Updated: LB Phillip Wheeler agrees to terms with Miami

Thank you

 

It's still a good start, and I do feel better knowing Philbin has a big hand in the redevelopment of this team, something tells me he's got a plan for all positions. The one thing that has always impressed me with him he how prepared he is, takes nothing for granted. Even untied shoe laces for example.

 

This is an all or nothing year for Ireland as the teams GM. Either the team drastically improves with these free agent pickups and the players he takes in the draft, or else he will be looking for a new job after the 2013 season is complete.

I am not an Ireland fan, but I have to give him credit for spending the cap money on what appears to be quality upgrades. I just hope he has enough money left over to add a TE, offensive tackle, or CB to his list of free agent signings. If he can sign at least one of these positions in free agency, he can always use the draft to upgrade the two positions he might not have enough cap space left to fill in free agency. .

 

Not trying to rain on the day but in 1995 we went spend happy to make a run with Dan Marino. It didn't work out.
I like what we did today and I don't expect it to end right there but I still think the draft is where we are going to turn things around. I love who we signed though so far. Both linebackers are intense hitters that have a ton of speed. It's a major upgrade for us and there is just no way we went wrong with this. Mike Wallace is a prize and hopefully he beasts for us.
Guess the Miami brass if finally sick of losing. I love that we are making moves and doing what it takes to improve.
GO PHINS.

 

over the hill free agents or guys who needed to redeem themselves after injury aka steve emtman, this is absolutely not comparable, we are signing young guys who will still enter their prime

 

that's hard to compare. Shula had zero GM skills left by that point. That contract to big fatty (Eric Green) was unreal.

 

Unfortunately for us, that was "plan b" free agency....a lot different than what transpired today....

 

Also in 1995, it was a bunch of former 1st round picks. Seems we had like 15-20 former 1st rounders on opening day.

 

I would find moving Wheeler to SLB an odd move only because his coverage was pretty solid while Ellerbe's wasn't according to PFF.

FYI we just signed 2 big money LB's who both don't have a career INT.

Could there be another move that forces Burnett out? We could really use a LB who comes up with some INT's.

Edit: Just saw Burnett's release. Makes more sense. Wheeler is solid in coverage despite no INT's. Hopefully that changes in Coyle's D.

 

Ellerbe had one in the playoffs this past season.

 

Ok...1 combined career INT ;p Be interesting to see if there isn't another move here. Koa Misi's a free agent after this year.

 

from a raiders fan in the comments of us signing wheeler on PFT:

 

Looks like Coyle has some guys that can better do what he wants....

 

Mach?

 

Some Wheeler contract details:

 

Anybody see it, and have more details?

 

I think we now have LBs who can finally COVER TEs!!!!!

We can't keep letting the Patriots TEs run circles around us and expect anything different.

 

You aren't going to cover those two tight ends with a linebacker. I don't care who the linebacker is.

There are a couple of match up safeties that may be of interest in the draft, one of which I definitely think Miami is interested in with Clemons only signing a one year deal. Jonathan Cyprien from Florida International is a guy who can match up with the tight end and the slot receiver in the slot and win the match up.

 

OK covering those TEs man on man may be over stating it but I think Ellerbe can drop in zone and cut off some passing lanes.

 

4 holes with 11 million in cap space and 5 picks in the first 3 rounds. Not bad.

 

Cap hit figures are available on Phillip Wheeler's contract (none yet on Ellerbe):

2,400,000
6,400,000
4,300,000

last 2 years at following link: http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/miami-dolphins/philip-wheeler/

 

Love to hear why you had Wheeler as your fav free agent linebacker.??

 

Still some cap room left to sign players and personally i think they are targeting someone in the late first round and will use picks to move up.

 

AS SB stated... Its all about NE... Their TE spurned Offense has triggered a response from the Phins coaching staff...

Wonder if this is a way to protect that seam... only time will tell this year...

 

Compared to Dansby/Burnett and now with Ellerber and Wheeler what is the difference in cap for this year?

 

Dansby and burnett werent exactly ball hawks either...

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At the time he signed with us Dansby has roughly 22 INT's in his career. Burnett had 2 prior to coming here. Dried up here.

Maybe the trend reverses this time.

Plus side...I was onto Wheeler in the GML...first target I tried to sign..may still sign him.

 

We tried to keep Dansby it seems.

http://www1.skysports.com/american-...om-Pittsburgh-and-Baltimore-s-Dannell-Ellerbe

 

That is Ellerbe's week part of his game.

 

Couldn't agree more, Ireland yesterday started me restoring faith in him. He did turn a corner.

 

Interested to see how big the 2nd years are on Wallace and Ellerbe also. From what I've read when yesterday started the Dolphins only had something like 71 million allocated towards next year's salary cap, and outside of Jones (and maybe Soliai), I'm not sure how many potential free agents they'll want to sign to significant contracts. They could use a sizeable chunk of that space to cushion some of the salary, especially if Ireland feels the need for another FA spree next spring would be greatly diminished.

 

Ellerbe can cover. I'm watching him on tape going down field with Gronkowski stride for stride. Gronk had 2 catches that game against the Ravens.

 

Ellerbe also sacked Brady twice and tackled the RB running down hill behind the LOS. The guy can play.

 

fwiw...

 

And that makes sense.

Would also suggest certain beat writers talking out of their asses yesterday.