Barry Jackson's Nuggs..our own free agent talk.

Really wary of the money they give Jake. Oh well, they'll do what they'll do.

Clemons can GTFO.

Best in the freakin league at 41 percent of passes allowed against...hell yeah..

You could see a different player in camp, a different person, a physical specimen who finally understood the importance of work ethic and technique..

SS24... Today you could could become a star, shut down AJ green.

"BlameItOnTheHenne wrote:

Clemons can GTFO.

Way to harsh imo, he's played better than that.

"I want to be in Miami,"

Hartline....that's what I want to hear..

If Bush stays healthy we may have to use tag on him. For as incredible as Starks has been, he's not young and Odrick looks like he is better at DT.

As far as Jake...its a tough call. You want a good player protecting our franchise QB, but he will likely want great player $$$.

The most important element on that is the probability that the Dolphins are no longer going to be big players in free agency.

"BlameItOnTheHenne wrote:

Clemons can GTFO.

Why? He's been solid at worst. You could do better, but you could certainly do worse.

"Fin-Omenal wrote:

If Bush stays healthy we may have to use tag on him.

That would be both a waste of money and a franchise tag. I'd like to re-sign Bush, but using the franchise tag on a running back is sheer silliness.

Randy Starks probably presents the best bang for the franchise tag buck, though I tend to think Sean Smith will get tagged.

"ckparrothead wrote:

Really wary of the money they give Jake. Oh well, they'll do what they'll do.

Same here. He hasn't been the same player recently and I wonder how much more his body can take. I think the best thing to do would be to sign Smith and franchise Long just to see how he does next year.

"djphinfan wrote:

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/

The Dolphins privately have expressed interest in re-signing Jake Long, Randy Starks, Sean Smith and Brian Hartline, and have told Reggie Bush’s agent they will be in contact. Anthony Fasano and Chris Clemons also will be unrestricted.

Smith’s size, speed and steady growth will make him a coveted commodity, considering the value placed on cornerbacks. He has allowed only 41.7 percent of passes thrown against him to be caught – best in the league among cornerbacks targeted at least 30 times.

All-Pro receiver Larry Fitzgerald sought out Smith after Sunday’s two-interception game to tell him what a good job he’s doing. If the Dolphins do a longterm deal with Long, it’s conceivable they could use the franchise tag on Smith, which is expected to be worth about $10.7 million for cornerbacks.

Now that's a nugget to get excited about.

I would have to say that Revis will need an explanation and will request a new contract for 2013...

### Hartline, 25, is leading the league in receiving yards and on pace for 100 catches and 1820 yards. Green Bay’s Jordy Nelson – whose career followed a similar arc – signed a three-year, $13 million extension last Oct. 2 just a month into a break out season. If he keeps this up, Hartline should do better than that, perhaps $5 million a year, according to one prominent agent with no affiliation to Hartline.

Antonio Brown money would be ridiculous but I can swallow what that non-affiliated agent is saying he could get. $5 million a year is what I had suggested.

"Disgustipate wrote:

The most important element on that is the probability that the Dolphins are no longer going to be big players in free agency.

Smart.

"djphinfan wrote:

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/

The Dolphins privately have expressed interest in re-signing Jake Long, Randy Starks, Sean Smith and Brian Hartline, and have told Reggie Bush’s agent they will be in contact. Anthony Fasano and Chris Clemons also will be unrestricted.

Smith’s size, speed and steady growth will make him a coveted commodity, considering the value placed on cornerbacks. He has allowed only 41.7 percent of passes thrown against him to be caught – best in the league among cornerbacks targeted at least 30 times.

All-Pro receiver Larry Fitzgerald sought out Smith after Sunday’s two-interception game to tell him what a good job he’s doing. If the Dolphins do a longterm deal with Long, it’s conceivable they could use the franchise tag on Smith, which is expected to be worth about $10.7 million for cornerbacks.

Now that's a nugget to get excited about.

I agree the Dolphins should sign Smith to a new long term contract. While he has been inconsistent at times, he is still by far, the best player the Dolphins have in the secondary.

One thing Jackson pointed out with the other free agents is the fact that Long is now rated the 4th worst tackle, out of 71 tackles, now in the NFL. Unless his play improves a great deal over the rest of the season, I just can't see them paying him the 10-12 million dollars he is expected to sign for in the off season. Injuries have decreased his ability on the field and the Dolphins can't afford to make a mistake in signing him to another huge contract and then see his play continue to diminish.

Hopefully he will pick up his play for the remainder of the season, but if not, the Dolphins need to go in another direction at LT next season.

"jw3102 wrote:

I agree the Dolphins should sign Smith to a new long term contract. While he has been inconsistent at times, he is still by far, the best player the Dolphins have in the secondary.

One thing Jackson pointed out with the other free agents is the fact that Long is now rated the 4th worst tackle, out of 71 tackles, now in the NFL. Unless his play improves a great deal over the rest of the season, I just can't see them paying him the 10-12 million dollars he is expected to sign for in the off season. Injuries have decreased his ability on the field and the Dolphins can't afford to make a mistake in signing him to another huge contract and then see his play continue to diminish.

Hopefully he will pick up his play for the remainder of the season, but if not, the Dolphins need to go in another direction at LT next season.

if the injuries on Jake are not the ones that are career threatening, or career debilitating,you've seen the player play at the highest level, he's only 27, and you know his character, variables favor him returning to form..

One thing to also keep in mind is that the salary cap is expected to take a sizeable jump in 2014, the year the new TV money starts kicking in. I'm not sure how their current salary structure is set for then, but I suspect it should help with being able to afford to re-sign a lot of these guys.

I suspect Amaya will supplant Clemons before the year is over.

Better instincts and ball skills.

Why all the Chris Clemons hate? He's been solid all year.

"djphinfan wrote:

if the injuries on Jake are not the ones that are career threatening, or career debilitating,you've seen the player play at the highest level, he's only 27, and you know his character, variables favor him returning to form..

Yes, while he certainly played at a very high level during his first three years in the league, he has been only an average tackle over the past year and four games. That is why I stated he needs to show vast improvement in his play the remainder of the season for the Dolphins to sign him to another huge contract. I am sure his injuries have been the main reason Long has played at an inferior level recently, but the Dolphins can't afford to sign him to new new long term contract based on how he played during his first three years with them.

This is a, "what have you done for me lately", league and lately Long just hasn't been very good. He has 12 more games to prove he deserves a huge contract from the Dolphins and I hope he turns it around. I just wouldn't pay him 10-12 millions of dollars a year based on how he has played recently. That is all I am saying.

"GMJohnson wrote:

Why all the Chris Clemons hate? He's been solid all year.

because that was the perception heading into the season...when everyone said he should be cut, he adapted to another system and he beat his competition...again.

I'm not against looking for a replacement next offseason, but show me who's his competition first before I rag.

Our secondary has given up some yards, but in terms if being efficient relative to rep count, we're doing really well considering.

"jw3102 wrote:

This is a, "what have you done for me lately", league and lately Long just hasn't been very good. He has 12 more games to prove he deserves a huge contract from the Dolphins and I hope he turns it around. I just wouldn't pay him 10-12 millions of dollars a year based on how he has played recently. That is all I am saying.

He's not playing average right now. Stop going off of the plays the announcers feel like they need to highlight and go buy NFL Rewind or something.

"Disgustipate wrote:

He's not playing average right now. Stop going off of the plays the announcers feel like they need to highlight and go buy NFL Rewind or something.

I don't even listen to the announcers. I watch the game and see for myself how he is playing. If you think he has been playing at a quality level in recent games, I question what you really know about football.

"djphinfan wrote:

Best in the freakin league at 41 percent of passes allowed against...hell yeah..

You could see a different player in camp, a different person, a physical specimen who finally understood the importance of work ethic and technique..

SS24... Today you could could become a star, shut down AJ green.

9th best.

"padre31 wrote:

I suspect Amaya will supplant Clemons before the year is over.

Better instincts and ball skills.

I know you like to think "outside the box" but um... no.

"jw3102 wrote:

I agree the Dolphins should sign Smith to a new long term contract. While he has been inconsistent at times, he is still by far, the best player the Dolphins have in the secondary.

One thing Jackson pointed out with the other free agents is the fact that Long is now rated the 4th worst tackle, out of 71 tackles, now in the NFL. Unless his play improves a great deal over the rest of the season, I just can't see them paying him the 10-12 million dollars he is expected to sign for in the off season. Injuries have decreased his ability on the field and the Dolphins can't afford to make a mistake in signing him to another huge contract and then see his play continue to diminish.

Hopefully he will pick up his play for the remainder of the season, but if not, the Dolphins need to go in another direction at LT next season.

He is not 4th worst overall. 42nd overall, out of 68. He is 4th worst run blocking and 9th best pass blocking. Go figure. I don't see how he could be 4th worst in that one aspect.