Free Agency - Part III: The Offense

The Dolphins needs on offense are a little lighter and with a good draft and free agency period I believe they can put significant points on the board next year. We’re not talking 35 or even 24 points, but perhaps 17 to 21 consistently. It would be a change.

At the quarterback position the Dolphins needs are somewhat undetermined. What is determined is that they need better play from the position. John Beck’s rookie campaign was not impressive, though he showed that he has all the tools. Cleo Lemon will hopefully be playing somewhere else and I do not believe Trent Green will be resigned. The real challenge for Parcells & Co. is to decide what they have in Beck. Parcells brought in David Lee to be the quarterbacks coach. Lee has an even better reputation than Terry Shea and has already begun to try to help Beck develop physically.

The Answer: There really are no answers in free agency. There never really is either. Look for them to bring in a veteran backup, perhaps Kerry Collins. If Parcells (or David Lee) do not see what they want in Beck then the Dolphins will almost assuredly draft Boston College’s Matt Ryan. I like Beck, but Ryan looks like a stud. I’ll write some thoughts about him on next Monday.

The offensive line has been shook up with the release of several backups and one starter, right tackle L.J. Shelton. Rex Hadnot is rumored to be on the way out as well. Shelton was the oldest member of an otherwise young line. He was at his best when he played guard and seemed to have conditioning issues late in games. Hadnot is an interesting player, and I am not as comfortable with his release. This will be his fourth year and he has played competently at both center and guard. This is a good trait, and though he is half the player that rookie Samson Satele is, he is a good blocker and depth at center can make or break teams. Satele himself is a mauler and one of the best draft picks the Dolphins have made in years. Vernon Carey is a good left tackle and a very good right tackle. If they could get a left tackle and move Carey back they’d be making a big upgrade. The other guard position is up for grabs. Cory Lekkerkerker and Drew Mormino both show upside and could develop nicely. Chris Liwienski started for the majority of 2007 and seemed to do pretty good and yet he was pulled by Cam Cam for the afore mentioned Lekkerkerker.

The Answer: Flozell Adams would be a nice addition to the line and would allow Vernon Carey to move to right tackle. The line would instantly be better. If Hadnot walks then they’ll have to sign or draft someone, lucky for them there are some stud guards in the draft and they should have a shot to take one of them in the second round, possibly with the 33^rd (really the 32^nd since the Pats lost theirs). I believe they’ll draft up to three offensive linemen in this draft. At the least they’ll draft a guard and a tackle. I don’t believe they’ll pursue the soon to be not a Steeler, Alan Faneca.

Tight end is the position they most need help at. David Martin was a joke in every way. He couldn’t block (see the Pittsburgh sack/fumble on John Beck where Martin doesn’t seem remotely competent at blocking). Lucky for us the Tuna is a goddamned genius at drafting tight ends. Look for the Dolphins to find the next Mark Bavaro or Jason Whitten.

The Answer: The Dolphins will draft a tight end by the third round. I don't foresee any major play in free agency.

The receiver position is for once going to be exciting next year. Derrick Hagan has a lot of the tools and seems to have a knack for getting open. He just needs to get better at hanging on to the ball. Ted Ginn, Jr. was a good draft choice and his speed and pretty sure hands will only get better this year. Marty Booker is gone and though he made some great catches for us over the years he was horribly over-paid. They need a third receiver to add a new dimension to the game.

The Answer: Keyshawn Johnson will ride again. The Phins will sign him and though he is more or less a possession receiver with great size and good blocking skills he’ll contribute in big ways to the team. He can be a nice presence over the middle and on short routes and allow Ginn to get deep. Johnson is a first down machine and that is something the Dolphins could use in a receiver. The other options will be Donte Stallworth, as I believe he will walk away from his embarrassingly limited role with the Patriots. I don’t see them pursuing him. The Patriots will resign Moss and probably Kelly Washington as well. Come on down Keyshawn.

Ah, the tragic story of Ronnie Brown will hopefully get on track finally this year. He’s a beast with great hands tremendous for a guy of his power. The majority of Phins fans had written him off as “average” and none of them could seem to remember Brown breaking 4 to 5 tackles to get 3 yards. The line stunk before last year and even last year the difference in productivity from the running backs filling in for the injured Brown and the man was significantly different. Brown was genius last year and I love his toughness. The ACL tear will take time however and so the Dolphins will need someone else to start the season. And I cannot wait. I own a #34 jersey and am an avowed Ricky Williams fan. I love watching him play and I completely expect him to be the comeback story of this upcoming season. Big Poppa Ganja (don’t think about the stuff, Ricky) will be wearing down defenses as only he can. Finally, we’ll beat the Texans.

The Answer: Lorenzo Booker was a good addition last year and he’ll be a great change of pace / screen pass / slot receiver. He’s got moves and can squirt between the tackles as good as anyone. I don’t forsee them doing much more than perhaps signing a special teams player / running back. I just hope the Phins keep Williams. He’s a steal at his wages.