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Dolphins News For 2006!!
Posted on Sun, Dec. 18, 2005
FLORIDA SPORTS BUZZ
Free agents: QBs weak, defense strong
BY BARRY JACKSON
bjackson@herald.com
The list of impending NFL free agents is out, and there's mixed news for the Dolphins, who will have more than $10 million in cap space, and potentially as much as $25 million. Though Miami should be able to upgrade on defense, particularly the secondary, it shouldn't expect to acquire long-term answers at left tackle or quarterback through free agency. Some thoughts:
• Assuming San Diego keeps Drew Brees and Houston picks up David Carr's option (as expected), that would leave Arizona's Josh McCown and Kurt Warner, Cincinnati's Jon Kitna and Detroit's Jeff Garcia as the best of a weak free agent group. None of those four is clearly better than Gus Frerotte, who's signed through 2006. Possible releases include Tampa Bay's Brian Griese, Oakland's Kerry Collins and New Orleans' Aaron Brooks.
• Upgrading over Damion McIntosh at left tackle will be difficult before the draft. The free agent list is lousy, with the best options being Detroit's Jeff Backus, Philadelphia's Jon Runyan and Denver's Matt Lepsis.
• Looking to upgrade over Sam Madison and Reggie Howard at cornerback, the Dolphins will study a free agent list, including Oakland's Charles Woodson, Chicago's Jerry Azumah, the Giants' Will Allen, Minnesota's Brian Williams and Buffalo's Nate Clements.
There are several good safeties available, such as Minnesota strong safety Corey Chavous. There's likely a need to improve over Travares Tillman and injured Tebucky Jones at strong safety, but Miami will be fine at free safety if Lance Schulters re-signs.
• Figure on Miami signing at least one veteran linebacker to replace Junior Seau. A deep list includes San Francisco's Julian Peterson and Carolina's Will Witherspoon.
• With the emergence of Chris Chambers -- who's signed through 2009 -- there's no need to overpay for a free agent like Indy's Reggie Wayne. ESPN's Chris Mortensen predicts Terrell Owens will be a Dolphin next season but said off-air he has no inside information to support that. A friend of Owens tells us Miami appeals to him.
Several big-name receivers past their prime -- including Buffalo's Eric Moulds, St. Louis' Isaac Bruce and Jacksonville's Jimmy Smith -- could be cap casualties, and would be worth a look at the right price.
Posted on Sun, Dec. 18, 2005
Around the NFL | Law likely to become free agent
BY JASON COLE
jcole@herald.com
New York Jets CB Ty Law has made a nice return after his injury-marred 2004, leading the Jets with six interceptions. But don't expect Law to be with the Jets much longer.
He has an $11 million bonus due in March. While the Jets would like to rework the contract and keep him, Law is of the belief that he can do much better in free agency, even though he's 31 and is still somewhat hobbled by a sore foot.
Law is also hoping the Dolphins come calling because he has a house in nearby Plantation. He had hoped during the offseason that the Dolphins would sign him, but the team showed only minimal interest.
DOLPHINS MIGHT SEEK SAINTS QB BROOKS
If this does end up being the end of the line for QB Aaron Brooks in New Orleans (Brooks was benched this week), don't be surprised if the Dolphins take a look.
Dolphins general manager Randy Mueller was the person who traded for Brooks when he was in New Orleans, essentially sending a third-round pick to Green Bay for Brooks. Mueller was gone by the time the Saints signed Brooks to a six-year contract during the 2002 season.
That's when things went bad for Brooks with the Saints. Coach Jim Haslett stopped disciplining Brooks, who developed a number of bad habits. Most of all, Brooks gives up too much ground on sacks. Still, Brooks is a terrific athlete who has the capacity to learn.
• Ricky's future: Should the Dolphins trade Ricky Williams or keep him? Our inclination is the latter. He has proved he is still a top back. He is in his physical prime. And the tandem-ing with Ronnie Brown has served the team well.
Of course, Miami should be receptive to an offer it cannot refuse. That would include another team being dumb, er, I mean desperate enough to dangle a first-round pick, even a low-first. That would also include packaging Williams in a trade-up for a shot at Matt Leinart. Or including him in a deal for an established QB who might be available, such as (if rumors are true) Minnesota's Daunte ''Love Boat'' Culpepper.
Barring that, keep him. Ricky has proved he is worth more to Miami than a second-round pick and a bag of chick peas.
Posted on Sun, Dec. 18, 2005
FLORIDA SPORTS BUZZ
Free agents: QBs weak, defense strong
BY BARRY JACKSON
bjackson@herald.com
The list of impending NFL free agents is out, and there's mixed news for the Dolphins, who will have more than $10 million in cap space, and potentially as much as $25 million. Though Miami should be able to upgrade on defense, particularly the secondary, it shouldn't expect to acquire long-term answers at left tackle or quarterback through free agency. Some thoughts:
• Assuming San Diego keeps Drew Brees and Houston picks up David Carr's option (as expected), that would leave Arizona's Josh McCown and Kurt Warner, Cincinnati's Jon Kitna and Detroit's Jeff Garcia as the best of a weak free agent group. None of those four is clearly better than Gus Frerotte, who's signed through 2006. Possible releases include Tampa Bay's Brian Griese, Oakland's Kerry Collins and New Orleans' Aaron Brooks.
• Upgrading over Damion McIntosh at left tackle will be difficult before the draft. The free agent list is lousy, with the best options being Detroit's Jeff Backus, Philadelphia's Jon Runyan and Denver's Matt Lepsis.
• Looking to upgrade over Sam Madison and Reggie Howard at cornerback, the Dolphins will study a free agent list, including Oakland's Charles Woodson, Chicago's Jerry Azumah, the Giants' Will Allen, Minnesota's Brian Williams and Buffalo's Nate Clements.
There are several good safeties available, such as Minnesota strong safety Corey Chavous. There's likely a need to improve over Travares Tillman and injured Tebucky Jones at strong safety, but Miami will be fine at free safety if Lance Schulters re-signs.
• Figure on Miami signing at least one veteran linebacker to replace Junior Seau. A deep list includes San Francisco's Julian Peterson and Carolina's Will Witherspoon.
• With the emergence of Chris Chambers -- who's signed through 2009 -- there's no need to overpay for a free agent like Indy's Reggie Wayne. ESPN's Chris Mortensen predicts Terrell Owens will be a Dolphin next season but said off-air he has no inside information to support that. A friend of Owens tells us Miami appeals to him.
Several big-name receivers past their prime -- including Buffalo's Eric Moulds, St. Louis' Isaac Bruce and Jacksonville's Jimmy Smith -- could be cap casualties, and would be worth a look at the right price.
Posted on Sun, Dec. 18, 2005
Around the NFL | Law likely to become free agent
BY JASON COLE
jcole@herald.com
New York Jets CB Ty Law has made a nice return after his injury-marred 2004, leading the Jets with six interceptions. But don't expect Law to be with the Jets much longer.
He has an $11 million bonus due in March. While the Jets would like to rework the contract and keep him, Law is of the belief that he can do much better in free agency, even though he's 31 and is still somewhat hobbled by a sore foot.
Law is also hoping the Dolphins come calling because he has a house in nearby Plantation. He had hoped during the offseason that the Dolphins would sign him, but the team showed only minimal interest.
DOLPHINS MIGHT SEEK SAINTS QB BROOKS
If this does end up being the end of the line for QB Aaron Brooks in New Orleans (Brooks was benched this week), don't be surprised if the Dolphins take a look.
Dolphins general manager Randy Mueller was the person who traded for Brooks when he was in New Orleans, essentially sending a third-round pick to Green Bay for Brooks. Mueller was gone by the time the Saints signed Brooks to a six-year contract during the 2002 season.
That's when things went bad for Brooks with the Saints. Coach Jim Haslett stopped disciplining Brooks, who developed a number of bad habits. Most of all, Brooks gives up too much ground on sacks. Still, Brooks is a terrific athlete who has the capacity to learn.
• Ricky's future: Should the Dolphins trade Ricky Williams or keep him? Our inclination is the latter. He has proved he is still a top back. He is in his physical prime. And the tandem-ing with Ronnie Brown has served the team well.
Of course, Miami should be receptive to an offer it cannot refuse. That would include another team being dumb, er, I mean desperate enough to dangle a first-round pick, even a low-first. That would also include packaging Williams in a trade-up for a shot at Matt Leinart. Or including him in a deal for an established QB who might be available, such as (if rumors are true) Minnesota's Daunte ''Love Boat'' Culpepper.
Barring that, keep him. Ricky has proved he is worth more to Miami than a second-round pick and a bag of chick peas.