Tannenbaum comments on Dolphins free agents

[Daytona Fin]

parking lot at Sun Life Stadium had a festive, upbeat, carnival-like atmosphere Saturday for the conclusion of the Dolphins Cancer Challenge.

Dolphins players such as Pro Bowl safety Reshad Jones, guard Dallas Thomas and linebacker Neville Hewitt were there along with University of Miami players such as quarterback Brad Kaaya, cornerback Corn Elder, and wide receiver Stacy Coley.

Tannenbaum took a few minutes offer updates on Dolphins business. Tannenbaum declined to comment on free agent negotiations, but he said he's confident defensive end Cameron Wake, who is scheduled to earn $8.4 million next season as he recovers from an Achilles tendon injury, will return to be a quality pass rusher.

"We're very confident of that," Tannenbaum said. "Cam is a tireless worker. He's ahead of schedule right now and Cam's a guy that's beaten the odds his whole career."

Defensive end Olivier Vernon, who had a team-best 7.5 sacks last season, is a potential free agent. The Dolphins could use the franchise tag on Vernon at an estimated $14 to $15 million for the 2016 season.

"We have a couple more weeks on that, so we're going to look at all of our options and try to make the best decision," Tannenbaum said.

Philadelphia defensive end Vinny Curry set the market with a five-year, $47.5 million deal with $23 million guaranteed.

"I would never just peg [Vernon's value] to any one deal," Tannenbaum said, "but I think the market will be pretty fluid over the next couple of weeks."

Cornerback Brent Grimes is due $8 million next season and there's a chance the Dolphins could either try to re-negotiate to reduce his salary or, in the worst case, cut Grimes.

"Brent's under contract and he's on our roster," Tannenbaum said, "so if that changes we'll know."

Running back Lamar Miller is also eligible for free agency.

"Lamar is a homegrown talent," Tannenbaum said, "and running back is obviously a position that's important to Adam's offense so we'll be talking to Lamar's agent in the next couple of weeks, as well."

And regarding defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who is due $28.6 million next season, Tannenbaum said the team is still interested in reducing his salary cap number.

"We've talked to Ndamukong, his agents, and we're really glad he's here," Tannenbaum said. "We'll continue to talk to his guys, but there's really nothing to comment on specifically yet."

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/...ins-cancer-challenge-0221-20160220-story.html

 

[Daytona Fin]

From what we have been hearing, it doesn't sound like there is any urgency on signing Miller, Vernon or Matthews before they hit the market. Going to be an interesting free agency period.

 

[cash]

Vernon seems like a no brainer. Cam can't play forever and you just sign Suh to a huge deal so you can't leave him on an island trying to carry the front 7

 

[Sons Of Shula]

parking lot at Sun Life Stadium had a festive, upbeat, carnival-like atmosphere Saturday for the conclusion of the Dolphins Cancer Challenge.

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[Daytona Fin]

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[fininpsl]

If Vinny Curry signed for nearly $10 million a year and $23 million guaranteed, and that's gonna set the market, it's gonna take a boatload of cash to sign Vernon. Curry doesn't even start and has had half the production in his career Vernon has had. It's looking like Vernon is going to get closer to $15 mil/year than most people think.

 

[AL R]

If Vinny Curry signed for nearly $10 million a year and $23 million guaranteed, and that's gonna set the market, it's gonna take a boatload of cash to sign Vernon. Curry doesn't even start and has had half the production in his career Vernon has had. It's looking like Vernon is going to get closer to $15 mil/year than most people think.

Bingo, not sure as high as that but 10M is way in rear view mirror at this point.

 

[Daytona Fin]

If Vinny Curry signed for nearly $10 million a year and $23 million guaranteed, and that's gonna set the market, it's gonna take a boatload of cash to sign Vernon. Curry doesn't even start and has had half the production in his career Vernon has had. It's looking like Vernon is going to get closer to $15 mil/year than most people think.

So we are going to have to pay handsomely to replace Vernon with someone who is at the same or near level as Vernon that is not a draftee.

 

[fininpsl]

So we are going to have to pay handsomely to replace Vernon with someone who is at the same or near level as Vernon that is not a draftee.

I agree. May look at some of the older DE's on the market to pair with Wake. Possibly bring Shelby back too. And it's obvious why the franchise tag is a strong possibility. I'd be inclined to use the non-exclusive franchise tag on him.

 

[Kdawg954]

Franchise tag just levels the playing field. Doesn't allow a team with 70 million in free cap to offer some crazy numbered deal that makes it outrageous for us to match.

15 million this year is not a bad number . . . it looks bad because we take it all on this year, but we also don't add anything to future years, which is what we love to do with our contracts.

Maybe that taste of money motivates Vernon to want more and play even harder for an even bigger payday next year . . . maybe it allows him to focus on his long term future and him and the team come to an agreement.

Either way, letting a 26 year old ascending DE/pass rusher just walk out your door to test the market, especially when some believe he would be the #1 available player in free agency . . . would be a huge misstep for Miami. It cannot happen.

 

[jimthefin]

I would prefer to go LB or CB at #8 but if they let Vernon go they will have quality options at that spot to replace him.

 

[whizafriz]

If Vinny Curry signed for nearly $10 million a year and $23 million guaranteed, and that's gonna set the market, it's gonna take a boatload of cash to sign Vernon. Curry doesn't even start and has had half the production in his career Vernon has had. It's looking like Vernon is going to get closer to $15 mil/year than most people think.

I absolutely hate the way FA works. Just because one team stupidly overpays their own free agents first, shouldn't mean a new bar is set or that Vernon should now have a serious bargaining chip.
In a vaccuum I wouldn't pay any more than 8-10 a year for OV, he's not worth any kind of elite money with the major flaws in his game, but until Miami starts drafting well consistently, it is what it is.

 

[Tiko377]

interesting no news on Wake....

I don't think they will sign Matthews before the free agency period starts either they are probably just telling him find out your market value and bring it to us and we could match it for you and probably selling him on Gase & fighting for the #3 wr spot with Stills.

 

[miamiron]

Why not use This non-exclusive tag, allows a player to negotiate with other NFL teams,
but if he signs an offer sheet with another club, his team has five days to match the offer. If the offer is not matched, his team will receive two first-round picks as compensation from the signing team.

I'd rather get 2 first round picks if we decide to let him walk

 

[fininpsl]

Why not use This non-exclusive tag, allows a player to negotiate with other NFL teams,
but if he signs an offer sheet with another club, his team has five days to match the offer. If the offer is not matched, his team will receive two first-round picks as compensation from the signing team.

I'd rather get 2 first round picks if we decide to let him walk

I think that makes the most sense too. Plus, if he does not sign elsewhere we get him for a bit less than the exclusive right tag would pay him. The only way I wouldn't want to do this is if we can sign him long term for a relatively reasonable price.