Free Agents Visiting with Dolphins

[dolphan13]

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Drew Brees QB Nick Saban flew to Alabama to meet with Brees on Saturday, 3/11/06. Brees is expected to visit Miami on 3/12/06, following his visit to New Orleans. 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 first 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.
Signing Probability: Medium

Daunte Culpepper QB The Dolphins have talked directly to Culpepper and the Vikings about a trade. Current reports say the Dolphins will trade for Culpepper if Brees doesn't sign on Sunday. Even though he's not a free agent, the Dolphins reportedly have an interest in acquiring Daunte Culpepper if a deal for Drew Brees can't be worked out. Recent reports indicate that Culpepper has asked to be either traded or released from the Vikings. Culpepper is considered among the best NFL quarterbacks, both because of his passing ability and his general physical gifts. His best year was in 2004, when he threw for more than 4700 yards and 39 TDs. Culpepper, however, was severely injured last year and has not recovered at this time. He also was not playing well before he was injured, leading some to speculate that much of his success was due to the presence of Randy Moss on his team.
Signing Probability: Medium

Tom Ashworth OT Scheduled to visit 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: Medium

Justin Bannan DT Scheduled to visit the Dolphins on 3/14/06. 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.
Signing Probability: Medium

Sedrick Hodge LB Visited the Dolphins on 3/11/06. 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.
Signing Probability: High

Andre Goodman CB Reportedly visited the Dolphins on 3/11/06. 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.
Signing Probability: High

David Givens WR Visited the Dolphins on 3/11/06. 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. He would be a very valuable addition to the Dolphins receiving corps.
Signing Probability: Medium

LaVar Arrington LB 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 make a good replacement for Junior Seau.
Signing Probability: Low

Kevin Mawae C Visited the Dolphins on 3/8/06. 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.
Signing Probability: Medium

Sam Adams DT Visited the Dolphins on 3/8/06. 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

 

[Joneal7]

Bannan was just signed by the Ravens...thats what a friend of mine has said

 

[Troysif]

Nice Post Thx

 

[Vector1Dolphins]

Kewl post thanks

 

[finsgonewild]

great post!! The only thing i have to say is I am pretty sure that Brees was drafted in the part of the 2nd round.

 

[lordryan]

why don't you just link to Curt's page here. Or at least give the guy credit....

 

[ASUFinFan]

well you can tell by the way he set his post up that he copied and pasted...so he made it obvious that it wasnt his information...good catch tho lordryan ha

 

[Surferosa]

According to the link supplied by Lodryan, you mixed up the "medium" and "highs" for several of the players....

 

[footballer]

neat report man.

 

[overseas]

seems, it´s copied and pasted from curt fennel´s www.phins.com