What to expect from the Dolphins, starting tomorrow at 10am EST

Jul. 25 News and Notes 21 comments ---Bill

With Free Agency set to start within the next 24 hours, we expect the Miami Dolphins to be active.  We’ll get into exactly what/when free agency is going to start in a minute.  But first, we want to fill you in on where the Dolphins are at this point.  Jeff Ireland admitted the other day that the Dolphins would be active once the league year starts, but not ‘super’ active.  Per ESPN’s John Clayton, the Dolphins are $13.6 mil under the proposed $120 mil salary cap.  The salary cap projections are estimates, as the teams are still learning about the full details of the new CBA.  Therefore, it’s a little difficult to tell exactly how much money teams are going to have to spend once free agency finally starts.

The following schedule is (hopefully) the latest update from ESPN, for the week ahead:

Tuesday – Signed players can enter team facilities.  Starting at 10am EST Trades can happen and teams can sign their drafted rookies and any undrafted rookies.  Teams can also negotiate with all free agents.

Wednesday – Teams that play their first preseason game on August 11th can open training camp (Not the Dolphins).

Thursday - The Dolphins open training camp!  Teams can cut players beginning at 4pm EST.

Friday - Teams can begin signing free agents at 6pm EST.

What to expect from the Dolphins?

1. The Dolphins have made it clear that they want to add another running back to pair with Daniel Thomas.  Our favorite among the crop is DeAngelo Williams.  Picturing him wearing an aqua #34 jersey has been something we’ve thought about for 3-4 months.  There is a catch with chasing DeAngelo Williams; The Panthers have roughly $30 mil in cap room and can probably outbid the Dolphins if they REALLY want to keep him.  If this happens, or perhaps while it’s happening, the Dolphins will turn their attention to Ahmad Bradshaw.  The Giants are actually over the projected cap by $11 mil or so.  This will make re-signing Ahmad Bradshaw much more difficult.  Prediction sure to go wrong: The Dolphins sign Ahmad Bradshaw

2. If running back was primary target #1 for the Dolphins, then acquiring a QB to compete with Chad Henne is a close second.  The Dolphins brass knows that this is a make or break season for them (I’m looking at you Mr. Sparano).  They know what Chad Henne has been and they know that they need to upgrade the QB position.  Now, an upgrade could come via free agency or trade, or it can be Chad Henne finally realizing his potential.  It’s been reported everywhere that the Dolphins will target a veteran QB to compete with Henne.  The Dolphins will kick the tires on Kyle Orton to see what the asking price is.  If it’s a 3rd or 4th rounder, the Dolphins will likely bite.  IF Orton falls through, they might look to sign Vince Young or one of the many other QB options we’ve talked about for months (McNabb, Bulger, Hasselbeck, etc.)  Prediction: Orton or Young are Dolphins by Sunday

3. The Dolphins will look to add an OLB to add depth to the rotation and give more of a pass rush than Koa Misi can currently provide.  We’ve talked about Manny Lawson, who could be an option, but it’ll depend on his price tag.

4. We expect the Dolphins to add depth along the offensive line, which could come from a variety of places.  There are a TON of free agents out there!

5. While the position is pretty much set, we wouldn’t be surprised if the Dolphins looked to bring in another wide receiver.  Plaxico Burress is a popular name, as is Mike Sims Walker.  We don’t know how comfortable the Dolphins are right now with the WR position, but from the outside, it does look like they’re set.

We’ll keep you posted on the latest news, as it happens.  For the most immediate updates on happenings around the Dolphins, you can follow us on Twitter.  You can also join us tonight on Phins Up Radio at 11:30pm EST.

  • martha figueredo

    Go Dolphins! Please lets make this season a playoff season….

  • cavy

    undeafeated

  • Dino J Grasso

    Lets all be possitive, the Fins are going to have a great year!! Its make it or break it for alot of people in the organization, so stay positive. GO FINS

  • Scott Gifford

    QB potentials for fins to supplement or replace Chad Henne—Carson Palmer or Hasselbeck NOT Vince Young or Kyle Orton[problematic personalities] Current QB Thigpin has definite possibilities as a starter sooner than later. OF line and RB positions are definite question marks with rookies! Also, who traded one of the best Fins players to rival Patriots a few years ago–a really, really bonehead move [you all know who I am talking about] It really kills me to see this guy excel every week for NE!

  • http://www.PhinNation.com Bill

    Scott – I agree that Palmer would be a good fit for the Phins, but the Bengals refuse to trade him…so he’s not going to be a possibility. It seems that Hasselbeck is destined for Tennessee. I don’t think Orton has as problematic of a personality as Vince Young. Both are talented and both would give Henne some serious competition and would likely beat him out….unless he’s improved A LOT since last year.

    I know, the Welker trade hurts, but we’re set at WR now. We need to add a starting caliber RB to compliment D. Thomas, but our OL is pretty set. The Phins could look to add someone that’s been a cap casualty…i.e. a Shaun O’Hara, Leonard Davis, etc.

  • david

    I like Bradshaw for versatility and speed. Would love to see Colledge from Green Bay for durability and leadership. At QB, I am a Henne man till he prooves to me that he can’t win with a solid O-Line,RB core and an OC with a clue. Chad has gotten a bum rap. go back and watch footage of the last home win vs the Jets and without Marshall. Henne lit ‘em up like a Christmas tree. 2 years does not a QB evaluation make. Show us what you got Chad!!

  • michael a. mcbride

    We could have had brees and maybe Vick. It’s safe to stay the dolphins don’t have the smartest managers. Do like New England and try to get more top picks for next year (trade Ronnie Brown while we still can)

  • sad in new england

    Must say I was looking forward to lockout until next year, but oh well. I’ve been a Dolphins fan back when Marino first entered the NFL and those were the good ol days. Since his departure this team has been a joke. Our team “The Dolphins” have been a laughing stock up here in New England since Henne joined the team. Today the sport show on the radio said when they were going down the list of who the Patriots play and didn’t even hesitate “win” when they got to the Dolphins playing the Patriots. Only thing they said about the Dolphins was the Thanksgiving match up between Miami and Cowboys and Leon Lett. This ownership needs to get off the freakin red carpet and start getting some real players. Like a QB. Sad to say this team is doomed yet another year.

  • 1966pete

    Lets go after a hard QB not one of the two softees named

    • Bill

      Pete, what QB would you suggest the Dolphins targeting?

  • Pete1966

    How about a draft pick and getting some value from one of the running backs it sounds like we are going to loose, combine and see if by putting some value out there we could recieve some value back. Answering your question is difficult ,however Pass on Young ,mentally not into football, Orton, equall to Henne, Hasselbeck ,is an older version of a QB, not too mobile. So where to go?? Our O-line should be top shelf , if not the best. This will provide time for even Hasselbeck. My guess, and I stress guess is to bring in a free agent to push Henne during camp and wait for a possible break , or breaking news!!

    • http://www.phinnation.com Bill

      Pete – It’s hard to say that Orton is equal to Henne….Over the last 2 years Orton has thrown for 41 tds and 21 ints; while over that same time Henne has thrown 27 tds and 34 ints….That’s not equal.

  • Sad in New England

    Well thats two QB’s now off the market. Hohummmm looks like another year of Henne and another year of misery.

  • Sad in New England

    Now with Thigpen and Pennington both declared free agents and worse case no QB signing, who is Henne’s back up? None?

    • http://www.phinnation.com Bill

      If the Dolphins don’t bring in a QB, Henne’s back up has more accuracy and personality…..The Jug machine

  • D.J.G.

    Lets face it, Henne sucks!! Whoever we bring in is going to be a huge improvement… At least Orton and Young show a little emotion instead of looking like a deer in the headlights ie Henne. We need one of the two and Ahmad Bradshaw and hope and pray our defense stays healthy! Cut Ronnie (I’m on IR) Brown, try and keep Ricky. Play ball and we will see what happens… Im just sayin!!

  • Hopeful in New England

    Agree D.J.G but think Ricky should be shown the door as well. Time to clean up the offense. Hopefully Bush will agree to terms with the Dolphins. He should fit in well once we have someone who can throw to him. Marshall, Bess and Bush could be a dangerous threesome. I’ve also heard some talk of Orton coming to Miami but haven’t seen writen yet. Any truth to that?

  • Pete1966

    I have a neck ache watching some moves. however,it looks like Orton will come on down and i have to be humble and say HURRY!!. Please don’t give up to much .Ortons td’s and int’s are far better than average. In fact if our o-line performs at expectations the running game should improve and that gives Henne or Orton time in for plays to develop. So get to work front office and lets go foward with strength, surprise the AFC this year with our own powerful and might i add balanced offense. I am not a fan of Bush , but come on down , a new start could be the spark the team needs. New faces will get the attention of underachieving pro’s and make them hone their skills. Lets get this party started!! The sooner the more time to practice will only improve their output in games

  • Hopefully in New England

    Pete; It looks like Bush agreed to the terms with the Dolphins on 2 years. Just hope we didn’t give up good draft picks to snag him. I agree with Orton, but then again, any QB would be a better fit then Chad. Sad to say I gave him two years to develope into our franchise quarterback, but after last years performance I can’t watch another year with him at center. Saw some comments as well that maybe some doors might be open for the return of Taylor.

  • Pete1966

    Well I guess its time to trade marshall ,we don.t hace qb to get him the ball. Tony Sparano run for you life you will be blamed for all 5 of this years wins,I hope 5. Come on what started out promising has become a fart in the wind. I am confused, trade everyone and start over in2014. Give up now. Go get a starting NFL type QB. Yep if you can’t see this wall then show me the light at the end of this mess. What does Elway want ? A # 1. I have no idea what Denver expects for Orton??

  • Pete1966

    Does any one know the order of the supplemental draft?