New Years Miami Dolphins Offensive Additions 2016

One week into the New Years Free Agency period and the Miami Dolphins have acquired four defensive players (with 3 of them for sure being day one starters). Our favorite team came about these players via trade and/or as free agents that we spoke of at the previous piece titled Miami Dolphins 2016 New Year Defensive Additions. Those players include potential starter at safety Isa Abdul-Quddus, as well as definitive starters at Cornerback with Byron Maxwell, Middle Linebacker Kiko Alonso, and perennial star Defensive End Mario Williams.

Now comes the Offensive Additions of which.
Even the media, (haters of most every Miami addition) over the last however many years suggest that the lesser of the two offensive lineman that the Dolphins have signed in this New Year is a vast improvement over what existed at said positions in 2015.

2016's offensive landings thus-far include.

Swing Tackle Sam Young at 6 - 8, 320 pounds as a 6 year veteran Tackle was the Dolphins first offensive acquisition in Free Agency. He ( seen here detouring OV/others ) was acquired as a backup Tackle to fill the role of (Adam Gase' first day cut) of backup Jason Fox who struggled mightily while starting 11 games at one or the other tackle positions in 2015.

Young has been in the league since 2010's two games played with the Cowboys. In 2011 he wound up in Buffalo where he played in four games while in o12 he played in twelve Bills games and started four. He played for both the Bills (4 games) and Jaguars (11 games) in 2013. For Jacksonville in 2014 he started 6 of 9 games played, and in o15 he started 3 of all 16 games played.

Excluding the 2013 season when he played for two different teams, he has started more than a third of the games he played in while at Buffalo and Jacksonville (13 games started of 37 games played). With Miami as a swing tackle (meaning he can play either tackle position), Sam Young can (for the most part) focus on the right tackle backup position.


As The Dolphins second offensive addition in the 2016 Free Agency period was.


Left Tackle Jermon Bushrod who has started at that particular position in 96 of the 108 games he's played in over his 9 year career. He played in just 3 games of his first two years in New Orleans while his 96 starts have come over the last seven seasons with the (o9 - o12 Saints, and o13 - o15 Bears). Dolphin head coach Adam Gase was the Bears o15 Offensive Coordinator.

Miami hasn't had the commodity of a true Left Tackle on their bench for many a year, let alone a player with any starting experience whatsoever at the Left Tackle position. Whenever starting LT Brandon Albert has been out of the lineup for a breather or his annual injury the Dolphins have been filling the void with wanna-be right tackles (Jason Fox etc) and/or guards (Dallas Thomas etc) which suggest that those positions themselves have also been forced into fielding the lesser talents of the offensive line. Let-alone at the quarterbacks blindside protector position of LT.

With a pure Left Tackle behind Brandon Albert now on the roster the Dolphins offensive line has immediately become more stable as the true guards and right tackles can stay focused on the position at which they belong and not become a big fat Bull-Eye when playing out of position. Maybe those guards can even excel when surrounded by a pure right tackle Ju'Waun James/Sam Young, Center Mike Pouncey, and Left Tackle Brandon Albert (and/or Jermon Bushrod) should the occasion arise.

Meanwhile, both Young & (Bushrod who knows the LT position inside-out with his eye's closed) are willing to play the guard position, so that (if need be) they can get on the field before being needed at tackle in place of Ju'Waun James and/or Brandon Albert.

Jermon Bushrod is 6 - 5, 320 pounds as a nine year veteran Left Tackle with (again) 96 NFL starts, Two Pro-Bowl selections (2011/12), and a Super Bowl ring from his tenure with the Saints!


Folks suggest that Miami has done nothing to help the offensive line, and it's the only offensive position that the Dolphins have actually addressed. Well besides the re-signing of backup quarterback Matt Moore. Meanwhile player rates drop with each passing day, free agencies second wave has yet to crest and fresh sets continue rollin-in throughout the season, and the draft is still six weeks away.

Thank You for an open minded read,
and as always, we look forward to your angle of view : )) !!

GOFINS!!!


The Defensive Roundup can be re-viewed here ;
http://www.dolphinshout.com/2016/03/2016-miami-dolphins-new-year-defensive.html

Van the Man

Vance Joseph is the 13th defensive coordinator in the history of the Miami Dolphins. Anybody that knows anything about the Dolphins remembers the most famous # 13, Dolphins legend Dan Marino.

Joseph, then a quarterback, was on a team that won the state championship in 1987 and was runner-up in 1988. At the University of Colorado, Joseph played quarterback and running back.

Drafted by the Jets as a defensive back, Joseph also played same for the Colts in his two year NFL career.

More importantly, Vance Joseph coached defensive backs in college until 2004 and then into the pros with the 49ers until the Bengals hired him in 2014 as defensive backs coach.

Working on a clean slate with the Dolphins, expect Joseph to shore up the secondary behind an aggressive defense led by Suh, Wake, Williams, Jordan and company

2016 Miami Dolphins New Year Defensive Additions

The 2016 league New Year officially began at 4pm est on Wednesday March 9th when contracted till that moment NFL players hit the open market free for all. The Miami Dolphins in order to avoid the frenzy arrived to the feeding grounds a day early, encircled their prey and fed to their delight with three starting main courses prior to the opening of free agencies front doors.

They did so by bottle-nosing the under belly of the Buffalo Bills recently cut Super-Mario Williams which made him the ultimate big fish for the early eaters. His only visit was with the Dolphin pod, they corralled him within the swarm and shortly thereafter he was swimming along as part of the family.

As a true 4 - 3 Defensive End Williams no longer fit Buffalo's 2015 3 - 4 defense instituted via new head coach ReXXX Ryan, as well, he was scheduled to count as a 19.9 cap hit against the cash strapped Bills. Miami landed Mario Williams the AFC sack leader since 2006 for 8.5 million dollars times two years.

Miami beat the 4pm dinner rush a day early for the second time with a trade of one Dolphin draft pick for a draft pick and two established starters at positions of need from the Eagles.

OFFICIALLY; The trade equates to Philadelphia's 25 year old starting Middle Linebacker Kiko Alonso (at under 1 million) for 2016 in the final year of his rookie contract. Starting Corner-back Byron Maxwell (28), and a 2016 draft pick #13 for Miami's pick at #8. Basically two proven starters with what should be a third starter for Miami at pick 13 to slide down five spots in the drafts first round.

Kiko Alonso 2013 Rookie Of The Year


Byron Maxwell Didn't notice anyone around him having anything to do with the play's he made here.
WELCOME TO MIAMI !!


Dolphins signed Safety Isa Abdul-Quddus (26) to 3 years for 12.75 million as the only post 4pm free agent defensive acquisition.



Dolphins ink Defensive End Super-Mario Williams at 8.5 million per for two years with the potential of an additional 3 million worth of incentives should he want to be extra productive!!



TWO DAYS IN, many more to come !!!


GOFINS!!!


Stay Tuned For Further Updates..

Offensive Updates ;

UPDATE 3/9 ;
Dolphins sign six year veteran Swing Tackle/Guard Sam Young (13 starts) to one year at 910,000..


UPDATE 3/10 ;
CJ Anderson (25) RFA-RB agrees to four year 18 million deal with Miami..
Denver has five days to match offer that includes 6 million salary for o16..


UPDATE 3/11 ;
Dolphins have signed 8 year veteran Left Tackle Offensive Lineman Jermon Bushrod who has 93 starts, 2011/12 ProBowl selections, and wears a SuperBowl ring from his New Orleans Saints tenure..

Miami Dolphins Free Agent Targets Of Hopeful Preference

Well folks, the official beginning of the 2016 league year is about to begin with the opening of free agency on Wednesday March 9th. Everyone knows that The Miami Dolphins are in dire need of defensive ends, defensive backs, a true middle linebacker, offensive lineman, and potentially a running back to go along with a tight end.

So here are a few to ponder.


13) TE- Zach Miller (32 in October) of Chicago's Bears/(Adam Gase) comes in as the 94th rated target. Miller had a great 2015 and may come into play at an affordable rate should Miami feel the need to separate from Jordan Cameron (28) at seasons start. The Colts more youthful TE's ranked at 48th Dwayne Allen (26) and 51st ranked Coby Fleener (28 at seasons start) may also be options with three years experience under Gase. Twenty-Six tight ends could be HAD.

12) WR- Rishard Matthews (27 in October) via your own Miami Dolphins strides in at the 66th Free Agent Spot. He would be as good a 3rd or 4th receiver that Miami could hope for to go along with Devante Parker, Jarvis Landry, and Kenny Stills. Thirty-Nine receivers are wide open.

11) MLB- Stephen Tulloch (31 until 2017) of the 4 - 3 Detroit Lions defense has started in all 16 games since 2010 other than 3 starts in three 2014 games played while also starting 3/4ths or more of the 2008/09 seasons. He is the 75th best rated prospect as a reliable stop-gap toward the MLB position. Five True Middle Linebacker's will be making the read of where they want to be.

10) ILB- Danny Trevathan (26 this month) of the Denver Broncos sits at 9th on the free agent list (which suggest that he's pretty good), and likely to be expensive. As an ILB from a 3 - 4 defense it's unproven as to whether or not he fits at the Miami need of an MLB. Forty other LB and/or OLB's as well as Eleven ILB's are hitting the market, some with potential MLB abilities.

9) T- Mitchell Schwartz (27 in June) of the Cleveland Browns is ranked 38th. Schwartz has started all 64 games of his four year career and the Dolphins are in dire need of two tackles for depth. Twenty-Five free agent tackles will do the shuffle.

8) G- Alex Boone (29 come May) from the San Francisco 49ers is ranked 29th. Boone has started in all games played over the last four years of his six year career.
Just One of Twenty-Seven Guards.

7) S- George Iloka (26 this month) of the Cincinnati Bengals/(DC Vance Joseph) covers the 24th spot. Iloka has started all 44 of 44 games played over the past three seasons of his four year career. Fourteen free safties and Twenty-One strong safties will be roaming the field while most are interchangeable.

6) CB- Prince Amukamara (27 in June) from the New York Giants shuts down the ranking of 20th. Amukamara has started all but three games played over the last four seasons of his five NFL years. Forty pure cornerbacks and another fourteen listed as defensive backs will be there for the pick. Miami's expensive Brent Grimes' productive days in Miami are numbered at (33 come July)!

5) DE- Derrick Shelby (27 a few days ago) of your Miami Dolphins rates as the 27th best free agent. Minus Olivier Vernon AND Mario Williams, he'll practically become an absolute necessity, at least to some extent! Forty-One defensive ends will be looking to break the pocket.

4) RB- Lamar Miller (25 in April) via Miami's Dolphins high steps in as the 12th most popular prospect. Miami's wanting to keep him at five while he's looking for 6 million. You know what he does as the most productively youthful running back that's about to hit the market. Should he be lost? Denver's (not in the top 99) Ronnie Hillman of similar age and skill-sets may come into play. (Though he's 20 pounds lighter than Lamar Miller and half as productive over the same fours years), Dolphin head coach Adam Gase has three first hand knowledge years of Hillman's abilities. Denver's other (not on the top 99 free agent list) running back CJ Anderson (25 through o16) is likely a better option as he is also well rounded while he's the more powerful at 225 pounds than even Lamar Miller. Anderson is a restricted free agent that the Bronco's have the option of matching whatever offers that come his way. Thirty free agent running backs of different shapes, sizes, ages, and skills are wanting to replace the well rounded Lamar Miller. Some of them can, but none of the UFA's ; ) that can are nearly as youthful. Early Draft is a different story ; )! Should Lamar Miller be lost?

3) G- Kelechi Osemele (27 in June) of the Baltimore Ravens is the 3rd ranked overall prospect, and has started 51 of 51 games played in his four year career. No explanation required! Twenty-Seven other lesser Guards will be there for the push.

2) DE- Mario Williams' Buffalo Bills cut him last week making him (immediately) available as the leagues overall 7th best available free agent target. He is healthy at (31 years old) while being three years younger than (Cameron Wake at 8.4 mill) who (even if healthy) is on the last achilles of his journey. Mario Williams first and only visit thus-far took place with the Miami Dolphins this past Saturday.

1) DE Olivier Vernon (26 come October) of Miami's Dolphins
is ranked 2nd overall of the top 99 Free Agents:
With transition tag status, he's Miami's if not offered more than 12.7 on the market!
He's big bang ripe and about to become a star for someone in the right stratosphere!



Let The (NOT SO) Free For All Begin!

Thank You for an open minded read
and we look forward to yours as well as the Miami Dolphins angle of view : )) !!

GOFINS!!!


STAY-TUNED to the bottom of this piece for Edited-In UPDATES upon each signing!

UPDATE 3/7 ;
The latest news has Miami trading for 2013 rookie of the year MLB Kiko Alonso (26 in August), big & long CB Byron Maxwell (28 through o16), and draft compensation from Philadelphia for what is suggested to be mid to late round Dolphins draft picks. Supposedly the deal is done, but details won't be made official until after the league year begins on Wednesday. OFFICIALLY; The trade equates to Philly's Kiko Alonso (at under 1 million), Byron Maxwell, and o16 draft pick #13 for Miami's pick at #8..

UPDATE 3/8 ;
Tight End Jordan Cameron restructures down from 7.5 to 6 million to stay in Miami in 2016 for the final year of his current contract.

UPDATE 3/8 ;
Dolphins ink Defensive End Mario Williams #2 on this articles wish-list at a reported 8.5 million per for two years with the potential of an additional 3 million worth of incentives should he want to be extra productive!!

UPDATE 3/9 ;
Dolphins rescind transition tag of Olivier Vernon (who is now a free agent),
and Miami gets the 12.7 million back towards cap space.. Doesn't mean he's entirely out of question for us (though it's likely) as we no longer have first refusal rights to match whatever he's offered elsewhere!!

UPDATE 3/9 ;
Dolphins save 6.5 with release of 9.5 million Brent (33) & Miko Grimes..

UPDATE 3/9 ;
Dolphins sign Safety Isa Abdul-Quddus (26 with 16 starts) to a 3-year deal worth 12.75 ..
Made play for George Iloka who re-signed with Bengals for 6+Mill per year.

UPDATE 3/9 ;
Dolphins sign six year veteran backup Tackle Sam Young (13 starts) to one year at 910,000.

UPDATE 3/9 ;
Olivier Vernon signs with Giants at 17 million per year, 5 years 85 million, 52 million guaranteed/3 years.. Miami will receive a future 3rd or 4th round compensatory draft pick..

UPDATE 3/9 ;
Derrick Shelby signs with Atlanta for a reported 21 million over 4 years..

UPDATE 3/9 ;
Lamar Miller signs with Texans for 6.5 per year, 4 years 26 million, 14 guaranteed..
Miami will receive a future 3rd or 4th round compensatory draft pick..

UPDATE 3/10 ;
CJ Anderson (25) RFA-RB agrees to four year 18 million deal with Miami..
Denver has five days to match offer that includes 6 million salary for o16..

Miami Dolphins To Put Transition Tag On Olivier Vernon

On tag deadline day the Dolphins have put in their bid to retain defensive End and Miami lifer Olivier Vernon. Opposing NFL teams can offer OV more than what the Dolphins have put on paper toward their one year setting of the bar, but Miami will get the opportunity to match any other offer should they choose to do so. Barring that scenario , a trade, or a long term contract agreement? Olivier Vernon will start for the Dolphins in 2016 at a rate of 12.734 million which is the average of the top ten Defensive Ends in the league.

GOFINS!!!