Well, it's a start.
We've made it to the first big landmark, folks. The first checkpoint. For the first time in over a month, the NFL is at the forefront of the news today.
In less then 6 hours, when the clock strikes 4 pm, the new NFL league year will officially commence. That means we can finally start calling the 2014 season "this season."
That means the debacle that was December 30, 2013 is officially behind us. In 6 hours, that will forever be known as "last season."
But, more importantly, the new league year signals the beginning of free agency, where, for the second year in a row, your Miami Dolphins are expected to be huge players. Why? Well, to begin with, they have $40 million to spend, fourth most in the NFL. They also have MAJOR holes to fill, notably on the offensive line, defensive line, backfield, and secondary.
You may be saying hey, Zach, if free agency doesn't start until today then how did the Fins sign FS Louis Delmas yesterday?
Delmas was cut by the Lions. Players who are cut can be signed at any time. Plain and simple.
Speaking of that signing, I like it. Delmas is an aggressive safety. He's a hard-hitting safety. He's a young, athletic, ballhawking safety. However, the knock on him is his health. He was on the injury report nearly every week last season, and even though he played, it's still a red flag.
That's why Miami gave Delmas a Brent Grimes like one-year contract. It's a prove it contract. Grimes proved it and got rewarded. If Delmas can follow in the same footsteps expect more of the same for him.
Delmas had three interceptions, two sacks and 48 total tackles last season.
What else does this signing mean? Two things:
Number one, don't expect Chris Clemons to return to the team this season. He was resigned last year to a one year contract, had a solid year, but the team is going in a different direction. IF Delmas can stay healthy, then this is an upgrade at the position.
Number two, you can put those Jarius Byrd to Miami rumors to bed. Yes, the Dolphins did inquire about the Bills safety. BUT, the asking price was WAY to high ($9 million a year), and the Fins have much bigger holes to fill.
One more bit of news about yesterday before moving on to today. The Fins cut expensive CB Dimitri Patterson yesterday afternoon. Patterson only played in a handful of games LAST season due to a groin injury, and in cutting him the Fins cleared over $5 million in cap space. Now, Patterson can return to the team for less money, but I wouldn't hold your breathe on that one. If he can stay healthy he's an above average corner in this league (just look at what he did in limited time last season), and my guess is a team will be willing to take a chance on him.
While this did free up cap space it did leave another glaring hole in the secondary, especially with CB Nolan Carroll almost definitely headed elsewhere judging by the interest he's drawn from multiple teams around the league. Right now, second year CB's Jamar Taylor and Will Davis are the CB's opposite Brent Grimes. Those two were barely active a year ago, and are still very raw.
Expect the Dolphins to add another CB either through free agency or the draft.
Now to today.
First things first, expect LT Branden Albert to officially be a Miami Dolphin by 4:05 today. He's already in Miami and a deal is already unofficially done. This match has also been a year in the making.
If you remember, former GM Jeff Ireland tried to trade for Albert during the 2013 draft, but couldn't work out a deal. Head coach Joe Philbin has wanted Albert since last March. Albert lives in Miami during the offseason. The Dolphins desperately need a LT.
You can connect those dots.
Albert will be a Dolphin by days end. It's more of a guarantee then the Wallace deal was last season, and that one was pretty set in stone as well.
Now to the other players to keep an eye on:
- RB Maurice Jones Drew. The Dolphins need an experienced, strong, downhill, pass blocking running back who can be a leader in the locker room.
Does MJD not fit that mold? Yes, he has injury concerns. And yes, he'll be 29 next year. But if Im GM Dennis Hickey I'm going after MJD hard today. It just makes too much sense.
- DT Earl Mitchell. Don't know this name? Well, you will soon, because I expect this guy to be highly sought after today. He's already been in contact with the Dolphins, along with the Bucs, Seahawks, Bears, Chargers, and Cowboys. Mitchell is young, aggressive, high-octane, and high-energy. He also fills a major void that will be left behind by Paul Soliai and Randy Starks.
- RT Austin Howard. There aren't a lot of options out there at RT, so I wouldn't be surprised to see Miami upgrade here through the draft. BUT, Howard is a solid option who's also a New York Jet. Any chance to weaken a rival is a plus. However, the Jets just cleared up a lot of room by cutting Santonio Holmes and Antonio Cromartie, so don't be surprised to see Howard possibly resign.
Rapid fire:
- G Zane Beadles
- G Chad Rinehart
- G Geoff Schwartz
- RB Justin Forsett
- RB Darren McFadden
- DT Jason Hatcher
- DT Linval Joseph
- MLB Jon Beason
- MLB Brandon Spikes
Loooooong shots:
- CB Darrell Revis. He'll most likely be cut by the Buccaneers. GM Dennis Hickey has obvious Tampa Bay connections. Just sayin.
- RB Chris Johnson. He'll be shopped around by the Titans. He's electric, a game-changer, a huge upgrade out in the passing game for Ryan Tannehill. Don't be surprised if the Fins take a look.
See you at 4 pm.
Happy New Year!!
