Who the Dolphins will sign and how to fit them under the salary cap.

I suppose he was trying to be insulting but it's all good, I can dish it out & I can take it as well. I actually watched at least 12 Packers games last year & I'm with you, I think Jones is a talented guy who can help us & probably be our starting flanker once he's learned the offense b/c he is a more talented guy than Hartline.

For me, our flanker's job should be to create space for Marshall and/or Bess, that's it. Ditto for the TEs. That means stretching the field and punishing the defense when they focus too heavily on Bess & Marshall, not clogging the intermediate zones by running the same kinds of routes that Bess and Marshall run. Hartline did a decent job putting up numbers last year, but he rarely stretched the field & never forced anyone to alter their game plan. I want a guy who opens things up for Marshall not a guy who eats good from the space Marshall creates. I think that's why we drafted Gates, and I think adding Jones would inoculate us from the real possibility that Gates wont be ready to contribute right away and/or one our top 3 guys is injured.

 

Isn't the new salary cap at $141 million? and doesn't every team have to fill at least 90%? If so we can afford to take some swings at a Sidney Rice, James Jones, etc...

 

Your number is like $20M too high.

 

Disgustipate, the arbiter of which opinions are correct and which ones aren't. I've got another incorrect opinion for ya, Marshall was NOT good after the catch last year. Not because he lost his YAC abilities, because defenses never gave him any space and he was usually surrounded by the time he got the ball. Hartline on the other hand averaged over 5 YAC b/c he caught the ball in space or while single covered much more often than BM did. That is what I want to change. I'd like to see Marshall catching the ball in space b/c the defense is concerned about the Z receiver, not vice versa. I think Jones can do a better job of doing that than Hartline.

You keep saying price as if you know our cap situation & plans and how much Jones and your "other options", which you refuse to name, are asking for or willing to accept. If you have that info please share it w/ the rest of us.

Jones was not a #4, he was the #3 behind Jennings and Driver. Jordy Nelson was the #4 and being stuck behind Jennings and Driver is nothing to be ashamed of. However, calling people out for not knowing about Jones when you can't even list his spot on the depth chart correctly, is pretty damn shameful IMO.

 

That's what I read in the Washington post on Tuesday...Aw crap, you're right.

 

I gotta agree with Van here, the Dolphins have Brandon Marshall, Davone Bess, Brian Hartline and just drafted Edmond Gates, and we sit here arguing for pages about wide receivers like James Jones? I've helped sponsor some talk about Sidney Rice but that's one of the elite receivers of the NFL and getting one of those guys at 25 years old without draft pick compensation is a rarity.

I like Ray Edwards, think he's a nice ascending player in the NFL and again, getting your hands on really good football players should be the focus. I feel like sometimes people spend too much time, effort and resources trying to fit together the positions like puzzle pieces. But in this case obviously you're trying to get a guy to play a position he's not played before. He's a really well put together athlete, so athleticism isn't a problem. It's just he's not done it. I've floated around the idea that if you take him and pair him with Koa Misi at ROLB you might have a more classic ROLB/LOLB setup like in Pittsburgh. But that's still an if, if Ray Edwards can make that transition. There have been times when Ray Edwards backs into space and looks OK. There have been times he's done it, got crossed up and looked embarrassing. So until you smooth him out, what he is, is a 3rd down pass rusher to pair with Wake. That's a lot of money in the short term for that. Also, Wake rushes from the left and so does Edwards...so you wonder about that. If Mike Nolan really wants him well hey, what am I going to say to that? Good football player.

I still like Antwan Barnes. He offers what Ray Edwards would offer in the short term, but at Right End instead of Left End, which allows Wake to stay where he's comfortable. And since you don't have to pay Barnes much money, if he can't make the transition to OLB then it's not THAT big a deal, he's still a security blanket to help you ensure that you have enough pass rush in obvious passing situations. If he's able to transition to OLB that's a bonus.

Manny Lawson is a good LOLB but taking him is much like the Ray Edwards thing. If you ditch Cam Wake, it makes more sense, because Lawson would be a permanent fixture at LOLB while Koa Misi would move to ROLB. But outside of that, it doesn't make as much sense because I don't know that he adds much more at pass rush in passing situations compared with Misi. Misi and Lawson are dissimilar players that fill similar functions.

Considering the Dolphins have been linked with Ray Edwards, Manny Lawson and Mathias Kiwanuka...all LOLB prospects...either they've concluded that Koa Misi is not for them, or they're thinking about trading Cam Wake. Unless it's all just disinformation, which is possible.

Considering they've said they're thinking about bringing Joey Haynos back at Tight End, I would think they're actually looking at the free agent Tight End market. Charles Clay may play in two different spots but he doesn't fill two roster spots. He's either the #2 TE or the FB, not both. Either way there are going to be two other players on the roster aside from Fasano and Clay at the TE/FB positions. Will Polite make the cut? If not, then the other two players are likely to be Tight Ends. Will they be UDFAs? Maybe. They certainly have seemed to try and get away with that the last few years...scrap heap players at #2 and #3 Tight End. You'd think they'd learned their lesson from that but maybe not. If they have then I would think they'd grab someone they like at the position. Will any teams be willing to give Bo Scaife a #1 job? Not so sure. He'd be a good #2 though, IMO...if Charles Clay is going to be the Lawrence Vickers type FB.

I think most of their work will be done with UDFAs this free agency. They might pick up like 4 free agents, something like that...and maybe they'll trade for a player.

 

I don't see why Lawson couldn't play on the right side. I seem to recall he played there in college.

 

I'd put up big money for Bo Scaife and make him first string immediately, if possible...

 

Mostly because he's not really that good of a pass rusher, and coverage is probably the best aspect of his game.

 

Well FWIW I doubt we sign a Te, think there is some institutional arrogance/vanity on that score with Sparano being the fmr te coach.

 

I really don't see how or why WR is any kind of a priority- we have a really nice corps

We need someone to throw to them!! We just spent how much on Marshall last year and we couldn't get him the damn ball, especially in the endzone.


I think Palmer, Orton, or Hasselbeck would be GREAT options. How this organization has gone this long without a franchise QB is beyond my comprehension- it is the most important position in SPORTS. I personally think Palmer has the best mix of potential longevity and talent available- considering Kolb seems to be a lock for AZ. If we sign Donovan McNabb. I'm going to throw up, can anyone say Culpepper? You can tell when a guy's better days are behind him, and its painfully obvious with McNabb.


The second priority, in my opinion, is the OG-go spend the big bucks on Mankins and your O-line goes from a vulnerability, to a strength to hang your hat on- Long, Mankins, and probably Pouncey gives you THREE Pro-Bowl O-linemen....

You lock down that O-line and it doesn't matter who you hand the ball off to, there is gonna be space to run. Since you spent the smart money on your O-line you can spend less on the position (RB) with the least amount of longevity.

Brown and Williams, though they are our boys- need to be let go, its time. Bring in someone to complement Thomas' style, and you will have a nice balanced running attack.


Yea a big name running back is sexy, and I'll be excited if we bring one in, but getting a good QB and shoring up a stellar O-line would be where I would put my money.

 

Scaife would be ok as a #2. A reliable target who can get open and usually hang on to the pass. He is not much of a blocker though, and isn't much of a threat after the catch. Not even close to Fasano as an all around TE...IMO.

 

Description sounds like David Martin. Back when Anthony Fasano and David Martin were working together, Miami's passing attack and offense in general made a bit more sense. Something to think on as it concerns Bo Scaife.

 

When it comes to OG 1 name comes to mind: Carl Nicks. Heck of a player, a guy who I ws pulling for us to draft a few years back when he slipped to the 5th rd I believe. I don't remember the circumstances, we might not have had a 5th that year, but he seemd like a heck of a 5th rd pick and, hindsite being 20/20, would have made a heck of a 4th rd pick as well. The problem, though, it that it's a bit early imo- time to see what John Jerry can do with a full year of health. Ray Edwards- nice player, but DE isn't where I'd choose to spend FA money on this team. James Jones- intriguing to me, has some explosion and big play ability. Worth looking in to. Same goes for Reggie Bush- bottom line is that imperfect as he may be, he has what we need- big play ability. And we need that across the board- Bush can do it in the form of runs, passes and kick returns. We need that. I would be for looking into both, but the presence of Edmund Gates tempers our need for each imo. Great draft pick. Just give me Carson Palmer and DeAngelo Williams and I'll be a happy camper.

 

Nicks got franchised I believe. Also, Nicks dropped a lot because he was a tackle in college and had a lot of question marks there and character wise. Although I would like to pat my self on the back as I called him being a good pro guard

 

Edwards goes 265-270 tops. If we signed him it won't be to play 3-4 DE.

 

So, since Tony was a TE coach 9 yrs ago, he won't want Ireland to invest any money into the position in free agency?
Pardon me for thinking that makes totally no sense.

 

Here's a list of the Free Agents I saw reported by DKPhin at FinHeaven.

QB
Matt Hasselbeck(SEA)
Alex Smith(SF)
Matt Leinart(ARI)
Marc Bulger (BAL)
Todd Collins (CHI)
Caleb Hanie (CHI)
Brady Quinn (DEN)
Drew Stanton (DET)
Trent Edwards (JAC)
Matt Moore (CAR)
Brodie Croyle (KC)
Chad Pennington (MIA)
Tyler Thigpen (MIA)
Tarvaris Jackson (MIN)
Jim Sorgi (NYG)
Kellen Clemens (NYJ)
Bruce Gradkowski (OAK)
Billy Volek (SD)
Troy Smith (SF)
Rex Grossman (WAS)
RB
Deangelo Williams(CAR)
Cedric Benson(CIN)
Ahmad Bradshaw(NYG)
Mike Tolbert(SD)
Darren Sproles(SD)
Ronnie Brown(MIA)
Ricky Williams(MIA)
Micheal Bush(OAK)
Vonta Leach(HOU)
Le'Ron McClain(BAL)
John Kuhn(GB)
Tim Hightower (ARZ)
Jerious Norwood (ATL)
Mike Bell (CLE)
Laurence Maroney (DEN)
Kevin Smith (DET)
Brandon Jackson (GB)
Derrick Ward (HOU)
Joseph Addai (IND)
Mike Hart (IND)
Patrick Cobbs (MIA)
Sammy Morris (NE)
Kevin Faulk (NE)
Fred Taylor (NE)
Danny Ware (NYG)
Jerome Harrison (PHI)
Mewelde Moore (PIT)
Brian Westbrook (SF)
Kenneth Darby (STL)
Michael Spurlock (TB)
Cadillac Williams (TB)
Jason Snelling (ATL) (FB)
Brian Leonard (CIN) (FB)
Lawrence Vickers (CLE) (FB)
Jerome Felton (DET) (FB)
Korey Hall (GB) (FB)
Lex Hilliard (MIA) (FB)
Naufahu Tahi (MIN) (FB)
Tony Richardson (NYJ) (FB)
Heath Evans (NO) (FB)
Marcel Reece (OAK) (FB)
Ahmard Hall (TEN) (FB)
WR
Sidney Rice (MIN)
Santonio Holmes (NYJ)
Braylon Edwards (NYJ)
Malcom Floyd (SD)
Steve Smith (NYG)
Terrell Owens (CIN)
Randy Moss (TEN)
Mike Williams (SEA)
James Jones (GB)
Steve Breaston (ARI)
Early Doucet (ARZ)
Brian Finneran (ATL)
Donte' Stallworth (BAL)
TJ Houshmandzadeh (BAL)
Rashied Davis (CHI)
Devin Aromashadu (CHI)
Chansi Stuckey (CLE)
Sam Hurd (DAL)
Jacoby Jones (HOU)
Mike Sims-Walker (JAC)
Kevin Curtis (MIA)
Hank Baskett (MIN)
Greg Lewis (MIN)
Lance Moore (NO)
Courtney Roby (NO)
Derek Hagan (NYG)
Darius Reynaud (NYG)
Brad Smith (NYJ)
Johnnie Lee Higgins (OAK)
Legedu Naanee (SD)
Ben Obomanu (SEA)
Laurent Robinson (STL)
Mark Clayton (STL)
Maurice Stovall (TB)
Santana Moss (WAS)
TE
Zach Miller, OAK
Kevin Boss, NYG
Ben Patrick (ARZ)
Dante Rosario (CAR)
Jeff King (CAR)
Desmond Clark (CHI)
Reggie Kelly (CIN)
Alex Smith (CLE)
Leonard Pope (KC)
Joey Haynos (MIA)
David Thomas (NO)
Matt Spaeth (PIT)
Kris Wilson (SD)
Randy McMichael (SD)
Daniel Fells (STL)
John Gilmore (TB)
Bo Scaife (TEN)
Exterior OL
Tyson Clabo (ATL)
Doug Free (DAL)
Jared Gaither (BAL)
Jammal Brown (WAS)
Matt Light (NE)
Jermon Bushrod (NO)
Willie Colon (PIT)
Alex Barron (DAL)
Ryan Harris (DEN)
Corey Hilliard (DET)
Rashad Butler (HOU)
Charlie Johnson (IND)
Ryan O'Callaghan (KC)
Pat McQuistan (MIA)
Ryan Cook (MIN)
Zach Strief (NO)
Wayne Hunter (NYJ)
Khalif Barnes (OAK)
Langston Walker (OAK)
Mario Henderson (OAK)
Trai Essex (PIT)
Jonathan Scott (PIT)
Jeromey Clary (SD)
Barry Sims (SF)
Sean Locklear (SEA)
Adam Goldberg (STL)
John Greco (STL)
Jeremy Trueblood (TB)
Stephon Heyer (WAS)
Interior OL
Carl Nicks (NO)
Davin Joseph (TB)
Harvey Dahl (ATL)
Ryan Kalil (CAR)
Daryn Colledge (GB)
Alan Faneca (ARZ)
Deuce Lutui (ARZ)
Lyle Sendlein (ARZ)
Justin Blalock (ATL)
Chris Chester (BAL)
Marshal Yanda (BAL)
Olin Kreutz (CHI)
Evan Mathis (CIN)
Kyle Cook (CIN)
Nate Livings (CIN)
Kyle Kosier (DAL)
Jason Spitz (GB)
Kasey Studdard (HOU)
Mike Brisiel (HOU)
Kyle DeVan (IND)
Mike Pollak (IND)
Rudy Niswanger (KC)
Casey Wiegmann (KC)
Nate Garner (MIA)
Jonathan Goodwin (NO)
Kevin Boothe (NYG)
Samson Satele (OAK)
Reggie Wells (PHI)
Scott Mruczkowski (SD)
David Baas (SF)
Chris Spencer (SEA)
Leroy Harris (TEN)
Will Montgomery (WAS)
DE
Cullen Jenkins (GB)
Mathias Kiwanuka (NYG)
Charles Johnson (CAR)
Ray Edwards (MIN)
Jason Babin (TEN)
Shaun Ellis (NYJ)
Kenny Iwebema (ARZ)
Bryan Robinson (ARZ)
Jayme Mitchell (CLE)
Robaire Smith (CLE)
Stephen Bowen (DAL)
Jason Hatcher (DAL)
Marcus Spears (DAL)
Cliff Avril (DET)
Turk McBride (DET)
Mark Anderson (HOU)
Wallace Gilberry (KC)
Shaun Smith (KC)
Tony McDaniel (MIA)
Brian Robison (MIN)
Anthony Hargrove (NO)
Jimmy Wilkerson (NO)
Dave Tollefson (NYG)
Victor Abiamiri (PHI)
Nick Eason (PIT)
Chris Hoke (PIT)
Jacques Cesaire (SD)
Travis Johnson (SD)
Ray McDonald (SF)
CJ Ah You (STL)
Tim Crowder (TB)
Greg White (TB)
Dave Ball (TEN)
Kedric Golston (WAS)
DT
Brandon Mebane (SEA)
Aubrayo Franklin (SF)
Pat Williams (MIN)
Alan Branch (ARZ)
Gabe Watson (ARZ)
John McCargo (BUF)
Nick Hayden (CAR)
Anthony Adams (CHI)
Matt Toeaina (CHI)
Andre Fluellen (DET)
Shaun Cody (HOU)
Antonio Johnson (IND)
Daniel Muir (IND)
Eric Foster (IND)
Ron Edwards (KC)
Fred Evans (MIN)
Gerard Warren (NE)
Remi Ayodele (NO)
Barry Coefield (NYG)
Chris Hovan (STL)
Clifton Ryan (STL)
LB
Stephen Tulloch (TEN)
Paul Posluszny (BUF)
James Anderson (CAR)
Rocky McIntosh (WAS)
Thomas Davis (CAR)
Barrett Ruud (TB)
Takeo Spikes (SF)
Stephen Nicholas (ATL)
Mike Peterson (ATL)
Tavares Gooden (BAL)
Keith Ellison (BUF)
Jamar Williams (CAR)
Pisa Tinoisamoa (CHI)
Nick Roach (CHI)
Dhani Jones (CIN)
Brandon Johnson (CIN)
D’Qwell Jackson (CLE)
Chris Gocong (CLE)
Matt Roth (CLE)
Jason Trusnik (CLE)
Landon Johnson (DET)
Zach Diles (HOU)
Kevin Bentley (HOU)
Clint Session (IND)
Justin Durant (JAC)
Kirk Morrison (JAC)
Mike Vrabel (KC)
Quentin Moses (MIA)
Ben Leber (MIN)
Erin Henderson (MIN)
Tracy White (NE)
Danny Clark (NO)
Scott Shanle (NO)
Chase Blackburn (NYG)
Keith Bulluck (NYG)
Thomas Howard (OAK)
Kamerion Wimbley (OAK)
Stewart Bradley (PHI)
Ernie Sims (PHI)
Omar Gaither (PHI)
Antwan Barnes (SD)
Kevin Burnett (SD)
Stephen Cooper (SD)
Brandon Siler (SD)
Travis LaBoy (SF)
Manny Lawson (SF)
Will Herring (SEA)
Leroy Hill (SEA)
Matt McCoy (SEA)
David Vobora (STL)
Quincy Black (TB)
David Thornton (TEN)
CB
Nnamdi Asomugha (OAK)
Brent Grimes (ATL)
Carlos Rogers (WAS)
Johnathan Joseph (CIN)
Antonio Cromartie (NYJ)
Ike Taylor (PIT)
Richard Marshall (CAR)
Brian Williams (ATL)
Chris Carr (BAL)
Fabian Washington (BAL)
Josh Wilson (BAL)
Drayton Florence (BUF)
Richard Marshall (CAR)
Corey Graham (CHI)
Eric Wright (CLE)
CC Brown (DET)
Brandon McDonald (DET)
Chris Houston (DET)
Josh Bell (GB)
Jason Allen (HOU)
Travis Daniels (KC)
Brandon Carr (KC)
Al Harris (MIA)
Lito Sheppard (MIN)
Frank Walker (MIN)
Kyle Arrington (NE)
Usama Young (NO)
Drew Coleman (NYJ)
William Gay (PIT)
Paul Oliver (SD)
Dashon Goldson (SF)
Kelly Jennings (SEA)
Roy Lewis (SEA)
Justin King (STL)
Roderick Hood (TEN)
Phillip Buchanon (WAS)
S
Quintin Mikell (PHI)
Roman Harper (NO)
Eric Weddle (SD)
Dawan Landry (BAL)
Tanard Jackson (TB)
Bernard Pollard (HOU)
Atari Bigby (GB)
Matt Ware (ARZ)
Haruki Nakamura (BAL)
Tom Zbikowski (BAL)
George Wilson (BUF)
Gerald Alexander (CAR)
Chinedum Ndukwe (CIN)
Gibril Wilson (CIN)
Danieal Manning (CHI)
Abram Elam (CLE)
Sabby Piscitelli (CLE)
Alan Ball (DAL)
Gerald Sensabaugh (DAL)
Charlie Peprah (GB)
Anthony Smith (GB)
Melvin Bullitt (IND)
Sean Considine (JAC)
Tyrell Johnson (MIN)
Husain Abdullah (MIN)
Brandon McGowan (NE)
Jarrad Page (NE)
Darren Sharper (NO)
Michael Johnson (NYG)
Deon Grant (NYG)
Brodney Pool (NYJ)
Eric Smith (NYJ)
Lawyer Milloy (SEA)
Reed Doughty (WAS)

 

Welcome to the forum. I think you are overestimating the Dolphins activity in FA.

Ray Edwards - This would be a huge mistake in my opinion. You drafted Misi to be your OLB opposite Wake. He fills that role nicely as a good run stopper and decent pass rusher and I'm not taking him off the field as much as you would have to by moving him to Crowders position. Too much money to spend on Edwards who is also more a traditional DE in a 4-3.

McNabb - 4 year deal? $5M cap hit for this year? No way I'm giving up that much for a guy who is WAY past his prime and wouldn't even be guaranteed to start from day 1. I live in Philly, this is not the QB we want. Believe me.

Reggie Bush - I could see this signing although I have a strange feeling the Saints look to move Pierre Thomas and re-sign Bush.

James Jones - I like JJ, but I don't think the Dolphins spend this much on a WR. I believe they will bring a guy in to compete with Hartline. I'm sure they also want to get Gates on the field as often as possible.

You could also see another RB signing even if they get Bush as well. There would be a need to have a guy to give DT a rest on 1st and 2nd down, especially if this offense ends up being what it sounds (pound the rock).

I also think they address O Line and they look to acquire one of Vince Young (via signing him when he is cut) or trading for Orton.

 

No, you're right, Marshall wasn't good after the catch last year. He's still good at it in general, though. Paying the resources for a wide receiver that is going to draw double coverage rather than Marshall is ridiculous, and you're not going to get that from James Jones. You do not need that to make Marshall effective, or dominant. The Broncos never had that. Most of the dominant receivers in the league don't have that.

But please, tell me how I'm somehow being imperious here by noting that virtually every single point you made that could be demonstrated or measured was wrong?

Not changing the wide receivers at all is a better option than signing James Jones. I'd rather we end up with Marlon Moore on the roster than have James Jones sit there and get 300 snaps that should be going to someone to someone who may actually develop into something at some point.

Jordy Nelson had 729 snaps on the season(Behind Driver and Jennings), James Jones had 670. He didn't miss any time due to injury, and got his best productivity in 4 wide receiver sets. He wasn't the #3.

 

Names I like from this list:

Tolbert
Sproles
D'Qwell Jackson
Wimbley

 

Bo Scaife isn't as good a receiver as Anthony Fasano at this point in his career, and he can't block.