To Sign Or Not To Sign?!

To Sign Or Not To Sign?

As we all know, the Dolphins have two key players hitting the free agency market this off season, and with Miami already over the salary cap, it’s going to be extremely hard to keep both Olivier Vernon and Lamar Miller. The one glaring “positive” is the Dolphins do have some expensive contracts that they can part ways with, such as Greg Jennings, (I cringe to say it) Cameron Wake, Grimes, Jordan Cameron and Suh’s contract almost begs for a restructure.

Both Miller and Vernon are home grown Miami residents, former Miami University players, and it would be great if Miami were able to retain both players. However, most football wagering fans are doubting that this is possible. There is a good chance that Miami may not be able to re-sign either player, which means there will be two more big holes on the team. But, their is also the chance that Aponte and Tannenbaum can show “All-Pro” caliber, knock it out of the park, and keep them both!

Miller is one of the cornerstones of the offense, and when he has had a good game, the Dolphins have usual won. Not only accomplished in running and receiving game, he is a very good at blocking. He is a true three down back, the type of back Gase covets. Because the Dolphins rarely feed him the ball, he has extremely low mileage, and could easily play another 4-5 years with high productivity. Also, as one of the fastest backs in the league, he possesses  home run threat ability.

With Wake in his mid thirties, in the last year of his contract, and coming of a very serious injury, Vernon has become another cornerstone and the only DE on the roster with pass rushing talent. However, while Vernon had a big 2013 season with 11.5 sacks, the last two years he has regressed statistically to 6.5 sacks (2014) and 7.5 sacks (2015). This season has demonstrated his inconsistency which was attributed to a nagging injury.  The problem is he has demonstrated flashes of fantastic play, but also, for whatever reason, inconsistency. This might make it tough for Miami to pay him big money if he asks for it, but due to circumstances, they may be forced to “pay-up”. Yet, if Vernon can play consistently up to his potential, then he would be an essential signing.

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Miller is the more stable and safe of the two big signings – and the more likely to be signed. But, due to the lack of talent at DE and on the whole defense, as well as the difficulty in finding pass rushers, Vernon has the bigger upside and downside, and maybe worth it even if he is “over paid”. I see that the Dolphins must somehow keep both, even if it means letting go of older vets, getting creative with the cap, and going full court press on the egos of both of them. It will be very difficult to make it happen, but we need a slam dunk this off season and getting them both inked would be a great head start. What do you Dolphins Fans think about these two players? And if you had the authority, what would be your move?


 

18 comments

  • Dunner

    You are so correct. Makes me wonder if they have a leg up in the personal dept. or is their coaching that good? Or both? Whichever it is we need to figure it out yesterday.

  • Steve

    Dunner

    Locating and signing those players that everyone else over looked Seattle has proven to get the best value out of unsigned and low draft picks. Inaddition they have been able to improved many of the players value for trading etc.

    I have reviewed Arizona, Jets, Carolina, Rams, Jags etc.

    What I have noticed is that the Pats & Seattle have done more with an undrafted players than half the NFL league has done with their 1st, 2nd and 3rd round players.

  • Steve

    M.J.

    Thanks for your input on the players. Would you say Bradley Sowell could improved the Fins offensive line?

  • Dunner

    The following are the 2016 Unrestricted Free Agents/Cap hit in Millions unless shown/Keep, Resign, Tag
    The financial cap $ is correct, to move on or not is just my opinion!!!

    2016 Unrestricted Free Agents:

    Matt Moore = 2.6 million cap = Gone (See Zac Dysert signing)
    Derrick Shelby = 2.3 cap = RESIGN
    Louis Delmas = 2.3 cap = Tricky call, productive when healthy, incentive laden contract maybe???
    Kelvin Sheppard = 2.0 cap = Move on (50/50 call, depending on draft plans)
    Olivier Vernon = 1.7 cap = TAG/RESIGN (14 million to tag, can remove/trade/restructure any time)
    Lamar Miller = 1.6 cap = RESIGN @ home discount or let walk 🙁
    Shelley Smith = 1.4 cap = Resign @ back-up pay
    Rishard Matthews = 673,000 = Would like to keep, financially highly doubtful (see Tyler Davis signing), Let Walk 🙁
    Michael Thomas = 585,000 cap = Resign @ decent price
    Spencer Paysinger = 585,000 = Resign @ back-up pay
    Jacques McClendon = 87,500 cap = Resign @ back-up pay (Draft pending/Pouncey decision)
    James-Michael Johnson = 77,500 cap = Pending on Deon Jordan decision, move on

    Again, these are my opinions (not to say I’m right or wrong, however; I do believe I am better judge of personal than Ireland ever was or will be. LOL). It is hard for me to justify keeping any LBers or Offensive lineman, w the groups performing so badly and obviously being the weak spots on the team.

    What do the rest of you Fins Fans think? Not including you Freak, because I know they are all Chicken S**t in your world and you would let all go.

    • M.J.

      The tag option isn’t feasible…too much money up front. They need to be contracts that offer short term flexibility and have a small hometown discount due to desire to stay and ..ahem 0% taxes of Florida. I agree about100% Dunner…Delmas needs to go though. To tight of cap space to waste on a player with an injury history. We need a few stars surrounded by smart FA pick ups like Grimes WAS and draft well by picking up at least two starters and 2-3 contributors. I see it as the O needs to be the most assembled to give T-Hill no excuses on his sink or swim year. His evaluation is beyond critical. That’s why I changed my mind from letting Miller to to keeping him… he will offer T-Hill a huge advantage on O and even if he doesn’t fully meet up to his contract, he will help distinguish T-Hill as a keeper or not.

      • Dunner

        MJ, I realize the “Tag” for OV is financially not feasible. But, what the “Tag” does is buy the team time to work out a long term deal, or trade OV getting something in return, or remove the “Tag” at any time and move on. No way could they survive the “Tag” price for one year.
        I do agree with you on Delmas, it stinks because he can play when healthy, just can’t stay that way, just like it is going to stink to ask Wake to re-work his deal or walk. 🙁

        • M.J.

          Yeah, in that case I see the tag has value, but there is one problem that “could” arise…he has an extra bargaining chip of okay, I’ll take the 14 mill instead of what you (Tannenbum) offer, or walk and get paid elsewhere. But, yeah, it could aslo work to Miami’s advantage.

  • Steve

    Admin!

    Would the Dolphins consider one of these free agents?

    2nd round pick!
    Benjamin Ijalana LT 26 NYJ TBD $760,000 UFA–Benjamin Ijalana Left Tackle Age: 26 Exp: 5 Years Drafted: Round 2 (#49 overall), 2011College: Villanova Agent(s): Tony Agnone (Eastern Athletic Services)

    Sam Young LT 28 JAC TBD $795,000 UFA–Sam Young Left TackleAge: 28Exp: 6 Years Drafted: Round 6 (#179 overall), 2010 College: Notre Dame

    Bradley Sowell LT 26 ARI TBD $760,000 UFA–Bradley Sowell Left TackleAge: 26 Exp: 4 Years Undrafted: 2012, BuccaneersCollege: Mississippi

    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    Chris Scott G 28 CAR TBD $665,000 UFA–Chris Scott GuardAge: 28 Exp: 4 Years Drafted: Round 5 (#151 overall), 2010College: Tennessee Agent(s): Allegiant Athletic Agency

    Joe Looney G 25 TEN TBD $427,058 UFA 25 Exp: 3 Years Drafted: Round 4 (#117 overall), 2012 College: Wake ForestAgent(s): Andy Ross (Octagon)

    • M.J.

      Young has insane measurable and his lack of playing time means he is missing something big for that much talent to not play…back up at best.

      Ijalana has had 2 acl tears and limited starts, so no.

      Sowell has a shot…haven’t watched him play, but he started 12 games and was picked up by Arian who might be as good as Belichick…so I would consider him.

      Scott is a big dude but limited starts and haven’t watched him play…not sure.

      Looney has started, but again haven’t watched him play…but he seems to be an arrow pointed up guy…

      I would give Dallas a chance at RG where help almost always slides. His run games is far better than his pass block and I think his confidence is wounded having to play out of position so much and getting flack for it…HE ISNT a LG,RT or LT…he is a RG I think he could at least be a back up with Turner and fight it out for back up, if not starter at RG. We need Two LG’s as they are far harder to find.

  • Steve

    I believed that Tony Lippett would make a great Corner for the Fins with the proper training.

    The Free Agent corners listed below would they improved the Dolphins Secondary?

    Jeremy Lane CB 25 SEA TBD $691,279 UFA-Drafted: Round 6 (#172 overall), 2012College: Northwestern State

    Marcus Burley CB 25 SEA TBD $510,000 ERFA——-Undrafted: 2013, JaguarsCollege: Delaware

    Steven Terrell CB 25 SEA TBD $510,000 ERFA–Undrafted: 2013, Jaguars College: Texas A&M

    Mohammed Seisay CB 25 SEA TBD $333,000 ERFA—Undrafted: 2014, LionsCollege: Nebraska

    Ron Brooks CB 27 BUF TBD $760,135 UFA
    Cornerback Age: 27Exp: 4 Years Drafted: Round 4 (#124 overall), 2012 College: Louisiana TechAgent(s): SportsTrust Advisors

    2nd Round Pick
    Janoris Jenkins CB 27 LA TBD $1,587,829 UFA – Cornerback Age: 27 Exp: 4 Years Drafted: Round 2 (#39 overall), 2012 College: North Alabama Agent(s): Malik Shareef (Dimensional Sports Inc.)

    • Dunner

      Steve, are you a Seattle fan? All of your players are Seattle players. With one of those guys surrounded by 3 players such as Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas they are going to look and play better. Now put said player(s) on the perimeter or deep safety on Miami’s secondary and the obvious would be exposed. Heck, if Jamar Taylor was the forth player along side of the 3 Seattle players mentioned he too would look and play the part, even though we know better.

  • Steve

    How would these RB fair vs Miller?, Christine Machael’s was a 2nd round pick by Settle maybe a better fit with the Fins? I’m not the expert.

    Lamar Miller RB 24 MIA TBD $1,663,500 UFA Running BackAge: 25 Exp: 5 Years Running Back Age: 24 Exp: 4 Years Drafted: Round 4 (#97 overall), 2012 College: Miami (FL) Agent(s): Drew Rosenhaus (Rosenhaus Sports)

    Jacquizz Rodgers RB 25 CHI TBD $625,000 UFA Drafted: Round 5 (#145 overall), 2011 College: Oregon StateAgent(s): Next Level Sports

    UFA Drafted: Round 3 (#70 overall), 2013
    Christine Michael RB 25 SEA TBD $103,235 RFA -Drafted: Round 2 (#62 overall), 2013 College: Texas A&M

    Bryce Brown RB 24 SEA TBD $116,470 UFA ——- Drafted: Round 7 (#229 overall), 2012 College: Kansas State

    • Dunner

      Steve, Miller is head and shoulders above each of those RBs

      • Steve

        Dunner

        I would not doubt Miller is the better. There is always But! Inconsistency on the offense clouds Miller true value. Dunner That’s just it with the Dolphins players! Years of Bad coaching we really dont know who we have?

        Do you blamed the offensive line?
        Do you blamed Possibly the one dementional play calling to pass every down?
        I think Miller would fair better with the presents of a talented offensive line and
        FB?

  • Steve

    I like both Vernon and Miller! I’m also interested in the DE as well.

    Olivier Vernon DE 25 MIA TBD $1,701,520 UFA -Defensive EndAge: 25Exp: 4 Years
    Drafted: Round 3 (#72 overall), 2012College: Miami (FL)Agent(s): DEC Management-Ja

    Jarvis Jenkins DE 27 CHI TBD $825,000 UFA—Defensive EndAge: 27Exp: 5 Years Drafted: Round 2 (#41 overall), 2011College: Clemson Agent(s): BTI Sports Advisors

    Demarcus Dobbs DE 28 SEA TBD $665,000 UFA ——Undrafted: 2011, 49ersCollege: Georgia Defensive End Age: 28 Exp: 5 Years Undrafted: 2011, 49ersCollege: GeorgiaAgent(s): PlayersRep Sports

  • Dunner

    OV gets tagged, and Miller gets let go…..
    I personally would like to see the both of them retained, keep your own. Contracts such as Wakes can become OVs, Grimes contract can be had for a younger safer free agent, J.Camerons can become Millers. Need to retain Shelby, which can come from the difference Camerons/Miller swap.

    • admin

      yeah, that sounds about right…plus I think alot of cash can be freed up from a Suh restructure….Shelby does need to be kept!!

  • Dunner

    OV gets tagged, and Miller gets let go…..
    I personally would like to see them both of them retained, keep your own. Contracts such as Wakes can become OVs, Grimes contract can be had for a younger safer free agent, J.Camerons can become Millers. Need to retain Shelby, which can come from the difference Camerons/Miller swap.