More on free agency

The Dolphins did indeed sign Dansby. And I believe that he will be an
asset to the team, and likely will be an upgrade over Ayodele, and
should help Crowder to be the best he can be. But they signed him to
a 5-year deal, with $20+ million guaranteed - and there's still a
strong likelihood of there being no football in 2011. Given all of
that, this was a lot to spend on a 28-year-old Inside Linebacker.

Be that as it may...

The Dolphins haven't yet signed anyone else.

They brought in S Ryan Clarke who was "thrilled" and "wanted to play
in Miami" and "wasn't leaving without a contract." And he was
right....except the contract he signed was with Pittsburgh.

He was in the midst of his visit with Miami and just decided to take
out his cell and call his agent and ask him to finalize the deal with
the Steelers. And I was suddenly reminded of John Randall who punked
Spielman and Wannstedt - because he was just looking for the best
offer he could get from the Vikings. Clarke says that wasn't the case
here, just that he had to look out for his family. Dude, I don't care
if you sign with us or not. Just don't be disingenuous.

The Dolphins did re-sign Chad Pennington. This one is kind of
strange. He inked a 1-year deal to be the third-stringer for the
Phins. He's going to spend the early part of the this year rehabbing
and getting ready to resume his career....elsewhere. Except that he
has a clause which pays him more money if he gets traded, and even
more money if he is the starter in Miami. Nothing like having Henne
look over his shoulder.

So, as I look down the needs for Miami:
* wide receiver: status quo
* tight end: status quo
* OLB: lost Porter and Taylor, but haven't signed anyone
* ILB: swapped Ayodele for Dansby - this is an upgrade
* S: lost Gibril Wilson (which is improvement by subtraction)

That's a lot of holes still to fill....

Free agency begins

Around midnight, the process begins. And has been the case for the
last few years, the Dolphins take more of a wait-and-see approach.

Reportedly, they made an offer to Antrel Rolle last night, but it
appears he signed with the Giants. The Dolphins hosted Karlos Dansby,
and we hear an offer was accepted, but there is no confirmation yet.
Does that make them better?

Meanwhile, the Jets picked up Antonie Cromartie, and got better.

And the Ravens traded a 3rd and 4th for Anquan Boldin and a 5th.
That's a trade I woulda made!

Released today was Joey Porter (big shocker), Akin Ayodele (a minor
surprise), and Gibril Wilson (not at all a surprise, thought Ireland
was defending the guy last week).

Not released was Ted Ginn, jr. I'm gonna hold my breath until he's gone.

Joe Robbie Stadium

I have been saying for a while now that the Dolphins ownership didn't take a particular stance on how to finance the "stadium upgrades" that the NFL wanted (in order to keep the superbowl).  They floated the idea and let it play out naturally.

 

Apparently I was misguided. 

 

It turns out that they were, in fact, working with a lobbyist to introduce legislation to take a cut of bed taxes to pay for the upgrades and renovations to the Miami Beach Convention Center.  But, the legislation was pulled this week because of money issues at Jackson Memorial Hospital....

 

You can read more about it here: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/sfl-miami-dolphins-tax-stadium-upgrades-030210,0,2476398.story

This is just funny.

Wow! Isn't this every guys dream? To take home a cheerleader? LOL

Corporate America

Typically, I use this forum exclusively for Dolphins (or NFL) news.  But every once in a while, I make an exception.  With your indulgence, today is one such day. 

 

I'd like to call out companies that are doing nothing to help our economy, and especially those that are actually making it worse.  There's a company out there that I won't mention by name - but will tell you their initials are IBM - who yesterday laid off thousands of US employees. The company turned a profit last year.  A sizable profit no less.  The CEO was paid 10s of millions of dollars.  And yet, they chose to add these workers to the ranks of the unemployed.

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/01/ibm-layoffs-2010-rumors-s_n_481396.html

 

Its unconscionable, and the executives should feel ashamed at their behavior.  They won't, of course, but they should.

 

Corporate America is out of control.  Add this to the littany of issues that have come up over the last few years.

 

 

Fwd: BWA HA HA HA HA

The dolphins ranter sent this along

Begin forwarded message:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/I-m-sorry-Jerry-Jones-but-that-wine-belongs-to?urn=nfl,225075

Overtime

You may recall that on a show last offseason, I talked extensively about overtime and how to make it better.

I guess the NFL was listening....

There is a vote at the next owner's meeting to modify the OT rule....basically if the team that wins the coin toss takes the field goal, the other team will have a possession to try and do that or better.

Personally, I think they should one-up this and if the receiving team scores a TD and takes the PAT, the other team would *have* to go for 2.

Dolphin broadcasts

The Dolphins exercised the option in their contract with WQAM, and the Dolphins games will no longer be aired on that station.  Instead they will move to a rival network station (WINZ) which will simulcast the games on FM radio.

There is no announcement about who will call the games...It just so happens that Jimmy Cefalo is an employee of the radio network that now has the rights.  The Dolphins talked with WQAM about hiring Rose and Mandich to do the games, but no word on what might happen there.

Plus, given Mandich's ailment - he's now been off the air for more than a month - there's no telling if he'll come back at all.

So....the Dolphins radio network will be different starting this season.

That's odd...

Reportedly, the NFL and the Jacksonville Jags have agreed to stage "a few" of the Jags home games in Orlando this season...

 

...and not only that, they are looking to Orlando as a possible Superbowl site instead of Miami, again reminding us that we have to give until it hurts - and put a roof on that stadium!

John Offerdahl is Dancing with the Stars??

This is from Johnny O.  If anyone is here, and wants to put up a few bucks for a worthy cause, I'm sure he would be happy to have you...
=================================

Dear Friends,

Save the date, join the fun and watch me, John Offerdahl, dazzle the crowd!
Ok, so I'm no Jason Taylor, but I have put my dance shoes on to raise some
money for the elderly in need.  On Saturday, March 13, 2010, The Pantry of
Broward will hold its second annual "Dancing with the Stars of Broward" Gala at
the Westin Hotel on Fort Lauderdale's beach.   And yes, I am one of the 5
dancing couples!!!! Help… I need your votes!

Let me tell you a little about The Pantry of Broward.  The Pantry is a
non-profit agency that provides monthly grocery boxes to nearly 300 elderly
Broward seniors on low fixed-incomes who have been struggling to feed
themselves, and in some cases their grandchildren, on dwindling retirement
income.

To learn more about The Pantry and how you can help me be victorious against
local TV weathergirls, athletes and politicians, go to
www.thepantryofbroward.com or
http://www.thepantryofbroward.org/dancing_with_the_stars_2010.htm for ticket
information, personal encouragement and financial support to this worthy cause.

Looking forward to seeing you there!
Hitting the Dance Line HARD!

The Gridiron Dancer!

Bye-Bye Joey

The team tried to release him, but doing so put them over the salary cap, so they had to put him back on the roster:

http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/thedailydolphin/2010/02/12/miami-dolphins-release-linebacker-joey-porter/

Buh bye

There's an image you won't be seeing again anytime soon.

Miami said goodbye to J-Peesy today.

And we say "what took you so long?"