Saturday Updates on Free Agency

by Matty I on Mar 1, 2008 1:21 PM EST in 2012 Miami Dolphins News

Update [2008-3-1 14:43:51 by Matty I]: Here's a good little piece of news from the Cardinals official website:

I got a text from Calvin Pace this morning saying he has not agreed to any contract yet. So that would mean the SI.com report that he is a Dolphin is premature. It doesn't mean he won't end up in Miami, but again, nothing is final. Just thought I would throw that update out there, after all the confusion of Friday night. Pace is supposed to visit the Jets today.

Not really "new" news, but still, it's something. I hope my sinking feeling is wrong and Pace is in aqua and orange in 2008, but I'm feeling uneasy about it. [end update]

Update [2008-3-1 14:20:38 by Matty I]: Just some news on Calvin Pace as we await a decision. Chris Mortensen was on ESPN Radio in NY about an hour or so ago. Speaking about Pace, he said that both the Jets and Dolphins are aggressively going after him. One thing the Jets plan to do, according to Mort, is to give Pace a helicopter tour of Manhattan. Interesting idea. Maybe it's just the eternal pessimist in me, but I got a feeling Pace ends up in NY. Oh, and a thanks to PhinsideU for e-mailing me this info. [end update]

So as we all await and see if the Dolphins will be able to land, the Dolphins continue to be active in free agency.

The East Valley Tribune, a Phoenix newspaper, is reporting that the Dolphins are interested in linebacker Darryl Blackstock. Blackstock will be 25 in May and is a 3 year veteran in this league with the Cardinals. Last season, Blackstock was unable to beat out Calvin Pace as the starting strong side linebacker. At 6'3, 240, some might say he's undersized for a Bill Parcells' linebacker. But he'd likely be a cheap option to provide depth and would contribute on special teams. If you'll remember, though, Blackstock was a highly touted pass rusher coming out of Virginia back in 2005. However, he never got into the right system in Arizona, much like Calvin Pace, until last year. And by that time, he was unable to pass Pace on the depth chart.

Speaking of Pace, I don't think there's any connection at all between Miami showing interest in Blackstock and Calvin Pace's eventual decision. It's just as likely that both could end up in Miami as it is that neither lands with the Dolphins.

Moving on, one of FinHeaven's most trusted and respected contributors, Boomer, is reporting that both Marques Douglass and Eugene Wilson are at the Dolphins' facility in Davie today. Here's the link to his thread on FH. I suggest checking it out, as Boomer is as reliable of a source as there seems to be in regards to Dolphins news.

That's all for now. This should be a fun weekend.

Oh, and incase you've lost track of all of Miami's signings from yesterday, check out the quick guide we've set up by clicking on the link in the right sidebar.

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Glad to see some DB help possibly

I have been waiting since the start of free agency to see who the phins were going to bring in for DB help. We have addressed so many of our needs, and now it's nice to read they are going after the defensive backfield. Hopefully we can sign some players to help there. You kind of get the feeling that Miami is doing what it can to shore up their needs before going into the draft so they don't get stuck drafting to fill those needs.

It seems to be as though they will be targeting the BPA, and who knows for sure what the front office is gonna do with that #1 pick. I have a strange feeling, Parcells, and Ireland are going to throw a HUGE monkey wrench into the draft, and surprise a lot of people with their pick. No, i do not have any first hand info, just a feeling i have. With that said, it is very exciting, and fun times for the dolphins fans right now. Soak it all in, cause i have never seen a free agency period like this for our franchise. What a difference a year makes, huh?

And with the first pick in the 2008 NFL Draft...The Miami Dolphins select...Glenn Dorsey-LSU

by FinzD54 on Mar 1, 2008 1:34 PM EST reply actions

Jason Taylor not going

Profootballtalk.com is reporting that all these rumors about JT going to either Min or Green Bay are just rumors. He will be standing pat. With all the help we need it would be nice to have him in Miami to the end of his career.

Here is the link http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

by resman on Mar 1, 2008 1:53 PM EST reply actions

Free Agents

Any word on any of the following players coming in for a visit or possibly signing with us:

WR - Bryant Johnson
LT - Max Starks
LG - Jacob Bell
TE - Alge Crumpler

Imagine signing these players on offense with what we already have, could be fun to watch next year. Any thoughts?

by JohnDolphin73 on Mar 1, 2008 2:04 PM EST reply actions

Then Draft

Then draft LT - Jake Long , our OL would be young and strong for years to come. Long, Bell, Satele, Smiley, Carey....you add Max Starks as depth and maybe some more quality players through FA or draft....sounds good to me.

by JohnDolphin73 on Mar 1, 2008 2:06 PM EST up reply actions

my thoughts

I'd be shocked if Max Starks went anywhere. The Steelers have the right to match any offer and the kid is an underachiever so far in his young career.

Jacob Bell is too undersized. This new regime wants big guards and Bell, if I recall, is only like 290 lbs.

I read the Bills had a visit scheduled with Johnson. I haven't heard ANYTHING about Johnson coming to Miami. We'd all like to see it, but I think this regime liked Wilford much more.

And I doubt the Dolphins bring in a big-name TE this offseason. Crumpler is already 31 (I believe) and wouldn't be a great fit here. In my view, a great TE is a luxury, not a necessity. Of course, I would like to see somebody who is a legit pass-catching WR come to Miami, but not somebody like Crumpler.

by Matty I on Mar 1, 2008 2:08 PM EST up reply actions

Crumpler

Did not Crumpler have a bad knee last year? Has he recovered yet?

by resman on Mar 1, 2008 2:12 PM EST up reply actions

Bryant Johnson and Alge Crumpler

Johnson is visiting Buffalo today. Crumpler was rumored to being close to signing with Seattle. Of all the players you listed I want them to go after Bell.

by JMFlyer1454 on Mar 1, 2008 2:11 PM EST up reply actions

WHY

would Pace sign with the Jets? He got a fabulous offer from the Dolphins. Can the Jets match, and even so, I don't see the attraction there...

I hope these last two downer news bits are just making the table even and that's all. It was leaning a little towards Miami, but 50/50 is still optomistic.....

by Alpha6 on Mar 1, 2008 3:02 PM EST reply actions

Not feeling good

about the Pace situation. Its one thing for this guy to play somewhere else another for us to have to play against him twice a year. We may have to overpay to get him I'm not sure I want to do that. TE is big with Parcells teams he loves to carry three to four on the roster. I'm not sure if crumpler is a good enough blocker to warrant the money he wants not to mention he doesnt play special teams. I'm sure we will address TE on day one of the draft this year and next. Thanks for the updates.

by jvw on Mar 1, 2008 3:33 PM EST reply actions

TE

I was thing we would as well...I was thinking of Dustin Keller or John Carlson.

by JohnDolphin73 on Mar 1, 2008 3:42 PM EST up reply actions

WR

I like the idea of Wilford, but he is more of an inside/possession receiver. You bring in Johnson and he can lineup opposite of Ginn. Imagine Ginn, Johnson, and Wilford....3 quality receivers. I know we got Kircus, but he has character issues and seems more like a body filler. You have to bring in a better receiver or opposing defenses will stack the line asking us to pass.

by JohnDolphin73 on Mar 1, 2008 3:39 PM EST reply actions

They can fly Pace...

...all over Manhattan, but his agent better explain to him that the team plays in New Jersey. He should also inform him that the huge FA contract still won't get him a decent apartment downtown.

Go to Miami, Pace. Enjoy the weather, get a place on the beach, and have fun beating the Jets twice a year for the next decade.

Go Dolphins.

by lancelotlink on Mar 1, 2008 3:51 PM EST reply actions