Sports Buzz 3/3- Suh and Cap Talk

[Daytona Fin]

As we mentioned last night, the Dolphins have been discussing making a serious attempt to sign All-Pro free agent defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. And we received additional word today at least one key front office member is in favor of it, according to two people in contact with the team.

Suh would cost a bundle (ESPN floated a six-year, $100 million contract), and if the Dolphins go ahead with a major offer, they will face stiff competition. But it’s something they appear inclined to explore.

As most of you know, ESPN’s Mark Dominik, who was Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey’s boss in Tampa and remains close with him, already has said the Dolphins have a “real shot” to get him.

If you include Charles Clay's current $7.1 million cap hit (which comes with the transitional tag but can be reduced as part of a longterm deal), the Dolphins are about $15 million below their $153 million cap, based on cap numbers from overthecap.com. The Dolphins' cap number is about $9 million over the league cap because of carryover cap space and other adjustments.

If the Dolphins cut Mike Wallace, Dannell Ellerbe, Phillip Wheeler, Randy Starks and Brandon Fields, that could save an additional $23.6 million (using post-June 1 designations for Wallace and Wheeler, though that additional savings won't go on their cap until after June 1). That would add to up $38.6 million in space -- at least $5 million of which is needed to sign draft picks.

Even more could be created with a longterm deal that brings down Clay's hit and Mike Pouncey's $7.43 million hit. The Dolphins like Koa Misi, but cutting him would save another $2.7 million. Restructuring Cam Wake or Branden Albert is another option, but there's no indication if the Dolphins are considering this.

That doesn’t include a big payout to Ryan Tannehill --- about $16 million if he doesn’t sign a longterm deal before then). But that $102 million includes a lot of cap commitments that will be substantially lessened by then --- including $14.2 million combined for Ellerbe and Wheeler (neither of whom is expected to be with the team) and $13.7 million for Wallace.

Cam Wake ($9.8 million) and Brent Grimes ($9.5 million) also could be at risk, in another year, with those 2016 numbers.

The Dolphins have left impending free agent Jared Odrick and Randy Starks (who’s under contract) in limbo while mulling Suh and other defensive tackles that intrigue them, including Terrance Knighton, Corey Peters and Tom Johnson. Though they told Odrick they want to keep him and plan to make an offer, there hadn’t been one presented as of early this week.

Among the Dolphins’ three restricted free agents, they want to keep Freeny (with a moderate to high draft tender), conveyed interest in re-signing linebacker Jonathan Freeny but aren’t tendering cornerback R.J. Stanford.

Among their exclusive rights free agents, they want to keep Jordan Kovacs, and Michael Thomas said late last season that the Dolphins told him they are interested in keeping him.

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/#storylink=cpy

 

[broccoli rob]

Cut Wallace, Wheelerbe, Starks, Fields.. Sign Suh, David Harris, and a G.. and trade up for Cooper or White. we'd still need a corner but

:jawdrop: easier said than done, but boy it sure is fun to dream!

 

[Sherif]

Not sure why they lump Brandon Fields with Wheeler, Ellerbe and Starks as possible cuts. No way they get rid of Fields their best weapon in 2013.

 

[miami234ever]

Sounds like there are plenty of opportunities to make room for a Suh deal and some (1-2 additional moderate free agent signings). I'll be amazed if the front office can pull this off.

 

[phinfan40353]

Why stop there, we could cut the rest of the team to make cap room.

While reading, did it sink in how toxic this contract can be to any team?

When you are banking on getting your Qb signed at a friendlier cap number to facilitate a DT then your priorities are severely out of alignment.

 

[Travis34]

Don't see why we haven't cut the worthless lb's yet. Cut Starks and use that cash for Odrick. Then get another DT, don't need to break bank on Suh. Sure he's as elite as they come but we have so many needs

 

[broccoli rob]

No way they get rid of Fields their best weapon in 2013.

:lol2:

 

[xXwarXx]

If the Dolphins cut Mike Wallace, Dannell Ellerbe, Phillip Wheeler, Randy Starks and Brandon Fields, that could save an additional $23.6 million (using post-June 1 designations for Wallace and Wheeler, though that additional savings won't go on their cap until after June 1). That would add to up $38.6 million in space -- at least $5 million of which is needed to sign draft picks.

I didn't think it was possible to land Suh, but after reading this, yes, go for it, you can replace these guys pretty easily, 1 is a kicker, 3 of them suck, and Wallace plays a position that is stacked in the draft.

I won't go so far to say it's a no brainer, because there's still a lot of risk..

But...

WTF do we have to lose?

 

[broccoli rob]

I didn't think it was possible to land Suh, but after reading this, yes, go for it, you can replace these guys pretty easily, 1 is a kicker, 3 of them suck, and Wallace plays a position that is stacked in the draft.

Ellerbe and Wheeler are addition by subtraction... It is a win for us just to cut them. Replacing them with Suh would be like replacing a totaled vehicle with a new Mercedes.

Wallace needs to be replaced carefully, though. If we are going to cut him, lets go get a guy that we KNOW teams are going to have to gameplan for. even if we have to trade up.

WTF do we have to lose?

Philbin! (refer back to addition by subtraction)

 

[datruth55]

We cut all those players how the freak are we going to field a team next year? We're going to have a bunch of undrafted free agents as starters. Suh is a heck of a player but I'm not sure this makes much sense. Cutting linebackers in a year where the draft is incredibly weak at linebacker just doesn't make sense...cutting them to sign other free agents also doesn't make sense. New players don't just come together and perform at the level needed to win every week.

 

[Hayden Fox]

Fields is waaay over paid. Cut.

 

[Roman529]

Suh is the only free agent defensive player who is a true game changer. I say sign Suh and get rid of the expendable overpaid players.

 

[Hayden Fox]

Jackson does a GREAT job explaining where all kinds of avenues can be found to create cap room. He did not even mention releasing Earl Mitchell and or Cam Wake. I would not do that, BUT there is money to be had.

Miami can make this interesting if they have a great deal on the table and they are competing with the likes of the Raiders and Jags.

 

[rickd13]

We cut all those players how the freak are we going to field a team next year? We're going to have a bunch of undrafted free agents as starters. Suh is a heck of a player but I'm not sure this makes much sense. Cutting linebackers in a year where the draft is incredibly weak at linebacker just doesn't make sense...cutting them to sign other free agents also doesn't make sense. New players don't just come together and perform at the level needed to win every week.

Does keeping Ellerbe and Wheeler make sense? Fields is a punter, so no big deal there and Starks would be replaced by Suh. The only big hole there would be is if the Dolphins cut Wallace. So it could be done if they wanted to do it. I really don't like the idea at all though. Suh is going to cost way too much money and for a team with as many holes as this team has, I think the cap space could be put to much better use than over spending for one guy who really wouldn't put you over the top anyway.

 

[hoops]

Really good read...miami picks up the 5th year option on tannehill and after 2015 gets him signed long term when we have plenty of cap...who cares about getting the mike in free agency worst case we can find a 2 down guy which might be the plan anyway with jordan and jenkins able to man the sub in the draft

What i dont like is the trying to fill the guard slot with just shelley smith dallas thomas and billy turner...turners taking one of those jobs but miami at least needs to bring in not last rights veteran comp for camp or a draft pick for comp for the other guard spot

Go get suh but if you know you are out which you will know early once teams can talk to free agents go to plan b at dt...if you willing to spend suh money you are willing to spend elsewhere if you miss

Get the mike in the draft...its not a hard position to find plug and play provided you draft the right guys...best case 3 down worst case 2 down

my moneys on 2015 is grimes last year with the team