RealDriscoll
Still Perfect.. and You're Not.
The off-season is well underway and I expect the Miami Dolphins to be active. I always breakdown the off-season into four categories..A) House-Cleaning b) Free Agency c) The draft D) June 1 Cuts.
The first area is house-cleaning which is where we look at resigning players on our roster who are unrestricted free agents or even restricted free agents, look to release players with high cap numbers, and maybe look to move a played for a draft pick. The Dolphins seem poised to move on without Jason Ferguson. I think it would be a good idea to sign this guy for a one year extension but that does not seem like that's the case. Nathan Jones is another guy who is an UFA and the front office would love to bring him back but they seem to be far off on the numbers. Jason Allen played fairly well down the stretch; combine that with the return of Will Allen and I don't see bringing Nathan Jones back as a priority. Anthony Fasano is a RFA who played great in 2008, disappointed in 2009, so I don't extend him yet. I am not sure that he has the ability to be a #1 Tight End and that is the money he is seeking. I'd see how the 2010 season plays out before locking him up BUT I think he has to be on the roster in 2010 unless someone offers a 3rd round pick for him. The three players I want us to extend are Ronnie Brown (RFA), Chad Pennington (UFA), and Jason Taylor (UFA). Ronnie Brown is in an Restricted Free Agent who I expect to be tendered at a 1st and 3rd round pick status. Brown is among NFL's elite Running Backs while healthy but I doubt anyone would give up a 1st and 3rd for Brown. Should they it sadens me to say pull the trigger but if not extend him for another 4 years. He has shown game changing ability and new found knack for the end-zone. He is without question the best player on this football team and the combination of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams touting the rock is just scarey. Let's not forget when Brown was healthy the Miami Dolphins led the league in rushing. Chad Pennington has recently stated that he wants to return to Miami even if it's in a backup role to Chad Henne. This one should be easy as what #10 can do for a locker-room is magical. The greatest joy I have seen in the 25 years of me being a Dolphins' fan was in 2008 after we beat the Jets for the division. In that locker-room celebration seeing this team rallying around Pennington was special. Locking up Pennington for a few years would give our Quarterback situation instant stability. Chad Henne the starter, Pennington the backup, and a camp battle between Pat White and Taylor Thigpen to be the gimmick guy.; the loser you can shop for a draft pick. Pat White probably has at least a 4th Round trade value. The final guy we must sign is Jason Taylor who like Pennington is a leader. Taylor was very productive last season and having him alterante with Cameron Wake on the weakside could be very good for us.
Joey Porter has to go. While his 32 sacks in 3 seasons were productive he is absolutly terrible against the run. Porter will be know by writing a lot of checks with his mouth that his play couldn't cash. His latest public trashing of the Miami Dolphins is what this guy is an over-rated bum. No one will trade anything for a declining piece of trash. Also, I look for players like Akin Ayodele and Reggie Torbor being released due to their high salaries. For those wanting to trade Ted Ginn my question is Why? Sure he hasn't lived up to the bill of a #9 overall draft pick but the guy has special speed and has flashed big play ability. Let's see if he can bring it all together in 2010.
The next step is free agency and while manys of us want Vince Wilfork, Miles Austin, or Vincet Jackson the lack of a CBA makes that near impossible. My free agency focus lands on two players Antonio Bryant and Karlos Dansby. Bryant was drafted by Parcells in Dallas so we know his ability and it's almost certain that the Buccaneers are going to let him go. I think out competition here is going to be the Washington Redskins and the Baltimore Ravens but I think we have a real shot at landing him. Dansby has to be our main priority as signing him would give us extreme flexibility in the draft. Dansby would be a perfect fit at Inside Linebacker in our 3-4 defense. Also, keep an eye on the Antrell Rolle situation in Arizona. He is either going to restructure or get released and recently he said coming home to Miami would be ideal. If Antrell Rolle wants to play free safety for the Miami Dolphins than it should happen. Adding these three players makes us instant contenders.
The next step is the draft and I won't get into depth about it here as that's why we have a Draft Forum but the guys I think we are looking at closeley include Dez Bryant, CJ Spiller, Rolando McClain, Earl Thomas, Dan Williams, and Brandon Graham. I wouldn't rule out players like Brandon Spikes, Jason Paul Pierre, or Jared Odrick either.
It's way too early to tell who will be released June 1st so I won't touch there. But that's how I see this..
The first area is house-cleaning which is where we look at resigning players on our roster who are unrestricted free agents or even restricted free agents, look to release players with high cap numbers, and maybe look to move a played for a draft pick. The Dolphins seem poised to move on without Jason Ferguson. I think it would be a good idea to sign this guy for a one year extension but that does not seem like that's the case. Nathan Jones is another guy who is an UFA and the front office would love to bring him back but they seem to be far off on the numbers. Jason Allen played fairly well down the stretch; combine that with the return of Will Allen and I don't see bringing Nathan Jones back as a priority. Anthony Fasano is a RFA who played great in 2008, disappointed in 2009, so I don't extend him yet. I am not sure that he has the ability to be a #1 Tight End and that is the money he is seeking. I'd see how the 2010 season plays out before locking him up BUT I think he has to be on the roster in 2010 unless someone offers a 3rd round pick for him. The three players I want us to extend are Ronnie Brown (RFA), Chad Pennington (UFA), and Jason Taylor (UFA). Ronnie Brown is in an Restricted Free Agent who I expect to be tendered at a 1st and 3rd round pick status. Brown is among NFL's elite Running Backs while healthy but I doubt anyone would give up a 1st and 3rd for Brown. Should they it sadens me to say pull the trigger but if not extend him for another 4 years. He has shown game changing ability and new found knack for the end-zone. He is without question the best player on this football team and the combination of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams touting the rock is just scarey. Let's not forget when Brown was healthy the Miami Dolphins led the league in rushing. Chad Pennington has recently stated that he wants to return to Miami even if it's in a backup role to Chad Henne. This one should be easy as what #10 can do for a locker-room is magical. The greatest joy I have seen in the 25 years of me being a Dolphins' fan was in 2008 after we beat the Jets for the division. In that locker-room celebration seeing this team rallying around Pennington was special. Locking up Pennington for a few years would give our Quarterback situation instant stability. Chad Henne the starter, Pennington the backup, and a camp battle between Pat White and Taylor Thigpen to be the gimmick guy.; the loser you can shop for a draft pick. Pat White probably has at least a 4th Round trade value. The final guy we must sign is Jason Taylor who like Pennington is a leader. Taylor was very productive last season and having him alterante with Cameron Wake on the weakside could be very good for us.
Joey Porter has to go. While his 32 sacks in 3 seasons were productive he is absolutly terrible against the run. Porter will be know by writing a lot of checks with his mouth that his play couldn't cash. His latest public trashing of the Miami Dolphins is what this guy is an over-rated bum. No one will trade anything for a declining piece of trash. Also, I look for players like Akin Ayodele and Reggie Torbor being released due to their high salaries. For those wanting to trade Ted Ginn my question is Why? Sure he hasn't lived up to the bill of a #9 overall draft pick but the guy has special speed and has flashed big play ability. Let's see if he can bring it all together in 2010.
The next step is free agency and while manys of us want Vince Wilfork, Miles Austin, or Vincet Jackson the lack of a CBA makes that near impossible. My free agency focus lands on two players Antonio Bryant and Karlos Dansby. Bryant was drafted by Parcells in Dallas so we know his ability and it's almost certain that the Buccaneers are going to let him go. I think out competition here is going to be the Washington Redskins and the Baltimore Ravens but I think we have a real shot at landing him. Dansby has to be our main priority as signing him would give us extreme flexibility in the draft. Dansby would be a perfect fit at Inside Linebacker in our 3-4 defense. Also, keep an eye on the Antrell Rolle situation in Arizona. He is either going to restructure or get released and recently he said coming home to Miami would be ideal. If Antrell Rolle wants to play free safety for the Miami Dolphins than it should happen. Adding these three players makes us instant contenders.
The next step is the draft and I won't get into depth about it here as that's why we have a Draft Forum but the guys I think we are looking at closeley include Dez Bryant, CJ Spiller, Rolando McClain, Earl Thomas, Dan Williams, and Brandon Graham. I wouldn't rule out players like Brandon Spikes, Jason Paul Pierre, or Jared Odrick either.
It's way too early to tell who will be released June 1st so I won't touch there. But that's how I see this..
