Dolphins sign Joe Berger

by Matty I on Feb 27, 2009 3:17 PM EST

While it's not the big splash some were hoping for, the Dolphins did make a move along the offensive line today, signing Joe Berger to a three year deal.

According to the Miami Herald, the 6'5, 310 pound Berger has been brought in to compete with Samson Satele for the starting center job. He's also expected to compete at right guard with the young Donald Thomas.

But let's be honest - he wasn't brought in to start. He's more than likely going to be a versatile backup, a player who can step in at at least 3 positions along the offensive line. And we know this regime loves versatility.

Berger, who will be 27 in May, has spent the last 2 and a half years in Dallas, seeing action in 4 games. So he's familiar with Tony Sparano. And he actually began his career in Miami back in 2005, where he was going to get a shot at starting before suffering an injury. In '06, the Dolphins tried to sneak Berger onto their practice squad, but the Cowboys claimed him and he's been in "Big D" ever since.

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WOOHOO!

We made a move! Joe Berger… come on down!

seriously who is this guy lol

"Are we doing this? Is this happening?"
~Co-Pilot of the Draft Alex Mack Bandwagon~

by Little Nicky 21 on Feb 27, 2009 3:20 PM EST reply actions

well he must be decent enough that the tuna likes him

here kitty kitty kitty BANG!

by bryankstro on Feb 27, 2009 3:22 PM EST reply actions

versatility is a big bonus

I have a feeling that every back up guard will also be able to play center, and every back up center will also be able to guard.

"Are we doing this? Is this happening?"
~Co-Pilot of the Draft Alex Mack Bandwagon~

by Little Nicky 21 on Feb 27, 2009 3:25 PM EST up reply actions

Wow...

Seriously, we had this guy 2 years ago. I don’t remember him at all. He’s played a grand total of 7 games in his career, with 0 starts. Guess that means we’re still in the hunt for Alex Mack in the draft.

by Cokes_03 on Feb 27, 2009 3:24 PM EST reply actions

you are correct sir

"How can I blame you
When it's me I can't forgive?"

-From the Unforgiven III off of Death Magnetic

by Patssuck456 on Feb 27, 2009 3:25 PM EST up reply actions

i remember him. they really liked him, and were bummed when Dallas snagged him,

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on Feb 27, 2009 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

Question

if he’s being brought in to compete with Satele… what’s that mean for Al Johnson?

"Are we doing this? Is this happening?"
~Co-Pilot of the Draft Alex Mack Bandwagon~

by Little Nicky 21 on Feb 27, 2009 3:25 PM EST reply actions

He is a FA

After pumping him up for so long I finally realized that he was a FA.

by markus_13 on Feb 27, 2009 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

exactly right

he could always be brought back though – i dont think any other team likes him

The Phinsider: SBN's Miami Dolphins blog

by Matty I on Feb 27, 2009 3:27 PM EST up reply actions

ah

did not know that.

"Are we doing this? Is this happening?"
~Co-Pilot of the Draft Alex Mack Bandwagon~

by Little Nicky 21 on Feb 27, 2009 3:29 PM EST up reply actions

I hope we do bring him back as well. It sounded like he could have been a great player but it might have just been that our depth was really weak with Alleman and Ike. I guess Berger might have made a better impression

by markus_13 on Feb 27, 2009 3:44 PM EST up reply actions

Good Move for depth

I like the move because of his versatility. It will be nice to have the added depth on the O-Line. Once again the trifecta doesnt stray to far off from all their old connections bringing in this guy from the ’boys

by markus_13 on Feb 27, 2009 3:26 PM EST reply actions

took the words

right out of my keyboard

Miami Dolphins 2008 AFC East Divison Champions

by HuskerDolphin on Feb 27, 2009 3:27 PM EST up reply actions

Mine too

even if i may have misspelled them.

"Life is a butterflies dream"
Kasigi Yabu

by uncle finster on Feb 27, 2009 4:29 PM EST up reply actions

"Say Cheese" Berger......

Handsome cuss isn’t he?

Miami Dolphins 2008 AFC East Divison Champions

by HuskerDolphin on Feb 28, 2009 2:53 PM EST up reply actions

I don't know about you guys

but I’m expecting big things from Joe Berger. He was our first FA target, he better be a STUD. The spotlight is on Mr. Berger

btw I’m j/k lol

"Are we doing this? Is this happening?"
~Co-Pilot of the Draft Alex Mack Bandwagon~

by Little Nicky 21 on Feb 27, 2009 3:30 PM EST reply actions

I would rather we draft DJ moore and get a center in the second round

We need a good cornerback once ever since surtain left we had only decent cornerbacks and not any great Cornerback’s.

here kitty kitty kitty BANG!

by bryankstro on Feb 27, 2009 3:35 PM EST reply actions

How about

Sean Smith in round 1 and we pick up Unger or Wood in the later rounds for our Center. Any thoughts on that? We can probably get Wood in round 3 and he’s supposed to be the most athletic center in the draft.

by Cokes_03 on Feb 27, 2009 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

I’m not going to fallin love with any particular player because I know whomever the trifecta takes it will be the right move for our team .. what can I say these guys do their homework well except for Wilford hahaha

by markus_13 on Feb 27, 2009 3:42 PM EST up reply actions

That would be a waste.

Our secondary already had a massive upgrade, and if we end up signing Goodman back, we still have two solid corners. We need to grab a linebacker and center or vice/versa in the first two rounds.

by joel311 on Feb 27, 2009 7:52 PM EST up reply actions

And I would prefer ILB first now

that Joe Berger has signed.

by joel311 on Feb 27, 2009 7:53 PM EST up reply actions

I don't think taking Sean Smith in round 1 would be a waste.

This kid is going to be special. He’ll be raw in year one, but he’s going to blossom into a terrific corner – in my humble opinion.

It’s rare to find a 6’3 corner who is athletic as Smith – and he likes to get physical, which is a plus in my opinion.

The Phinsider: SBN's Miami Dolphins blog

by Matty I on Feb 27, 2009 8:12 PM EST up reply actions

Taking skill positions in the first round

is always riskier than it’s worth. This is the NFL, not college. You can’t be completely certain how a skill player will stack up. Hasn’t 2 skill players in the last 3 years been enough to make you hesitate? I’m not against getting a solid cornerback or two in later rounds, but first round is just not worth it IMO. The return you get on them is rarely immediate, and you can spend those years grooming a much cheaper selection, especially since we have the best front office in the league when it comes to drafting for value.

by joel311 on Feb 27, 2009 8:32 PM EST up reply actions

so then how do you propose we find a true #1 corner?

we can’t get one in free agency because they are waaaaay to expensive and we all want to build through the draft.

But we can’t draft one in the first round because of the “fear” that he might end up being a bust. Doesn’t make much sense to me.

The Phinsider: SBN's Miami Dolphins blog

by Matty I on Feb 28, 2009 3:53 PM EST up reply actions

Hey!, We're on the same page.

This is the guy and I think he’ll fall to us because there are a coupole corners that’ll go before him. But Smith is the guy in my humble opinion.

"If anything goes bad, I did it. If anything goes semi-good, we did it. If anything goes really good you did it. That's all it takes to get people to win football games for you."

Coach Paul Bear Bryant

by AussieKen on Feb 27, 2009 9:32 PM EST up reply actions

i hope ur right

A 6’3 corner who runs a 4.5 40 has the physical ability to be special. he just needs to develop

The Phinsider: SBN's Miami Dolphins blog

by Matty I on Feb 28, 2009 3:54 PM EST up reply actions

here look at how he plays

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH37cK2GBKo
he looks like a hard hitter so add him bell and wilson together

here kitty kitty kitty BANG!

by bryankstro on Feb 27, 2009 3:45 PM EST reply actions

Early Speculation on the Draft

With the Resigning of Crowder, LB does not seem to be such a big need for the 1st round. And with Bell and Wilson, safety does not seem to be such a concern. CB… not sure about value at 25. WR… I hope not. Looks like a good interior OL will be the pick.

The Patriots Suck

by k2oconnor on Feb 27, 2009 4:05 PM EST reply actions