Dolphins make serious cuts, including Green, Booker, and Shelton

by Matty I on Feb 11, 2008 3:31 PM EST in News Comment 28 comments

The Dolphins announced today that they have cut nine players. Four of them are relatively big names. Those are Trent Green, Marty Booker, LJ Shelton, and Keith Traylor.

The Dolphins also waived Anthony Alabi, Joe Toledo, Anthony Bryant, Marion Dukes, and Marquay Love.

Here's the only statement the Dolphins released:

"This is never easy, especially since all of these players worked hard during their tenure here," Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland said. "In particular, in the case of each of the veterans, it's especially difficult to release players who have been productive and valued members of the organization. However, we feel these decisions are in the best interest of the team."

"I want to thank all of them for their contributions to the Dolphins and wish them good luck."

More on this to come, including a look at how this affects Miami's salary cap situation...

**UPDATE**: So what does this mean for the Dolphins' cap situation? These cuts save the Dolphins about an additional $12.5 million in cap room after considering each players' cost of being cut (cost of prorated bonuses). And that's not even considering Love, Bryant, or Dukes because I can't seem to get much info on their old contracts. But do keep in mind that these are rough estimates, but should be very close to 100% accurate.

I'll be back later on tonight and get into more of what these cuts may/may not mean. Until then, please give us all your thoughts on these cuts below...

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marty booker

so much for the story that came out about a month ago saying that parcells wanted Green back.

marty booker being cut makes the ogunleye trade look bad. we should have kept him.

i feel relief. its time to get read of this dead weight and move toward the future.

i say cut zach t. next.

by smirish on Feb 11, 2008 3:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

No big...

surprises here as I doubt any of these players really figured into the phins future plans.

I can't see the dolphins cutting Zach, of course I could be wrong, but I could envision them asking him to 'renegotiate' his deal so he could stay with the team at a lower cap $$$.

One thing about this news does ensure is that a veteran QB is going to be on the list of acquisitions via FA. The Fins can't go into next season with a near-rookie (Beck) and just some player get in the draft. Maybe they'll get Todd Collins or Grossman or maybe even Vinny, or someone of that ilk, to come down here and provide experience at the QB spot.

by Natalya on Feb 11, 2008 3:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Agree...

All these cuts give us a GREAT Salary cap number... I also say we cut Zach Thomas! It is time for a fresh start, and I think this is only the beginning of the guillotines!!!

OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!!!

~~ FINGUY23 ~~

by JDPhinFan on Feb 11, 2008 3:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

All these cuts expected

As for Zach I can see him getting cut if he does not redo his contract.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKu3wbzo0-g

by Neo on Feb 11, 2008 11:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cuts

Alabi and Toledo are interesting. I know Toledo has not been able to stay healthy but Alabi was a back-up tackle for us last year. Now with Shelton gone we have some more holes on the offensive line. At least now we better re-sign Hadnot.

Matt

by Matt27 on Feb 11, 2008 3:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

We save 12 Mil

And we get rid of bad to mediocre vets.
Sounds fine to me.

by Patssuck456 on Feb 11, 2008 3:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Unexpected?

These are to be expected and I wonder if any of them will be brought back less expensively. Looks like MIA will be active this off-season starting on 2/29 when FA starts.

by hotrod43 on Feb 11, 2008 4:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good Moves

They cut vets (who are past their prime) and players who never lived up to their billing... Good Moves

As far as Zack...we already did one star like that we should make that mistake twice and he ends up in NE. I say renegotiate and if not let him play out his contract and retire.

by 305finforlife on Feb 11, 2008 4:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

WOW

I love the way this new regime moves....Fast and with out fear. These guys know what they want to do and they do it. Confidence.....thats what I have in these guys. I think we are going to be real players in the FA this year and these early moves are letting players know to come on down to Miami before you sign any deal. We got something brewing and I think your gonna like it

by jvw on Feb 11, 2008 4:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Green

I like all the cuts... especially Marty Booker! He always looked slow to me.

I expect Green to be resigned for a much smaller number to stick around.

by YatilGinnJr on Feb 11, 2008 5:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yatil...

bringing back green at a much smaller salary is certainly possible and that would address the fins need for a veteran QB on the roster.

Otherwise, they'll be shopping for one very soon.

by Natalya on Feb 11, 2008 5:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cutting booker???

I think this was a big mistake. Booker could have gotten us the 5th round pick we need in a trade, now that he is gone there goes that deal. I think they should have cut Tavis Daniels and Jason Allen, that would have saved us money and sign Ken Hamelton and either Asuante or Marcus, that would have been a big plus for our defence.

If it ain't Miami Dolphins it's Crap!!!

by bigbillshater on Feb 11, 2008 6:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nah

Cutting Jason Allen would have cost the Dolphins cap space because they'd still be on the hook for his prorated signing bonus, which is rather substantial.

by Matty I on Feb 11, 2008 8:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Now we really need a DT

Defensive Tackle has always been high up on priorities, but now our hand is forced. Question is draft or FA, or both? Okam is projecting anywhere from 2nd round to 4th round so their is no guarantees we'll get him. Dorsey unlikely for a 3-4. I think it would be dumb to take Sedrick Ellis number one. Shaun Rogers looking more and more likely, but I don't like how this makes us look more desperate. I wish Detroit would be forced to cut him. Still dreaming of feeding a poison pill to Tennessee and stealing Haynesworth.

by inisfree on Feb 11, 2008 7:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Cut Jason Allen?

He is our best young defensive player, where is the logic in cutting him? I don't think it is guranteed that the Dolphins will run a 3-4. If they feel Dorsey is the best player than they draft him. Sign a cheaper vet such as Issac Spopango and play the 4-3. With that said I don't think the Fins interest in Matt Ryan is just a smoke screen, I feel it's legit. I think the Dolphins will either trade the pick or select between Chris Long or Matt Ryan. Only other possibilities I see are Jake Long and Glenn Dorsey.

Beck to Ginn....

by RealDriscoll on Feb 11, 2008 8:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Matt Ryan

Mike Mayock is my favorite guy in the business and he has Ryan as the best player in the draft.

Beck to Ginn....

by RealDriscoll on Feb 11, 2008 8:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

as for the cuts

I'd rather have the 12,000,000 in cap room. My numbers have us at 37.6 million UNDER the cap.

Beck to Ginn....

by RealDriscoll on Feb 11, 2008 8:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Cap number

is looking good. I think the fins neep to keep low for a couple years while building through the draft... then make that splash in FA in a couple years..

shocking to me how many folks here on the "cut zack" band wagon. i agree with 305finforlife- let him play out his time as a fin. that is, if he'll re-nogiate... i will understand if they want to part ways if he doesn't want to do that.. but otherwise, this guy deserves to finish his career in miami. 54 is my fav, no question, so i am kinda biased. but i would hate to see him in another uni.

as for the rest of the cuts, no surprise. marty booker had to go. yeah i would love to have ungunleye back, but he wasn't gonna get paid in miami and would have left anyway. i am not so sure that green won't be back at a lower cap figure. we'll see.

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants.

by NumberSeven on Feb 11, 2008 11:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'd love to see Zach in another uni.

If it gave him a chance at a Super Bowl.

by urbino on Feb 12, 2008 12:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I...

would love to see Z.T. back in a Fins uniforms, but only if he takes a BIG paycut. He isn't worth that much money anymoer... He rarely makes it a whole season, and didn't this year. So either a paycut, or thanks for the memories and good luck!!!

~~ FINGUY23 ~~

by JDPhinFan on Feb 12, 2008 10:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

EXCELLENT!

The first team to make cuts. These were predicted AND warranted. At about $38Mil in cap space now, the team can really make a "splash" in the free agent market, while still having enough for the Draftees.

I see a free agent on each side of the line, then dueces for me on either a CB or WR.

This is gonna be fun........

by Alpha6 on Feb 11, 2008 11:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Guys..

this are great move, but easy with ZT. Show some respect!! That dude have gave everything to this franchise and you need to learn to show some RESPECT AND THANKFULLNESS.

I beleived, this is not over yet, but the people that have left everything in the battlefield, for MORE than 10 years, need to be treated in others ways
GO DOLPHINS!!

I will see the Dolphins win a SUPER BOWL before i die(20 years and counting)

by Aleta on Feb 11, 2008 11:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

No one is disrespecting Zach

This is a business, and Zach is no longer worth the HUGE salary he has... That is not being disrespectful or unthankful... I think every Fins fan is looks up to Z.T. If he took a paycut, then there would be no problem bringing him back, plus that gives us more cap room to build this franchise back into legitimate contenders much quicker. Zach is actually my favorite player in the NFL, and if he went to another team, I would have to hope they won the Superbowl!

~~ FINGUY23 ~~

by JDPhinFan on Feb 12, 2008 10:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Totally agree with your assessment that...

this is all business, pure and simple.

Respect and all that is a very distant second in the NFL (and the business world in general) as compared to Economics and Profit.

If Zach isn't on the team, it would be entirely for $$$ matters and nothing else.

by Natalya on Feb 12, 2008 11:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Via Miami Herald

And out of the remains of the dusty wreck, the Dolphins now look stronger. They had about $22 million in salary-cap space allocated for the 2008 offseason, and Monday's moves saved approximately $8.5 million to $9 million more in cap space.

So if the math jibes, the Dolphins could be armed with approximately $31 million in cap space when free agency begins Feb. 29.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKu3wbzo0-g

by Neo on Feb 12, 2008 12:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

PFT is reporting...

After Monday's cuts, the Fins now have $31 million in cap space for 2008.

Matt

by Matt27 on Feb 12, 2008 12:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well..

I, for once, consider this comment disripectfull

"i feel relief. its time to get read of this dead weight and move toward the future.

i say cut zach t. next. "

ZT may not be like he was, but definitly he is/was not dead meet. He has been a lumbar of our D unit. I'm in the cut of payment and all, but i'm not into slaugther great player of our franchise, just because they are old. How would you feel proud of somebody in the ROH, but a year ago, you just talk SH** of him?
If he want to cut his pay check, then he should stay, but BTW HE IS NOT DEAD MEAT, and that was what i was referring too!!

I will see the Dolphins win a SUPER BOWL before i die(20 years and counting)

by Aleta on Feb 12, 2008 12:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I would consider...

dead weight as someone who is one of the highest paid players on the team, who will be 35 at the beginning of the season, who's career is one concussion away from being over, and who is coming off a season where he missed 11 games. And, the only reason I say he is dead weight is because his ENORMOUS salary. Take care of that, and I wouldn't mind seeing if he has still got it!

After reading my description of Zach, it kinda sounds like we are talking about Trent Green... you see what happened to him...

~~ FINGUY23 ~~

by JDPhinFan on Feb 12, 2008 1:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs