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Jackson: Vernon decision looming

Daytona Fin

Daytona Fin

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For weeks, the Dolphins have suggested they want to keep free agent Olivier Vernon and that they value him. But that public appreciation hasn't yet morphed into serious contract talks.

According to a team source, Miami hasn't yet told Vernon how much it's willing to offer him.

But the NFL calendar will force the Dolphins' hand in the next two weeks.

Teams can use their franchise tag beginning Tuesday and through March 1. If Vernon receives the franchise tag, that would result in a salary of about $15 million next season, an amount which would be reflected entirely on Miami's 2016 cap. It also would prevent him from hitting the free agent market March 9.

It's customary to engage in contract talks with a free agent before slapping the franchise tag on him. It's curious those talks haven't happened yet with Vernon, but there's still time for those conversations at next week's NFL Combine, when teams usually speak to agents.

Allowing Vernon, 25, to hit the free agent market would be risky, because teams are paying big dollars for young defensive ends with pass-rush skills.

Vernon is curious to see how this plays out. He said at the end of the season that while coming back to Miami would appeal to him, he isn't going to give the Dolphins a hometown discount.

The Dolphins have told people they believe Cam Wake is still a top defensive end, even after Achilles' surgery. But even with Wake, Miami would need to find another starting defensive end if it doesn't keep Vernon.

Pro Football Focus rates Vernon third among all impending free agents, behind Bears receiver Alshon Jeffrey and Broncos linebacker Von Miller.

Here's PFF's assessment: "If you want an example of a player turning it on right before free agency, look no further than Olivier Vernon. Halfway through the season, Vernon looked like just one of many under-performers in Miami this season; that changed drastically in the second half. PFF’s second-highest graded overall edge defender in the regular season, Vernon earned positive game grades in each of the last eight weeks. Leading all 4-3 ends in QB hits, with 30, he would accumulate 24 of those in those final eight games, in addition to eight of his 10 sacks and 25 of his 41 hurries."

Vernon had 7.5 sacks last season and a career-high 61 tackles.
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http://miamiherald.typepad.com/spor...-all-star-break-with-players-weighing-in.html
 
I want him back but I'm not gonna pay some ridiculous amount. He's just as likely to play well as to do nothing in games. Also all the dumb penalties

I wonder who will overpay for him
 
Here's other thoughts on Vernon


Financial To-Dos for all 32 NFL teams heading toward the 2016 league year
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JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Sign Olivier Vernon (DE) away from Miami
Vernon's numbers don't pop off the page, but he's been a consistent edge player for the Dolphins. With Miami in a bit of cap trouble, and Jacksonville very much not, the Jags are in position to pull in a player like Vernon this March. The $10M per year mark is a likely starting
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http://www.spotrac.com/research/nfl...eams-heading-toward-the-2016-league-year-565/


32. Miami might have to redo Ndamukong Suh's deal to even attempt to keep Olivier Vernon. Think they get it done?

I do expect Miami to successfully restructure Suh's whopping $28.6 million cap hit in 2016. But even if they do that, I think they'll still lose Vernon in free agency, because he will get a lot of interest on the open market, and the Dolphins have too many needs to spend $10 million-plus annually to retain a single player. -- James Walker
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http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14767287/50-predictions-50-nfl-offseason-questions
 
Travis34 said:
I want him back but I'm not gonna pay some ridiculous amount. He's just as likely to play well as to do nothing in games. Also all the dumb penalties

I wonder who will overpay for him
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This is my worry about him. I think he could get better for sure, but to pay a premium price on an inconsistent guy just because of potential, I've seen this team down that road before, doesn't always end well.
 
Travis34 said:
I want him back but I'm not gonna pay some ridiculous amount. He's just as likely to play well as to do nothing in games. Also all the dumb penalties

I wonder who will overpay for him
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He's a proven pass rusher. a rare commodity. The penalties will drive you nuts but I think he matures and stops committing so many PF's. He was injured early in the season and came on and had really good games against the Pats and good LT's like Tyron Smith

I hope he stays and they can work something out
 
Foo27 said:
He's a proven pass rusher. a rare commodity. The penalties will drive you nuts but I think he matures and stops committing so many PF's. He was injured early in the season and came on and had really good games against the Pats and good LT's like Tyron Smith

I hope he stays and they can work something out
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I didn't know he was playing injured early in the year. That changes my thinking on him a little. The penalties don't bother me as much as his inconsistency in his time here., but injuries could explain lack of production in 2014 and early 2015. That's information we often don't have that the front office would. Agree 100% that edge rush alent is critical, and the way he came on the 2nd half of 2015 (production in line with his 2013 campaign) we need him, and he would be difficult to replace.
 
If the plan is to tag him Miami is not in a financial position to do that. Can't take up half the free cap space on one player, unless it was for the likes of Von Miller (which Vernon is not).
 
Foo27 said:
He's a proven pass rusher. a rare commodity. The penalties will drive you nuts but I think he matures and stops committing so many PF's. He was injured early in the season and came on and had really good games against the Pats and good LT's like Tyron Smith

I hope he stays and they can work something out
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A proven pass rusher? He had 7.5 sacks and 5 personal fouls. He's an average player

Ozzy rules
 
If he going to be in the 12-15 million a year range, idk if he's worth the money; he's definitely benefitted from playing opposite of Wake and now with Suh so how much true production he's giving us is questionable. He's definitely upped his game but his skillset isn't anything spectacular. Still though, another hole to fill if he leaves.
 
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