[editor's note, by Matty I] I've added a new post below this one that is just an editorial as we begin a new era in Dolphins football. Be sure to check that out. I've reset this timestamp to keep this as the first post on the site as I will keep updating it with news/rumors. [end note]
This is a thread I'll continually update tonight and tomorrow with updates on any and all Miami Dolphin related rumors. So be sure to check back in frequently and leave your thoughts as free agency kicks off. Now onto the rumors/reports:
2:13 am: It's time to get to bed for this guy. Feel free to post anything that happens while I'm not available. I'll be back tomorrow, mid-morning, with a new running thread to talk free agency (and trades, of course).
2:05 am: Alex Marvez is reporting that Cleo Lemon will visit with the Jaguars later today. Take him! Please! This could signify that the Jags will not be able to keep last year's backup, Quinn Gray. Gray is a guy I'd LOVE to have in Miami as the "vet" to go along with John Beck and whoever the Dolphins take in April's draft.
1:48 am: Updating a previous update, the Dallas Morning News is reporting that, besides Houston which we talked about earlier, cornerback Jacques Reeves will also meet with the Saints, Chiefs, and Rams in the coming days. And despite having his former position coach, Todd Bowles, in Miami, still no mention of the Dolphins having interest in Reeves.
1:43 am: The 49ers' offensive line is getting raided already in free agency. The Raiders have signed OT Kwame Harris, according to ProFootballTalk. Lineman seem to be going quick. And the Dolphins still have 2 starting spots open AND need depth. But we can't forget the draft, either, when talking about the holes that need to be filled. And that's especially true for the tackle position, which is deeper in 2008 than it has been in years.
12:51 am: And the Dolphins have made their first splash! The Press Democrat reports the Dolphins have signed free agent guard Justin Smiley to a 5 year, $25 million deal with $9 million guaranteed. More on this in the above post. But a good early signing, indeed!
12:46 am: I suggest checking out this blog post by the Sun-Sentinel's Omar Kelly. In a nutshell, he says that the Dolphins "really like" Ernest Wilford and it will likely come down to Buffalo and Miami for his services. He also says that the Cowboys and Dolphins are in the "late stages" of completing a deal for Jason Ferguson. It's believed the Dolphins would send Dallas a "later second day pick." As far as the offensive line goes, Kelly tells "don't be surprised if the Dolphins go after Jacksonville's Maurice Williams. He's viewed as one of the top young left tackles on the market." But would Miami really move Vernon Carey to the right side for Williams?
12:36 am: The NY Daily News is reporting that the Jets plan to make an offer to Alan Faneca that averages $8 million per season. Rich Cimini also reports that "barring an upset, they will get their man." The report also claims that an official announcement won't come for a day or two. Let me say this: due to how cocky the Jets seem to be about landing Faneca, I'd love to see Miami swoop in and offer $9 million per year and bring Faneca to Miami. But I could just be a bit crazy.
12:19 am: Updating the Asante Samuel speculation, the St. Petersburg Times is reporting that Samuel is "bound for Philadelphia." They say nothing is "official yet," though. Rotoworld points out that the Eagles would likely wait until tomorrow to make an official announcement so that the tampering isn't as obvious.
12:14 am: Incase you're curious, Flozell Adams' deal with Dallas was for 6 years, $42 million with $15 million in guarantees, according to ESPN. I'm actually surprised a bit by how low the guaranteed money is. I guess it gives Dallas the ability to cut him if his play drops opp as he climbs towards the wrong side of 35 years of age.
12:01 am: It has begun!
11:49 pm: The Houston Chronicle is reporting that the Texans have visits scheduled with former Dolphin Rex Hadnot and former Cowboys corner Jacques Reeves. Hadnot is expected to leave Miami, as it seems Parcells and Jeff Ireland have no intention on bring him back. But Reeves, many believed, was a guy the Dolphins would target to bring depth to Miami's secondary.
11:42 pm: ProFootballTalk is reporting that there's talk that the Eagles already have a verbal deal in place with Asante Samuel. Yes, it would be tampering if this was true. But everyone does it, really, so nobody really cares. Of course, PFT reported earlier this week that the Saints had a deal in place with Samuel. So we'll see. But according to the source, which is gcobb.com, Samuel is in Philly already and "it's done." We'll find out shortly.
11:28 pm: The Dallas Morning News is reporting that the Dolphins and Cowboys "are discussing a trade" that would send NT Jason Ferguson to Miami. It is known that Parcells has always loved Ferguson. But Ferguson is coming off of a season ending injury he suffered in week 1 when he suffered a torn right bicep. However, it's believed he'll be ready to go when training camp rolls around. Ferguson is a big guy, at 6'3, 310, but is 33 years old. He has 2 years remaining on his contract and is owed $4 million in both 2008 and 2009.
11:18 pm: We'll get this started with two interesting tidbits that come courtesy of NFL Network's Adam Schefter on NFL Total Access. First, talking about QBs, Schefter said he believes that Bill Parcells has taken notice of Billy Volek and that Volek will eventually land in Miami. He also reports believes that Cardinals' free agent linebacker Calvin Pace would be "a great guy to add to their defense." He calls Pace the kind of player Parcells loves because he's big and tough. You just have to wonder where he'd fit in if the Dolphins were to run a 3-4 defense. Miami already has Jason Taylor and Joey Porter to play outside. Could Pace move inside along side Channing Crowder?