Free Agency News

[mdbw]

Armando Salguero has reported on his blog that as of right now, Jason Brown's agent has not been contacted by the Dolphins. Brown will be visiting St. Louis today.
Salguero also reports that Renaldo Hill will visit with the Broncos today
He is also reporting that Joe Berger, a backup C/OG in Dallas and former backup for the Dolphins in 05/06 will visit with Miami today. It is speculated he would be added for depth.
I'm sure you guys have seen the ridiculous deal the redskins gave DeAngelo "I've never done anything to warrant my fat paychecks" Hall... $54M and $22.5 guaranteed.... ridiculous
Jets apparently are negotiating with Bart Scott's agent. Not good.
Rams are competing with the Jets and apparently Scott will visit St. Louis along with Brown today according to Sporting News
The Jets re-signed Tony Richardson to block for pro bowler Thomas Jones in the back field
Fred Taylor is visiting Boston and reportedly will likely sign with the Patriots
Salguero is also speculating Albert Haynesworth will end up getting $30M in guaranteed money and be the highest paid player in the NFL
The Bills will receive a visit from Panthers O-lineman Geoff Hangartner today after they just released guard Derrick Dockery yesterday. Panthers OT wants Hangartner to be retained by Carolina. This all according to NFL.com Adam Schefter.
The Dolphins have touched base with the agent for CB Leigh Bodden (http://www.nfl.com/players/leighbodden/profile?id=BOD194145) but no visit is planned, according to Jeff Darlington.


If anything else happens before I go to bed, I'll post it. But add your comments whenever you wake up.

The Redskins' signing Hall likely takes them out of the running for Jason Brown, so it should just be between the Dolphins and Rams. However, as I said, according to Salguero, the Dolphins have not contacted Brown's agent despite speculation leading up to now that Brown was at the very top of the Dolphins' wish list.

[mdbw]

Omar Kelly at the Sun-Sentinel smartly pointed out that Leigh Bodden and Gibril Wilson have the same agent, so that is likely why the Dolphins have "touched based" with the agent for Bodden. So there is likely no material to this.

[fishface]

It seems unlikely to me that the Parcels regime will get into a bidding war over Brown and I'm guessing that even though they haven't officially contacted is agent, that agent is probably still somehow aware of what Miami's highest offer is, and he will play the field.

[mdbw]

Now the Redskins are really out of the running for Brown:

Albert Haynesworth hit the free-agent jackpot Friday morning by reaching agreement on a seven-year, $100 million deal with the Washington Redskins that could end up maxing out at $115 million based on his performance, according to sources.

The deal, which was reached early Friday morning, includes $41 million in guarantees. During the first 13 months of the contract, Haynesworth will earn approximately $32 million.
ESPN.com (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3939011)

[mdbw]

Salguero summed up his comments in a blog post last night. He seems to think we are out of the running completely for both Bart Scott and Jason Brown... hmmmm...

The Cowboyfication of Dolphins to continue

It's not hard to figure out: The Dolphins braintrust likes players they are familiar with as long as they are affordable.

That is why the Dolphins showed initial interest in Cowboys DE Chris Canty but backed away when they realized he's going to get a nicer contract than they were willing to pay. Canty is scheduled to visit the Redskins Friday.

The Dolphins also showed initial interest in Cowboys offensive lineman Joe Berger and, upon learning what Berger might cost, they set up a Friday visit with the player shortly after free agency began at midnight.

So Berger, who played for the Dolphins in 2005-2006, will be one unrestricted free agent to visit Miami Friday. He likely will sign a contract unless something goes horribly wrong. Berger is expected to compete for the starting center and right guard position as he's played both. The Dolphins might be hosting a couple of players Friday.

Center Jason Brown, the Baltimore Ravens starting center, will not be one of them. Brown is scheduled to visit the St. Louis Rams and NFL sources expect the player to be offered a contract that could average $7-$8 million per year.

The Dolphins showed serious interest in Brown but backed away when they learned Brown's asking price.

As you know the Dolphins had a pretty busy day Thursday, signing safeties Yeremiah Bell and Gibril Wilson to deals worth a combined $47.5 million with $18 million guaranteed. How's that for a high-priced deep secondary?

The four-year, $20 million deal Bell gets to continue playing strong safety for the Dolphins is possibly the last one he'll ever sign. "It's rare for a player two start and finish his career with the same team and Yeremiah has a chance to do that," agent Drew Rosenhaus said. "He's come a long way and overcome lots of adversity to get this deal."

The signing of Bell and Wilson means safety Renaldo Hill is out in Miami. He is scheduled to visit the Denver Broncos Friday. The Dolphins will miss Hill's quiet resolve and can-do attitude in their locker room.

Finally, there had been rumors the Dolphins would be interested in Ravens linebacker Bart Scott. That interest pretty much ended when the team re-signed Channing Crowder. Scott, however, did not re-sign with Baltimore as expected.

He was drawing interest from the Jets and other teams early this morn (and I mean really early as I type this at 2:32 a.m.). The division rival Jets are also said to be interested in Jim Leonhard, another Baltimore unrestricted free agent.

The Herald team will be back on the job Friday -- as soon as I wake up -- so do what you did Thursday and check back often for updates.
Link (http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2009/02/cowboyfication-of-dolphins-to-continue.html)

[FinsFan]

This article makes them sound cheap, but maybe they just don't want to put all thier eggs in one basket.

Face-Stepping Haynesworth is a great player and his ability changes the way an opponent plays the game, but if he gets hurt, and he has, then you now have big bucks sitting on the pine and some shmoe standing in for him.

We have many holes to fill and I think that the management doesn't want to blow all thier cap space on one or two players.

Also, do you think that the Trifecta just likes players who have something to prove and are willing to play hard to prove they are starter material?

[mdbw]

Salguero usually doesn't write too positively about the Fins... he's not always the best to reference, but he does always have info.

I agree on Haynesworth, and really no one is worth that much money! It's ridiculous. Hopefully he'll spend it and stimulate our bad economy! haha

[fishface]

Salguero usually doesn't write too positively about the Fins... he's not always the best to reference, but he does always have info.

I agree on Haynesworth, and really no one is worth that much money! It's ridiculous. Hopefully he'll spend it and stimulate our bad economy! haha

These salaries are getting insane! $115 million!? He's made for life whether or not he's any good from now on.

[mdbw]

Um, Bell is made for life, signing that $20M contract...