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Free Agency Thread? Free Agency Thread.

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by ckparrothead, Jan 31, 2013.

  1. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    I was just trying to scroll through and see if we had one of these, a general free agency thread, and I didn't see one. I started up a Potential Trade Targets thread which I felt was useful, and inevitably we ended up talking about some guys who are free agents...but that was still not quite the venue.

    I'll start us out.

    Running Back

    1. Mike Goodson, Oakland Raiders
    Comment:
    Remember this guy? Let me refresh your memory. This is what he did to us when we played the Raiders this year. Naturally, Mike Sherman's presence in Miami means we're going to speculate on Texas A&M players and as such I've talked about Christine Michael in the Draft a little bit. But what about Mike Goodson? He was pretty sick at Texas A&M and I felt like the work he did in Carolina was damn impressive, actually managing to get on the field and make an impact despite the presence of both Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. The Raiders signed him even though they had Darren McFadden, and he averaged 6.3 yards per carry this season, plus the 195 receiving yards on 16 catches. Goodson has created 29 missed tackles from 2009 to 2012 on only 160 carries. He's created another 15 on 59 catches. That's insane. In terms of carries, among the 29 backs that qualify with 150+ carries this year, only C.J. Spiller, LeSean McCoy, Marshawn Lynch and Adrian Peterson did better than that. The Dolphins seem like they're ready to lose Reggie Bush. Mike Goodson would be a natural replacement. I know, I know, everyone is thinking Lamar Miller is Bush's replacement. He is, in a way. But think about the problem they had with Miller, why they couldn't get him on the field. They wanted him to be a third down guy but he wasn't getting the playbook well and he wasn't blocking well. That's why Daniel Thomas kept getting on the field ahead of him. Mike Goodson has been a third down and utility man since he entered the league. Having him around would let them focus on making Lamar Miller the 1st & 10 type of back, the guy who focuses mostly on carrying the football. It's true they would lack a little bit of MEAT when it comes to short yardage...but then, if you've got Mike Goodson to rotate with Lamar Miller, you've marginalized that role to such a degree that you now find that maybe you CAN get away with pegging Jonas Gray for that role. It's one thing to peg a UDFA as your 2nd tailback, a position that is almost a starter's position. It's another for him to be your 3rd tailback, the short yardage and red zone specialist.

    Defensive End

    1. Antwaan Barnes, San Diego Chargers
    Comment:
    I have talked about Barnes going back two years ago when he was a free agent prior to the 2011 season. He is a great pure pass rusher that can threaten a traditional pocket passing quarterback by bending the arc around the left tackle. Don't confuse him for some great all-around football player. He is a role player, but a good and useful one. The Dolphins got it wrong by not signing him in 2011. He re-signed with the Chargers for about $3 million over 2 years and was worth at least double that. Last year he had 11 sacks. This year he only had 3 sacks. However, his hits and pressures of the quarterback did not really fall below good absolute standards on a per rush basis, though they were considerably worse than his 2011 success. When he gets it right, he can be nearly as good as Cameron Wake at pressuring a pocket quarterback. He doesn't finish as well as Wake, though. But one thing that is important is what I put in bold above, which is that he works over the LEFT tackle. Wake works almost exclusively over RIGHT tackle. That means these players would complement one another when you get into late game and closing situations, or other obvious passing downs. Barnes is from South Florida. He went to Florida International. To me, this is a no-brainer, no matter what you plan to do in the Draft at the position. The drawback on Barnes is that there are rumors of past drug use.

    2. Michael Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals
    Comment: (via RoninFin4):
    "I think this falls into the category of interesting targets ONLY if Randy Starks isn't re-signed and Jared Odrick is moved inside. Michael Johnson from the Bengals is a UFA. From the Bengals perspective, they've got a lot of free agents to make decisions on including Andre Smith, Ray Maualuga, Pacman Jones, Robert Geathers, Wallace Gilberry and they have Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap BOTH about to enter contract years. I've heard they, like Miami with Reshad Jones, are working on extending Atkins before he's due. Something's going to give there, and I think they'd try and keep both Atkins and Dunlap as opposed to trying to re-sign or tag Michael Johnson. From Miami's perspective, Johnson is familiar with Kevin Coyle, obviously. He's played almost exclusively on the defense's right side, so he's a natural fit to play opposite Wake. If Kevin Coyle wants a bigger DE that can play that spot, Johnson fits the bill. He's 6'7" and is up to 270lbs. He really improved against the run and he tallied 11.5 sacks in 2012. He also offers some position flexibility. Much like Miami started using Olivier Vernon at the end of last season, the Bengals used Johnson as a stand-up OLB at times to rush the passer, and even dropped him into short zones and the flats on occasion - something even Coyle did with Cameron Wake last year. IMO, signing Johnson alleviates the need to draft someone to fill that pass-rusher role. However, if Miami does re-sign Randy Starks, I think that takes Michael Johnson off the table. But, he'd be a 3-down player for the Dolphins if Odrick did move inside and that would allow Miami to develop guys like Vernon and Derrick Shelby more fully before expecting heavy contributions from them. The main worry is that the Bengals might actually franchise tag him. They have the money - even more than Miami - freed up with something like $50.5M available. Dave Lapham, one of their radio broadcasters, usually has a pretty good handle on the inner-workings of the team, and he's let it be known that he thinks if they can't figure out a deal with Johnson, the tag could be an option. I guess that depends on how frugal Mike Brown feels on being that particular day. "
     
  2. Anonymous

    Anonymous Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Antwan Barnes as a nickel pass rusher when you take Odrick off the field.
     
  3. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Yeah that's one I've talked about before. I'll add him.
     
  4. Stringer Bell

    Stringer Bell Post Hard, Post Often Club Member

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    Domenik Hixon

    He had 567 yards on only 59 targets. 30% of his targets were beyond 15 yds. He was extremely efficient this season. Hard to project the market for someone with his profile, but I think you can probably get him for around $4-5M. Obviously WR is a need, and he fits what the offense wants to do.
     
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  5. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    I wouldn't pay Hixon more than $3 million but he might be a valid target nonetheless.
     
  6. ToddPhin

    ToddPhin Premium Member Luxury Box Club Member

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    Chad Rinehart?
     
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  7. Anonymous

    Anonymous Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Donald Thomas could be an option. He should be let go by New England.
     
  8. Caps

    Caps Movimiento Juvenil

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    Elephant in the room: Greg Jennings

    But to add something of substance, Brent Grimes? Depends on what the doctors say, someone might get a bargain deal.
     
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  9. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    I'd slide Odie inside and put Barnes on the LT, coupled with Wake we have our "NASCAR" pass rushing line.

    Would love adding him, or Phil Hunt from Philly, we need to pressure the flanks of the offense.
     
  10. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Hixon is a interesting player, love his all around game as he is a helluva returner as well

    BUT, for us, Thigpen fills that role and provides Rb depth, making Hixon not an ideal fit imo
     
  11. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    I'll agree with that. It's not that Hixon would not be a good addition for us. It's about which teams are going to find him the most valuable. The ones that will find him most valuable will want to also leverage his return skills. Since Miami doesn't need those, they're not likely to have as high a $$$ value placed on him.
     
  12. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Phil Hunt is currently not scheduled to be a UFA.
     
  13. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Not currently scheduled to be a UFA, is he?
     
  14. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Feel free to make a case for him. I can't do all the work. :)
     
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  15. ToddPhin

    ToddPhin Premium Member Luxury Box Club Member

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    but, but he played in the CFL, Chris.
     
  16. ToddPhin

    ToddPhin Premium Member Luxury Box Club Member

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    lazy bastard.
    fine. since you asked nicely.
     
  17. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    True, he is going into yr #3, however do think he would be a low buck pick up


    Would still love to kick the tires on Odell Willis, so far Tampa and Pitt have
     
  18. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Both should be added to the list. I don't feel like writing them up at the moment though.
     
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  19. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    So if we resign Starks, we will have Starks..Solai..Odrick..Wake as our four d lineman in the 43... Tell me why again were spending so much time in looking at d ends in the draft?

    If we do draft a def end then were just admitting Odrick was a mistake in the first round...

    If we do sign Starks I can't see spending our 12th on a Dlineman.

    The only way I see maximizing two first round picks ( Odrick, this years 12th), is by letting Starks walk..

    Am I missing something here?
     
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  20. ToddPhin

    ToddPhin Premium Member Luxury Box Club Member

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    Jason Jones or Wallace Gilberry? We could use more interior nickel pressure.
     
  21. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I think his brother Mike is.
     
  22. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    You look to upgrade wherever you can, for example Starks and Wake were on the sidelines during a key drive, and their fillins did not produce.
     
  23. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    that doesn't answer the question though Pod...so if we resign Starks, were gonna have two first round picks rotating snaps?

    This doesn't seem like good use of resources, either that or some mistakes in the eval dept were made.
     
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  24. Anonymous

    Anonymous Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    According to KFFL.com, he is.
     
  25. Anonymous

    Anonymous Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    They can rotate. Odrick could be a back up DT but still log 400+ snaps.
     
  26. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Or that Odrick is playing out of position due to the presence of other talent...

    Nor I. But what does that have to do with the free agency thread?
     
  27. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Oh ok, interesting.

    Either way I don't see it likely for Jeff Ireland to re-claim a guy he cut at a much higher price. It would be admitting in a big way that he made a mistake cutting him. It's one thing if the guy departed as a free agent and we just decided not to match up the price tag. It's another thing if he's on a cheap 6th rounder's contract and we decided to cut the guy.
     
  28. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Jason Jones is an interesting shout. He would essentially play exactly what Odrick currently does. So I'm assuming this is only if Randy Starks leaves and Odrick is moved over. He last signed a 1 year, $4.5 million deal. It looks like with the Seahawks he has primarily been an interior nickel rusher.
     
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  29. Disgustipate

    Disgustipate Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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  30. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    sorry bro, your right, stay on topic.
     
  31. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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  32. RoninFin4

    RoninFin4 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I think this falls into the category of interesting targets ONLY if Randy Starks isn't re-signed and Jared Odrick is moved inside. Michael Johnson from the Bengals is a UFA. From the Bengals perspective, they've got a lot of free agents to make decisions on including Andre Smith, Ray Maualuga, Pacman Jones, Robert Geathers, Wallace Gilberry and they have Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap BOTH about to enter contract years. I've heard they, like Miami with Reshad Jones, are working on extending Atkins before he's due. Something's going to give there, and I think they'd try and keep both Atkins and Dunlap as opposed to trying to re-sign or tag Michael Johnson.

    From Miami's perspective, Johnson is familiar with Kevin Coyle, obviously. He's played almost exclusively on the defense's right side, so he's a natural fit to play opposite Wake. If Kevin Coyle wants a bigger DE that can play that spot, Johnson fits the bill. He's 6'7" and is up to 270lbs. He really improved against the run and he tallied 11.5 sacks in 2012. He also offers some position flexibility. Much like Miami started using Olivier Vernon at the end of last season, the Bengals used Johnson as a stand-up OLB at times to rush the passer, and even dropped him into short zones and the flats on occasion - something even Coyle did with Cameron Wake last year. IMO, signing Johnson alleviates the need to draft someone to fill that pass-rusher role. However, if Miami does re-sign Randy Starks, I think that takes Michael Johnson off the table. But, he'd be a 3-down player for the Dolphins if Odrick did move inside and that would allow Miami to develop guys like Vernon and Derrick Shelby more fully before expecting heavy contributions from them.

    The main worry is that the Bengals might actually franchise tag him. They have the money - even more than Miami - freed up with something like $50.5M available. Dave Lapham, one of their radio broadcasters, usually has a pretty good handle on the inner-workings of the team, and he's let it be known that he thinks if they can't figure out a deal with Johnson, the tag could be an option. I guess that depends on how frugal Mike Brown feels on being that particular day.
     
  33. LBsFinest

    LBsFinest Banned

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    Michael Johnson in Cincinnati or Michael Bennett in Tampa Bay to help rush the passer...each will probably cost at least 6 mil a year.
     
  34. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    I really liked "Giraffe" when he came out, could not believe he slid as far as he did in the draft.

    You are correct, much depends on whether we re-sign Starks.
     
  35. ToddPhin

    ToddPhin Premium Member Luxury Box Club Member

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    I don't think it is, Deej. IMO our interior nickel pass rush was inferior.
     
  36. PerfectTeam

    PerfectTeam Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I usually like to use PFF for a free agency tracker. They seem more reliable and accurate than KFFL but that's just to me.

    https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/01/07/2013-pff-free-agency-tracker/

    Looking over the list, guys I would consider: Chris Houston, Will Beatty, Michael Johnson, Michael Bennett

    If we let Smith walk, I'd like to bring in Houston and then another bigger corner like Johnthan Banks to play opposite him. If Long walks, Beatty to replace him. I think he has the athleticism the coaching staff may want for the zone scheme. I remember liking him coming out of the draft from UConn I believe. Johnson and Bennett have been discussed already but between the two I would prefer Bennett just because he has been doing it a bit more consistently although I think Johnson might be the better pass rusher. Bennett to me is the better run defender but I both think they would be an upgrade over Odrick.
     
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  37. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Would love to hear the argument on Michael Bennett. I like him.
     
  38. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Chris Houston would be a good shout. Not so sure William Beatty will escape New York.
     
  39. ToddPhin

    ToddPhin Premium Member Luxury Box Club Member

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    Playing on the inside is where Jones is the best. The Titans moved him to end in 2011 and he wasn't the same player from what I recall, which is why he only got a 1 year FA deal from Seattle. Through his first 20 games he had 9 sacks, 3 FFs, and 7 PDs. Inside he's a disrupter, but on the edge his impact is minimized b/c you're playing him away from his strength.

    Wallace Gilberry is the same way..... and he has 20.5 sacks, 5 FF, 5 FR, in 62 games as a nickel DT. His 1 year 2012 contract with Cincy was only 700k, and that's after having already been a proven nickel rusher.


    I'm in the middle of going through every defensive snap (vs the pass), and one thing that's apparent, in my eyes at least, is Odrick & Starks are too slow and unathletic as a pair to be our starting nickel DTs, so regardless of what we do with Starks, there desperately needs to be an improvement at nickel DT. Perhaps letting Starks walk, adding Gilberry, and drafting Ansah or Okafor makes the most sense. I'd still follow it up with Carradine.

    Nickel dline would be: Wake - Ansah - Gilberry - Carradine....... which is a massive upgrade over Wake - Starks - Odrick - Misi/Vernon
     
  40. ToddPhin

    ToddPhin Premium Member Luxury Box Club Member

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    With 5 picks in the first 3 rounds and a handful of decent pass rushers available, I highly doubt we overpay for a DE in FA. It's not worth it.
     
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