ProFootballTalk.com reports the Dolphins have traded guard Justin Smiley to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Compensation is currently not known and the deal hinges on Smiley passing a physical. But it appears that resolution has been reached for Smiley, a seven-year veteran who had been told by head football man Bill Parcells to stay away from offseason workouts and team activities more than a month ago while the team attempted to trade him.
The Miami Herald‘s Jeff Darlington confirmed the trade, which netted the Dolphins a “late round pick”. According to Darlington, the deal was actually completed completed on Friday, contingent on passing a physical.
The Dolphins originally signed Smiley, 28, to a 5-year, $25 million contract on Feb. 29, 2008. The Alabama graduate was the new regime’s first major acquisition, signing shortly after midnight on the first day of free agency.
The 6-3, 310-pound guard started 24 games at left guard over two seasons for the Dolphins. One of the league’s better pulling guards, Smiley’s play did not disappoint and was a catalyst on a unit that went from a pitiful weakness to one of the league’s best.
However, Smiley could not shake the injury bug that dogged him at San Francisco. His 2008 season ended thanks to a broken right ankle/leg in Week 12, followed by a season-long battle shoulder injuries throughout the 2009 campaign. Smiley was replaced by versatile young lineman Nate Garner, who kept the job even when Smiley returned to health.
The move away from Smiley comes as the Dolphins continue to get bigger at the position. Garner (6-7, 325) will compete with fellow third-year man Donald Thomas (6-4, 310) for the starting left guard position. Thomas and Garner each started several games at right guard in 2009. But that position has been filled by free agent acquisition Richie Incognito (6-3, 324).
The Dolphins also used a third round draft pick on Mississippi tackle John Jerry (6-5, 328), who is being trained at the left guard position but might not be ready to compete for a starting job.
ThePHINS.com wishes one of the team’s more engaging players all the best from here on out.
In other news
Veteran guard/center Cory Proctor, who played for this regime in Dallas, is expected to sign with Miami as soon as this week.
Loading ...
Comments on this entry are closed.