Dolphins looking to fill Free Safety Position

Finatic8480 · Mar 6, 2010

On Friday, the first day of free agency, the Dolphins spent considerable time discussing the possibility of making a move for restricted free agent Antoine Bethea, sources said Saturday. However, the likelihood of pursuing a deal is still low at this point.

Bethea, who had a first-round tender placed on him by the Indianapolis Colts last week, would come with a very hefty price tag -- in terms of contract money and draft picks. If the Dolphins wanted him, they would have to give up their 12th overall pick.

There's a possibility the team could work toward making a trade with the Colts for a package of picks worth a little bit less than the first-round selection, but Indianapolis' lack of depth at safety could cause some reluctance.

If the Dolphins did make a push for Bethea, they also would be looking at another major deal, similar to safety Antrel Rolle's five-year deal with the Giants worth $37 million, with $15 million guaranteed.

Should the Dolphins choose to end their discussions about making a move for Bethea, who is a 25-year-old rising star in the league, they still will have a few -- although limited -- options in free agency and the draft.

O.J. Atogwe, another restricted free agent with the lowest possible tender, also is on the market, but the Dolphins have not yet expressed any interest in him to this point, a source said.

Among unrestricted free agents, safety Ryan Clark, who played for the Steelers last season, is among the more prominent young names on the market. Safety Darren Sharper, a playmaking safety for the Super Bowl-winning Saints, also is available.

Sharper, 34, would go against one of the team's primary philosophy of developing the roster through youth, but an exception could be made because a one-year deal would allow the team to fill the position as it continues to develop second-year safety Chris Clemons and any potential draft picks this year.

The Dolphins could also wait until the draft to address the need, but such a decision would place heavy pressure to land a player with immediate potential unless they also added a player like Sharper, who would serve as a stopgap.
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http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/06/1516279/second-day-of-free-agency-much.html

Jaj · Mar 6, 2010

Pick swap time. 12 for 31.

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