RealDriscoll
Still Perfect.. and You're Not.
The regular season is winding down and free agency looms upon us. Today I am going to put myself in the shoes of Jeff Ireland; I want to look at our pending free agents, potential free agents, areas of need, and of course the draft.
First let's take a look at our own pending free agents. Jason Ferguson, Jason Taylor, Nathan Jones, and Chad Pennington are Unrestricted Free Agents. I really believe we should look at offering one year extensions to Ferguson and Taylor; both played at a high level last season and neither will cost a deal that will break out bank. Pennington doesn't fit the direction of our team; Chad Henne is the starter, Pat White is the X-Factor, and Tyler Thigpen is the true backup. Pennington will get a chance to start elsewhere and I am just hoping the Bills don't give him that chance. Davone Bess is an Exclusive Rights Free Agent and I think we should start talking extension with him before he plays himself into a big contract. Anthony Fasano is a Restricted Free Agent and my guess is that he will play out this final year of his contract as a Dolphin. Signing Fasano to an extension would be ideal but it would have to be a fair deal. I wouldn't pay him true starter money but if he was willing to take a discount I'd keep him around. The big name out there is Restricted Free Agent Ronnie Brown. I don't think we will attempt to resign him until after the 2010 season. Major questions loom around his health and for someone to take him from us they would be giving up a 1st and 3rd Round Pick. I think that is a very fair value for Brown. Don't get me wrong I am Brown supporter and think he is of the upper-echelon of Running Backs in the league but he has to prove that he can remain healthy before a great deal of money is invested in him. If Brown can stay healthy in 2010 than I offer him a four-year extension. To recap I resign Jason Taylor and Jason Ferguson with one year deals and I lock Davone Bess up with a four year contract. Ronnie Brown and Anthony Fasano are kept around as RFA but if someone attempts to sign them I will gladely take draft picks of equal value (1st and 3rd for Brown, 3rd for Fasano) to let them walk.
Now I want to look at areas of need which include Free Safety. Nose Tackle, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Inside Linebacker, and Outside Linebacker. Free Safety was the area where we were exposed in 2009. Big play after big play really cost us as we had Gibril Wilson out of position and it showed. We are going to have an off-season battle between Yeremiah Bell and Gibril Wilson to see who is the starting Strong Safety and the loser of that battle either restructures or is released. My money is on Gibril Wilson; Wilson is a very good tackler, blitzer, and plays the run well which is what you need you're Strong Safety to do. He is the better athlete in the battle between he and Bell.
Nose Tackle is a need but as Paul Solai played well as a role player in a rotation but I am not convinced on him as an every down player. His stamina is in question as is ability to eat up double teams. We don't have anyone on the roster besides him so signing Jason Ferguson to a one year deal will buy us another year. I don't think that Dan Williams of Tennessee or Terrence Cody of Alabama are worth drafting at #12 overall and doubt either will be around at #43. Casey Hampton and Vince Wilfork are free agents but I could see the Pats slapping the franchise tag on Wilfork and the Steelers have already announced that resigning Casey Hampton would be an priority this off-season. I think some really good talent such as Cam Thomas of UNC, Torrell Troup of Central Florida, Jay Ross of East Carolina, and D'Anthony Smith of La. Tech will be around in the later rounds of the draft.
The Dolphins need a legitimate #1 threat at Wide Receiver. Davone Bess has proven that is a very good slot receiver, Brian Hartline has shown glimpse of being a good receiver for us, the jury is out on Ted Ginn Jr. as he played very well down the stretch and received a public vote of confidence from Jeff Ireland, and Greg Camarillo has been steady. Ginn has shown glimpses of breaking out and I think 2010 could be the season he produces as we thought he would in 2009 but we cannot enter the season with that as our plan. we need a plan B; If Dez Bryant falls to us at #12 you take him; it's that simple; I doubt he does and I don't see Damian Williams of USC, Arrelious Benn of Illinois, or Golden Tate of Notre Dame worth taking at #12. Ginn does possess special speed and if he learns how to use it he could be dangerous. He needs to learn that contact is a part of the game but we saw Henne hook up with Ginn for a long score on Monday Night Football. The guy covering ginn was Darrelle Revis who is the best corner in football... If Ginn can get open on him he can get open on anyone and what I saw out of Ginn in 2008 was very promising. I think we solve the need for a #1 receiver in free agency and while players such as Malcolm Floyd and Jasan Avant intrigue me I feel that it comes down to two players Antonio Bryant and Braylon Edwards. Antonio Bryant was drafted in the 2nd Round by Parcells in 2003 and is a sure thing to hit the market. I'd pay him a contract similar if not a little better than we paid Ernest Wilford a few years back. I think signing a player like Antonio Bryant, drafting a Mardy Gilyard in Round 2, and combining them with Ginn, Hartline and Bess and now you have a real strength. You can look to move Greg Camarillo for a late draft pick and hope for the best when it relates to Patrick Turner. The wild-card is Braylon Edwards. Should the Jets let him walk than I expect us to be in hot pursuit. Out front office thought enough of Edwards that they were going to trade Ronnie Brown for him straight up before the start of the 2009 season.
Tight End is an area where we lacked production. Anthony Fasano had a stellar 2008 campaign but was a major disappointment in 2009. it started Week 1 against the Falcons when he fumbled twice. We will have Fasano for 2010 and I guess Haynos comes back but we need to find a vertical threat; a guy who can split defenses and cause mis-matches on linebackers.
Inside Linebacker is an area where we were exposed down the stretch. Reggie Torbor and Akin Ayodele are making too much money for their level of play and I would and expect both players to be released this off-season.There are some good free agents such as Kirk Morrison, Thomas Howard, D'Qwell Jackson, Demeco Ryans, but the player I want who WILL be available is Karlos Dansby. The Cardinals owe everyone money and won't be able to keep Dansby. this is where we need to make our splash. this move could move Channing Crowder to our Ted linebacker where he will b more effective. Idealy we are foaming at the mouth for Rolando McClain but chances he falls to #12 are very slim. Dansby is the complete package for us in the middle.
Outside Linebacker is an area of need as well...Big time! I'd resign Jason Taylor and having him play our WOLB implementing Cameron Wake on passing down. Wake is a GREAT pas rusher but needs to work on other areas of his game. The guy is determined and I think he could be the guy in the future; have him learn behind JT for another year. I wouldn't cut Joey Porter until we have a better option but his time in Miami is winding down without question. If he can accept a rotation role than more power to him but if not show me the door. We need someone who can play better against the run.
So leaving Free Agency here are the players we retained or signed..
*Ronnie Brown-RFA
*Anthony Fasano-RFA
*Davone Bess-RFA
*Jason Ferguson
*Jason Taylor
*Antonio Bryant
*Karlos Dansby
I am not saying that our free agency is limited to this but I am saying that these will be the major moves. I would love us to find some more Linebacker depth (Inside and Outside) here. Onto the draft
Round 1 (#12): Earl Thomas-Free Safety-Texas
Round 2 (#43): Mardy Gilyard-Wide Receiver-Cincinnati
Round 3 -Jason Worlids-Strong Outside Linebacker-Virginia Tech
Round 4: Jimmy Graham-Tight End-Miami Fl.
Round 6A (from Chiefs for Allemen/Ndukwe): Jay Ross-Nose Tackle-East Carolina
Round 6B (from Redskins for Jason Taylor): Torrell Troup-Nose Tackle-Central Florida)
Round 6C: Dexter Davis-OLB-Arizona State
Round 7A: Darius Marshall-Running Back-Marshall
Round 7B: Dan Doering-Offensive Guard-Iowa
MY 2010 Miami Dolphins Roster:
QB: Chad Henne/ Pat White/ Tyler Thigpen
RB: Ronnie Brown/ Ricky Williams/ Lex Hilliard/ Darius Marshall
FB: Loushaka Polite
TE: Anthony Fasano/ Jimmy Graham/ Joey Haynos
LT: Jake Long
LG: Justin Smiley/ Dan Doering
C: Jake Grove/ Joe Berger
RG: Donald Thomas/ Nate Garner
RT: Vernon Carey/ Andrew Gardner
WR: Antonio Bryant/ Davone Bess/Ted Ginn Jr.
WR: Mardy Gilyard/Brian Hartline
K: Dan Carpenter
P: Brandon Fields
DE: Randy Starks/Phil Merling
DE: Kendall Langford/Tony McDaniel. Lionel Dotson
Nose Tackle: Jason Ferguson/ Paul Soliai/ Jay Ross/ Torrell Troup
OLB: Joey Porter/Jason Worlids/Dexter Davis
OLB: Jason Taylor/ Cameron Wake/ Charlie Anderson
ILB: Karlos Dansby/ JD Folsom
ILB: Channing Crowder
CB: Vontae Davis/Will Allen
CB: Sean Smith/ Jason Allen/Evan Oglesby
FS: Earl Thomas/ Chris Clemons
SS: Gibril Wilson/ Tyrone Culver
First let's take a look at our own pending free agents. Jason Ferguson, Jason Taylor, Nathan Jones, and Chad Pennington are Unrestricted Free Agents. I really believe we should look at offering one year extensions to Ferguson and Taylor; both played at a high level last season and neither will cost a deal that will break out bank. Pennington doesn't fit the direction of our team; Chad Henne is the starter, Pat White is the X-Factor, and Tyler Thigpen is the true backup. Pennington will get a chance to start elsewhere and I am just hoping the Bills don't give him that chance. Davone Bess is an Exclusive Rights Free Agent and I think we should start talking extension with him before he plays himself into a big contract. Anthony Fasano is a Restricted Free Agent and my guess is that he will play out this final year of his contract as a Dolphin. Signing Fasano to an extension would be ideal but it would have to be a fair deal. I wouldn't pay him true starter money but if he was willing to take a discount I'd keep him around. The big name out there is Restricted Free Agent Ronnie Brown. I don't think we will attempt to resign him until after the 2010 season. Major questions loom around his health and for someone to take him from us they would be giving up a 1st and 3rd Round Pick. I think that is a very fair value for Brown. Don't get me wrong I am Brown supporter and think he is of the upper-echelon of Running Backs in the league but he has to prove that he can remain healthy before a great deal of money is invested in him. If Brown can stay healthy in 2010 than I offer him a four-year extension. To recap I resign Jason Taylor and Jason Ferguson with one year deals and I lock Davone Bess up with a four year contract. Ronnie Brown and Anthony Fasano are kept around as RFA but if someone attempts to sign them I will gladely take draft picks of equal value (1st and 3rd for Brown, 3rd for Fasano) to let them walk.
Now I want to look at areas of need which include Free Safety. Nose Tackle, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Inside Linebacker, and Outside Linebacker. Free Safety was the area where we were exposed in 2009. Big play after big play really cost us as we had Gibril Wilson out of position and it showed. We are going to have an off-season battle between Yeremiah Bell and Gibril Wilson to see who is the starting Strong Safety and the loser of that battle either restructures or is released. My money is on Gibril Wilson; Wilson is a very good tackler, blitzer, and plays the run well which is what you need you're Strong Safety to do. He is the better athlete in the battle between he and Bell.
Nose Tackle is a need but as Paul Solai played well as a role player in a rotation but I am not convinced on him as an every down player. His stamina is in question as is ability to eat up double teams. We don't have anyone on the roster besides him so signing Jason Ferguson to a one year deal will buy us another year. I don't think that Dan Williams of Tennessee or Terrence Cody of Alabama are worth drafting at #12 overall and doubt either will be around at #43. Casey Hampton and Vince Wilfork are free agents but I could see the Pats slapping the franchise tag on Wilfork and the Steelers have already announced that resigning Casey Hampton would be an priority this off-season. I think some really good talent such as Cam Thomas of UNC, Torrell Troup of Central Florida, Jay Ross of East Carolina, and D'Anthony Smith of La. Tech will be around in the later rounds of the draft.
The Dolphins need a legitimate #1 threat at Wide Receiver. Davone Bess has proven that is a very good slot receiver, Brian Hartline has shown glimpse of being a good receiver for us, the jury is out on Ted Ginn Jr. as he played very well down the stretch and received a public vote of confidence from Jeff Ireland, and Greg Camarillo has been steady. Ginn has shown glimpses of breaking out and I think 2010 could be the season he produces as we thought he would in 2009 but we cannot enter the season with that as our plan. we need a plan B; If Dez Bryant falls to us at #12 you take him; it's that simple; I doubt he does and I don't see Damian Williams of USC, Arrelious Benn of Illinois, or Golden Tate of Notre Dame worth taking at #12. Ginn does possess special speed and if he learns how to use it he could be dangerous. He needs to learn that contact is a part of the game but we saw Henne hook up with Ginn for a long score on Monday Night Football. The guy covering ginn was Darrelle Revis who is the best corner in football... If Ginn can get open on him he can get open on anyone and what I saw out of Ginn in 2008 was very promising. I think we solve the need for a #1 receiver in free agency and while players such as Malcolm Floyd and Jasan Avant intrigue me I feel that it comes down to two players Antonio Bryant and Braylon Edwards. Antonio Bryant was drafted in the 2nd Round by Parcells in 2003 and is a sure thing to hit the market. I'd pay him a contract similar if not a little better than we paid Ernest Wilford a few years back. I think signing a player like Antonio Bryant, drafting a Mardy Gilyard in Round 2, and combining them with Ginn, Hartline and Bess and now you have a real strength. You can look to move Greg Camarillo for a late draft pick and hope for the best when it relates to Patrick Turner. The wild-card is Braylon Edwards. Should the Jets let him walk than I expect us to be in hot pursuit. Out front office thought enough of Edwards that they were going to trade Ronnie Brown for him straight up before the start of the 2009 season.
Tight End is an area where we lacked production. Anthony Fasano had a stellar 2008 campaign but was a major disappointment in 2009. it started Week 1 against the Falcons when he fumbled twice. We will have Fasano for 2010 and I guess Haynos comes back but we need to find a vertical threat; a guy who can split defenses and cause mis-matches on linebackers.
Inside Linebacker is an area where we were exposed down the stretch. Reggie Torbor and Akin Ayodele are making too much money for their level of play and I would and expect both players to be released this off-season.There are some good free agents such as Kirk Morrison, Thomas Howard, D'Qwell Jackson, Demeco Ryans, but the player I want who WILL be available is Karlos Dansby. The Cardinals owe everyone money and won't be able to keep Dansby. this is where we need to make our splash. this move could move Channing Crowder to our Ted linebacker where he will b more effective. Idealy we are foaming at the mouth for Rolando McClain but chances he falls to #12 are very slim. Dansby is the complete package for us in the middle.
Outside Linebacker is an area of need as well...Big time! I'd resign Jason Taylor and having him play our WOLB implementing Cameron Wake on passing down. Wake is a GREAT pas rusher but needs to work on other areas of his game. The guy is determined and I think he could be the guy in the future; have him learn behind JT for another year. I wouldn't cut Joey Porter until we have a better option but his time in Miami is winding down without question. If he can accept a rotation role than more power to him but if not show me the door. We need someone who can play better against the run.
So leaving Free Agency here are the players we retained or signed..
*Ronnie Brown-RFA
*Anthony Fasano-RFA
*Davone Bess-RFA
*Jason Ferguson
*Jason Taylor
*Antonio Bryant
*Karlos Dansby
I am not saying that our free agency is limited to this but I am saying that these will be the major moves. I would love us to find some more Linebacker depth (Inside and Outside) here. Onto the draft
Round 1 (#12): Earl Thomas-Free Safety-Texas
Round 2 (#43): Mardy Gilyard-Wide Receiver-Cincinnati
Round 3 -Jason Worlids-Strong Outside Linebacker-Virginia Tech
Round 4: Jimmy Graham-Tight End-Miami Fl.
Round 6A (from Chiefs for Allemen/Ndukwe): Jay Ross-Nose Tackle-East Carolina
Round 6B (from Redskins for Jason Taylor): Torrell Troup-Nose Tackle-Central Florida)
Round 6C: Dexter Davis-OLB-Arizona State
Round 7A: Darius Marshall-Running Back-Marshall
Round 7B: Dan Doering-Offensive Guard-Iowa
MY 2010 Miami Dolphins Roster:
QB: Chad Henne/ Pat White/ Tyler Thigpen
RB: Ronnie Brown/ Ricky Williams/ Lex Hilliard/ Darius Marshall
FB: Loushaka Polite
TE: Anthony Fasano/ Jimmy Graham/ Joey Haynos
LT: Jake Long
LG: Justin Smiley/ Dan Doering
C: Jake Grove/ Joe Berger
RG: Donald Thomas/ Nate Garner
RT: Vernon Carey/ Andrew Gardner
WR: Antonio Bryant/ Davone Bess/Ted Ginn Jr.
WR: Mardy Gilyard/Brian Hartline
K: Dan Carpenter
P: Brandon Fields
DE: Randy Starks/Phil Merling
DE: Kendall Langford/Tony McDaniel. Lionel Dotson
Nose Tackle: Jason Ferguson/ Paul Soliai/ Jay Ross/ Torrell Troup
OLB: Joey Porter/Jason Worlids/Dexter Davis
OLB: Jason Taylor/ Cameron Wake/ Charlie Anderson
ILB: Karlos Dansby/ JD Folsom
ILB: Channing Crowder
CB: Vontae Davis/Will Allen
CB: Sean Smith/ Jason Allen/Evan Oglesby
FS: Earl Thomas/ Chris Clemons
SS: Gibril Wilson/ Tyrone Culver
