The wait may be over. Various sources are reporting that the Dolphins have reached a five year deal with Karlos Dansby worth $43 million.
Omar Kelly and Adam Schefter are reporting that the deal includes $22 million in guaranteed money. Jeff Darlington goes one step further, explaining that the five year deal will pay Dansby $9 million per year over the first three years of the deal. NFL Network's Jason La Canfora is reporting these same figures as well.
It's clear that the Dolphins came into free agency with a plan. They made sure they got rid of some salary on Friday, too, making way for the big deal they have signed Karlos to. Since the season ended, we had heard how the Dolphins planned on going hard after the free agent linebacker from Arizona. And the Dolphins made sure Dansby did not leave their facility today without a signed contract. So kudos to this front office for stepping up and getting the guy they want. Also some props to Stephen Ross for opening up his wallet and letting Bill Parcells and company do what they feel they need to do to help this team improve.
Dansby's versatility will really help improve this defense. He's big enough and fast enough to play inside in Miami's 3-4 as well as move to the strong side in certain situations as needed. He instantly becomes the key cog in Miami's defense. He is a tackling machine. He forces fumbles. He can cover pretty well. He can blitz on occasion - and is definitely a better blitzer than Channing Crowder or any other Miami inside linebacker over the past year or two.
The deal, as it's being reported, seems like a fair one. With the uncertainty of an uncapped season currently unfolding and with nobody sure if a cap will ever come back, many experts believed that the amount of guaranteed money would be key in these free agency negotiations. In my opinion, $22 million in guaranteed money is really not that terrible. It's the same amount the Jets gave Bart Scott last offseason as part of his six year deal. Scott's average salary is $8 million per year. Dansby will get an average of $8.6 per year - and Dansby's the better player.
Nice job by the Dolphins today. I just wonder: are they done yet? You never know.