Jason Cole's early FA winners and losers...

[rayfinkle5]

I didn't see this posted anywhere and figured anyone trying to make heads or tales of our signings may like another perspective.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_y...=jc-fawinnerslosers030308&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

In short the early winners and losers are:

Winners:
1. Browns
2. Bills
3. Saints
4. Vikings
5. Dolphins

Losers:
1. Bears
2. Benglas
3. Jaguars
4. Patriots
5. Raiders

Here is what he says of the Dolphins:

"There’s nowhere to go but up from where the Dolphins were, so maybe this isn’t that big an accomplishment. However, the Dolphins have played smart in the early stages of free agency. Instead of overpaying for an over-30 offensive lineman such as Alan Faneca or Flozell Adams, the Dolphins mined the under-30 market with guys such as Randy Starks, Ernest Wilford and Reggie Torbor. None of the signings were sexy, but they were logical. This is a team that completely lacks any depth, something the new regime headed by Bill Parcells realizes."

I know this means little unless it translates to wins during the season but it is nice to finally see us in the winning column and the patsies in the losing column.

 

[PYRO]

I am hoping that this season is the beginning of a slow decline of the new England Patriots. All good things come to an end. The Dolphins really can't do anything except get better, Bill realized that the Dolphins were dying out one by one last year and came into free agency to make sure the depth was good. Our Defense has been revamped, our Offense is starting to shape up into a smash mouth run type offense with the big and young pickups at the line, TE, and great run blocking receiver in Wilford. Don't really see how we couldn't be great this Off season with 40 million to spend and a 1-15 team to work with. I have high hopes for the Fins next year, and hope they run over our rivals in the AFC East upcoming. No where to go but up, and the Dolphins are on the rise.

 

[Mike13]

We definately made some smart moves.

 

[newlownorder]

Did he say anything else about JT leaving after pretty much everyone else said he was wrong?

 

[RaboGrande24]

I dont know bout you guys but I really like what we've done so far. Wilford is big, blocks and is a redzone threat, Smiley looks to be our starting rg and Starks helps solidify our DLINE

 

[Rich]

I'm not sold on Smiley or Starks. However, they provide needed depth. I see some upside on Smiley... I think if he's coached better, he can play better. Even if he's a backup, he doesn't break the bank.

In starks, I see former dolphins DT Bryan Robinson. If he beats out Fifita on the depth chart, I would be pleasantly surprised. Good Size, but he sucked last year. Unlike Fifita, he started games... and yet with all of this additional playing time, he had Steve Fifita statistics. 1 bad move won't break the team, though. Depending on the structure of the contract... it MAY be ok.

Wilford looks like a younger Marty Booker to me... looks like a good signing.

On Torbor, 3 tackles per game in the last 3 years doesn't get me too excited. Those aren't starter numbers. Just another guy to come in and compete.
******
I was hoping for a big name or 2. Maybe we'll get this later. JJ always says don't break the bank on free-agency, build through the draft. We'll see.

My fear is that if this is the kind of player they are scouting in free agency.... then maybe we'll get a crappy draft as well. I'm hoping for pro-bowlers though.

 

[MarinoForPres]

yeah i like the depth we added and think they will help be a foundation for the next few years

 

[greasyObnoxious]

I'm not sold on Smiley or Starks. However, they provide needed depth. I see some upside on Smiley... I think if he's coached better, he can play better. Even if he's a backup, he doesn't break the bank.

In starks, I see former dolphins DT Bryan Robinson. If he beats out Fifita on the depth chart, I would be pleasantly surprised. Good Size, but he sucked last year. Unlike Fifita, he started games... and yet with all of this additional playing time, he had Steve Fifita statistics. 1 bad move won't break the team, though. Depending on the structure of the contract... it MAY be ok.

Wilford looks like a younger Marty Booker to me... looks like a good signing.

On Torbor, 3 tackles per game in the last 3 years doesn't get me too excited. Those aren't starter numbers. Just another guy to come in and compete.
******
I was hoping for a big name or 2. Maybe we'll get this later. JJ always says don't break the bank on free-agency, build through the draft. We'll see.

My fear is that if this is the kind of player they are scouting in free agency.... then maybe we'll get a crappy draft as well. I'm hoping for pro-bowlers though.

IMO you're totally off with Torbor. i'm not proclaiming him our next superstar LB, but he was very effective during the last 9 weeks last season. a friend of mine is a Giants fan and he told me we got ourselves a player in Torbor.

http://www.nfl.com/players/reggietorbor/gamelogs?id=TOR177981

here's his gamelogs from last season.