Looking at Free Agency...

The Dolphins approach at free agency last season was huge. They didn't attack any big names on the market but focused on improving their overall roster. Signings such as Justin Smiley and Randy Starks really proved to be good moves. Ernest Wilford and Josh McCown were bust but we never knew that Chad Pennington could fall into our laps. The positions which we really need to focus on are Pass-Rushing Outside Linebacker, Interior Offensive Line, Nose Tackle, Inside Linebacker, Cornerback, and Safety.

We are defiantly set at Quarterback with the combination of Chad Pennington and Chad Henne. Running Back the same with the likes of Ronnie brown, Ricky Williams, Patrick Cobbs, and Loushaka Polite. While we could approve our Wide Receiving core, we do have some solid players in Greg Camarillo, Ted Ginn Jr., and Davone Bess. I do see us releasing Wilford and going after someone solid but I do not see us chasing a big name such as TJ Houshmandzadeh. Before we look at who to add , we first must look at who tp keep. With Yeremiah Bell, Andre Goodman, Vernon Carey, and Channing Crowder. I think locking up Yeremiah Bell is the main priority. Andre Goodman played well down the stretch and might be looking for money than he deserves. Channing Crowder is going to price himself out of Miami and Vernon Carey doesn't have the attitude that Sparano wants in his line. I think we should lock up Carey but I wouldn't be shocked to see us explore options in the draft.

I don't think us looking at Julius Peppers, Nnamdi Asomugha, or Terrell Suggs is realistic. The four free agents I think we should target are Jason Brown, Karlos Dansby, OJ Atogwe, and Bryant McFadden. These guys won't come cheap but you can get Atogwe, McFadden, and Brown for the price of Asomugha. We are looking at being roughly $24 million under the salary cap which will probably be increased. i see us being around the $30 million dollar rnage once FA starts.

Jason Brown- Currently starts at Center for the Baltimore Ravens who won't have the money to resign him with the likes of Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, jim Leonard, and Terrell Suggs being free agents. Brown is the inside mauler that we need to upgrade over Satele. Samson Satele will still play a big role on this depth for depth at Guard and Center. Jason Brown is physical and playing on a line with Jake Long, Justin Smiley, and Donald Thomas would give us a big dominant line.

Bryant McFadden- Would probably come at the same price as resigning Andre Goodman. McFadden is younger and more physical and I see this as an upgrade.

Karlos Dansby- He won't come cheap but this guy is a palyer. We could ahve him play Inside and replace Channing Crowder. Dansby is far better than Crowder and exactly the type of player we need on defense.

OJ Atogwe- Play maker at the frree-safety position. Renaldo Hill is a FA and IMO the weakest link to our entire defense.

Adding these free agents with a strong draft and our team would really start to look good. We cannot fix everything in one off season but imagine those free agents signings combined with a draft such as


1- Brandon Spikes-Linebacker-Florida
2A- Larry English-Outside Linebacker-Northern Illinois
2B- Kenny Britt-Wide Receiver-Rutgers
3-Terrence Taylor-Nose Tackle-Michigan
4-Garrett Reynolds-Offensive Tackle-North Carolina
5-Sherrod Martin-Cornerback-Troy
7A: Edwin Williams-Center-Maryland
7B: Anthony Hill-Tight End-NC State
7C: Greg Carr-Wide Receiver-Florida State


Our roster would look very improved and erady for another dvision title at...

QB: Chad Pennington/Chad Henne/John Beck
RB: Ronnie Brown/Ricky Williams/Patrick Cobbs
FB: Loushaka Polite
TE: Anthony Fasano/ David Martin/ Anthony Hill
WR: Kenny Britt/Davone Bess
WR: Ted Ginn Jr./Greg Camarillo/ Brandon London
LT: Jake Long/ Ikechuku Ndukwe
LG: Justin Smiley/ Andy Allemen/Edwin Williams
C: Jason Brown/ Samson Satele
RG: Donald Thomas/ Shawn murphy
RT: Garret Reynolds
K: Dan Carpenter
P: Brandon Fields
DE: Vonnie Holliday/ Phil Merling
DE: Kendall Langford/ Randy Starks
DT: Jason Fergeson/ Paul Soliai/ Terrence Taylor
OLB: Joey Porter/ Charlie Anderson
OLB: Larry English/ Matt Roth
ILB:Karlos Dansby/Akin Ayodele
ILB: Brandon Spikes/ Reggie Torbor
CB: Will Allen/ Sherrod Martin
CB: Bryant McFadden/ Nate Jones
FS: OJ Atogwe/ Jason Allen
SS: Yeremiah Bell

 

We play a tougher schedule so people are expecting the worst. I expect us to be a much better team. I think we build through the draft and free agency for the next 2 years and make a deep run in 2010.

 

The Dolphins draft board should be interesting but I expect it to include the following..

Tyson Jackson-Defensive End-LSU
Clint Sintim-Outside Linebacker-Virginia
Peria Jerry-Defensive Tackle-Ole Miss
BJ Raji-Nose Tackle-Boston College
Brandon Spikes-Linebacker-Florida
Rey Maualuga-Inside Linebacker-USC
William Moore-Safety-Missouri
Hakeem Nicks-Wide Receiver-North Carolina
Duke Robinson-Offensive Guard-Oklahoma
Max Unger-Offensive Line-Oregon
Alex Mack-Center-California
Larry English-Outside Linebacker-Northern Illinois
Antoine Caldwell-Center-Alabama
Rashard Johnson-Safety-Alabama
Kenny Britt-Wide Receiver-Rutgers
Garrett Reynolds-Offensive Tackle-North Carolina
Jason Smith-Offensive Tackle-Baylor
Eben Britton_Offensive Tackle-Arizona
DJ Moore-Cornerback-Vanderbilt
Terrence Cody-Nose Tackle-Alabama

 

If I had my choice is would be either Sintim, Nicks or Spikes.


Spikes is so versatile it is scary how good he could be. He could play inside but he has the ability to pressure the QB as well. Many regard Andre Smith out of Alabama as one of the best Offensive Tackle's in this draft and Spikes completely owned him.

I know some of the board's brass such as CK really likes Spikes. I am on board officially. If we could somehow land Spikes and Sintim, it would be the best day in my life probably.