LJ Shelton Signed!

[Philly Fin Fan]

Just heard it on ESPN and read it on the Fins site. More info to follow.

[Brian Fein]

Who?

[Philly Fin Fan]

Dolphins Sign Three Unrestricted Free Agents
March 13, 2006


The Miami Dolphins signed their first three unrestricted free agents of the 2006 free agency period today when they inked former Detroit Lions cornerback Andre' Goodman to a three-year contract, former New Orleans Saints linebacker Sedrick Hodge to a two-year deal and offensive tackle L.J. Shelton, who last played with Cleveland in 2005, to a four-year contract. Miami also tendered qualifying offers to all three of its exclusive rights players, which include safety Yeremiah Bell, tight end Alex Holmes and cornerback Eddie Jackson.

 
“We are pleased that we’ve been able to sign each of these players to our team,” said Dolphins Head Coach Nick Saban. “Their additions solve some critical needs we wanted to address in the offseason,”

Goodman, 27, was a third-round draft choice (68th overall) of the Lions in 2002. In his four seasons with the club, he started 21 of the 43 games in which he has played, including career-high totals of eight starts and 15 appearances in 2005. He produced career-high figures of three interceptions and 13 passes defensed last year. Overall in his four NFL seasons, the 5-10, 185-pound Goodman has amassed 131 tackles, five interceptions, 19 passes defensed, a forced fumble and 10 special teams tackles. Goodman was a four-year letterman (1998-2001) at South Carolina, who started his final two seasons. During his collegiate career, he played both cornerback and free safety. Born August 11, 1978, Goodman excelled in both football and track at Eastside High School in Greenville, S.C.

The 27-year old Hodge has started 43 of the 63 games in which he has played with the Saints, who made him a third-round draft choice (70th overall) in 2001. He has collected 208 tackles, a sack, ten passes defensed, two forced fumble and a fumble recovery in his five previous seasons. He had his most productive campaign in 2002 when he started all 16 games and posted 88 tackles, eight passes defensed, a pair of forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. The 6-4, 246-pound Hodge was a four-year letterman (1997-2000) at North Carolina who started his final three seasons. He compiled 265 tackles and 10.5 sacks in his collegiate career. Born September 13, 1978, Hodge prepped at Westminster High School in Atlanta, Ga.

Shelton, 29, is a veteran of seven NFL seasons, having entered the league as a first-round draft choice (21st overall) of Arizona in 1999. He played with the Cardinals for six seasons before spending 2005 with Cleveland, where he started all 16 games at left tackle. Overall in his career, he has started 93 of the 98 games in which he has appeared, at both left and right tackle. The 6-6, 345-pound Shelton was a three-year starter at Eastern Michigan following his prep career at Rochester (Mich.) High School. Shelton is the son of Lonnie Shelton, who had a 10-year career in the NBA with New York, Seattle and Cleveland. L.J. was born on March 21, 1976 in Rochester Hills, Mich.

[mcduff81]

..signed a 4 year contract today. A very talented tackle who had a bad year last year. I think Hudson will love this guy.

Merged with other LJ Shelton thread by Philly.

[Sunstroke]

I like the Shelton signing. 6'6" and 345 lbs is some good beef for Houck to work with.

If Miami signs Brees to go with Shelton, I wonder which direction Nick will go with the #16 pick in the draft? I had OT and QB as Miami's top 2 needs, with DB third.

[mcduff81]

D-back and/or safety.. maybe trade down.

PS-Buck Weaver got screwed!

[DolFan619]

I like the Shelton signing. 6'6" and 345 lbs is some good beef for Houck to work with.

If Miami signs Brees to go with Shelton, I wonder which direction Nick will go with the #16 pick in the draft? I had OT and QB as Miami's top 2 needs, with DB third.

     This was a good signing, I really like Shelton too.  It was a shame we couldn't afford him last year.  We'll probably address CB and FS/SS first.  If we can't get that it'll be O-Line, if not the O-Line, then LB's, if not that then you pick the best player available.

[BillKilla]

This is a great pick up now all we need is Mawe at center or draft the kid from Ohio St and we'll be good

[bsfins]

I don't mean to be a buzz kill,but I guess we send Tom Ashworth on his way...saying a thanks but no thanks?

I really don't see LJ Shelton as much of an upgrade over Damian McIntosh.If anything he's a year older,and couldn't make it on 2...um bad teams? (Cleveland,and Arizona)

[BillKilla]

you maybe right but he has size and strength hutson can turn this guy around

[AZ Fins Fan 55]

Actually having watched Shelton play many, many games here in AZ I think he is an upgrade over McIntosh. Up until the Edge signing the Cards did not like to shell out cash and I think that is one of the reasons LJ left here in the first place. I think this is a good pick up for Miami!!!!!

[NYFin]

LJ Shelton is a first-rounder that underachieved with the Cardinals and quickly got into Denny Green's doghouse when Dennis arrived in town.  I get the impression Green made an example out of him saying that underachieving wouldn't be tolerated no matter where you were drafted.  Or something like that.  At any rate, he went to the Browns, and the Browns wanted to re-sign him.  But Shelton refused their offers causing the Browns to give up and sign Schaffer to replace him.  I've heard Shelton attached to the Dolphins for weeks now.  So perhaps the Dolphins have been in contact with him since well before free agency officially started and perhaps played a role in Shelton rejecting offers from Cleveland.

At any rate, all of this suggests Saban is excited about the young defensive talent in the draft this year and wants to get in on that rather than be obligated to use his picks on offensive players.

[TonyB0D]

last year, we were heavily linked to Shelton if you guys remember.....we just didn't have the cap space to make it happen

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Excellent pickup.  A powerful blocker who tends to flat out pancake people.  Major major upgrade over McIntosh. 

[MixLovesThemPhins]

y y'all hatin on mcintosh

buddy went to my highschool

hhah i know he aint that good