... I think I'd like to see the Phins make. 1 - Pending health-test - bring Keller back for a second shot. He was good enough to be given a shot last time around and looked like a nice move, I'd like to see him be given that shot again. Although limited they do have last year's training camp data on him, and if he checks out health-wise it would be depth at tight-end. There's always some risk involved in any move and that hit from Swearinger was nasty so I don't think the injury indicates Keller is 'prone' to injury. I say get him on-board and give him a chance again in this years camp. 2 - Bring in Eric Winston - no, he's not a dazzler but he was dependable again last season and he would bring not only dependable depth to RT but also some maturity and potential leadership to the team. He even wanted to be in Miami last year. Both of these moves could be done at lower cost and, relatively low risk. The Phins might be trying to plug holes and upgrade those holes at the same time, but they still need depth, and these two moves add that. No-brainers as far as I'm concerned.
Understood, and I hope so. However, looking at the draft, I don't see that it will affect either decision. Even if the draft goes perfectly in the Dolphins' favour they aren't going to overflow at those positions and will still need depth. Unless they really feel that waiting is going to drop the expected contracts I'd love to see them wrap them up now, at least Winston, and am a little surprised they haven't, given that they've spent FA money on lesser, and less needed players, IMO. With Keller wait for the state of his health is the big thing, of course.
I'll be really surprised if Keller plays for us again, which is unfortunate, since he was the FA I was most looking forward to seeing play for us last season.
****WARNING: Pure Speculation Ahead***** If we pick up any RT or TE rookies, that would probably keep us from going after those two guys. TE because I think they might still like Egnew & they do like Sims, and bringing in Keller would mean one them would have to go. They may think one of those could develop even more and they know Keller is old and injured at this point. With Winston, its the same thing, room on the roster. Winston is a RT only. They like for their back ups on the oline to be able to play more than one position since you bring so few into game day. Personally, I think the Fox signing dramatically lessens the chance of a Winston signing as well.
At this point, I'm not sure Jason Fox isn't a better choice than Eric Winston. Winston has health issues and he's not the player he used to be. I'd doubt that Philbin would want the NFLPA President on his team, either.
Signing Winston or keller before the draft, shouldn't change our plans in the draft. Neither are long term solutions.
Exactly. They provide us with depth and flexibility. Almost no-one we could draft is guaranteed. They will be unknown quantities. Both players (and again, I stress for Keller, pending a solid health check) would provide known talent which either gives us depth in the case of a successful draft or solid gap stoppers in the case of an unsuccessful draft. At tight-end, they might like Egnew and Sims but the bottom line is that they didn't get it done last year. Maybe they will year this. I really, really hope they do. However, Keller was basically the guaranteed starter and was jelling with T17. If he is fit, he is solid depth - at least. As for Winston, he might not be flexible, but for at least this one year, while talent is either developing or none existent, he fills a need with known talent. Not the best but still performed as a solid right tackle last year. I am not saying the moves solve the Dolphins problems. I'm saying that they have so little downside that they are easy decisions adding established, known depth to the squad. I see no reason not to at least let them compete. Additionally, one big advantage to getting this done pre-draft is that is gives an already re-building squad time to come together. That's an 'X' factor which the Dolphins could do to load up on.
Winston was originally cut by Houston for a failed physical, and he fell off pretty badly last year so I'd tend to think whatever happened he's got a longer-term issue.
I think this is exactly right. Whatever else they're doing to the RT position I believe they're going to do it in the draft. They don't need Winston.
I do believe that Miami is keeping tabs on Dustin Keller and would pursue him after the draft if they didn't end up taking a tight end.
I recall him being a cap cut by Houston. He played well for KC the following season. He had one down year in Zona playing in a different scheme than the one he'd been successful in. Be that as it may, whatever his health issues, he manages to line up on Sundays and play the games every week. Fox had the RT job in Detroit last year as his for the taking. He couldn't stay healthy enough to play more than a few games. Jon Giesler used to hobble around on crutches all week, and still play well enough on Sundays late in his career.
i don´t find the link anymore but the agent for Dustin Keller yesterday tweeted something like "he is good to go", whatever that means. edit: i found it
Because of how inept we were last year in terms of talent along the online, Clabo and Jerry were just plain below average, with this draft if I'm a GM, I'm gonna find us two upgrades in this draft..there are players I would feel better going into the season with then those guys and I don't have to spend my first round pick on him.. Good draft for Olineman, get it done hickey.
guess it depends on what your definition of "good to go" means. I'm sure the agent is painting a rosy picture. but after that much damage, I kinda doubt he's anywhere close to back to form I'm sure he can run down the field and catch a ball, but could very well be far from the dynamic player we were hoping for next season.
I know Tight end Billy Bajema is unsigned vet who is very Smart and many coaches love the guy even though is older he still would be a improvement over Egnew .
Keller to meet with Patriots. Good report on knee apparently. "Ian Rapoport @RapSheet 12mNot only is TE Dustin Keller visiting the #Patriots, but source tells me the physical on his knee went very well." I really would rather see Keller back with the Dolphins, and especially not with the Pats.
Wonder if it's one of their mind games, but if he's healthy I'd be okay w/ a one year deal, depending on what happens next week.