We spoke in-depth earlier about how the Dolphins are reportedly very infatuated with Ravens' center Jason Brown and that the Dolphins might make a very strong push to bring him down to Miami once free agency begins on Thursday night at midnight.
Now, though, we're getting more indications that Brown might have that same infatuation with Miami. The Palm Bech Post is reporting that, according to a "source," Brown would like to come to Miami. Says the report:
According to an NFL source, Miami tops the list of teams Baltimore center Jason Brown is considering if he becomes a free agent Friday.
Center appears to have become the team’s top priority, at least on the offensive side of the ball. The Dolphins are set at tackle after signing Vernon Carey to a six-year deal last week, and landing Brown would likely move Samson Satele to guard, where he would compete for a starting job with returnees Justin Smiley and Donald Thomas. Andy Alleman would become backup center.
Brown is likely to command a deal in the neighborhood of $7 million a year.
So with all this talk about Brown continuing to heat up, I decided to seek out another scouting report. This report comes from Tony Lombardi, who runs a Ravens' website called ProFootball24x7. Below is what he has to say about Jason Brown...
Strengths: Intelligent player, willing leader, dedicated, takes well to coaching, excellent drive blocker once he engages; versatile player who can also play guard; better run blocker than pass protector.
Weaknesses: Can get caught out of position at times and isn't nimble enough afoot to recover; was dominated by Shaun Rogers this season and was beaten badly by Casey Hampton in the AFC Championship Game.
Overall: Brown is a solid player to have on any roster. The trouble is he wants high end guard money and while the Ravens would like to have him back as the leader of their offensive line and consider him a very good player, they don't view him as elite. Unfortunately for the Ravens, that is how he wants to be paid and the guess here is that he won't be a fit for Ozzie Newsome's credo, "right player, right price."