Club Comp Essay Contest, Please post Essay's here

The contest is under way. Best of luck to all.:up:

Question, I already have club membership, but if I enter and happen to win can I give the free membership to another member I think deserves it?

"Alex44 wrote:

Question, I already have club membership, but if I enter and happen to win can I give the free membership to another member I think deserves it?

Brother this is for non existing club members.:wink2: I am sorry I show of expressed that in the beginning. We want to see members put there best stuff out, so we can all enjoy it.:yes:

"Fin Fan In Cali wrote:

Brother this is for non existing club members.:wink2: I am sorry I show of expressed that in the beginning. We want to see members put there best stuff out, so we can all enjoy it.:yes:

:lol: Thats why I asked.

Good luck everyone!

"Alex44 wrote:

:lol: Thats why I asked.

Good luck everyone!

Perhaps the person you had in mind, have them submit an essay.:wink2:

Club Comp Essay is what brought me into the Club (winning pick-em contests helps extend it). It's a great opportunity for those who might not be able to afford Club Level. Props to you guys for putting it up again. If there's still a lack of entries again, I'll be appalled. :up:

Good luck to all.

Club Level is great. Many great posters there that you don't get to see in the mains. You'll learn a lot, guaranteed.

I'll have an entry up here shortly-tonight or tomorrow; got stuck picking up a few extra shifts before the Super Bowl and lost my time to type.

I look forward to it brother!

"cnc66 wrote:

I look forward to it brother!

Got a decent start on it today, but I picked up a shift for tomorrow night. I'll have it up Wednesday morning at the latest!

Where will the Essays be posted? I'd love to read them.

"PENNSYLVANIADOLPHAN wrote:

Where will the Essays be posted? I'd love to read them.

They will be posted here brother once we get some entries.:yes:

Hopefully everyone is just taking their time to prepare a great essay, because there should be about twenty members submitting essays.

Guy's you dont know what your missing w/o Club Level and you have a chance to win your way on for free!

Who will make the first impression???

The Dolphins and Free Agency
By Kevin Dern (RoninFin4)

As General Manager Jeff Ireland has said quite a few times since becoming the man in charge of personnel decisions, “It’s a talent acquisition business.” Since he first arrived here, and just basing my own opinions off of what the consistently good teams like the Patriots, Colts, Steelers, Chargers and Giants have done since 2000, I’ll take Jeff’s quote to be quite literal: If you field the most talented team, you’re going to win games. Mind you, by this I don’t mean just going after the Terrell Owens or Chad Johnsons of the world simply because it adds talent to the team, I’ll revert back to what my high school coach always used to preach, “I don’t want the eleven best out on the field, I want my best eleven out there.” Obviously it speaks for itself - you want the best cohesive units on offense and defense out on the field at the same time.

With that philosophy in mind, let’s look at the potential free agents the Dolphins have. The first group of players includes the starters, that seemingly everyone knows about, and they include: tackle Vernon Carey, linebacker Channing Crowder, cornerback Andre’ Goodman, and safeties Renaldo Hill and Yeremiah Bell. That’s 23% of your starting lineup, but those positions are critical, 75% of the starting secondary is lumped in there, as well as the most consistent offensive lineman Miami has had in the last five years, as well as the top two tacklers on the team from 2008, Crowder and Bell. Quite a bit of talent in that 23%. However, with roughly $24.5 million in cap space to play with, there’s a good chance some maneuvering can take place to improve the team a good margin from the version trotted out onto the field in 2008.

The second tier of free agents includes some lesser-known players, which comprise backups and question marks. Center Al Johnson played sparingly in a few games in 2008, as did linebacker Derek Smith who was signed with just two games left in the regular season after Channing Crowder’s knee injury. Receiver Tab Perry was lost for the year in an offseason mini-camp, and exclusive rights free agent Quentin Moses saw his time in the situational defensive end rotation dwindle to the point that he wasn’t even active for the last four games of the season, including the wild-card game against the Ravens.

So, for a grand total, that gives us nine free agents to decided whether or not to bring them back for 2009 and beyond.

Now, since this is indeed a talent acquisition business, one must first look for the chance to upgrade those positions with free agent players from 2008. Just looking at the NFL, you can probably name at least five players at each position, except maybe right tackle with Vernon Carey, that are better than the 2008 Dolphins starter. Let’s face it, there’s still holes to fill regardless of how magical the 2008 season was. You also have to be careful not to lose too much continuity with what brought you success in the first place, so I’ll tackle each free agent one at a time.

I’ll start with some of the easier moves just to get things rolling. Here’s how I’d deal with the second tier of free agents we have. I’ll list the players name, a summary, and my final verdict: re-sign or sayonara at the end in bold, with the transaction underlined.

Lower-Tier, In-House Free Agents

Quentin Moses: Even the first player is quite a bit puzzling. After his junior season at Georgia, many touted him as one of the top rated defensive players, if not the top rated senior, going into the 2007 NFL Draft. Well, Moses couldn’t duplicate his 11.5 sack season as a senior and slipped to the 3rd round of the draft landing with the Oakland Raiders. He’s since bounced from Arizona to Miami. At 6’5” and 260lbs he’s been converted from a 4-3 DE, to a 3-4 OLB and situation pass-rusher. So far, the move has yielded little dividends. However, Bill Parcells and Tony Sparano have both said that they like Moses’ potential. Perhaps one season wasn’t enough for him to fully grasp the 3-4; after all, Pittsburgh’s James Harrison, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the year was cut three times by the Steelers and once by the Ravens before landing a job as a wedge buster in 2005, back with the Steelers for a fourth go’round. A few years later, and POOF! Look at him now. Since Moses is an exclusive rights free agent, meaning that if Miami tenders him an offer, no other team can touch him, I’ll give him another looksee. After all, competition breeds success, and if not him, it’s only going to make someone else better. If he’s not good enough to make the final 53, so be it - the salary cap ramifications are very easy to stomach.
Final Verdict: Re-signed. Cheap signing - can only get better with another offseason.

Tab Perry: At one point, Tab was a popular soft drink, I mean 3rd wide receiver for Carson Palmer and the Cincinnati Bengals. He’s one of the handful of NFL players I’ve actually met, and he seemed like a pretty nice guy. However, nice guys often finish last. With the success of our unheralded receivers like Greg Camarillo, Davone Bess, and Brandon London, there’s really not much of a need for Tab Perry, especially since his only other role is a kick returner, for which Ted Ginn, Patrick Cobbs, and Davone Bess are all better suited. Coming off an injury, and probably looking to add a playmaker via free agency or the draft, I don’t think there’s room for Tab Perry.
Final Verdict: No contract offered.

Derek Smith: A signing that came as somewhat of a boon down the stretch, especially in light of Channing Crowder’s injury. A wily old vet looking for one more chance for playoff glory. Unfortunately, Smith didn’t really do a whole heck of a lot other than the occasional special teams play against the Chiefs, Jets, and Ravens. With the preference of Bill Parcells and Jeff Ireland to shoot for guys with size, I don’t think Smith is really going to offer any more on special teams than what I could get from guys like Erik Walden and Charlie Anderson anyways. I’ll pass.
Final Verdict: No contract offered.

Al Johnson: Probably the toughest decision of the second tier players right here. Signed in midseason as a castoff from the Arizona Cardinals, Johnson is a veteran with the savvy and toughness that allows him to play both C and G along the O-line. He’s also got the size, and as we heard last year, Tony Sparano called him one of the smartest lineman he’s ever been around; which I’d consider quite the compliment. He got some experimental snaps at C against the 49ers when Samson Satele kicked out to RG; but it was pretty easy to see he wasn’t as capable of Samson, given the circumstances with which he came into the game. However, as last year showed, O-line depth is crucial, and with rumors circulating that Samson Satele might not be part of the Dolphins future plans, take that as you will, I’m not leaning one way or the other for the moment, I’ll offer Johnson a cheap, one-year deal. If he signs, he signs, if not, Andy Alleman and Ike Ndukwe have both played C in their day, and the draft is loaded at the pivot this year. Low risk, potentially high reward. It’s like the Cory Schlesinger move in 2007 or Boomer Grigsby this past year. The potential is there, but you can always keep churning the roster, and he could be cut in training camp if a better option surfaces through the draft or free agency.
Final Verdict: Contract offered; hoping to re-sign.

Well, that’s it for the lower-tier of free agents. So far, I’ve kept Quentin Moses for peanuts, and have offered Al Johnson the same, with the intention of keeping him as veteran depth until/unless I can find something better in free agency or the draft. Now, let’s move onto the money decisions; the first tier guys.

Top-Tier, In-House Free Agents

Vernon Carey: The first round pick of the 2004 draft has played dutifully ever since Wannstedt finally let him on the field after sticking big Vern behind John St. Clair, yuck! He’s not missed a start, and save for missing a few plays this year in the season opener, I can’t really think of a period where he’s missed any time. In 2007, we saw Cam Cameron convert him from a 340+ lbs. right tackle into a well-oiled 325lbs machine at LT. After Cam’s dismissal, many thought it might be wise to keep Carey at LT and target a “pillar of defense”, as Jeff Ireland put it, in Chris Long or Vernon Gholston in the 2008 draft. Heck, even Matt Ryan got some consideration for a while - but that was just one of the many smokescreens Bill Parcells has thrown in his day, and Vernon was shifted back to RT, albeit Jake Long is now a Pro Bowler as a rookie having given up 3.5 sacks to the likes of Calvin Pace, Richard Seymour, and Terrell Suggs (pretty excusable for a rookie if you ask me; he only got better as the year wore on, even with a sprained ankle). With Big Jake as our anchor, Vernon “ballooned” up a little and was listed at 350lbs this year at RT.

It’s been widely speculated that Jeff Ireland & Co. want to bring Vernon Carey back, and I’m of a similar mind. Even though this is wild speculation at this point, but it’s not hard to fathom Vernon kicking in to RG, as Simon mentioned, and many others have theorized about on this site, and adding a RT prospect; potentially a Michael Oher or Phil Loadholt type - someone of that nature. Carey was pretty adept at playing the guard spot at the “U” and I don’t see any reason why he couldn’t continue that streak in the NFL. Even if he’s left at RT, which I think will be the case until we know more about Donald Thomas and some of the other young pups/future draftees, I think the position is in good hands with Big Vern.

It’s reasonable to believe that Carey, a native Miamian, will try and help out the Dolphins’ brass with a reasonable contract. And I think it’s well worth it to have a pair of bookend tackles, especially when that second tackle can play the LT spot, and potentially move inside to G as well. I think it stands to reason that since Vernon has put on weight, other suitors might not be as apt to give him LT money; therefore, I think Vernon will come at a more reasonable price than most expect. I recall Vonnie Holliday saying that Vern was almost in tears after the Jets game, and recalling how all his hard work finally paid off in the form of an AFC East title - I don’t know about you, but it sounds like Vern is the type of player I want on my football team.
Final Verdict: Re-sign. - Something like a 4 or 5 year deal would be pretty nice.

Now, onto the defensive side of the ball.

Channing Crowder: Whew! It seems that most posters on here, and on other boards alike either love him or hate him - there’s no middle ground. I can recall a few times trying to defend his play and his potential of turning into a solid ILB in a 3-4 scheme. However, unbeknownst to me what the offer really is, Crowder is saying that the Dolphins are low-balling him. Well, let’s take al look at Crowder’s 2008 performance compared to other 3-4 ILBs.

***All of the links I used in this will be listed as references at the end.***

Crowder: In 15 games played, he amassed 113 tackles (92 solo), 1 FF, and 6 PBU.
Ray Lewis: 117 tackles (85 solo) 3.5 sacks, 2 FF, 3 INTs, 9 PBU.
James Farrior: 133 tackles (87 solo) 3.5 sacks, 1 FF, 5 PBU.
Jerod Mayo: 128 tackles (100 solo) 1 FF, 4 PBU.
Bradie James: 116 tackles (80 solo) 8 sacks, 3 FF, 4 PBU.

Looking at the 3-4 ILBs who played just as many games, or more than Crowder, the tackles are relatively the same. But look at the other plays. I couldn’t find exact numbers for tackles for loss, but I don’t remember Channing getting very many, if any. He was improved in pass coverage (I remember him saving the Texans game on 3rd and goal, only to inexplicably move out of the box and open a huge lane for Matt Schaub to run in on 4th and goal), but there’s just not enough big plays. For the money he wants, and looking at the talent that’s out there in free agency: Lewis, Farrior, Bart Scott, Karlos Dansby, and in the draft, potentially: Rey Maualuga, James Laurinaitis, Scott McKillop, Tyrone McKenzie, Jaison Phillips - excuse me if I didn’t list your favorite prospect, but I think you get where I’m going here, and I’ve already rambled for four pages in Word.

Is Channing Crowder really all that he’s cracked up to be? I don’t think so. Would I take my chances for a year or two with a player like Bart Scott or James Farrior, as they’re slightly older prospects, more so Farrior? Yeah, I probably would, and they’d be cheaper. Or would I break the bank and get a freakishly talented player like Karlos Dansby; give him the big payday, but pay him to spend the rest of his career as a Dolphin with his tackling ability, pass-rushing presence, and as seen in the Super Bowl, better coverage than Crowder? Boy Would I! (Yes, I’m on the Dansby bandwagon, I’m not shy about it.)

With all that said, I’d only bring Crowder back if he agrees to the previously offered deal, which I’m assuming he won’t since he said that, “I’ll come back here and beat the hell out of them with somebody else”, I’ll take my chances and try to move on.
Final Verdict: Not re-signed. He knows what we think he’s worth, the ball’s in his court until we find something better.

Now, onto one of the more head-scratching units of 2008; the secondary. They started out the season letting Brett Favre throw rockets and wounded ducks for touchdowns, got shredded by Kurt Warner, before finally settling down against the likes of Matt Cassel and Philip Rivers in the next two games.

And if there’s one player out of the three free agents in the secondary I’d like to have back before the other two, it’s definitely strong safety Yeremiah Bell. Based on the scheme used by Paul Pasqualoni, we didn’t see Yeremiah Bell blitz as often as he did under Nick Saban, or make as many plays downfield (if only he’d held onto that 3rd and forever pass that Andre Johnson yanked away from him, Miami would have been 12-4, but that’s for another day).

Where he excelled, was in run support, and often times, saving the front seven’s hides. Interestingly enough, he had more tackles, sacks, and forced fumbles than our very own Channing Crowder. There’s two ways to look at this; either Bell was dynamite, or it’s even more hard evidence that we could use someone more dynamic in the middle of our defense than Channing Crowder. (Let it be noted that Crowder was only 7 tackles behind Bell, but 100 of bells were solos, compared to 92 for Channing, who missed the Chiefs game).

Bell wanted a longer extension last year, but the Dolphins brass gave him a one year deal coming off that torn Achilles tendon, and rightfully so. Bell has said that he wants to play out his career as a Dolphin, so you think he’ll be a little more flexible in terms of market value; after all, how much will teams willingly pay a 30 year old safety with an injury history?
Final Verdict: Re-sign. - A palpable three year deal would be my offer.

Another option with Bell is placing a tag, franchise or transition on him if he doesn’t accept this contract offer. It’s $6.43M to franchise him, which is relatively easy to do with our cap space. Keeping in mind the money that will be lost when Ernest Wilford is eventually released (I don’t have a direct link, but this was posted on www.ffmastermind.com), and what it would cost to offer the same to Carey ($8.45M), I’d rather take my chances with a talented secondary player, especially when the tag will save us $2M if we choose to use it.

Renaldo Hill: Bell’s counterpart at the safety spot is Renaldo Hill. While he’s certainly not in the class of free safeties like Ed Reed, or the late Sean Taylor, Hill’s been a pretty consistent player for the Dolphins, even after his torn ACL in 2007. What Nick Saban really liked about Hill was his ability to get the other members of the secondary lined up properly, and he flashed the ability to make a big play here and there.

Hill’s stat line is up and down: 77 tackles, 3 INTs, but only 4 PBU (Channing Crowder had 6). I also think that any true Dolphins fan just simply had to look at the opponent in the wild-card game. We all saw what Ed Reed did to us, and many other teams have been victimized by him in the past, and he’ll continue to do it in the future. I think it’s clear there needs to be that infusion of a ball-hawk in the secondary - it will only make things easier on Will Allen, and the other corners, as well as allow Yeremiah Bell more opportunities to move into the box and make plays. That said, Hill’s value as a leader and mentor to any new safety we might acquire is invaluable in my book, so I’ll offer a two or three year deal that will keep him happy as a nickel and dime safety, if he chooses to accept it.
Final Verdict: Re-sign as depth. If some team offers him starter money; so be it.

Andre’ Goodman: There’s seemingly always a debate every year about who the starter opposite Will Allen is going to be. First we had Travis Daniels, who regressed every year since his rookie season; Jason Allen has done pretty much nothing and keeps switching positions; Michael Lehan somehow won a starting job…and Andre’ Goodman, who play very well in 2006, suffered through injuries last year.

Goodman bounced back pretty well in 2008, leading the team with 5 INTs and 19PBUs. However, I think that can be attributed to more teams picking on him than trying to go after Will Allen. Being that Goodman’s 30, it’s hard for me to see teams ponying up big bucks to land him, but you’ve always got teams in need of veteran corners who can cover. That said, it’s been my opinion that we’ve long needed a bigger, more physical type of corner (Think Madison or Surtain’s press coverage abilities with the size of a Charles Woodson, Ron Bartell, Champ Bailey). When you’re forced to line up Jason Allen on Randy Moss all game simply based on the fact that Moss is so much taller than Will Allen and Goodman, you’re in trouble. Even if you lined up Allen, all you have to do is plug in the Arizona tape and watch Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin do their thing; Allen was mostly in great position all game and still couldn’t stop them.
Final Verdict: Re-sign to short term deal. Much like the case with Hill, Goodman would serve as nice depth, but by all means, if there’s a more talented corner out there that can start, you have to flip over that rock.

So, to sum up the transactions based on our in-house players, I’ve done the following:

Quentin Moses - tendered to minimum contract.
Tab Perry - no contract offered.
Derek Smith - no contract offered.
Al Johnson - minimum contract offered, but looking at alternatives.
Vernon Carey - re-signed to a 4 year deal.
Channing Crowder - not re-signed; hoping he doesn’t end up in a Pats uni.
Yeremiah Bell - re-signed (would be my choice for Franchise Player).
Renaldo Hill - re-signed to minimum deal.
Andre’ Goodman - contract offered, I’ll say he moves on.

With the cap ramifications for 2009 totaled up, I think that Carey and Bell will comprise about $5.5 - 6 million for 2009, with Moses, Johnson, and Hill taking another $1.5 - 2 million, so lets call it an even $7M, which is probably more than what they’ll really take to re-sign them, leaving us with a cool $17.5M to spend on free agency and the draft - which gives us ample room to maneuver.

Since the draft is not included in this topic, I’ll assume we’re going to fill some bigger needs via free agency for now. Those areas of concern would be the offensive and defensive lines, as Coach Sparano said he wants to get bigger and stronger; an ILB to replace Channing Crowder; and some help in the secondary, just based on what free agents will be available.

Potential Big-Fish Targets

Keeping in mind the salary cap ramifications the Jets strapped themselves with signing every big name last year, I’ll attempt to be a little more frugal with the money and not try and break the bank on a Nnamdi Asomugha (who I think will be franchised again) or a player like Terrell Suggs or Julius Peppers, when we already have Joey Porter and the potential to draft another good OLB. I don’t think we’ll go after a T.J. Houshmandzadeh or Antonio Bryant, there’s simply a good amount of potential in the receivers we already have, so that’s another hole to be filled in the draft. So, I’ll give my 5 big fish targets, and list a few other lesser-known players I’d attempt to go after. I’d call it a good day if we can land 1 or 2 of the big fish targets to improve the Dolphins. So with that in mind, here’s my shopping list:

Karlos Dansby ILB Arizona - At 6’4” and 250lbs, you get a bigger, more athletic version of Channing Crowder. Keeping in mind that Dansby played OLB in a 4-3 hybrid defense (ironically Channing’s original position in 2005) he still managed to post better numbers than Crowder in virtually all phases of the game. I think he’d be a much better force in the middle, with Roth on the strong side, it gives us a more sure tackler, with more athleticism and pass-rushing ability. I think that the SOLB position could use an upgrade over Roth, but his ability to set the edge plays well into Dansby’s hands, and with the amount of prospects (Sintim, Jamison, English, etc. available) it makes Dansby’s signing paramount.

Ronald Bartell CB St. Louis - While he’s unlikely to hit the market as the Rams have plenty of money to reel in he and O.J. Atogwe both, he’s still a candidate I’d make a strong push for. At 6’1” and 205lbs, he’s the physical presence needed to combat Randy Moss and other bigger receivers, and that’s what makes him so dangerous. Consider this, from SI’s Super Bowl Preview, “The Cards threw him five fades against us this year,” said Rams S Corey Chavous, “and they were 0 for 5. That’s because Ron Bartell, who’s 6’1”, played him so well.” What’s Moss’ favorite route again?

Jason Brown C Ravens - It’s apparent that Samson Satele’s torn labrum really affected him. Myself a victim of a torn labrum, I know it’s different for every person in relation to the severity of the tear, but I still question whether or not that was the main cause of Satele’s slight decline in play in 2008 (I think it’s got more to do with straight ahead blocking rather than getting out into space, as in Cameron’s 2007 offense). At 6’3” and 320lbs Jason Brown gives an absolute beast at C. Considering Parcells’ last C in Dallas was Andre Gurode, who goes 6’4” and 318lbs, I can see why Brown would be such a prime target. Coupled with a healthy Donald Thomas, or even kicking Vernon Carey into RG if we land a player like Oher or Loadholt in the draft, and you’ve got a pretty intense middle of the line to couple the Wilfork, Stroud, Jenkins group twice a year.

Chris Canty DE Cowboys - Just going back to the Sparano quote that he wants to get bigger, Chris Canty would certainly provide that, and I think this signing affects the Dolphins a couple of ways. It allows you to do one of two things if you so choose, or even both if you’re feeling brave. Holliday holds a $5.75M cap number in 2009, and Canty would certainly come cheaper (and he’s 6’7” and 295lbs) which allows you some flexibility there. I’ve also thought that Phillip Merling might be a potential candidate to replace Matt Roth, whose only got a year left on his rookie deal, at SOLB. This move allows Merling to focus more on that position while still chipping in as a pass-rusher in situations. It also expedites the development of Rodrique Wright and Lionel Dotson as backups, unless you’re to pick one up in the draft - either way, unless Holliday takes a big pay cut, the Canty signing makes too much sense given all the Dallas connections, and the potential for the defense to get even bigger across the board (Merling converting to SOLB potentially).

Dunta Robinson CB Texans - I think Robinson’s going to cost more than he’s worth, but he’s young and athletic. I rated him behind Bartell because he’s not as big or as physical, which is what I think we need. Even so, Will Allen only has a year left on his contract, and if Goodman isn’t brought back (which is the case in my scenario even though I offered him a deal) we could still use an infusion of youth in the secondary. He at least serves as an immediate upgrade to Nathan Jones, Jason Allen, and Joey Thomas as far as depth goes, but he’d be an immediate start in my book.

Other Free Agent Targets

Bart Scott LB Baltimore - I think he’s too much of an Akin Ayodele/Larry Foot clone, but he’d be a serviceable starter at ILB for us.

Jordan Gross T Carolina - Probably too pricey for our tastes, but if he doesn’t land the Alan Faneca type deal, it’s worth a definite look; especially if Carey doesn’t re-sign the deal I’ve offered.

Bryant McFadden CB Pittsburgh - Pretty much a more physical version of Andre’ Goodman, without the ball skills. This would be for depth purposes only.

Brandon Jones WR Tennessee - I know Camarillo was extended last year, but if God forbid, something happens during is ACL rehab, we’ll need another possession receiver. At 6’1” and 207lbs Jones is a pretty nice candidate that won’t break the bank.

Sam Hurd WR Dallas - Same as Brandon Jones, but the obvious Dallas connection is underlying this move. Probably a direct replacement for Ernest Wilford.

Jim Kleinsasser FB/TE Minnesota - A better blocker than Joey Haynos, and a better receiver than Lousaka Polite. Dan Henning used an H-back quite a bit in Carolina, and he didn’t have a true one last year. Kleinsasser fills that void.

Stacy Andrews G/T Bengals - Buy beware, Andrews tore his ACL down the stretch against the Browns, but he’s got excellent size to play RT.

There’s my official list of free agent targets. Based on what I think other teams will do with regard to re-signing and/or franchising their own players, the ones I think that land in Miami are as follows:

1. Karlos Dansby LB Arizona
2. Chris Canty DE Dallas
3. Sam Hurd WR Dallas
4. Jim Kleinsasser H-Back Minnesota.

Aside from Dansby, none of them really breaks the bank, and you’re able to pickup two starters form that group (Dansby and Canty), which isn’t too bad. Hurd is a pretty good special teams player, and Jim Kleinsasser is an upgrade to Joey Haynos as a 3rd TE or a 2nd FB.

So, we’ve taken care of the tackle situation, addressed the ILB spot, given ourselves more flexibility along the defensive line (with the ability to free up some money by cutting Vonnie Holliday and not losing much in the way of productivity) and OLB (by expediting Phillip Merling’s potential conversion - which might save us a draft pick as well) and given ourselves our returning starters at safety back. Obviously in my scenario Goodman left despite an offer, so CB is still one thing that needs to be addressed, but we have ample draft picks to do that, which leaves the only glaring holes to be filled as: O-line depth, a young NT, a CB, and potentially more depth at WR and OLB.

So there you have it Dolfans, my free agency period in a relatively large nutshell. I think there’s going to be more than 4 free agents signed by Miami, but with the amount of cap space that most teams have, I have a hard time finding more than 4 from list that will actually be available to be signed.

All in all, we’ve not really created any more holes, and we’ve potentially filled a few more with players we already have if some things bounce the right way; and it might just net us more cap space to use, and frees up some draft picks for other positions of need that have already been filled. Thus, choosing the more financially sound plan (the opposite of what the Jets did last year) I think the Dolphins are able to improve on a greater scale and start doing what the Steelers, Colts, and Patriots have been doing for years; developing and harvesting their own in-house talent - It’s time we joined the club, and it only serves better in 2010 when we don’t yet know what the CBA will look like, if there is one.

Well, it’s been fun, please, feel free to comment on it any way you like. Thanks!

References

LB Comparisons:

Crowder- http://www.nfl.com/players/channingcrowder/profile?id=CRO702055
Lewis- http://www.nfl.com/players/raylewis/profile?id=LEW562347
Farrior- http://www.nfl.com/players/jamesfarrior/profile?id=FAR709765
Mayo- http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=11244
James- http://www.nfl.com/players/bradiejames/profile?id=JAM110655
Scott- http://www.nfl.com/players/bartscott/profile?id=SCO100498
Dansby- http://www.nfl.com/players/karlosdansby/profile?id=DAN762622

Franchise/Transition tag numbers:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/rumors/post/Franchise-and-transition-numbers-released;_ylt=AsQTxdksVWTSKqDk_.NKkZlDubYF?urn=nfl,137990

Secondary Comparisons:

Hill- http://www.nfl.com/players/renaldohill/profile?id=HIL570463&campaign=Google_NFLPlayer_RenaldoHill
Goodman-vhttp://www.nfl.com/players/andre'goodman/profile?id=GOO313244
Allen- http://www.nfl.com/players/willallen/profile?id=ALL654295

Vonnie Holliday's Cap number:

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=Nfl&id=1340

I'd just like to add that if a team has around 25 million dollars in salary cap, that means that team has about 75 million dollars " in reality " in cap space for the year.

So if we sign a player " Crowder " for 5 million a year he's not taking 1/5 of our cap space.In reality he's only taken up around 1/15 of our cap space for the year.

So basically the cap is a non factor because we can sign all our own free agents and even pick up a few big names ones and sign a'lot of other guy's and our draft picks and still be under the cap.

I'm just throwing that out there because some may not be aware of just how much cap room we really have.

This contest is how I got my start not so long ago.

IIRC, Mr. Tree and Ronin got the better of me in that contest. Its a good idea and a lot of fun. :up:

"funkdat wrote:

I'd just like to add that if a team has around 25 million dollars in salary cap, that means that team has about 75 million dollars " in reality " in cap space for the year.

So if we sign a player " Crowder " for 5 million a year he's not taking 1/5 of our cap space.In reality he's only taken up around 1/15 of our cap space for the year.

So basically the cap is a non factor because we can sign all our own free agents and even pick up a few big names ones and sign a'lot of other guy's and our draft picks and still be under the cap.

I'm just throwing that out there because some may not be aware of just how much cap room we really have.

Sounds like a good start to an essay.

Very nice RoninFin4! We appreciate the effort.:up:

"Fin Fan In Cali wrote:

Very nice RoninFin4! We appreciate the effort.:up:

No problem :up:

Glad to be a part of the contest again.

We still need another entry. Come on what do you have to lose give it a shot, it could be worth a free club membership for the year.:yes:

RoninFin4 is out of the running for the Club Comp, so if you are interested, please give it a go. Thanks, John:up:

"RoninFin4 wrote:

No problem :up:

Glad to be a part of the contest again.

At least I don't have to worry about losing to you this time. :lol:

"Conuficus wrote:

This contest is how I got my start not so long ago.

So did I. Man, I'm glad Ryan Clady didn't make me look like a total doofus for arguing he should be the #1 overall selection.

"Fin Fan In Cali wrote:

RoninFin4 is out of the running for the Club Comp, so if you are interested, please give it a go. Thanks, John:up:

I'm out already?