Report: Jason Brown has Dolphins at top of his list

by Matty I on Feb 25, 2009 3:16 PM EST in News Comment 34 comments

We spoke in-depth earlier about how the Dolphins are reportedly very infatuated with Ravens' center Jason Brown and that the Dolphins might make a very strong push to bring him down to Miami once free agency begins on Thursday night at midnight.

Now, though, we're getting more indications that Brown might have that same infatuation with Miami. The Palm Bech Post is reporting that, according to a "source," Brown would like to come to Miami. Says the report:

According to an NFL source, Miami tops the list of teams Baltimore center Jason Brown is considering if he becomes a free agent Friday.

Center appears to have become the team’s top priority, at least on the offensive side of the ball. The Dolphins are set at tackle after signing Vernon Carey to a six-year deal last week, and landing Brown would likely move Samson Satele to guard, where he would compete for a starting job with returnees Justin Smiley and Donald Thomas. Andy Alleman would become backup center.

Brown is likely to command a deal in the neighborhood of $7 million a year.

So with all this talk about Brown continuing to heat up, I decided to seek out another scouting report. This report comes from Tony Lombardi, who runs a Ravens' website called ProFootball24x7. Below is what he has to say about Jason Brown...

Strengths: Intelligent player, willing leader, dedicated, takes well to coaching, excellent drive blocker once he engages; versatile player who can also play guard; better run blocker than pass protector.

Weaknesses: Can get caught out of position at times and isn't nimble enough afoot to recover; was dominated by Shaun Rogers this season and was beaten badly by Casey Hampton in the AFC Championship Game.

Overall: Brown is a solid player to have on any roster. The trouble is he wants high end guard money and while the Ravens would like to have him back as the leader of their offensive line and consider him a very good player, they don't view him as elite. Unfortunately for the Ravens, that is how he wants to be paid and the guess here is that he won't be a fit for Ozzie Newsome's credo, "right player, right price."

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Very Good Not Elite!

It seems to me that if we pay Brown $7mil a year, the phins are going to have a line full of “very goods” and not “elites”, even though 3 out of the 5 positions are paid elite money. If the OL takes up 25% of the salary cap, it better be elite.

by ct1361 on Feb 25, 2009 3:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

but you need to keep in mind that Long and Brown both haven't played their best football yet.

And Carey will probably improve, too. In a year or two, Long and Brown could very well be “elite.”

The Phinsider: SBN's Miami Dolphins blog

by Matty I on Feb 25, 2009 3:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's a lot of money on "Could Be" and "Probably"

If it works out that way, great. If not, it could set the franchise back for a couple of years to clear out that bad money. I realize that every team takes that kind of risk in one way or another, but it seems to me that the Phins are trying to put all their eggs in one basket. I still think that this teams biggest need is LB. That means late 1st and 2nd round draft picks for these guys, and that is a total crapshoot.

by ct1361 on Feb 25, 2009 3:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Its not as bad as it seems, you just got scared by this ONE guy´s opinion

I coud say that if Parcells says he elite then Brown elite is but lets see, This is a proven center that elite or not, is considered one of the best in the league, also, putting all of our eggs in this basket is the best basket we could pick, not an expensive WR or CB. So lets look at it this way

Parcells = Legend
Parcells= builds championship teams
Parcells= emphasizes having big and strong lines
Dolphins= will have big and strong lines
Parcells= Manages dolphins
Dolphins= Super Bowl Team

by MauMontaV5 on Feb 25, 2009 4:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

About Parcells....

Let’s not forget that the only superbowls that he won was with the NYG. He coached those teams but did not build them. Remember his famous quote, “if i am going to cook the meal, I should choose the ingredients.” Or something like that.

When he started acting the GM / Coach with the Pats, he made a superbowl. With the Jets he won one playoff game in ’98. Dallas, no playoff wins.

My point: he takes really bad teams and builds them up to a point where they are competitive and playoff contenders. But his teams have not won a playoff game since ’98. That is a long time from getting a playoff win for a legend.

by ct1361 on Feb 25, 2009 5:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

completely, good quote haha

but lets remember that the key here is to be contenders. There´s only so much he can do and the most he is going to be able to do for us is build up a team that can contend and play toe to toe with any team in the league. The rest is football, just coincidental stuff like injuries and momentum and just about everything. Thats why I dont like to measure things like that because if that was the case then how can you possibly make the case for Dan Marino being the greatest QB in history if he never won a Super Bowl. Touche. LOL no, good opinion.

by MauMontaV5 on Feb 25, 2009 5:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think it's well worth it.

The key is if Sparano can gel them so their value becomes greater than the sum of it’s players. As well, I do think it’s the greatest need – ball control. Creating a 4-5 year O line is absolutely the best thing possible.

"Open the pod bay doors, HAL."

by Tunaflipper on Feb 25, 2009 4:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Elite?

You know…a whole line full of “very good but not elites” is something I am willing to bet on…with the interior set assuming Donald and Justin come back in full force…I am willing to bet that the whole O line becomes “Elite”. Just look back a few years to the broncos and that undersized line with no real elite guys…that was one of the best O lines in years….get em all together and make em happy while you keep em on edge…you can bet that the trifecta will push push push and these guys will turn out amazing! I say sign him at 12:01am!!!!

by unklphinnie on Feb 25, 2009 3:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I dont think the teams biggest need is a LB

though I think we will take one with our first pick to replace Crowder but how about our secondary we gave up alot of big plays Allen and Goody are up there and are average at best and we still have a chance at losing Goody and both of our Safties.

Ahhhh Ta Ta Ta Ta Bye Bye Foy518

by Foy on Feb 25, 2009 3:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

DB is 2nd on my list

I was hoping for another pass rushing OLB in the draft / FA. I figure if the phins could generate more pass rush opposite Porter, that would help the secondary.

by ct1361 on Feb 25, 2009 3:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think we will get a linebacker

But will it be another outside lineback or one to play inside since Channing will be gone,then again we can always move Roth

Ahhhh Ta Ta Ta Ta Bye Bye Foy518

by Foy on Feb 25, 2009 4:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

agreed, it is the lack of pass rush that hurts the DBs

i think a NT that can collapse the pocket, and another pass rusher on tho outside (DE/OLB) will dramatically improve the play of the secondary.

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on Feb 25, 2009 4:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think him, Long, and the rest of this OL

will, collectively, be Elite with a year or 2 together. An entire OL of “very good’s” is an Elite OL. If you can spend 1/4 of the cap to put together an Elite OL, I do that. With a good OL, the rest of the offense becomes that much better. IMO, it’s the most important unit on a team, bar none.

It’s beginning to look like Brown to the Dolphins is a realistic possibility, and I’m excited to see how this plays out.

and as far as needs, I think it’s OL, ILB, Secondary, WR.

"Are we doing this? Is this happening?"

by Little Nicky 21 on Feb 25, 2009 3:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I agree with everything in that post.

Some people try to find things in this game that don't exist but football is only two things - blocking and tackling. ~Vince Lombardi

by ratenxs on Feb 25, 2009 3:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with everything in that post.

EXCEPT – needs, OL, NT, ILB, DB, WR

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on Feb 25, 2009 4:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Jason Brown

Here’s my concern. Look at the two players he had trouble with. They’re two NT’s. If we upgrade over Satele, I want to make sure the guy isn’t going to have a problem with NT’s in our division or out of it. Don’t get me wrong, I like Jason Brown, but $7 mil a year?

Matt

by Matt27 on Feb 25, 2009 3:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

yeah 7 mil sounds a little high

I am looking for something more of a 5 year 30 mill and the key there would be throwing at him a lot of guaranteed money, however if there is one player you are going to throw guaranteed money at it might as well be a young player, durable and that plays a position where the risk of being a bust is very low. So basically we would be on the right track. If there is something these guys know how to do is structuring contracts. Like Carey, he is only going to cost 5mill in cap space this year.

by MauMontaV5 on Feb 25, 2009 5:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He had problems with Shaun Rogers and Casey Hampton

But shut down Haynesworth twice, Ratliff twice, and Hampton in the regular season game.

And he’s only going to get better.

Some people try to find things in this game that don't exist but football is only two things - blocking and tackling. ~Vince Lombardi

by ratenxs on Feb 25, 2009 3:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

and Ferguson in the playoffs

just sayin..

"Are we doing this? Is this happening?"

by Little Nicky 21 on Feb 25, 2009 4:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

he didnt really manhandled Fergy

their offense as a whole was very crappy that day completing something like 9 passes, and if you dont count the garbage time at the end, they didnt run the ball very weyll, actually our defense, specially the line played great ball the last couple of series when we were still in the game, limiting Bals offense to something like 3 3and outs consecutively.

by MauMontaV5 on Feb 25, 2009 5:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I know he didn't manhandle him

but he’s able to control the LOS vs the very best in the league.

"Are we doing this? Is this happening?"

by Little Nicky 21 on Feb 25, 2009 5:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Brown is a stud...

we will have a monstrous line with Brown in the middle. We will be able to run the ball down peoples throats at the end of games. I’d love to sign him!

by Phishenstein on Feb 25, 2009 4:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Booya

people….cmon.

Long – Smiley – Brown – Thomas – Carey

Thats a world off whoop ass…big husky angry dudes.

Satelle and Alleman would make above average backups….and we still have other depth due to us shuffling this year.

When we get a good center….we will realize Satelle was holding this running game back from beng elite. All starts with the NT and Center if u ask me

"Worst 2 First"...Your 2008 AFC East Champion Miami Dolphins

by Rzayo24 on Feb 25, 2009 4:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well written!

;-)

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on Feb 25, 2009 4:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

"All starts with the NT and Center if u ask me"

totally agree!

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on Feb 25, 2009 4:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

C is the key to a run game

Agree 100%. A dominating C is the key to a good run game because so much of the running is between the tackles. The speed of the opposing defenses dictate that. No one runs outside that much anymore.

Don’t get me wrong, I like Brown a lot. He is a definate upgrade at that position and will make the Phins better. I am just wondering about the overall strategy. When was the last time a team won the superbowl and all the talk was how the offensive line was dominating? Does the old paradigm of successful football still exist: run the football, stop the run, pressure the QB. Or has it changed?

by ct1361 on Feb 25, 2009 4:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

"Does the old paradigm of successful football still exist:"

of course. With an upgrade at C, and with Pennington’s successful passing game at QB, we can run the ball all day. If we upgrade the pass rush, through any combination of upgrades at NT/ILB/OLB, we can pressure the QB and stop the run.

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on Feb 25, 2009 4:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If this happens...

I’m starting the bus up for Sean Smith from Utah. He can play either CB or S. He’s tall at 6’3", meaning we lose that size mismatch that we had all of last year, and fast. That eliminates a hole that we need to address with the signing of Goodman and Hill. I think that means we could push hard for Goodman, and say bye to Hill. Get a NT and LB in the second round then. Could be an all defense first day.

by Cokes_03 on Feb 25, 2009 4:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs