Dolphins to release Vonnie Holliday
by Matty I on Mar 2, 2009 3:16 PM EST
in News
34 comments
The Miami Herald is reporting that the Dolphins are expected to release defensive end Vonnie Holliday today.
According to Holliday's agent, the Dolphins offered Vonnie an opportunity to renegotiate his contract. But Vonnie and his agent declined the offer.
Brian Levy, Holliday's agent, told the Herald:
"He enjoyed his time here. He did everything asked of him and he can leave with his head held high. This is a business. Players leave teams and teams leave players. It's an amicable split. He's happy to have left the Dolphins on a winning note."
We debated a few weeks ago about whether or not it was a good idea to release Holliday - a locker room leader and total class act - just to save some money against the cap. As it turns out, the trifecta valued the cap room more than Vonnie's play on the field and leadership off of it.
While the Herald's report claims the move will save the Dolphins $2.8 million in cap room in 2009, it actually saves Miami $3.25 million. [Update: The Herald has corrected their mistake and now are reporting the same cap savings as I am...so thanks for reading, Mr. Salguero, but I'd appreciate a "hat tip."] How? Here's how. The Dolphins are on the books now for Vonnie's remaining prorated bonus money that has already been paid to him - which was $1.25 million per year remaining on his deal. There were two years left, so that's $2.5 million. If Holliday remained a Dolphin, the Dolphins would have been on the books for his $2.8 million salary, the $1.25 million prorated bonus, a $1.5 million roste bonus due March 3, and a $200,000 workout bonus. All in total, that's $5.75 million. So the Dolphins reduced their cap hit in 2009 from $5.75 to $2.5 - saving $3.25 million.
What this means in terms of personnel is that the Dolphins are now going to be counting more on 2nd year players Kendall Langford and Phillip Merling. Randy Starks will also see an increased role. Look for the starting job to be a battle between Merling and Starks in camp.
And don't forget about 2nd year player Lionel Dotson. There are some rumblings that this regime really likes Dotson. And at 6'4, 290, he has the size this regime likes. So keep an eye on this kid.
As far as Holliday, he'll definitely have no problem finding a job. Like I said, he's a total class act and a locker room leader - as well as a solid football player on the field.
So thank you, Mr. Holliday, for all you have done for this team. You were an important part of last season's magical run and all Dolphin fans know that!
Jeff Ireland's official comments on the release of Holliday have been added below.
(Hat tip to FinzD54 for his fanpost)
"These types of decisions are always difficult ones, especially with someone like Vonnie, who has been a role model both on the field and off it. He was one of our captains last year and was a proven leader, not just in his tenure with the Dolphins, but throughout his 11-year career. We are grateful for all his contributions to the Miami Dolphins organization and we want to wish him and his family the best of luck in the future."
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Although it’s not unexpected he will be missed. Good luck Vonnie.
by kdock on Mar 2, 2009 3:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Holliday .....thanks for the memories
"Worst 2 First"...Your 2008 AFC East Champion Miami Dolphins
by Rzayo24 on Mar 2, 2009 3:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Cap Space...
does anyone how much does his release free-up… maybe this is extra omoney could be used to add – a much needed CB.
by Layuma on Mar 2, 2009 3:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
YEAH MY FIRST HAT TIP!!!
Sorry i know to you PHinsider vets, it’s not a big deal, but to the rookie here, it’s huge. LOLOLOL
Now is the time- the time to rise up from the depths of Hell and stake our claim back on top of the AFC East...Look out Gaytriots here comes Jake Long and the Phins
by FinzD54 on Mar 2, 2009 3:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Just want to lt you know...
I’ve never gotten a hat tip ;)
"The dolphin is one of the fastest and smartest creatures of the sea. Dolphins can attack and kill a shark or whale. Sailors say bad luck will come to anyone who harms one of them." - Joe Robbie, Oct 8, 1965 upon announcing the name of the new AFL Miami football team.
****Keeper of the Phinsider Comment Goo-ing Plasma Cannon****
**CREATOR OF THE MAX UNGER R&R EXPRESS TRACK LAYER DRAFT CHOICE**
by Mosul_DolFan on Mar 2, 2009 4:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
me neither =(
"eh, your a cool dude regardless of who you love" -cbdolphin talking about Little Nicky 21
-No excuses, No explanations
by MiamihastheDolphins.... on Mar 2, 2009 4:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Bye Bye
Winner of All Movie Quote Challenges
by DolfinPhan on Mar 2, 2009 3:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Although I predicted this..
I’m saddened to see him go. Back in 1997, we had the 20th pick and Jimmy Johnson uncharacteristically made a horrible trade by trading that pick to Green Bay for the 31st pick amoung other picks. Johnson chose John Avery who wasn’t very good, but the Green Bay Packers chose Vonnie Holiday. I always thought he should have been a Dolphin and when He made it to us he turned out to very a very intelligent professional who was a very good player.
He’s out because its just time for us to move on to younger players, and because of salary cap issues.
"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 Mar 2, 2009 3:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Its sad to see him go but its what it is.
This regime had a plan since the beginning, and that was bringing in young guys and letting the veterans mold them till they were ready, now they feel Kendall and Philip are ready to take the reigns of the D-Line so be it. It is just what is going to happen with CP10 and some other guys. Its sad, but rebuilding means getting younger and getting younger means letting go
by MauMontaV5 on Mar 2, 2009 3:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Olshansky?
I think Igor Olshansky is still on the market. I wouldn’t mind seeing him replace Vonnie. He is younger, and could be a good rotation end.
Any thoughts?
by Patrick Bateman79 on Mar 2, 2009 3:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Olshansky is a good player and would be a good fit
But I think I’d prefer the extra money going into a cornerback
by Matty I on Mar 2, 2009 3:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Olshansky would be a solid pick-up. but I doubt he will stay better than Merling/Langford for much longer
and Starks should be filling in on the back-up role for both sides and then mix in alittle Dotson like Matty said and paying Igor what Igor would want, would be unnecessary imo
Free Jailbird
Creator of the "Draft Brian Cushing" truth train.
Mr.LittleNicky "For the record, I'm straight, way to ugly to be gay"
by cbdolphin on Mar 2, 2009 4:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
this Olshansky dude
i remember him at the combine benching like 3,000 lbs 345 times lol….and he turned out pretty good. he is hella foreign..right off the boat
"Worst 2 First"...Your 2008 AFC East Champion Miami Dolphins
by Rzayo24 on Mar 2, 2009 5:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
All I got to say is..........
if i got a $200,000 “workout bonus”…..i wouldnt be so out of shape.
"Worst 2 First"...Your 2008 AFC East Champion Miami Dolphins
by Rzayo24 on Mar 2, 2009 4:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
true story
Free Jailbird
Creator of the "Draft Brian Cushing" truth train.
Mr.LittleNicky "For the record, I'm straight, way to ugly to be gay"
by cbdolphin on Mar 2, 2009 4:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
shit, if I got a 200 dollar work-out bonus, I might be part of a gym
Free Jailbird
Creator of the "Draft Brian Cushing" truth train.
Mr.LittleNicky "For the record, I'm straight, way to ugly to be gay"
by cbdolphin on Mar 2, 2009 4:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
BTW, thank you Vonnie, it has been a joy watching and rooting for you
and you were always a class act guy, thanks again
Free Jailbird
Creator of the "Draft Brian Cushing" truth train.
Mr.LittleNicky "For the record, I'm straight, way to ugly to be gay"
by cbdolphin on Mar 2, 2009 4:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Class player, but not surprising he got released.
Don’t cry for him though, as I’m sure he’ll find a job before too long. A contender looking for a DLineman will scoop him up before too long.
/salute
Now the youngsters need to step up their game.
by dab415217 on Mar 2, 2009 4:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
It's a shame
Because he was a leader on this team and a BIG part of developing our young guys. He will missed, but I cna’t say I am surprised to hear it. We can use the money elsewhere.
"The dolphin is one of the fastest and smartest creatures of the sea. Dolphins can attack and kill a shark or whale. Sailors say bad luck will come to anyone who harms one of them." - Joe Robbie, Oct 8, 1965 upon announcing the name of the new AFL Miami football team.
****Keeper of the Phinsider Comment Goo-ing Plasma Cannon****
**CREATOR OF THE MAX UNGER R&R EXPRESS TRACK LAYER DRAFT CHOICE**
by Mosul_DolFan on Mar 2, 2009 4:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Jayson Taylor released
Just saw this on ESPN.com. Any reason to believe JT back in Dolphin Uniform with V. Holiday leaving?
by skelso13 on Mar 2, 2009 5:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Going to miss this guy
Vonnie was a great player and I was happy to see him groom our younger players. He will be missed in the locker room but with the young talent we have and his cap number it was a move that couldn’t be ignored. I wish him all the best and hope he gets on with a great team outside of the AFC East.
by markus_13 on Mar 2, 2009 5:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Vonnie.....
is allot like Hill and Goodman…they were good to roll with for this regime cuz its the best they could do at the time…now we have more picks…more money.,..and more time…so those guys get a handshake and a thanks for the memories
and a future probowler walks in the door,….god i love these guys
"Worst 2 First"...Your 2008 AFC East Champion Miami Dolphins
by Rzayo24 on Mar 2, 2009 5:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
This Sucks.......
to see such a good person get cut because of money…….He was truly a leader in the locker room and on the field. I would guess he helped the young rookies out more than we will ever know. Oh well this is why he have the FO, they are not afraid to make the tough decsions. My loyalty is with theTuna to bring a Championship back to Davey…..
by jvw on Mar 2, 2009 5:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Jason Allen?
Okay this is a new idea, so take a second to consider it first. But could we try moving Jason Allen to Vonnie Holliday’s spot? Okay, he couldn’t take on those big guys but he could be so sneaky and try not getting blocked. Then he could just rush the quarterback every play. Picture it, he does a quick little move around those big slow guys, avoids being touched and then dashes right to the quarterback.
by Mr. Bungle on Mar 2, 2009 5:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I hope that if we cut Vonnie to get some extra money
that we at least use it on something. . . I’d hate to have cut a guy just because we are cheap. I’m not a huge fan of building through FA but if we are going to create a hole on the roster – we need to use that money to get better and not just be penny pinching.
I’m sorry to see Vonnie go- he was a class act who did a lot of good things on and off the field- (he has a foundation set up to give aid to children’s hospitals). He was a classy guy all around- good luck in the job hunt and stay away from the dirty Jets and Pats.
"Right now he’s got to be one of the best players in America. He’s got the best first step . . .What he did to prepare for that game is what legends are made of." Urban Meyer on Percy Harvin
Lonely Leader of the Percy Harvin Bandwagon.
by GatorPhan on Mar 2, 2009 7:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Well, this is good.
I thought releasing Holliday would be the right move (age and cap space), but I was a little worried how the locker room would take it, since he was such a team player. Well, he was not outright cut, like they were saying “we don’t want you”. He was given the opportunity to restructure and declined. The trifecta get a pass from the player because they can say “we wanted to keep him”. I think it’s good.
-LCFF
by LeftCoastFinFan on Mar 2, 2009 7:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I don't know if cutting Holliday was the right move...
At least with a proven veteran like Vonnie you know what you are getting, a solid D-lineman with consistent production, as well as a leader in the locker room. I understand that he is getting up there in age, but I think that he has a good year or two left in him. We have some talented young ends in Merling and Langfordd, and Starks was productive as well, but who couldn’t benefit from veteran leadership?? Yes the NFL is a business, and in the end it all comes down to numbers, but we could afford him. Also, like it or not the draft IS a crapshoot and we have many holes to fill. Yes, our guys are better than most at evaluating talent, but they make mistakes too, and there are 31 other teams that are all trying to find that hidden gem. It is not an exact science.
Regardless, what’s done is done and all we can do is move forward. Good luck Vonnie, you were a great asset both on and off the field.
Hopefully our young guys learned something from you last year.
What starts here changes the world.
by jupiterfins on Mar 3, 2009 12:10 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
you know, the leadership can cut two ways
you need guys with integrity and solid work ethic to show the young guys how to play and carry themselves, but as some point they need to step aside to allow new leaders to step up.
-LCFF
by LeftCoastFinFan on Mar 4, 2009 12:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
See ya Vonnie.
"How can I blame you
When it's me I can't forgive?"
-From the Unforgiven III off of Death Magnetic
by Patssuck456 on Mar 3, 2009 10:46 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the leadership through some crappy times, Vonnie.
And the full-time effort. Hope you have success wherever you go.
by urbino on Mar 3, 2009 10:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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