The Jake Grove Thing

Why did the Dolphins sign ex-Raiders center Jake Grove for so much money?

Okay. I don't like it. We'll start there and now I'll tell you what I think it means.

29.5 million (14 million guaranteed) for an injury prone underachiever who played for the Raiders.

I'll say it again. I don't like it. But there may be a strategy here (well, of course there is dummy).

Let me present my hypothesis in numerical statements. Remember, these are all hypothetical and I'm not trying to back anything up. I'm just riffing, if you will.

1. Samson Satelle has been found wanting by Sparano & Company: Satelle is undersized and with the increased role of the 3-4 in the league (big nosetackles are the key to a 3-4) and with guys like Vince Wilfork and Kris Jenkins playing in the division a Miami Dolphins center will have to hold his own.

2. Sparano & Company want an upgrade at center: Since the above issue exists, the regime has made it a point to get a bigger center for 2009.

3. Draft: No. The regime feels that either A) There is no center worth drafting, B) That center is not a position worth using a first round or early second round pick on and the ones worth drafting will not be available late on the first day, C) The Dolphins have better opportunities at other positions with their first five picks, and finally, D) There are no real immediate (not needing too much development) options in the second day.

4. Free Agency: Yes. They set a budget for free agency and sought out the best center available. Jason Brown went just above the budget limit in his contract with the Rams and so the Phins went to plan B. This was Grove. The Raiders wanted him back badly and so the monies got a little higher than what most would be comfortable with and yet the Phins need their center. So they ponied up and kept it within their cap budget.

5. Draft: Yes. Their may in fact be a center that the Phins are looking at in the draft. They know it will take developmental time and so they will sign Grove, let him play as long as his injury prone body will allow and then they'll work their guy in. This of course would make Satelle trade bait or a potential release.

6. Free Agency: Yes. Maybe Sparano & Company see something in Grove. Supposedly he played very tough in the game against Miami last year. He has a reputation of being a hard worker and a cerebral player. To be honest, Satelle never seems to be a rocket scientist in interviews.

7. Free Agency & Draft: Yes. Maybe Thomas or Smiley's recovery isn't looking good (I know the information is positive on both, but to be honest, Smiley's injury was a bad one). Maybe they want to convert Grove to guard, or at least get him familiar with the position and then they'll take a center in the draft. I know... Weird.

That's it. Just some ideas about why the hell the Dolphins would sign this guy.