There has been plenty of talk the past couple of weeks regarding soon-to-be free agent linebacker Karlos Dansby and the Miami Dolphins.
It started a few weeks ago, with Dansby speaking of playing for the Dolphins on WQAM (Miami). That he believes himself to be a ‘Parcells type guy’.
“I really do. Parcells told me one time when we were playing Dallas in Dallas – and they beat us bad, beat us real bad – and leaving that field, Parcells told me, he was like, ‘Dansby, man you’re a hell of a player.’ And that kind of stuck with me ever since that day. That was my second season in. And for Parcells to tell a young player something like that – man, that’s going to stick. And I’ve just been riding off that.”
And he took the opportunity to send a shout out to Bill Parcells.
“Parcells, man, hit your boy Karlos Dansby up, man. I’m ready, man. I think I’m a proven player. I think I can bring a lot to the table. I’m definitely what you need.”
Combine chatter this week — which said the Dolphins will happily reciprocate and “pay” Dansby — was followed by Jeff Ireland’s comments of needing more from the inside linebacker position.
The Cardinals have confirmed not franchise Dansby for a third consecutive season [doing so would require Dansby earn the average of the league's five highest-paid players]. So a rather big fish (no pun intended) will hit the market.
Many fans and observers believe the Dolphins will draft Alabama’s Rolondo McClain if they do not acquire Dansby. While that may or may not be true, it might not be an either/or scenario according to Armando Salguero.
But one source said the Dolphins view Dansby as a strong-side outside linebacker as much as an inside linebacker, which is where the Giants would play Dansby. And because pass-rushing linebackers in the 3-4 are typically paid more than inside linebackers, the projection to a higher-paid position might convince the Dolphins to put a higher value on Dansby.
The second part is important, because Dansby has publicly expressed interest in playing for the Giants, Chargers and Redskins in addition to the Dolphins.
And with no salary cap in 2010, the price tag could climb. Washington owner Daniel Snyder certainly has no problem spending money. Nor would the Giants, who wish to encourage fans to spend money on pubic seat licenses (‘PSL’s', or ‘purchasing the right to purchase tickets’) to their brand new stadium, which opens this fall.
Now on to the first part of Salguero’s quote: Dansby on the strongside.
The idea really isn’t all that foreign when you examine the young man’s career.
A 2004 second round pick out of Auburn, Dansby began his career on the strongside in Arizona’s 4-3 defense. By the end of 2005, he was already considered one of the league’s best players at the position, racking up 103 tackles, 4.0 sacks, 3 INT’s (two of which were returned for touchdowns), 5 passes defended and three fumble recoveries in 15 games that year.
Despite missing the entire preseason with injury, Dansby returned to the strongside in 2006, playing 14 games (10 starts) to amass 94 tackles, 8.0 sacks, 5 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles and 2 recovered fumbles. Those 8.0 sacks came in his final 11 games.
Dansby actually played on the weakside in 2007, registering 117 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 3 INT’s, 8 passes defended and 4 forced fumbles in 14 games as Arizona moved to a hybrid yet still predominantly 4-3 defense. He remained there in 2008, logging 128 tackles, 4.0 sacks, 2 INT’s, 1 pass defended, 2 forced fumbles and 3 recovered, starting all 20 games in the Cards run to the Super Bowl (where Dansby intercepted a pass).
Dansby received the franchise tag after both the 2007 and 2008 seasons.
It wasn’t until 2009 that Ken Wisenhunt’s team went to a predominantly 3-4 defense and Dansby moved inside. His numbers appeared to decrease to the tune of 113 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT, 4 passes defended and 1 forced fumble.
But Cardinals players and coaches say those statistics are misleading. That Dansby’s effect was felt beyond the stat sheet. Veteran defensive tackle Brian Robinson concurred while also crediting Dansby’s leadership.
And Ronnie Brown‘s former teammate once again started every game for Arizona (18), running his streak of consecutive games played to 40.
“I’ve matured,” Dansby said. “I know how to take care of my body now. It was growing pains.”
That includes the 51-45 Wild Card shootout against Green Bay in January. On a day that saw both defenses rendered impotent, Dansby tipped a pass (leading to an INT), forced a fumble and recovered another, running it back for the game-winning touchdown.
The salient point here is that Dansby has played all over the place, both in a 4-3 and 3-4, and excelled. At 6-4 and 250 pounds, he has the frame to play any of the linebacking positions in Mike Nolan’s defense.
The Giants, who run a 4-3, have a large vacancy at middle linebacker after releasing veteran Antonio Pierce, along with a player or two outside, including young Clint Sintim on the strongside.
San Diego, even with the looming departure of Shawne Merriman, appears stocked outside with Shaun Phillips and Larry English. Dansby would likely team with Stephen Cooper inside.
The Dolphins have no established players — much less starters — under contract at outside linebacker. And the opportunity to play an old, familiar position, which would also allow Dansby to rush the passer more often and pays more money, could prove to be the difference maker.
New York has the big(gest) market, the bright lights, recent success and a brand new billion dollar stadium. It also comes with a high cost of living and a state income tax. In South Florida, Dansby would keep more of his money. The weather is better and there’s plenty for a young, rich athlete to do.
I don’t believe Washington and San Diego will be major players. I have no doubt Washington would throw money at Dansby. But so will Miami and New York, whose programs are in a better place at the present time. And with all things being equal, you’d think Dansby would prefer to live in the Miami or New York areas rather than Maryland.
At this time next week, we’ll probably have a pretty good idea of where Karlos Dansby will be making his home. And there’s a very good chance it will be in or around Weston, Fla.
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