They aren't gutting the roster. They are cutting a few key guys and then a bunch of old guys and back-ups. Aside from Hartline and Ellerbee (who didn't even play last year) not one meaningful starter is getting cut. Finnegan is old as dirt, Nate Garner, Brandon Gibson both role players who are easily replaceable. Who else are they cutting that is meaningful....can't name a single guy. Or a starter.
Fins are creating cap space to pay Tannehill and Pouncey.
Pouncey is already going to count over $7 million against the cap. They don't need to cut anyone to create cap space for him. By simply signing him to a long term deal, they will reduce that $7 million number in the first year if they structure it with a low base salary in year 1.
And by the time it is said and done, you will see a lot more guys gone.
Starks, Ellerbe, Wheeler (will get designated a post June 1st cut), don't be surprised if you see Earl Mitchell go as well given there is no cap penalty to cut him.
Additionally, they have to do something about Brandon Fields and his almost $4 million cap hit. He wasn't himself last season and that is too much money for a punter.
Shelly Smith is another dead weight guy. $2.75 million saved by cutting him, very little cap penalty.
Actually, if they cut Starks and Mitchell, that would create almost $10 million in cap and you can sign Suh to a long term deal with a low base salary in year 1 and not have to worry about the impact in later years because the cap space goes wide open for the Dolphins in 2016 and beyond. I wouldn't do it because then you have no flexibility to address anything else unless you draft really well, and the Dolphins are not known for that.
The cuts have just begun for the Dolphins. More to come.
Author