In the words of the late, great Jim "Mad Dog" Mandich, let me reinsert my eyeballs.
What a day for the Miami Dolphins.
Defensively, Miami added Dannell Ellerbe from the defending champion Ravens, and Phillip Wheeler from the Raiders. Ellerbe's contract is worth 5 years at $34.75 million, while Wheeler's stands at 5 years and $26 million.
While these two were added, the Fins cut ties with two of their more outspoken leaders on the team in Kevin Burnett and Karlos Dansby. Both are coming off fine seasons, but both are older and more expensive than Ellerbe and Wheeler. That's the NFL for you, folks. It's a rough, rough business.
The signing of Ellerbe shocked almost everyone involved, but at the end of the day, I believe the Fins got arguably the best defender in this years free agent class. Didn't expect that, Mr. Ireland. Kudos.
The Dolphins also brought back safety Chris Clemons on a one year deal today. Clemons is coming off a career year for the Fins, but I wouldn't be surprised if Jeff Ireland is still making calls to the Charles Woodson camp.
Offensively, the Dolphins made the biggest splash of the day, and they did it just minutes after the new league year began. WR Mike Wallace signed a 5 year, $60 million deal, with $30 million in guaranteed money. That makes Wallace the third highest paid receiver in the NFL, behind only Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald.
Some say the Fins "overpaid" for Wallace...
Uh, duh.
Name me one WR in the NFL who isn't overpaid. The difference here is, a) Wallace fills a HUGE need on offense, and b) the Dolphins had PLENTY of money to be able to afford to overpay him.
I told you last month that Wallace should absolutely be the number one target for GM Jeff Ireland, and he went out and got his man. That's something Ireland has been notorious for not doing in years past, and today he did it. I give him an A+ for day one.
As for tomorrow, look for the Fins to make some noise in the TE department, either with Dustin Keller, or Brandon Myers. Why? Well, they lost Anthony Fasano today to the Kansas City Chiefs and they lost out on Jared Cook to the Rams. I love this, because now the Fins are FORCED to upgrade at the position, something I've been screaming for them to do for three years now.
Also keep your eye on WR Brandon Gibson, Wes Welker, CB Charles Woodson, and CB Captain Munnerlyn. Not saying any of them will be signed, but the possibility is out there.
So, the recap:
Additions: Wallace, Ellerbe, Wheeler, Clemons
Subtractions: Dansby, Burnett
Holding pattern: Long, Smith
Time to sleep.
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