It appears as tho Baltimore will have Monroe anyway. He was my first choice and for all we know, might have been the Phins first choice, but this is a start and position of true need...

 

I think if they sign Albert, they'll draft an OT they feel strongly about this year or next. Its just speculation on my part, but I think their strategy is to fill immediate major needs with older consistent/solid FA's, while their eventual replacements get acclimated.

 

I agree Fin D. I think we still go for Zack Martin. At worst we get a high end guard.

 

Re: Branden Albert expected to sign with Dolphins



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Just hope its not another desperation type contract like Wallace.

 

It seems like they are trying to make up for a missed opportunity last year, even though Albert is no the best option on the market.

 

If the Albert thing happens and with Grimes already on board, the Miami Dolphins will be in a position they haven't been in for a very long time - No GLARING holes in the roster. That's not to say no holes or that the job is done. Just no "Well who the **** are they going to start there?" type holes.

 

Branden Albert expected to sign with Dolphins

Really? What about left guard, right tackle, defensive tackle, or free safety?

 

I would add LB to that mix..

 

Branden Albert expected to sign with Dolphins

Right. But at least we have bodies at those positions, even if we don't like them. Those other positions are just empty.

 

If true, and right on the heels of resigning Grimes, would be two solid moves by Hickey headed into FA. Starting to believe.

 

The urgency to single out Albert seems an awful lot like Philbin finally getting who he wants. Not that it is a bad move or Hickey is catering to Joe, but at this point you can't deny Philbin's fascination of Albert.

 

I don't think that's it as much as they specifically want older vets who are consistent. For them, I believe they want veteran leadership and consistent play on a short term basis, while the new guys get groomed, whoever they may be. As time goes on and the roster becomes solid, I expect there will be very little in the FA market for us, which is part of the goal, IMO.

Again, all speculation.

 

Jonathan Martin Confirmed to be re-signed and groomed.

 

Makes sense that Philbin is ready to win now for obvious reasons, and Hickey revamping our horrendous OL situation is a great first impression. I just would like to see some strong moves for a few of the middle tier FA's aswell.

 

Good morning! SI's Peter King reports that Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill has already met with Branden Albert over the weekend!

 

Hoping he clears medical for the duration of the contract

 

Holy ****! Thats awesome!

I also saw that Philbin and Hickey have been watching game film every morning together, getting on the same page. God things are looking better, finally, hopefully it stays this way! Can't wait till tomorrow!

 

Are you referring to this?

http://mmqb.si.com/2014/03/10/nfl-free-agency-monday-morning-qb/

 

Will have to see the salary, but I'm guessing it'll be at or over 8/yr.

Not a big fan of it, but these are the kinds of things you have to do when you're desperate. And we have put ourselves in a pretty desperate situation. Guy has missed 7 games over the last two years, will be 30, had a back issue, and everything I've read is pretty lukewarm. Solid pass pro, not a good run blocker, never really a 'dominant' player.

But when you're developing a QB and your most important OL position has been a mess, this is what you're forced to do. Wish we went with a 'lower-level' less-injured guy who would be cheaper, but we shall see. Still time.

 

While Albert's a solid player, albeit with an injury history, it's akin to hitting a double. With the salary, it's more like a single. Eugene Monroe at the deal he's purported to be getting from Baltimore is the homerun play at this point.

This smacks of Joe Philbin getting the man he coveted last year.

 

Good analogy. I wonder how close the projected terms we're seeing by the media are going to be compared to the actual terms. I can't believe Albert would cost more than Monroe and Veldheer who are both younger and arguably better. The length of the deals may be the thing here.

I really hope the 2nd FA olineman Miami signs is a versatile, value guy.

 

Interesting article about how Albert (and Monroe too for that matter) fit in a zone blocking scheme:

http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2014/03/10/are-miami-dolphins-making-mistake-by-signing-branden-albert/

 

I sense a general disconnect between labels and tape when it comes to arguments being made about scheme fits and whatnot. There needs to be a little more grounding in the actual tape when people say that this team runs this or that team runs that, using the generalizations and labels to base arguments upon.

Look at the tape of what Miami ask their players to do and what the Eagles ask their players to do (since Lazor is coming over) and then start looking at Albert's tape and Monroe's tape and see if they're doing those things or if they show competence when asked to do those things.

What I dislike is this over-generalized, super-simplified, "Well the Jaguars ran a zone scheme and Monroe's grades were X, but Baltimore runs a man scheme and his grades were Y, and therefore..." That's all based on generalizations, rumors and labels rather than on actual tape.

Reality is that the Baltimore Ravens seemed to do as much zone stuff as the Miami Dolphins did in 2013. And the Miami Dolphins seemed to do as much non-zone stuff as the Baltimore Ravens did in 2013. Neither were pure. And the Dolphins shouldn't be expected to be pure ZBS going forward, either.

 

Good to know CK. Thanks for the clarification.

 

Branden Albert expected to sign with Dolphins

If there was a time to acquire personnel to fit a specific scheme (whether it be a mix or not) they want to run on the offensive line, it would be now.

 

Sign Albert, draft zach Martin.

I doubt we end FA without signing another guard or two either.

 

We obviously need a LT and Albert is a legitimate NFL starter but to borrow Ronin's analogy not a home run. So why is Philbin so enamored with him? Is there something about his game, character etc.. that is drawing us to him or is it that they view him as the second best option but don't view Monroe as obtainable.

 

Branden Albert expected to sign with Dolphins

Yes I know this. I was simply responding to someone trying to claim that we didn't have any empty spots if we signed Albert.

 

Im not a fan of spending big money in FA. This signing wouldnt be an exception for me. Not good IMO.

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Last years OL hopes were pinned on JMart settling in at LT and Clabo playing well on the right side..and ofcourse the work ethic of John Jerry. We THOUGHT we had a pretty good G/C combo then shnit hit the fan.

For the love of Christ can we please aquire some LB depth in the next couple of seasons?? I'm sick of seeing special team players filling in for injured starters then going out and trying to cover Rob Gronkowski.

 

Probably

 

I stand corrected. I've been spending too much time on fake free agency (GM league) and need to pay more attention to real free agency.

 

Branden Albert expected to sign with Dolphins

Haha. I hear that.

 

For better or worse, he's also clearly listening to Philbin in a way Ireland never did. It may not work at all but i like the unified vision at least.