Hey Dolphin-Addicts and Wanna-Be General Managers..
It's been reported that "currently" without the complete knowledge of where the cap will exactly be set, our Dolphins will have approximately eleven million dollars available toward Free agency, along with an additional recommended five million available for draft picks. The actual dollar amount is said to be in that neighborhood even without the restructuring of current contracts or the release of currently contracted players (which are transactions that will take place). This will allow us to pinch many more million's of dollars toward the shopping list..
I myself am of the optimistic belief that we'll end-up somewhere around the 20 million mark (give or take a few million) with the restructuring of contracts along with the outright releases of dead weight players that might not fit the new scheme's and/or coach's preferences.. Seeing that it's suggested every year that we won't have money to throw around, and every year we somehow land Big-Names for Big-Bucks, Ireland will again find the additional funds required to make a Big Splash in the 2012 free agency period :)!! Already in 2012 it's being suggested (early in the process) that we have far more available cap space than in recent years past, which should also lead others to believe that this upcoming Free Agency period will bring us a big name or two, along with possibly a few other more affordable, yet substantial pieces. Maybe 5 four million dollar guys, 4 five million dollar guys, 3 six million dollar guys, or 2 nine million dollar guys to go along with a few minimum wagers to start with would be my guess (give or take a few million on each). While in relation to my world the difference between 15 and 20 million is three packs of smokes rather than four, therefore the above "hypothetical" is a generalization, so don't hold me to it!!
It's been suggested at previous Free Agent entries that upon the opening of business on March 13th the Miami Dolphins will pursue a highly sought after Quarterback along with an Offensive-Lineman and/or a Tight-End, which is likely to take up at least one half of our/my optimistically projected 20 million.. So with that in mind, lets go on a lil-spending spree while realizing that your Dolphins are also in great need of a Defensive back or two (to be discussed in the near future) and an imposing pass rusher to play on the opposite side of Cameron Wake, which is what we'll be dabbling-in here!!
Here are my personal, thoroughly researched, DE/OLB rankings, and I'm thinking we won't be able to afford the top guys if we do indeed go after an expensive QB (No-Brainer), an OLineman, and/or a TE/WR. I have also included a link at the bottom with all the available Defensive-Ends and Outside Line-Backers..
Keeping other needs and the cap space you project in mind...
WHO DO YOU LIKE??
Defensive Ends and/or Outside Linebackers...
1) Mario Williams, DE/OLB (3-4 Base Houston Texans), 27, 6-6, 283, 82 games, 53 sacks, 11 FF, ( 5 sacks, 1 Forced Fumble in 2011 )
2) Cliff Avril, DE/OLB (4 - 3 Base Detroit Lions), 26, 6-3, 260, 57 games, 30 sacks, 14 FF, ( 11 sacks, 6 Forced Fumbles, 1 Int in 2011 )
3) Jeremy Mincey, DE (4 - 3 Jacksonville Jaguars), 28, 6-3, 270, 40 games, 15 sacks, 4 FF, ( 8 sacks, 4 Forced Fumbles, 1 Interception in 2011 )
4) Mark Anderson, DE ( 3-4/4-3 New England Patriots), 29, 6-4, 255, 93 games, 35.5 sacks, 7 FF,( 10 sacks, 2 Forced Fumbles in 2011 )
5) Anthony Spencer, OLB (3-4 Dallas Cowboys), 28, 6-3, 257, 76 games, 21.5 sacks, 10 FF, ( 6 sacks, 4 Forced Fumbles in 2011 )
6) Ahmad Brooks, OLB (3-4 San Francisco 49'ers), 28, 6-3, 259, 58 games, 20 sacks, 7 FF, 1 Int, ( 7 sacks, 1 forced fumble in 2011 )
7) Kroy Beirman, DE (4-3 Atlanta Falcons), 27, 6-3, 255, 64 games, 12 sack, 1 FF, 2 Int, 11 ( 2.5 sacks, 1 Interception in 2011 )
8) Antwan Applewhite, DE (4-3 Carolina Panthers), 26, 6-3, 258, 42 games, 5.5 sacks, 3 FF, ( 2 sacks, 1 Forced Fumble in 2011 )
9) Wallace Gilberry, DE (4-3 Kansas City Chiefs), 27, 6-2, 268, 53 games, 14 sack, 4 FF, ( 2.5 sacks, 2 Forced Fumbles in 2011 )
10) William Hayes, DE (4-3 Tennessee Titans), 27, 6-3, 272, 43 games, 8 sacks, 4 FF, ( 1.5 sacks in 2011 )
11) Robert Mathis, DE/OLB (4-3 Indianapolis Colts), 31, 6-2, 245, 135 games, 83.5 sacks, 39 FF, ( 9.5 sacks, 3 Forced Fumbles in 2011 )
12) Manny Lawson, OLB (4-3 Cincinnati Bengals), 28, 6-5, 240, 80 games, 16 sacks, 6 FF, 2 Int, ( 1.5 sacks in 2011 )
13) Erin Henderson, OLB (4-3 Minnesota Vikings), 26, 6-3, 244, 36 games, 1.5 sacks, 4 FF, ( 1.5 sacks, 2 Forced Fumbles in 2011 )
14) Eric Walden, OLB (3-4 Green Bay Packers), 27, 6-2, 250, 51 games, 6 sacks, 2 FF, ( 3 sacks, 2 Forced Fumbles in 2011 )
15) Kendall Langford, DE (4-3 Miami Dolphins), 26, 6-6, 295, 64 games,7.5 sacks,4 FF, ( 1 Forced Fumble in 2011 )
16) Phillip Merling, DE (4-3 Miami Dolphins),27, 6-4, 295, 47 games, 3.5 sacks, 1 Int
17) Ikaika Alama-Francis, DE (4-3 Miami Dolphins), 27, 6-5, 290, 35 games, 1 sack
Which Pass Rushing Free Agent Defensive-Ends and/or Outside Linebackers do you think might fit at an affordable rate and why ?? I need definition on all positions and players for a "quote fueled" final Free Agency article in early March, so don't be shy !!
THANX for an open-minded read and stay tuned for follow-up Free Agent reports!! Also, keep an eye-out at the top of the SHOUT home page for a "Free Agency" tab where past, present, and future FA articles can continuously be delved upon in gathering a well rounded, reasonable 2012 MIAMI DOLPHIN Free Agency Plan!! GOFINS :)
http://walterfootball.com/freeagents2012DE.php
http://walterfootball.com/freeagents2012OLB.php
