Which Dolphin would you tag? Carey? Bell? Crowder?

[DolFan619]

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2009/02/to-tag-or-not-to-tag-that-is-the-question----the-dolphins-and-all-31-other-nfl-teams-have-until-thursday-afternoon-to-decid.html

Which Dolphin would you tag? Carey? Bell? Crowder?

To tag or not to tag, that is the question.

The Dolphins and all 31 other NFL teams have until Thursday afternoon to decide whether to use their franchise tag on one of their own free agents.

The non-exclusive tag is applied to players that teams want to keep control over at least another year without offering a long-term blockbuster contract. The risk is that other teams can negotiate with that player but if they offer him a better deal and the Dolphins decide not to match it the team must give the Dolphins two first round draft picks, one each in ’09 and ’10. The Dolphins must offer the average of the top five players’ salaries in the league at that players’ respective position or 120 percent of their current contract, whichever is worth more.

An exclusive tag means the player can’t negotiate with any other team. If the player chooses not to accept the franchise or transition tag he has to sit out. If the player is signed by another team, that team must give the player’s team compensatory draft picks.

Teams are allowed one franchise tag and two transition tags (which are seldom used). The transition deal is a one-year contract worth no less than the average of the top 10 players at that position or 120 percent of their current deal, whichever is more. Current teams have the right of first refusal to match offers. If they don’t match the offer, they don’t receive any compensation.

Of the Dolphins starting free agents, including tackle Vernon Carey, linebacker Channing Crowder, safeties Yeremiah Bell and Renaldo Hill and cornerback Andre' Goodman, only Carey and Bell have a shot of getting tagged, although I don’t think either will.

It seems obvious that of that trio, Carey is the one the Dolphins would like to retain the most, simply because tackles are hard to come by and he proved his versatility by seamlessly shifting to the right side. He did a solid job of protecting QB Chad Pennington, and he did so despite playing next to a variety of inexperienced right guards. Sure, the draft class for tackles is pretty solid but most of the premier ones will be gone by the Dolphins 25th pick. Does Miami want to break in another rookie tackle on the offensive line, especially with injury doubts surrounding their starting guards Justin Smiley and Donald Thomas?

They’d have to give Carey about $8.4 million to franchise him. That would give Dolphins coach Tony Sparano, a lifer offensive line coach who has a history of taking average linemen and turning them into Pro Bowl players, another year to tutor a couple of more young linemen.

If I had control of their purse strings, I’d take care of Bell in a three-year deal for about $12 million with $4 million guaranteed. Throw out his age (soon to be 31), and focus on his playmaking skills. I know he’s had an injury past but he seems over that. An Achilles tear is a fluke injury and his worst knee injury occurred in college during a pickup basketball game. Bell is in amazing shape and should be effective for at least another 3-4 years. He won’t get O.J. Atogwe numbers but he deserves a boost after making $1.4 million after re-upping before the ’08 season.  A franchise tag on Bell would go for $6.3 million. .

Was it me or nearly every time the Dolphins needed a big stop or pass breakup, Bell was right in the thick of it. (OK, throw out the Texans heartbreaker). Plus, by rewarding Bell – the team’s leading tackler – it sends a message to the locker room that hard work and solid play translates into a fair contract. After watching Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu take over games in the playoffs, it seems to follow that Bell - who granted isn't in their league - needs to be retained.

Goodman is coming off a stellar season but age and injuries should keep his price tag down. Combine his skills with his class and I think the Dolphins should lock him up for another two years. They clearly need to get younger in the secondary with Will Allen a year away from free agency as well. I agree with my cohort that hometown kid Bryant McFadden could be had for a reasonable price if the Steelers don’t re-up him. Count on the Trifecta to draft a cornerback in the later rounds.

Tag you're it. Would you tag Carey? Bell? Crowder? or none of the above.

> Posted by harvey fialkov at 5:09:59 PM

[Tenshot13]

I'd draft a SS, like Nic Harris in the 3rd, and let him tutor under Bell for a year while we franchise him.  Although I'd rather spend that 3rd rounder on  Ramses Barden, Cal Poly-SLO WR.

[BingeBag]

Sign Bell to a 2-3 year contract.

[DolFan619]

  None of our FA's deserve the franchise tag. 

[Brian Fein]

they need to sign Bell before FA begins.  I'd make a push for Crowder too.

Carey and Goodman, IMO, are replaceable.

[dolfan13]

i was kinda eh, whatever on carey, but changed my mind...

the guy is still young (27), stays healthy, is very versatile (can play guard and left tackle), and is a pretty solid overall starter. he has the least replaceable skillset out of all the guys ready to hit the market from the fins. you can probably lock him in with a 4 year 20 mil deal which is about the going price for good right tackles in the market.

crowder??? that guy is a dime a dozen... makes no impact plays whatsoever. bell is the most talented out of all the potential fa's, but on the wrong end of 30 and has an injury history.

8 mil for 1-yr on carey is way too much though. just try to get him signed to a long term deal now...

[YoFuggedaboutit]

they need to sign Bell before FA begins.  I'd make a push for Crowder too.

Carey and Goodman, IMO, are replaceable.

Put Carey's name where Crowder is, and put Crowder's name where Carey is, and I would agree with that statement.

[MaineDolFan]

I agree with Dphin13 on this - good offensive linemen are worth their weight in gold.  I would tag Carey and try to work out a cap friendly extension.