Miami Dolphins 2008 undrafted free agents thread

[YoFuggedaboutit]

OK, now that the draft is over, there's a bunch of players out there whose names were not called.  Every so often, a diamond in the rough is uncovered from this crop of players. 

The Dolphins have wasted no time and have signed Hawaii WR Davone Bess. 

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080427/BREAKING02/80427053

I think they'll look to address LB and DB needs with this group as well.   

[DolFan619]

  You can add BYU LB Kelly Poppinga to the list.

http://www.byucougars.com/Filing.jsp?ID=10749

Poppinga Signs With Miami

by Jeff Reynolds, BYU Athletic Communications
 
PROVO, Utah (April 27, 2008) -- During the 2008 NFL Draft, linebacker Kelly Poppinga kept hearing the Seattle Seahawks and Miami Dolphins were most interested in his services. While neither team drafted him, both teams had standing free-agent offers on the table by early Sunday evening.

"It was a tough decision," Poppinga said. "They both had identical offers and I was really leaning towards Seattle, but at the last second, and I mean literally at the last second, I decided to sign with Miami. If was a really tough decision and I really liked Seattle. Ultimately, I think Miami is the better fit."

Poppinga will find out exact travel details later, but he knows he'll be heading to Miami at the end of the week to get ready for the Dolphins' mini camp.

"I'm really happy to be going to Miami," he said. "It's time to start playing football again."

In Miami, Poppinga will meet up with former teammate John Beck and another BYU alum, John Denney. Beck is entering his second season with the Dolphins and will be challenging for the starting quarterback job during the offseason. Denney, a special teams performer, is entering his fourth season for the Dolphins.

"I think the Dolphins are lucky to get someone like Kelly," Beck said. "I know they will be very happy with his character, work ethic, and the fact that he comes from a winning tradition at BYU."

Poppinga started all 13 games as a senior at BYU, leading the Cougars with a career-best 113 tackles on the season. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound native of Evanston, Wyo., turned in 46 solo tackles and was credited with 7.5 tackles for a combined loss of 18 yards. He also had one interception, five pass break-ups and thee hurries. He was also selected as a second-team All-Mountain West Conference performer and was a two-time Academic All-MWC selection.

Poppinga's brother, Brady, is preparing for his fourth season as an outside linebacker for the Green Bay Packers.

[StL FinFan]

At least they are addressing some other needs, now.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Good pickup on Poppinga.  Not sure why he didn't get drafted, but coming from a conference that is known for being a defensive wasteland probably hurt his draft stock.  This guy is a vicious hitter.

This is proof that after all the picks are in, the day is far from over.  There's still a lot of work to be done. 

Any idea when the first minicamp is?

[DolFan619]

  Boise State OL Dan Gore has signed with the Dolphins.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/sports/story/363595.html

[DolFan619]

  Dolphins sign Georgia Southern QB Jayson Foster.

http://www.kffl.com/team/22/nfl

[DolFan619]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/miamidolphins/entries/2008/04/27/dolphins_sign_hawaii_wr_bess.html

Dolphins already signing rookie free agents

By Tim Graham | Sunday, April 27, 2008, 10:41 PM

The Dolphins didn’t take any time off after the draft wrapped up this afternoon.

They have made Brigham Young linebacker Kelly Poppinga, Hawaii receiver Davone Bess, Delaware tackle Mike Byrne and Boise State tackle Dan Gore among their first signings in the frenzied rookie free-agent signing period that began as soon as Mr. Irrelevant was chosen.

Poppinga, who is 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, led BYU with 118 tackles and had 7 1/2 tackles for loss. His brother is Brady Poppinga, an outside backer with the Packers.

“I think the Dolphins are lucky to get someone like Kelly,” Dolphins quarterback and BYU alum John Beck said. “I know they will be very happy with his character, work ethic, and the fact that he comes from a winning tradition at BYU.”

Poppinga chose the Dolphins over the Seahawks.

“It was a tough decision,” Poppinga said. “They both had identical offers and I was really leaning towards Seattle, but at the last second, and I mean literally at the last second, I decided to sign with Miami. If was a really tough decision and I really liked Seattle. Ultimately, I think Miami is the better fit.”

Bess was Colt Brennan’s favorite target, grabbing a sensational 108 passes for 1,266 yards and 12 touchdowns. He finished his college career with 41 TDs.

NFLDraftScout.com said Bess, who is 5-foot-10, projects as an NFL slot receiver and was considered by some to be the best prospect, including Brennan, to come out of Hawaii this year.

Byrne was a Division I-AA All-American, blocking for quarterback Joe Flacco, taken 18th overall by the Ravens. The News Journal in Delaware quoted Byrne’s agent as saying the Dolphins might want to give Byrne a look at center.

Gore told the Idaho Statesman he had several options, but “Miami had the best opportunity and best offer.”

 

[DolFan619]

http://www.helenair.com/articles/2008/04/27/top/top/50lo_080427_carpenter.txt

Helena's Dan Carpenter signs with Dolphins

By Independent Record - 4/27/08

Former University of Montana kicker and Helena native Dan Carpenter has signed a free-agent contract with the Miami Dolphins.

Carpenter worked out with the Dolphins assistant special teams coach Steve Hoffman last week in Missoula.

He and his agent Ken Staninger have also been contacted by former NFL coach and current Miami Executive Vice President of Football Operations Bill Parcells.

“Knowing they wanted me to come there made the decision pretty easy,” said Carpenter.

Carpenter is the career leading scorer in Football Championship Series history and was a Walter Camp All-American Selection last season. His parents are Val and Diane Carpenter of Helena.

[Guru-In-Vegas]

^ Damn, we want EVERYTHING brand new.  I'm liking this.  Purge anything with the stench of Wannstedt, Saban or Cameron. 

[DolFan619]

^ Damn, we want EVERYTHING brand new.  I'm liking this.  Purge anything with the stench of Wannstedt, Saban or Cameron. 

  I got a funny feeling that Feely's days in Miami may be coming to an end very soon.  I know it sounds weird, perhaps even ridiculous.  Just call it a hunch.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

  I got a funny feeling that Feely's days in Miami may be coming to an end very soon.  I know it sounds weird, perhaps even ridiculous.  Just call it a hunch.

Agreed.  If Carpenter can prove he's accurate and has a strong enough leg for kickoffs, then I see no reason to keep Feely around.

[doctord56]

With all these guys from Utah and BYU and Hawaii, the dolphins will be first in the league in at least two things--Mormons and Samoans.

[Sunstroke]

With all these guys from Utah and BYU and Hawaii, the dolphins will be first in the league in at least two things--Mormons and Samoans.

If I could only have one of the two, I'd take more Samoans...

[StL FinFan]

With all these guys from Utah and BYU and Hawaii, the dolphins will be first in the league in at least two things--Mormons and Samoans.

I don't know if I should laugh or cry at that statement. 

[CF DolFan]

Agreed.  If Carpenter can prove he's accurate and has a strong enough leg for kickoffs, then I see no reason to keep Feely around.

Feeley was second in the league (over 20 attempts) in FG % with a 53 yarder.  I would think that would buy him something but obviously Parcells will do what he wants.