Miami Targets Brees/Hodge/Goodwin/Givens/Ashworth

[Calvin Clean]

Miami Targets Brees/Hodge/Goodman/Givens/Ashworth

Good article about "Brees a wanted man."

Talk about an interception.

In what had to be a whirlwind, exhausting first day of free agency for Dolphins brass, a source said coach Nick Saban and General Manager Randy Mueller boarded owner H. Wayne Huizenga's charter Saturday morning and flew to Birmingham, Ala., in an effort to woo Chargers quarterback Drew Brees before the New Orleans Saints had a crack at him.

After the Dolphins met with Brees, 27, Saints GM Mickey Loomis and coach Sean Payton flew to Birmingham and brought Brees back to New Orleans, where they rolled out the red carpet in an effort to convince him that he's their No. 1 priority despite owning the second overall draft pick and a shot at Texas quarterback Vince Young or Southern California quarterback Matt Leinart. The Dolphins made sure they had a chance to meet with Brees before the salary-cap rich Saints could close the deal...

However, the Saints may have a tough sell bringing stars to hurricane-ravaged New Orleans.

It's believed the loser of the Brees sweepstakes will then go for option No. 2 and either trade for disgruntled Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper or simply sign him after Minnesota cuts him instead of paying a $6 million roster bonus due March 25.

Information on LB Sedrick Hodge and CB Andre Goodman

The process of courting free agents officially began at 12:01 a.m. Saturday when Mueller called agent Brian Mackler to arrange bringing in Saints outside linebacker Sedrick Hodge and Lions cornerback Andre' Goodwin.

"I'm fully optimistic that Randy and I can work through the night and come up with a comfortable [agreement]," Mackler said.

Hodge, 27, a more affordable option than Witherspoon or LaVar Arrington to replace outside linebacker Junior Seau, was drafted in the third round by Mueller when he was the Saints' GM in 2001. Goodwin, a four-year veteran with five career interceptions, has a legitimate shot at replacing Sam Madison, who was signed by the Giants.

Information on David Givens

While Saban was on his Alabama sojourn, the Dolphins also entertained Patriots free-agent receiver David Givens.

Huizenga's charter landed in Fort Lauderdale at 4:10 p.m, and Saban drove directly to team headquarters, where he was expected to dine with Givens, according to his agent Brad Blank.

Givens, 25, had a career-high 59 catches for 738 yards and two touchdowns last season, and would be a suitable replacement for oft-injured Dolphins free-agent receiver David Boston, who isn't expected back.

Information on Tom Ashworth

Saban, a disciple of Patriots coach Bill Belichick, has also shown interest in Patriots free-agent 6-foot-6, 305-pound offensive tackle Tom Ashworth, who is coming for a visit Monday.

Ashworth, who has played both right and left tackle, could bolster an offensive line that isn't expected to re-sign left tackle Damion McIntosh, reserve free-agent tackle Stockar McDougle or free-agent center Seth McKinney.

Link: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-dol12mar12,0,6796549.story?coll=sfla-dolphins-front

 

[fins2923]

Justin Bannan also in for a visit on Tues according to that.

 

[motioncityhifi]

is the cornerbacks name goodman or goodwin? was looking up a scouting report and only cb i could find with a name close to that was andre goodman from detroit.

 

[Smoke]

I don't like the idea of Goodman replacing Madison.

 

[bigmiamifan]

Man I love Saban.

 

[InMyChambers]

i'd be interested to know who givens met with before saban got back. i mean who does he interview with when the coach is MIA?

 

[Calvin Clean]

is the cornerbacks name goodman or goodwin? was looking up a scouting report and only cb i could find with a name close to that was andre goodman from detroit.

Good catch!

 

[dolfan121]

I don't like the idea of Goodman replacing Madison.

he's not, Will Poole is!!!!
Guys Poole was a threat to play the final 8 games last year but they held him out to make sure he was 100% for this year. This guy was considered the steal of the draft 2 years ago, and he was the reason Surtain was expendable.

 

[motioncityhifi]

Good catch!

ok so i guess its goodman. he wouldnt be a bad signing. not great either. the guy is fast and athletic and at the very least would provide a little depth. if we do sign the guy im hoping theyre arent looking at him as starting material.

 

[NOSA]

In case you guys are interested, Hodge wasn't very good in New Orleans. Good athlete and has potential but never really did much. I suppose he could still come around, but I wouldn't count on it.

 

[FSF]

4 million under the new cap????

 

[Calvin Clean]

ok so i guess its goodman. he wouldnt be a bad signing. not great either. the guy is fast and athletic and at the very least would provide a little depth. if we do sign the guy im hoping theyre arent looking at him as starting material.

Yes, it has to be goodman. The article has his name misspelled.

 

[spike owen]

i'd be interested to know who givens met with before saban got back. i mean who does he interview with when the coach is MIA?

The beauty of having 22 coaches on the staff! He probably met with the OC, the assistant OC, the WR coach, the coach in charge of left-handed receivers, and the David Givens coach!

 

[wazzy]

IF we can grab all these targets and have a successful draft again Saban will be considered 2 for 2 when it comes to great offseasons! Keep up the good and hard work Saban!

 

[dominizzo]

Ashworth would be an Upgrade