" and 335 pounds, he is still a formidible player that can anchor the middle of a defensive line and would still be very effective, especially alternating with Keith Traylor.
Signing Probability: Medium
Julian Peterson LB Signed with Seattle. Peterson is a two time Pro-Bowl linebacker and pass rusher from San Francisco who played for Nick Saban at Michigan State. It was thought that his price tag would be too expensive for Miami, but they have scheduled a visit with him for Monday. Peterson struggled a little bit last year after recovering from a torn Achilles tendon he suffered in 2004.
Ryan Hannam TE Signed with Dallas Hannam started 5 games for the Seahawks last year, catching 13 passes for 89 yards and 1 touchdown. He would be a backup receiving tight end for the Dolphins if he was signed
Chris Hope S
Signed with the Titans. Hope was the starting free safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers last year, finishing the season 3rd on the team in tackles and first in interceptions. It would be a great addition to get him in Miami, but he will probablycommand a first class salary and the Dolphins might not be able to afford him.
David Givens WR
Signed with the Titans. Givens has been a quality receiver for the Patriots for 3 years, saving his best performances for big games and tight situations. While his stats are not eye-popping, he has caught touchdown passes in 7 straight playoff games and has lead the Patriots in touchdown receptions in the playoffs every year since 2003.
Drew Brees QB
Brees has agreed to a deal with the Saints after the Dolphins refused to meet Brees' monetary demands. Brees is reliably rumored to be the number one priority of the team during the 2006 free agency period. So far, the San Diego Chargers have been unable to work out a contract extention with Brees and have not placed the franchise or transition tags on him. Brees is a former second round pick who had a rough start in the NFL, but unexpectedly blossomed in his 4th season (2004), throwing for 3159 yards and 27 touchdowns against only 7 interceptions. More importantly, his team went 12-4 that year and won the AFC West over some tough competition. Last year, he didn't play quite as well, but still threw for 3576 yards and 25 TDs against 15 INTs. The biggest question about Brees right now is how long it will take for his injured shoulder to heal.
Kevin Mawae C
Signed with the Titans Kevin Mawae is one of the top two or three centers in the NFL, but was cut by the New York Jets mostly for salary cap reasons. Mawae has appeared in 6 Pro Bowls during his career. Last year, he had a torn triceps which caused him to miss ten games, but before that he had started 177 games in a row for the Jets and Seahawks. If the Dolphins were to land him, that would be a major coup for the offensive line.
Justin Bannan DT
Signed with the Ravens. Bannan started the last 6 games of 2005 for the Bills at defensive tackle and ended the season with 40 tackles and 1.5 sacks. While not quite the prototypical nose tackle, he could be a valuable addition to the defensive line rotation and would probably be cheaper than Sam Adams.
Interest List
Trey Teague C
The Ft.Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel reports the Dolphins are interested in Trey Teague. Teague is an 8 year veteran who has started the last 5 years in the league - the last 4 for the Buffalo Bills. There seems to be very little information about him available, but he is not widely regarded as one of the better centers in the league. The Bills' offensive line has not been particularly strong the last few years and as the anchor for that line, Teague must take some responsibility for that. On the other hand, he is a versatile player and can play almost any position on the line.
Ty Law CB The Palm Beach Post reports the Dolphins are interested in Ty Law. Ty Law is one of the premier cornerbacks in the league, but also one of the premier prima donnas, as well. Last year, he had 10 interceptions with the Jets, but they cut him loose after the season because his contract demands were too high. If his contract demands were to drop into the "reasonable" range, the Dolphins would probably make him an offer.
Kevin Shaffer OT
Signed with the Browns. Shaffer has started at left tackle for the Atlanta Falcons for the last two years. At 290 pounds, he's not the biggest tackle in the league, but he has started on the offensive line of one of the best running teams in the NFL. He is expected to command a high price.
