Dolphins Safety Issue Close To Over?
By Brian Miller
UPDATE:
Both Flozell Adams and Ken Hamlin have been released.
Correction: Bill Parcells had left the Cowboys by the time Ken Hamlin joined the team. He was with Sparano, Ireland, and Knowles for one season in Dallas.
The Miami Dolphins have been trying to find a safety since the start of free agency. They have had no luck. It has been apparent that the team will be looking to the draft for their 2010 starter. Now that vacancy may be closer to being filled.
According to a report from the Cowboys beat writer, Todd Archer, the Boyz’ are close to releasing FS Ken Hamlin.
Hamlin made no significant impacts in 2009 and really hasn’t done much since Bill Parcells and company left Texas. Still, he is a viable option that won’t cost too much money and a player that is already familiar with the coaching staff in Miami. He could provide a veteran starter until a rookie can be broken in.
It will also the Dolphins to wait until rounds two or three before addressing the position should a stellar player like Taylor Mays or Eric Berry are not there at the 12th pick. The Dolphins can now afford to address another need, should they pick up Hamlin of course.
Hamlin “tweeted” that he will be released soon and the Dolphins will not likely put in a claim for him as he is due 6 million this season, that however doesn’t bar Miami from claiming him and re-working his deal.
This may also open the possibility of the team getting involved in a trade down the Cowboys. The Boyz are said to be targeting a FS in this year draft at the 27 spot. A jump from 27 is very expensive according to the oft used NFL draft chart. The 12 spot carries a 1200 point slot while 27 is listed as 650.
A deeper look into a swap of round 1 picks could net the Phins an extra 1 the 2011 draft, or perhaps a player plus another draft pick. The Cowboys have yet to open talks with WR Miles Austin so his name would likely get play in any trade talks.
For those of you wondering when something like this could get done, it wouldn’t even be mentioned until the Dolphins were on the clock an the Cowboys could see who was available at the position. But don’t rule out the possibility of them speaking about the subject.
Trade speculation aside, the release of Ken Hamlin would give the Dolphins a familiar face to put back in the secondary. It would give Sparano someone to trust and new DC Mike Nolan someone to rely on to help coach up the youngsters. In my opinion, Hamlin would be a solid addition to bridge a gap and fill a gaping hole.
In other NFL news the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles have completed a trade.
The Browns acquired LB Chris Gocong and CB Sheldon Brown for LB Alex Hall and a 4th and 5th round pick. The fact that the Browns now have Gocong will mean they will not target LB early in the draft in rounds 1 and 2. Picking 7th overall and now have LB a non-priority seems to point to them taking FS Eric Berry if they don’t go QB.