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http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2009/02/can-dolphins-afford-jason-brown.html

Can Dolphins afford Jason Brown?

The word rolling around the NFL Combine is that Jason Brown and his representatives are seeking a contract that will make him the highest paid center in the NFL.

 Brown's production the past few seasons, size (6-3, 320), and age (25) might just allow him to achieve that goal, or at least get close to it with the new contract he'll receives at the end of this month.

But exactly what will that cost an interested team like the Dolphins, which would like to upgrade at that spot?

The contract Tampa Bay gave Jeff Faine last year made him the highest paid center in the NFL. He was paid a $12 million signing bonus, and his deal, which runs through 2013, averages out to $6.25 million per season.

Chicago's Olin Kreutz, who is 31, got a new contract in 2007 that averages out to $5.8 million a season. He's working off a four-year deal that runs through 2010.

Dallas center Andre Gurode is the third highest paid center in the NFL. He re-negotiated in 2007, receiving a $10 million bonus, and has a base salary averaging out to $5 million a year.

Minnesota center Matt Birk, who is presently a free agent, was the fourth highest paid center. But the 32year old was working on an old deal that was signed in 2001. However, his cap value was $6 million last season.

If you average out the cap value of those four deals it's safe to estimate a player of Brown's caliber could warrant $5.75 million on a five-year deal, and would pull in a double digit signing bonus.

So, is acquiring an elite center worth paying offensive tackle money? Is an upgrade that critical to fortifying the Dolphins offensive line? Or should the Dolphins find someone to push or challenge Samson Satele in the 2009 draft, which I'm told is the best pool of center prospects in a decade?

Might the draft's talent base at the position drive Brown's value down considering teams that know they need a center will likely be able to land a good one in the second or third round?

Deuces.

> Posted by Omar Kelly at 10:45:13 AM

Can someone tell me why we're in the market for a center?  I thought the staff was happy with Satele?

Wrong.  The PREVIOUS staff headed up by Cam CaMORON was happy with Satele.  This staff is not.  He hasn't been able to get any push on the line to open holes for Ricky and Ronnie. 

Satele might be a good center in a west coast/ non physical type offense but he is not cut out to move people off the ball....he is NOT a Parcells/Sparano type of center/o-linemen.

I like Jason Brown but do not think Miami should overpay for him.

There are a few good centers the Phins could snag with a pick in this draft....Stroke's boy (Mack) from Cal would be wonderful.....Max Unger from Oregon is another guy that seems to have a bright future in the NFL and AQ Shipley from Penn State did a great job anchoring the line for the Nittany Lions.....any of these guys would make me happy if selected in this years draft.

Word...
I have a hard time with trying to move him to Guard...See Mckinney,and Hadnot...

I like Satele but he  gets dogged on the Line.  Maybe he would do good at Guard or tackle  ??? ???