Okay, Okay - So Am I To Understand

Strong safety Yeremiah Bell may be resigned by the end of the week.

The Phinisher has returned from the hangover filled stretch of road some people call the first quarter of the year.

The Dolphins had some issues to deal with. Channing Crowder was a grump middle linebacker headed towards free agency. Yeremiah Bell wants to test the waters of FA too. As did Vernon Carey and Andre Goodman.

On top of this the Dolphins have some needs. They need to find someone else to compete with Matt Roth and the newly arrived Cameron Wake to play opposite of Joey Porter.

They need help on the interior of the offensive line.

They could use a playmaker at free safety and they will need a corner and a strong safety if Goodman and Bell don't return.

They needed a middle backer and a right tackle if Crowder and Carey walked.

Last time I was around I was dreaming of LB Karlos Dansby, DE/OLB Julius Peppers and CB Nnamdi Ashoumougha. Well as you all know the Cardinals, Panthers and Raiders all respectively broke the bank to franchise these studs.

The Ravens' Bart Scott was another linebacker on the list. He's still set to hit the market.

I, and every fan of watching the Miami Dolphins run the ball, have quietly been hoping that the Ravens wouldn't resign their stud center, Jason Brown. They haven't, and with Ray Lewis and Bart Scott (not to mention having to tag Terrell Suggs) unsigned it is unlikely they will.

That was then. This is now.

Vernon Carey signed a substantial five-year 43 million dollar contract. The nice thing with this contract is that it guarantees only 15 million, meaning Carey is going to have to earn his pay.

Then just as I am writing this Channing Crowder signs a 3 year deal (unspecified as yet, though supposedly staying in Miami was the motivation).

My gosh, we will continue to enjoy Crowder's fine microphone stylings.

Yeremiah Bell's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has announced that the team is close to a deal for Bell. Let's hope.

So, Crowder and Carey are staying. This opens up the draft and free agency market a lot.

If the Phins can sign Brown our line will be on its way to dominance. The 25 year-old center is 6'3" and weighs 320lbs. He's a mauler. Samson Satele has had trouble maintaining a weight over 300lbs and this will likely make him trade bait or if nothing else, a solid backup.

So as of now, this is what the Phinisher would like to see.

Resign Yeremiah Bell.
Resign Andre Goodman if he comes at a fair price.
GET JASON BROWN IN FREE AGENCY!!! PAY THE 7 MILLION A YEAR IT WILL TAKE!!!

If we can't sign Bell, then perhaps the recently released Gibril Wilson would come cheaper. I like Bell a lot. Kentucky steel mill and all that. I hope he stays.

The Phins could then focus on finding another outside linebacker, big receiver, guard, free safety and nosetackle project in the draft.

That would all be just fine with me.