The Dolphins Make Me Cry.com - Forums

Several veterans have been made available to the industry.  Among the headlines are Champ Bailey and Devin Hester.  Both have had multiple Pro Bowl appearances.   

Champ Bailey wants too much money for his current age and ability.  Hester is a 31 year old specialist, not sure how much he wants, but he takes up a roster spot that may be needed elsewhere.

The kickoff rules have really hurt guys like Hester.  Can you even justify a roster spot on a guy like that anymore?

Nope.

The Jets have announced that they will be releasing Antonio Cromartie. 

You consider Hester "old?"

Santonio Holmes released too.

^^Shocked the Jets haven't cut Mark "Career Year" Sanchez yet. Holding onto him only creates drama for that franchise and a QB competition they don't need

They have until the end of the month to release Sanchez.

But they need the cap space  this week when the big ticket items are on the market

Adam Schefter reporting more big names to probably be CUT today


Chris Johnson
Revis
Julius Peppers
Steve Smith
Demarcus Ware

Houston released TE Owen Daniels.

I wouldn't mind Miami giving him the role they had planned for Keller last year. Daniels a little injury prone but can stretch the field. Good redzone target

Speaking of Keller, I have been wondering what is going on with him the last couple weeks, I don't recall his name coming up in any news items.  I do not want the Dolphins to try bringing him back, just wondering what's up with him.

Geno Smith needs some QB competition, he sucked last year.  I heard Vick said he would go to the Jets, but he wanted a shot at winning the starting role; but he would accept the back up job if he didn't win the starting role.

That knee injury is tough to come back from. He won't be 100% for a while

Geno Smith has the job, you need a QB to push him a little, fine but it doesn't have to be Sanchez. Keeping Sanchez is asking for a media circus

Cowboys release Demarcus Ware.  Ware and Wake would make a formidable tandem

^^^ Position we don't need to spend money on at this time.

Wake...Vernon. ..Shelby....Jordan....no way fins loom at DE this year

If they could sign Ware and Philly is still offering that first round pick for Jordan, I'd do it in a heartbeat. TwoPro Bowl edge rushers and two first round picks to rebuild your offensive line and interior defensive line

Miami isn't going to eat the dead money trading Jordan brings. Plus Ware is old and has injury issues.

Steve Smith's agent just said his client won't be back in Carolina next year.

Ware just signed with Denver.  The Broncos just upgraded their defense big time picking up Ware, Ward and Talib.  I guess Seattle sent them a message that I believe in and MikeO does not: DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS

What more do they need to add on offense?!? OF COURSE THEY WERE GOING TO ADD DEFENSIVE PLAYERS THE OFFENSE IS SORTA ALL SET!!!

P.S...Ware is overrated and not the player he once was. They overpaid for him and gave him a bad deal. Talib was a good pick up for them though. Ward is nothing special

Denver did upgrade its defense. But they now need a cornerback to go with Talib. Just wish I knew where their money is coming from.

In 2 years they will be in salary cap hell. But Peyton will be gone by then and they will be in a total rebuild anyway. They got 2 years to win a Super Bowl. That's there window. Then it will become very ugly salary cap wise

2 teams said to be interested in Steve Smith when he is officially released. Baltimore and Denver

Golden Tate just signed a 5 year deal with the Lions

If Steve Smith goes to Denver, just hand them the trophy.

Not so fast. I think the trophy stays in the Pacific Northwest this year

why? He is probably a step down from Decker.

Exactly the idea.  They are mortgaging the future to win now because they know once Peyton hangs it up they will have to gut the team.

Smith has things thst don't show up on a stat sheet. He has heart & toughness. You can't teach that. Denver lacked that last season. He adds that. If given the choice between Decker and Smith, I would take Smith.

He is also OLD. This isn't 2008. It's 2014

And?

He isn't the same player anymore, not worth what you would have to pay him.

So, what would be overpaying him?

He is due $7 mill this year and counts $7 mill against the cap and that is too high. He is 34 and been in the league 13 years. Cut that figure in half and that's what he is worth probably and only a 1 year deal as his career is all but over after this year

Saints trade Darren Sproles to Philly for a 5th round pick

Wow, this gives Philly a great backfield.  Definitely the team to beat in the NFC East.

Vince Wilfork has asked the Pats to release him

trouble in paradise ?

Yep. It's over contract issues and him re-doing his deal which he isn't happy about. Many think if he gets his release he will go straight to the Jets or Dolphins. He is a South Florida guy

He's way better than Starks will ever be

he is older and broken down coming off a major injury though.

Steve Smith to the Ravens (should be signed tonight)

Ted Ginn to Arizona is done

Hated him in Miami.....now I have to watch him in person 8 games a year..... >:(

Steve Smith signed a 3 year deal with the Ravens. Guessing all the guaranteed money is in Year 1 and after that he is cut or they will re-do his deal.

Hakeem Nicks to Indy

Wonder what the Panthers are going to do at WR now. They literally have no decent WR's on their roster. If they don't make a play for James Jones or Edelman it will be interesting to see where they go

Julius Peppers signed with GB

Packers need to improve that defense if they want to win a SB. This is a good move for them

I just love how when Miami signs a bunch of high priced free agents all the talk in these forums is that you can't win in the offseason, but when Denver and New England do it they apparently can.  ;D

Yeah well the "trolls" are usually the ones doing that talking and the "trolls" are in hiding in the offseason.

Ben Tate taking a physical with the Browns this morning. If he passes he is signing with them

Edelman trying to get a deal with NE

It's not the act of signing them- it's the players you choose. Miami dropped $121 million on Wallace, Ellerbe, and Wheeler last year, and improved one measley game from the previous season. Ellerbe and Wheeler were supposed to be an upgrade over Dansby and Burnett, but the run D was far worse. Plus, the way those three contracts were structured, they're massive hits against the cap this year for underwhelming players. Are you aware that Wallace is the highest paid WR in football this season? For those hands? Please. -EK

Tracy Porter to Redskins

Tarrell Brown to SF

DRC talking to Jets today and could sign there

Well this much I know. Dallas had the WORST defense in the league last year, one of the worst defenses statistically ever and they didn't want to pay Ware, but apparently he's going to fix everything that is broken in Denver? Please. Apparently no one watched him play last year, well I just happen to live in Dallas and occasionally see their games (like everytime I'm in sports bar and they are playing) and he sucked. Now maybe he had given up at that point and maybe he'll be terrific in Denver and then again maybe he won't. That's all I'm saying.

Revis is 3 years removed from having a good season. Maybe he'll help the Pats and maybe he won't.

The ONLY good signing Denver made was Talib. Ward is a nice safety but nothing special. And Ware's skills as you said aren't the same, he relied on his physical skills for many years to just beat guys, now that he can't do that he has little technique and struggles to get to the QB. The Broncos defense is better, but they are not some great unit. And when all is said and done that team wins when Peyton Manning plays like Peyton Manning. Period. They aren't winning a Super Bowl because of their defense, they are gonna win cause Peyton plays big games in the playoffs and makes big plays.

New England fixed their secondary and is much better there but they better get some WR's. Edlemann isn't enough. BOTTOM LINE with both teams is they have a small window to win a ring...Brady will be 37 come Week 1 and Manning will be 38. It's do or die for both of them. They ain't playing forever. It's win now so I understand why they went all in during free agency. Problem is if it doesn't work, they are gonna be royally screwed cause both QB's are gonna retire in a year or two and they will be in cap hell.

Tarell Brown actually signed with Oakland yesterday. Same Bay, different side. ;)

lol..,yep. I got the old team and new team mixed up. Good catch

A little more sad to see Tarell Brown go than I was for Carlos "Worthless" Rogers, but he just wanted more money than his talent dictated. SF thought that between the players we already have and those in this CB-deep draft class, he could be inexpensively replaced.

This is a big reason why Fireland is no longer the GM for the Miami Dolphins.

Devin Hester said 13 teams have contacted him, Miami is one of them.

Kenny Britt visiting with the Pats

Dom Rodgers-Cromartie visiting the Giants tomorrow

Emmanuel Sanders to sign with Denver according to Adam Schefter

Ben Tate got 2 years $7 mill. Didn't get the big money deal he thought he would. He might have gotten less guaranteed money than Donald Brown and Toby Gerhart

WR Brandon LaFell signs with New England

Does Carolina have any WR's left on their roster?

If Carolina goes into the season without any receivers, it could potentially put a dent in Cam Newton's passing stats.  ;D

Several off-topic posts have been removed.

Stop the personal attacks.

I know they have a cheap owner and are a cheap franchise in general but I have no idea what they are thinking. They were a playoff team that wasn't that far away from being better and they are doing this. Only decent WR's on the market now are James Jones, Sydney Rice, and Santonio Holmes and honestly out of those 3 the only one I would want would be Jones.

You've gotta think that even if Carolina grabs one of the FA receivers on the market, they still have to be looking at one of the two quality speed WRs that are projected as late first rounders, Brandin Cooks or Odell Beckham Jr.

Frankly, unless SF trades up for Gilbert/Dennard, I'd love to see the Niners get Cooks. I watched several of his games this past season, and think he's one of those WRs with the outstanding combination of top end speed and top shelf receiving skills (hands, route running, getting separation). He also grew up in Stockton as a diehard 49ers fan. ;D

Carolina will be fine. It's not like their passing game was stellar last year. They were 29th in passing offense. They won games with defense and running the ball. Resign LaFell and rumor down here is looking to trade up and take the kid from Clemson, Sammy Watkins. IMO, Jordan Gross retiring will be a bigger issue than letting Smith walk.  -EK

LaFell signed with New England last night

Eh, such is life. He's a solid number 2, but I'm sure he'll look great there. Good for him. Drafting a WR and LT will be fairly important. They've just got so much tied up in their three RBs, it doesn't doesn't surprise me what has happened this offseason. There just isn't enough cash. Would hate to see him go, but DeAngelo should be traded just to free up some space in the future. -EK

Raiders signed WR James Jones

Giants signed CB DRC

Props to me, came out tonight that Steve Smith got $3.5 guaranteed from the Ravens in Year 1. I called it! lol

Eagles listening to offers for Desean Jackson

OT Donald Penn signing with the Raiders

Vick visiting the Jets this weekend.

Sanchez could be cut any day between now and the weekend possibly.

The Jets really seem to be sticking it to Sanchez.  It seems to me that for the most part Sanchez has done and said the right things over the past year.  Everyone knows they are not going to keep Sanchez on the payroll, so why have they not cut him and given him a chance to sign up with another team???  The Jets also put a huge dent in Tebow's NFL career the way they used, or rather didn't utilize him.

They have to cut Sanchez by Tuesday. That is when he is due his bonus.

I only want to take a few more swings at this horse:

Tebow set himself up for failure.  He could have had the starting job in JAX on a silver platter, but instead he chased the dream of supplanting Sanchez (and riding another defense-first team to glory) in the media capital of the world.

I think at a certain level, even he bought into the idea that DEN's success was in spite of him, not because of him.  And I think that twinge of doubt made him think, "If I go to a crappy team in JAX and fail, everyone will say 'I told you so.'"

Tebow was traded and I doubt he was able to exert any real authority over where he went.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/22/elway-tebow-differ-on-whether-quarterback-chose-jets/

“There was more [offered] from Jacksonville, but I think that we looked at it and it was close enough, and we were in contact with Tim throughout the day, and talked to him,” Elway told ESPN Radio in Denver on Thursday, via Lindsay Jones of the Denver Post.  “He knew what was going on the whole time.  The reports that he was not involved are not accurate.”

If there is some other explanation for why DEN would not trade Tebow to a worse team that was offering more in compensation, I'd like to hear it.

They had the offers from Jax and the Jets. Elway asked Tebow and his agent where he wanted to go....they picked NY. 

He had 100% say in where he want

So, Elway says one thing and Tebow says another but Elway is automatically correct? None of us were in the room so none of us know who was involved or what the offers were. I personally find it impossible that Tebow would tell a lie.

Peter King on the issue below from a few years back. Elway has no reason to lie because he took a lesser deal from the Jets. The only way taking a lesser deal makes sense is because Tebow had the choice of where he wanted to go.

Tebow and his agent, Jimmy Sexton, absolutely had a choice on where the Broncos would trade Tebow, despite Tebow’s statement that only Denver controlled that. The Jags had a better fourth-round pick on the table than the Jets were offering — by seven draft slots. The Jags were offering $500,000 more than the Jets in compensation for the advances paid on his contract. But Denver was willing to deal Tebow to either team. And it was a very difficult choice for the young quarterback, because he is from Jacksonville. But the decision made sense. The Jets wanted him more, and would use him more, ostensibly. It’s simple.

Plus this, Jags offered Tebow more cash and Denver a better pick...yet Tebow still picked NY
http://deadspin.com/5896502/how-tebow-to-the-jaguars-fell-apart-and-why-thats-a-good-thing

So if Elway is lying he is making himself look like a moron. Doesn't add up. Tebow picked the Jets over the Jags. It's not debatable

BINGO.

He know JAX wasn't going anywhere, and NYJ had a better supporting cast (defense, running game), and he probably thought his best chance of starting/playing was over Sanchez, rather than in the Henne/Gabbert logjam. 

Exactly.  Neither team is in DEN's division, both are in the same conference, NYJ was ostensibly more of a "threat" (read: a better team), and JAX was offering more for Tebow.  What other explanation is there for why Elway traded him to NYJ instead?

Jared Allen signs with Seattle
Devin Hester signs with Atlanta

A little quick on the draw on this one...Jared Allen left Seattle without signing a contract.


http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10641321/jared-allen-weighing-offer-seattle-seahawks-other-teams-agent-says (http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10641321/jared-allen-weighing-offer-seattle-seahawks-other-teams-agent-says)

Steelers sign WR Lance Moore

Panthers and Jets are calling Philly talking trade for WR Desean Jackson. Sleeper team here to watch is  KC though. They need WR help, they lost McCluster and Reid was behind drafting Jackson.

Sanchez cut.....Vick signed by the Jets.

^^^^^^^

He could teach Geno Smith a thing or two about being a mobile quarterback

He wants to play, not sure there will be a lot of teaching going on.  Vick wants his job.

Which is exactly what Smith needs. Sit for a year and learn, then come back and see how much you've improved. Although it's weird to play your rookie year then sit for your second year

If Smith sits for a year then Idzik and Rex are done in NY and Geno's NFL career is all but shot (at least from being a starter in this league perspective). Idzik and Rex hitched their wagon to Geno....they stay employed as long as Geno is the starting QB.

Plus NOBODY in this league "learns" from sitting anymore. That is some 1980's thinking there....you play. You take your lumps. You get thrown in the fire and learn that way.

Sitting quarterbacks is 80s thinking??  Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Phillip Rivers, and Colin Kaepernick disagree to name a few

Horrible analogy by your part. Tom Brady was a 6th round after thought. He ONLY played because of injury. Kaapernick was playing behind the #1 overall pick in the NFL draft a few years prior, he wasn't drafted to start from day 1. Rodgers wasn't drafted to start he was drafted to play behind Favre...same with Rivers behind Brees. Geno was drafted in Rd 2 to become the starter from day 1 because Mark Sanchez SUCKS! That's why Mark Sanchez was playing in the 4th quarter of a PRESEASON GAME, he never had the job! To draft Geno start him year one then bench him ...to expect him to start again in year 3 or 4 is beyond foolish and idiotic.

Having a quarterback sit on the bench and learn before you hand him the starting job is not a crazy idea.

Giving a quarterback the starting job and THEN sitting him for a year is a death sentence.  I await a counterexample of a successful QB that has done so.

Sanchez and Tebow picture...lol
https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t31.0-8/1781768_693611777352180_1279646064_o.jpg

The closest I can come to that is Drew Bledsoe. Keep in mind Sanchez wasn't benched, he went on IR.  And while Drew didn't have great success post-NE he did start in both Buffalo and Dallas.

Sanchez should get a chance to compete for the #2 spot somewhere, what he makes of that opportunity I can't say.

We're talking about Geno Smith, not Sanchez.  Sanchez was released outright, so this doesn't really apply to him.

And Bledsoe wasn't a young player that needed more time to grow, which is the ostensible reason for benching Smith.

Oh, I thought you were talking about Sanchez's prospects.  I would say it is still an open question who will be starting for the Jets this year, not a forgone conclusion that it is Vick.

Nor a foregone conclusion that it's Smith either. Which is what I'm wondering what will happen to Smith if Vick ends up winning the job.  Your closest example was Bledsoe who had started for New England for eight years. I can't recall a single rookie that started right off the bat, sat the following year and succeeded after.  Matter of fact, the only rookie quarterback I recall who started in his first year then was benched was Ryan Leaf

How soon we forget. How could you forget the career of Miami's own John Beck who started 4 games as a rookie and went on to have a fine career with Baltimore, Washington, Houston and the BC Lions.  >:D

He wasn't a day one starter

... who had blue eyes and was born in the month of May to parents of mixed-race...

Come on, the more requirements you put on the ridiculous hypothetical, the more impossible it will be to find the solution.

Closest example I could come to an NFL QB that started as a rookie, was benched and then had a somewhat decent career was Doug Flutie. He started 15 games as a rookie albeit for the USFL not the NFL, but he may have started in the NFL had he not signed with the USFL first. After the USFL folded the next year he was sent to Chicago where he was a backup to Jim McMahon. He wasn't really benched since it was a different team, but he still sat the bench. Flutie ended his career with a 76.3 QB rating and started at least 52 games for several teams. (Not sure about his starts because I don't think NFL.com really kept track of starts as opposed to just games played prior to '98).

Yes, I know I'm reaching but I still don't think that it's a foregone conclusion that Gino Smith will never be anything if he gets beat out by Vick. Anytime a QB gets replaced by someone else without being hurt it typically doesn't bode well for that QB, but it's not impossible to hang around the league and get another chance with another team. I'm sure it's happened, it's just really rare.

Using this as a model, I would think that Steve Young would be the ultimate success story example. Started in the USFL and then for Tampa Bay. Tampa considered him a bust, traded him to the 49ers, where he was the back-up for four years. Then he took over for Superman (Joe Montana) and put together a hall of fame career.

Stroke just hit the nail on the head.  Steve Young started 19 games in his first 2 season, and then sat the bench for four years behind Montana.  Now he's in the Hall of Fame.

So there!

Geno Smith could be the next Steve Young!

I remember a harbinger of things to come during the 87 playoffs when the Niners were getting soundly beaten by the Vikings. Bill Walsh yanked Montana in favor of Young who looked so much quicker and better. 

I guess Steve Young is sort of an example, but not quite the same.  If Geno Smith were traded to NE or DEN, no sane person would expect him to start, so it would be understood that he's being groomed for later.

If, instead of trading Young in 1987, TB had instead signed Dan Fouts (i.e. someone with no long-term future on a team that is not one player away from contending) and sat Young, that would be a closer comparison.

And we saw him inducted...along with Marino, of course. That trip was a blast!

Sanchez to sign with Philadelphia once he passes his physical

Yeah that was fun.  Still one of the milestones of my life timeline.

Jared Allen signed with the Bears this morning

MJD signing with the Raiders once he passes his physical

Came out that Desean Jackson is connected to some gangs and some crimes possibly. That is why Philly wants him gone ASAP!


UPDATE...and 10 seconds after I posted that the Eagles CUT him...lol

So what?  A lot of players come from bad neighborhoods and some have gang affiliations. This guy is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. I'd grab him now if I were Denis Hickey, especially with Hartline and Gibson on the mend.

And yet another reason you are not employed as a GM.  Although you could probably get a job AT GM.

Really?  You don't think Mike Wallace and DeSean Jackson is a dangerous combo?

I dont think any team will sign Jackson this year.  Who will want to risk employing the next Aaron Hernandez.

He isn't worth the risk. Lots of stories are coming out...he is being associated with 2 murders and employing known killers on his record label

He's denying the connections and it's proven that he was nowhere near the areas when the murders took place. 

I assume you would grab Hernandez then prior to his arrest?

duh!! Of course he is denying it. Doesn't mean he is being hoenst

Someone will sign him.....he is too talented on the field for some GM's to pass up. He may not get a huge contract and it may come with many stipulations but he will play!!!!

There is evidence Hernandez actually pulled the trigger.  Whereas Jackson had nothing to do with the stuff his friends did. Can you imagine having to defend both him and Mike Wallace??

I think you'd have two speed receivers and an O-line that won't block long enough to allow Tannehill to find them downfield.

Granted, I am hopeful that some of the O-line woes will be solved by the time the season starts, but color me from Missouri on this one...they have to Show Me first.

Usually your good for a chuckle, but this one falls flat.  :(

Doesn't matter if he pulled the trigger or not. Jackson hangs around with the people who are pulling the trigger. He is paying the people and employing the people who are pulling the trigger. Jackson is a very bad person who is guilty by just associating with these murderers and supporting their lifestyle financially.

Carolina has already gone public and said they won't be signing him. I don't see Jackson finding work easily. He might have screwed up his NFL career beyond repair

Really wasn't looking for a chuckle as much as just brandishing a fitting colloquialism there. ;)

I suppose if the Ravens would have released Ray Lewis after his legal problems, he would have had a hard time finding a job?

Don't forget that Michael Vick was convicted, sentenced, and did time... then got out of prison and was briskly welcomed back into the league.  What crimes you committed are irrelevant (and what crimes you might commit are INCREDIBLY irrelevant); the only thing that matters is can you play?

True but this story smell a LOT like the Aaron Hernandez story. And that story is fresh in the minds of everyone right now.

And your analogy is kinda week. Jackson isn't an elite player like Lewis was. Nor is he a QB like Vick, which is the top position. Fast WR's you can find

ROFL!!!!!   Like I said to EK in the Tim Tebow thread.  There's delusion and then there's statements like this.  Jackson is a scoring threat every time he gets the ball in space.  Take a look at his numbers.  He's a major upgrade over Hartline/Gibson.

http://m.pfref.com/m?p=XXplayersXXJXXJackDe00.htm&t=0

Lewis wasn't released (and was never even close) even though he was actually indicted... because he is a better player than Jackson, which is the point.
Vick was convicted and did time, while Jackson hasn't even been linked to any specific crime (AFAIK).

You can be a scoring threat and NOT be an elite WR. There is middle ground.  ::)

Three time Pro Bowler.  A case could be made for him being elite

Nope. He isn't even a #1 WR for a team (although he wants to be paid like one). He is an undersized speed guy who won't go over the middle. A good WR but not an elite WR

Jets will gobble Jackson up..lots of cap space...

One question..was Jackson not more productive with Noles at QB than Vick?

A few teams have shown interest in Jackson and reached out, Jets say they aren't one of them. They could be lying but that's what they are saying today

Kind of like I figured it didn't take long....less than a week and he is headed to Washington.

What better way to tweak the Eagles then to join their divisional rivals

one team thinks he is a gang banger and cuts Jackson and wants nothing to do with him or any association with him. Another gives him $16 mill guaranteed. One team is really wrong the other is really right.

The fact that Reid and KC didn't make a stronger push tells me he knows what Philly knows and Washington is taking a huge gamble here.

Not necessarily. They both could be wrong.