Free Agency - Phins Potentially Off The Hook

Yeremiah Bell wants to be paid. So I say pay him.

Okay, fine. I'll put a post up about the Dolphins. Jeeze.

Today we're going to talk free agency. Lets start with the fact that the first coach fired (I don't expect more) this off-season was OL coach Mike Maser.

The Dolphins free agents I'd like to talk about are Vernon Carey, Channing Crowder, Yeremiah Bell, and Andre Goodman. Ndukwe is one too. Bye bye, baby.

Vernon Carey

The 2008 offensive line of the Miami Dolphins was certainly inconsistent, with some bright spots and some failures. In the end it was mostly a glimpse of the future.

Jake Long showed that he is in fact the team's left tackle of the future. And a good one at that.

The potential of Donald Thomas was cut short, but his injury should be one that he can come back better than ever (first off-season in a real weight room).

Justin Smiley is somehow going to be off crutches by next monday, which is a very good thing to hear.

Maser was fired nonetheless, and with Sparano's O-line background and the sometimes anemic play it doesn't come as too much a surprise.

Now to Vernon.

Vernon, a former 9th overall selection, has had highs and middles but really no lows during his career. He was quickly shaping up to be a Pro Bowl right tackle his first few years and then was asked to move to left tackle in 2007. He performed efficiently, if not spectacularly at left tackle.

With the drafting of Jake Long this year, Carey was allowed to move back to the right side of the line. His play seemed inconsistent, because of trouble running to the right, but I honestly believe that had more to do with the loss of Donald Thomas and the squalid play of Ndukwe.

Carey is a big tackle who can grade roads. He is the definition of a "Parcells" right tackle. Signing him would allow the Phins to focus on more needy spots on the offensive line in the draft or free agency.

Signing him won't be cheap. We're talking in the 5 year 40-50 million dollar range.

Do I think he gets resigned? I honestly don't know. It comes down to who the Dolphins think they can draft. I think signing him would be a good idea, and that with help on the right side of the line this team could become a elite rushing team.

Verdict: I say sign him and address another position (oh, say outside linebacker) in the draft.

Channing Crowder

Crowder is being difficult. That's essentially the only reason he's unsigned. He wants bigger money (and word is that its a lot more) than what's on the table.

He came in second in tackles this year, after missing the Kansas City game. His absence in the Kansas City game was obvious, as Kansas City ran the ball at will and nearly beat the Dolphins.

The reality here is that Crowder fits the "Parcells" mold perfectly. He has good size, range and plays with a definable nasty streak. There's no real upgrade in the draft (Rey Malauga will be long gone by the time the Phins pick) and free agency isn't much better, as the Ravens' Bart Scott would probably be the first choice and there's no telling what he's like outside that impossibly potent defense.

If the money doesn't get to a better place look to the Dolphins to nab Scott. The Ravens will have to resign Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs and will not be able to match any offer the Dolphins give to Scott.

Verdict: I say he stays. The Phins will finally get him down some and his country boy self will love staying in South Florida warmth.

Yeremiah Bell

Yeremiah would have gone to the Pro Bowl if he was playing in the NFC. Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu are simply way too much to overcome.

Bell's play seemed to elevate as the season went on, going from good to great. Key stops, big open field tackles (Marshawn Lynch, anyone?) and broken up passes are just some of Bell's late season antics.

Yeremiah was the team's leading tackler, putting up 120. He needs to become more of a interception threat, but really, when you're laying the boom like Bell does you can get away with not getting a pick.

Verdict: A must sign. Bell will take a decent pay raise and stick in Miami. This year's draft, particularly the first two rounds, are chock full of safeties. Some of them with really big potential like Missouri's William Moore. Moore's fast enough to play free safety and more than big enough to step into to Bell's shoes... Yeremiah Bell and William Moore. Starting safeties? God help their foes.

Andre Goodman

There are strong rumors that if the Raiders don't franchise tag Nnamdi Asomugha (quietly the best corner in football - he literally eliminates his receiver from the game) the Dolphins will make a run.

Al Davis is crazy meanwhile, and may franchise a player he'll lose the following year. Asomugha may want to be franchised for one more year in order to hit the market in the 2010 (potentially uncapped) FA market.

Goodman will stay if Asomugha is tagged. That is if the money is right. CB is somewhat deep this year in the first two to three rounds of the draft.

Verdict: For some reason I think Goody stays. No way Al Davis lets his best player go.