Miami Dolphins Likely to Target WR Wallace, Drop CB Smith

December 23, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace (17) runs after a pass reception as Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Manny Lawson (left) defends during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Cincinnati Bengals won 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Word on the street (by street I mean NFL.com)  is the Miami Dolphins will not be coveting their “perfect match” at wide receiver come March 12th. While it would make the most sense for the Dolphins to grab WR Greg Jennings in FA, Jeff Ireland’s favorite is actually Mike Wallace out of Pittsburgh. Whether or not you’re on team Jennings or team Wallace or were on team Bowe (he is a Chief for good now), the fact of the matter is we can expect to see Miami be active in Free Agency this year. However, as we’ve learned from the past (Orton, Manning, Flynn), that doesn’t necessarily mean Miami will do something for sure. Nobody knows exactly what Ireland and the front office plan to do. All we can do is speculate and make hypotheses.

One thing that does seem inevitable is Miami parting ways with CB Sean Smith. Ireland made the right choice in slapping the franchise tag on DT Randy Starks, a proven asset to the Fins D. It seemed as though Miami may use the tag on Smith, which would have given me nightmares for week. I am not saying Smith wouldn’t be nice to have on the roster, but he is demanding much more than he is worth. Miami is in a prime position. They have what other teams want (or think they want): a big, physical corner. The Dolphins themselves are looking for help in the secondary, they are just convinced it won’t come from Smith. I am hoping they can round up a draft pick or two for Smith so they can ultimately find his replacement in a couple months.

The NFL Free Agency is my favorite time of year, second only to the actual NFL season and March Madness. It is exciting to see what teams take a risk and go for that special player. It’s fun to see who shells out the big bucks, and whose investment turns into gold and whose disappears into thin air. I think GM Jeff Ireland has done a good job so far, he has used the franchise tag on a reliable veteran player in Starks. Only time will tell if he has truly succeeded. As fans, we have to hope he strikes gold.