Jason Ferguson traded to Dolphins; Dolphins sign Reggie Torbor

by Matty I on Feb 29, 2008 12:23 PM EST in News

The Dallas Morning News is reporting that the Dolphins have acquired Jason Ferguson:

The Cowboys will trade nose tackle Jason Ferguson to Miami, according to two sources, adding to the Dallas flavor in South Florida.

The Cowboys and Dolphins will swap sixth-round picks this year and the Cowboys will receive Miami's sixth-rounder in 2009. The order of the picks in the '08 draft will be revealed when the league sets the compensatory picks at the NFL owners' meetings. But the Cowboys will have the first pick in the sixth round based on Miami's 1-15 record last season.

That's not too bad of a price, I suppose.

And here's what we know about Ferguson. First of all, Bill Parcells loves him. Bill drafted him in New York with the Jets and he is a Parcells guy through and through. He is 33 years old and coming off of a torn bicep injury in week 1 of 2007 that caused him to miss the season. However, the Morning News says that he "is healthy and will anchor the Dolphins' switch to the 3-4 defense." And at 6'3, 310, he's a solid "anchor."

As far as money goes, as I said earlier, Ferguson is due $4 million in both 2008 and 2009. That's not a bad price for a starting nose tackle, though.

I think this move does signify that the Dolphins are leaning towards going to an all-out 3-4 defense in 2008. And even more evidence of that are the rumors about the Dolphins looking throw a lot of money Calvin Pace's way. But, again, you have to wonder where all these OLB are going to fit in. Joey Porter and Jason Taylor already are the OLB in Miami's 3-4. Pace probably wouldn't make a good inside linebacker from what I've been told, but I guess you never know.

Also a few moments ago, it was reported by the Bergen Record that the Dolphins have signed former Giants' LB Reggie Torbor to a contract. He probably won't be more than a solid special teamer and backup at linebacker, but he does have the size Parcells likes, at 6'2, 250 pounds. And he could battle for the starting inside LB spot along side Channing Crowder depending on who else Miami brings in here prior to camp.

The Miami Herald has this to say about Torbor's potential role in Miami:

Torbor finished the season as the starting strongside linebacker for the Super Bowl winning Giants. He'll likely serve in that same capacity behind Joey Porter in Miami.

Thoughts on all this?

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Comments

I like this

We need a DT to play a 3-4. Jason Ferguson can play that. Maybe he is getting older and is not as productive as the fans would want, but consider the draft and FA there is no other NT that is as good as Ferguson. Many people think the Fins gave too much,losing a 6th rnd next year, but realistically what can you get in the 6th round of the draft... and don't give me the Tom Brady B.S

The Patriots Suck

by k2oconnor on Feb 29, 2008 12:31 PM EST 0 recs

Your boy is gone...

Lemon, or at least according to PFT, has signed on with the Jags: [http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm]
PFT often gives bad or misleading links, but take it for what it is worth...

by KSB on Feb 29, 2008 12:33 PM EST 0 recs

Oh i saw it!

I got the link in the running post below.

Thank goodness he's out of Miami!

by Matty I on Feb 29, 2008 12:38 PM EST up 0 recs

and they didn't have to give up anything either!!!

yup it's a great day for sure....
not as great as when Cam, Capers, and mularkey went away, but a good one nonetheless....

by W NY Fins Fan on Mar 1, 2008 2:53 AM EST up 0 recs

Could not be much better

The only thing that could have made the day better was having Lemon sign with Baltimore.

by resman on Mar 1, 2008 6:55 AM EST up 0 recs

This is what we needed

if we were going to fully employ the 3-4. Ferguson may be old but can still be productive. All he has to do is take up space. No we can try and grab a young NT in round 4 or 6 (we don't have a 5th, thanks Trent Green). Someone like Frank Okam (Texas), Athyba Rubin (Iowa State), or Carlton Powell (Virginia Tech) could be available. If we really want a player that could make an impact this year we'd have to use our late 2nd rounder on someone like Marcus Harrison (Arkansas), Red Bryant (Texas A&M), or Dre Moore (Maryland).

by JMFlyer1454 on Feb 29, 2008 12:39 PM EST 0 recs

don't they have one

isn't soliai as NT...

I know he was blown off the ball early last season and then Cam decided it was better to play some CFLers then develop the future (btw:lots a luck in baltimore) by playing the young kids,
but hopefully he will develop into ferguson's replacement.

by W NY Fins Fan on Mar 1, 2008 2:57 AM EST up 0 recs

BP and Ireland...

Do you get the feeling that they:

Did their homework
Built a plan
Are going out and methodically executing on that plan?

I am ecstatic!! :)

by LeftCoastFinFan on Feb 29, 2008 12:51 PM EST 0 recs

Something

we're not use to, is it? Things are changing...

by JMFlyer1454 on Feb 29, 2008 12:53 PM EST up 0 recs

hard to say

lil Nick didn't have a plan, granted he didn't let anyone else know what he was doing and pep let him down... but i'm pretty sure that guy had a plan for how he was going butter his toast next week.

by W NY Fins Fan on Mar 1, 2008 3:00 AM EST up 0 recs

I don't mind the swap of 6's

But I don't like giving Dallas an additional 6th pick next year. That's too much.

by Cutie on Feb 29, 2008 1:08 PM EST 0 recs

Do you guys agree...

that with the trade for Ferguson we can more or less rule out Dorsey as a possibility for our #1 draft pick?

by Natalya on Feb 29, 2008 1:09 PM EST 0 recs

agreed

though I thought we could rule him out already

by Matty I on Feb 29, 2008 1:10 PM EST up 0 recs

Who? -)

"It all starts with the Dolphins," an executive with another team said Sunday, "and not a single person here has any idea what they're going to do."

by Neo on Feb 29, 2008 1:10 PM EST up 0 recs

I know, I know...

but there were still articles out there floating around about Parcells real (and imagined) love of these big DT's in the draft.

Now it is pretty much what....Long 1 & 2, Ryan, Gholston, and maybe Ellis.

by Natalya on Feb 29, 2008 1:15 PM EST up 0 recs

Doresy

I think he is referring to Glen Dorsey.

by resman on Feb 29, 2008 1:12 PM EST 0 recs

I definitely think

that, if we keep the number one, we will go with one of the Long's. If we don't grab a free agent OT, then that increases the likelihood it could be Jake.

by JMFlyer1454 on Feb 29, 2008 1:17 PM EST 0 recs

That's the big thing still left to be addressed...

we got a FA guard, but tackle is still an open spot.

If we get someone in FA, then that would about guarantee Jake Long won't be drafted by us. Leaving basically a variety of DL and Matt Ryan as the only options at #1

by Natalya on Feb 29, 2008 1:22 PM EST up 0 recs

I'd really like to see

Calais Campbell drafted by the finz, but I don't see using a #1 pick for another DE. Maybe if they were running a 4-3. But still would be nice to see a UM player [stay in] Miami.

Can't say I'm disappointed with our acquisitions thus far. I really dig Wilford, I like the possession recievers. If they decide to start throwing downfield (or even looking. as a side note: did anyone else notice how noone even LOOKED at Ginn all season when he had beat his man and was in postion for an easy score. I was @ the Bills game and Ginn blew past his defender on at least 2 occasions i noticed and Cleo didn't even look down field, when he had time in the pocket) then the threat of Ginn, WIlford, and hopefully another quick reciever, should score us a few TDs; which we've been sadly neglected of.

by chrislucas on Feb 29, 2008 1:22 PM EST 0 recs

I think it was a good trade.

by LeftCoastFinFan on Feb 29, 2008 2:09 PM EST 0 recs

Wasn't that disgusting?

I was not at a game but all the highlights that were shown of Ginn being all alone and no QB would throw the ball more than 20 yards. I'm not concerned too much of Ferguson's age, - look at Traylor - 16 years in the league. And now we have Starks, LB Torbor (formerly NYG) and possibly (hopefully) Calvin Pace. I believe BP and Ireland did their methodically and all it takes is a great camp/preseason to blend these guys in.

by Cutie on Feb 29, 2008 3:31 PM EST 0 recs

Good move

a swap of 6ths for a NT and we give up a 6th for 09.

A very fair trade If I say so myself.

by Patssuck456 on Feb 29, 2008 3:46 PM EST 0 recs

Considering

we gave away a 5th round pick last year for a 36 year old QB who played 4 games total and led the league at the time in INT's.....

This looks like a far better deal :P

by Natalya on Feb 29, 2008 4:08 PM EST up 0 recs

your focus is too narrow

its not just the player, its his family and miami was better off with the green's living there.

well worth the 4th they offered....cause you know cam would have still had trent out there week 17 even if they were 1-14.

by W NY Fins Fan on Mar 1, 2008 3:04 AM EST up 0 recs

I'm liking all of the moves so far.

I don't love the Ferguson trade, given that he's old and coming off a major injury, but given our need at NT and the lack of available options, it's a good trade. The best thing about it, especially combined with signing Starks, is it gives us a lot more breathing room, come draft day.

Wilford is a really nice pickup, and Torbor may come in handy inside.

by urbino on Feb 29, 2008 4:22 PM EST 0 recs