The Miami Dolphins may not be making waves in the free agent market but at least they are taking care of business.  Today the Phins announced that they had signed 3 players to extensions who were restricted free agents.

Leading the list is undrafted Hawaii receiver Davone Bess.  Bess has been a solid slot receiver since coming to Miami 2 years ago.  TE Joey Haynos, a Phinphanatic favorite, was also re-signed.  Haynos started several games last year in the abcense of Anthony Fasano and improved significantly over the course of the season.

Rounding out the three, kicker Dan Carpenter was also re-inked.  Carp started his off-season on the AFC Pro-Bowl squad after being named an alternate.  Tersm of all 3 deals are not immediately known.

Joey Porter has latched on to the Arizona Cardinals signing a 3 year deal potentially worth over 17 million.  He also has apparently been told that he will be an every down LB.  A lot of money to throw at a guy who has struggled with staying healthy and nice.

A reminder that now is a good time to join the Phinphanatic.com Forum.  Simply click on the menu tab “Forum” and register and then start chatting with other Miami Dolphins fans.  This will be the last week to join as an “Original Member”.  Original members will get special perks in the forum.  After this week, you will never be able to gain an “O.M.” tag.

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It’s unclear whether the Dolphins will be planning on bringing back Ricky but after the year he previously had it seems like he will be a great #2 running back. He will be turning 33 in a couple of months but if he has a season somewhat similar to what he did last year (1,385 yards from scrimmage, averaged 4.7 yards per carry and 11 touchdowns) then Miami would be wise to bring him back.

I believe that if he really wants to play that the Dolphins should resign him because it’s hard to believe that Ronnie Brown can stay healthy and Ronnie might even be traded or reach free agency after the 2010 season.

We have to see how the season plays out to see if there are any signs of Ricky returning.

And be sure to check out his big board here.

2010 NFL Mock Draft v 3.0

1. St Louis – Sam Bradford | QB | Oklahoma | 6’4” | 223 lbs

The Rams need many fixes and while Suh may be the surest pick for them here I don’t see the Rams forking out the reported $8.5m he is due in 2010. Originally I had Clausen as the pick but reports are the Rams like Bradford and if they feel his shoulder will be fine they are leaning towards him with their pick.

2. Detroit – Russell Okung | OT | Oklahoma State | 6’5” | 312 lbs

This is not the popular pick and I have been going back and forth on who I think the Lions will draft. Suh would be a great addition for this team, but it is a deep draft for DTs and Detroit must protect Staford. Okung is the best tackle in the draft and Detroit will make the investment to protect their young QB.

3. Tampa Bay – Ndamukong Suh | DT | Nebraska | 6’4” | 307 lbs

Tampa is thrilled to have Suh available at number three. Tampa has many needs, but the defensive line is always a good place to start, and with arguably the best player in the draft available they will take him.

4. Washington – Bruce Campbell | OT | Maryland | 6’6” | 3114 lbs

Campbell had a great combine and showed off his athletic ability and if anyone knows Mike Shanahan they know he loves athletic offensive linemen. Samuels is done and the Redskins already needed offensive line help. Campbell is smart enough to step in day one and start and his abilities fit Shanahan’s system.

5. Kansas City – Bryan Bulaga | OT | Iowa | 6’7” | 314 lbs

As with many of the top 10 teams KC could go many ways and could very easily take Berry here as well. But the fact that only 5 teams allowed more than the 45 sacks the Chiefs allowed means they must improve the offensive line. They made a very large investment in Matt Cassell and they need to give him some protection. Bulaga is a high character guy the Pioli will add to the Chiefs locker room.

6. Seattle – Gerald McCoy | DT | Oklahoma | 6’4” | 295 lbs

Carroll is going to be tempted to go with Clausen here but with McCoy still on the board his talent is too good to pass up at this point. Seattle was towards the bottom of the league in pass defense and sacks. McCoy is a guy that can bring pressure from the middle and help this defense.

7. Cleveland – Jimmy Clausen | QB | Notre Dame | 6’3” | 222 lbs

Holmgren will have Mangini install his west coast offense and Clausen would be a great addition to be the QB of the future in Cleveland. They could also go Berry here, but the lure of Clausen at this point will be too much to resist.

8. Oakland – Anthony Davis | OT | Rutgers | 6’5” | 323 lbs

Who really knows what the Raiders will do. They should bolster their offensive line and both tackles aren’t starting quality. Davis would be a huge upgrade to the current line in Oakland. Because this is probably the best thing to do means they won’t and Big Al will draft someone that runs a 4.2, lookout McCluster or Spiller…

9. Buffalo – Trent Williams | OT | Oklahoma | 6’5” | 315 lbs

Buffalo needed to upgrade the offensive line already and the sudden retirement of Brad Butler makes taking a tackle a must in this spot. Buffalo is switching to a 3-4 and they very well could go after a rush linebacker as well, but in the end I think they go tackle.

10. Denver – Rolando McClain | ILB | Alabama | 6’4” | 254 lbs

Assuming Denver deals Marshall they could go Bryant in this spot, but with them releasing Andra Davis they have a hole to fill in the middle of the linebackers and McClain would be a great fit for the 3-4 defense they converted to last year.

11. Jacksonville – Derrick Morgan | DE/OLB | GA | Tech | 6’4” | 268 lbs

I know Weaver has publicly stated he wants Tim Tebow, but I would be shocked if they took him here. Some team later in the draft may take Tebow in round one, but even in trying to boost ticket sales this would be a huge reach. Jacksonville instead finally gets the edge rusher they have been looking for years. Morgan is a physical freak and should draw comparison to the original Phreak Javone Kearse.

12. Miami – Eric Berry | FS | Tennessee | 6’0” | 211 lbs

Could it be real? Could Berry really fall to #12? Maybe, maybe not but thanks to Detroit and Washington for shaking up the draft he does. BP likes to take his linebackers and he very well could take one here, but Berry is arguably one of the top 3 players in this draft and has drawn comparisons to Ed Reed. He is physical and can cover in man or zone. Berry falling to Miami could be the best thing the Trifecta could hope for and if he’s there I feel they would jump all over him.

13. San Francisco – Joe Haden | CB | Florida |5’11” | 191 lbs

San Fran would be thrilled if Haden was still on the board with this pick. They had the 21^st ranked pass defense in the league and can use an upgrade in the defensive backfield. Haden is a very physical receiver that many compare to Revis. He had a bad 40 time at the combine but there are rumors he had an injured back. I expect him to bounce back with a much better time at his proday. He would fit the hardnosed style of Mike Singletary.

14. Seattle – Charles Brown | OT | USC | 6’6” | 303 lbs

Carroll gets his replacement LT with his second pick in round 1. Carroll knows Brown better than anyone and he will reunite with him to be his LT for years. Brown has very good feet and may lack some in run blocking but he excels in pass blocking.

15. New York – Dan Williams | DT | Tennessee | 6’3” | 327 lbs

Giants need improve their defense and especially against the run. They probably would have loved to have McClain here, but Williams will give them a big DT that is stout against the run.

16. Tennessee – Brandon Graham | DE | Michigan | 6’3” | 263 lbs

Tennessee’s defensive line will be a position of need this off-season. Vanden Bosch is gone and Tennessee must revamp the defensive line. Graham gives Tennessee an edge pass rusher to get after Manning and Schaub.

17.  San Francisco – CJ Spiller | RB | Clemson | 5’11 | 195 lbs

Spiller gives San Fran the lighting to Gore’s thunder. Spiller will be an instant help with his return abilities and playmaking abilities in space. He is the change of pace type of back that San Fran needs.

18. Pittsburgh – Mike Iupati | OL | Idaho | 6’5” | 325 lbs

The Steelers must improve the offensive line. Last year they were not able to run the ball and Big Ben was running for his life too often. Iupati looks to be a probowl type RT or an elite guard. They would like to upgrade the LT position, but putting Iupati next to Starks would give Starks a huge boost.

19. Atlanta – Carlos Dunlap | DE | Florida | 6’6” | 290 lbs

Dunlap when motivated is a beast. Atlanta could look towards Jason Pierre-Paul here as well, but Dunlap would give them an edge rusher that is also stout against the run. Dunlap has top 10 talent, but the concern on him is can you keep his motor running and I believe Mike Smith thinks he can.

20. Houston – Earl Thomas | S | Texas | 5’10” | 197 lbs

The Texans could go a few different ways here, but Thomas could provide immediate help in a division that faces the Colts twice a year. Thomas is athletic enough to play safety and the nickel back in passing situations. Texans could also go D Line here, but Thomas may be too much to pass up.

21. Cincinnati – Jermaine Gresham | TE | Oklahoma | 6’6” | 258 lbs

A pass catching TE is a glaring weakness for the Bengals. Gresham would give Palmer another weapon to help pull the linebackers away from the LOS in order to give more running lanes for Benson.

22. New England – Sergio Kindle | DE/OLB | Texas | 6’4” | 255 lbs

In my opinion Kindle is 1b with Graham as the top DE/OLB in the draft. Graham may be more explosive, but Kindle may be more fluid in coverage and sideline to sideline. The Patriots need to upgrade the outside linebackers and be able to get pressure on the QB.

23. Green Bay – Devin McCourty | CB | Rutgers | 5’11” | 193 lbs

The Pack needs to improve the offensive line, but there doesn’t seem to be the value here. They would have loved Iupati but Pittsburgh beat them to the punch. The Packers CBs are getting a little long in the tooth and McCourty could come in to play nickel and give solid special teams help until he wins a spot.

24. Philadelphia – Sean Weatherspoon | LB | Missouri | 6’2” | 241 Lbs

Weatherspoon made a believer out of me during his Senior Bowl week. He just looks like a perfect fit for the Eagles defense. He can play inside or out, but should be able to slide right into the WOLB spot and give leadership to a defense that is lacking that after the loss of Dawkins.

25. Baltimore – Dez Bryant | WR | Oklahoma State | 6’3” | 220 lbs

The Ravens traded for Boldin and very well could pass on a receiver here, but Bryant is the best receiver in the draft and he would not be rushed into making and impact right away and his value is too much to pass up. His maturity has been questioned and the leaders on the Ravens could really help him grow.

26. Arizona – Maurkice Pouncey | OL | Florida | 6’5” | 304 lbs

The Cards must improve the offensive line. Lienart is taking over the reigns now and they must work on and upgrade in the line to be able to run the ball more consistently. Pouncey can step right in at guard or center and be an instant upgrade.

27. Dallas – Taylor Mays | S | USC | 6’3” | 235 lbs

The Cowboys don’t have many needs, but safety has been a thorn in the side of that defense. Mays is a physical specimen and with the other talent on the Cowboys Mays coverage weakness could be hidden somewhat.

28. San Diego – Ryan Mathews | RB | Fresno State | 5’11” | 220 lbs

With the departure of Tomlinson RB is a need position for San Diego. Best and Dwyer may be ranked higher on most boards but Best size and Dwyer’s lack of a pro-style offense makes Mathews a better fit fo the Chargers at this point. They are very close and need an impact from the running back position right away.

29. New York – Terrence Cody | DT | Alabama | 6’4” | 348 lbs

Jets are a solid team, and they could go a couple of different ways, but Kris Jenkins will be 31 and he only played in 6 games in 2009. Cody has shown good dedication in getting his weight down after the Senior Bowl, and Ryan should be able to keep him motivated.

30. Minnesota – Jared Odrick | DL | Penn State | 6’5” | 301 lbs

Vikings are solid all around, but the D Line showed some weakness late in the season. Pat Williams will turn 38 this year so they must find someone that can fill that hole. Odrick is very aggressive and is stout against the run, but can also get penetration from the DT spot.

31. Indianapolis – Brian Price | DT | UCLA | 6’0” | 300 lbs

Colts could go any level on the defense, but they still struggle in the middle. Price would give them a player that can fill the hole against the run, but is able to get penetration and play on the offensive side of the LOS.

32. New Orleans – Jason Pierre-Paul | DE | USF | 6’6” | 260 lbs

Fresh off the Super Bowl win the Saints may be the most complete team in the NFL. With that being said they could stand to improve the defensive line. With a name like Pierre-Paul is there anywhere else he should play? JPP may have the most upside of any defensive lineman in the draft, but he lacks experience. New Orleans could bring him on slowly and use his speed in pass rushing situations.

Around the NFL teams are jockeying for QB’s who never had it, never will, projects, or over the hill guys on their last legs.  When the free agent markets’ top QB is Chad Pennington…there might be a little bit of lack of QB’s.

Earlier today it was announced that the Seattle Seahawks have swung a deal with San Diego for 3rd string QB Charlie Whitehurst.  Whitehurst has a big arm and a few intangibles but after that, there isn’t much.  The ‘Hawks moved down 20 positions in the 2nd round with SD and gave them their 3rd round pick.  Is it just me or did they give up a lot for a QB who has proven nothing?

Now, I do realize that in the case of Thigpen he has hardly proven to be a winner, but he has arm strength and speed.  He is also young and although he lacks the pedigree of some others, he has started in the NFL and last year almost led Miami to a final game comeback victory.  Yet we hear nothing of teams being interested in him.  Or could it be that the Dolphins simply have no desire to trade him?

There were a few questions heading into free agency that surrounded Miami and their players.  Would Ronnie Brown be a target with only a 1st round tender?  Not even a whisper thus far.  Did the Dolphins make a mistake in only putting a 2nd round tender on Anthony Fasano when so many other teams were in need of a TE?  Nothing.

The Phins also were rumored to have interest in possibly moving Ted Ginn or Greg Camarillo.  Nope, not a thing.  So what gives?  Well, the market may just not be there and that is fine to some degree.  You can’t control what other teams want or who they deem to be the right fit.  Still, when it comes to QB, you would expect a little more.

Let’s face it, the Seahawks are not bringing in Whitehurst to be the starter anymore than Derek Anderson will be guaranteed to start in Arizona.  Or Delhomme will start in Cleveland, or how about the late round pick given to Cleveland along with Peyton Hillis for former 1st round pick Brady Quinn?

The Rams are still wanting to look at QB as are the Bills supposedly but yet neither team seems interested in a QB who has starting experience.  Again, not yet.

The Dolphins may do well by keeping Tyler Thigpen on the roster, but that would also mean they would be willing to keep 4 QB’s on the team unless they can convince Pat White to take up shop as a WR.  Something that some believe he is unwilling to do.  Perhaps maybe that is the issue at hand.  Teams believe that Miami won’t keep all 4 and that they will simply let Thigpen go.  I doubt it.

So while this seems to be the year of the small trade instead of the blockbuster trade, one thing is apparent, no one is talking to the Phins and the Phins  apparently are not talking to anyone else.  Of course if there is  one thing we know about these guys running the show in Miami is this.  We won’t know until they want us to.

According to Jeff Darlington of the Miami Herald,Incognito will make upward of $1.25 Million including incentives, even if he is the starter.

G Richie Incognito will stay overnight in South Florida as his agent takes over situation. Dolphins like him. It’s now a matter of how much.

I’m told Incognito’s visit has gone well so far. Team is concerned about past — but not too concerned to resist signing him for right coin.

This could mean many things, ranging from Incognito could be close to signing with the Dolphins to he simply didn’t want to catch a late flight. It’s the off-season though and a time for optimism so I’m hoping this means he’s strongly considering coming on board to improve our offensive line. We may know tomorrow.

I have my thoughts.

Safety:  Wait for it.  Simply wait for it.  In Dallas, there is talk that Ken Hamlin will be cut and if that happens, the Dolphins should take a strong look at bringing in the veteran.  Hamlin struggled last season as well as the year before compared to his past under Bill Parcells and company.  In Miami, he would be re-united with a system that better uses his style of play.

OLB:  Unfortunately there is nothing to do but wait.  Until the draft that is.  The Dolphins will make OLB and NT a priority heading into the draft and there is no reason that the Fins can’t wait until pick number 2 in this April’s draft to address the need.  The Phins can target a true OLB or a hybrid pass rushing DE.

NT:  The first round of the draft will likely answer this question and the popular choice would be Dan Williams.  A solid body and frame, the Phins are looking for someone that can replace Jason Ferguson and Williams could possibly be that person.

Guard and ILB depth:  The visitation of Richie Incognito would go a long way to not only providing depth but more likely a mean mother who will start on the line where Donald Thomas would move to add depth.  At the ILB spot, free agency is the likely place to go for that.  Late in free agency is when the best deals on available players could be had.  Unfortunately, recently released LB Andra Davis won’t be joining Miami.

WR:  Yes, we finally arrive at WR.  Personally, I would package a deal that would send a couple of players and a 3rd round pick to Denver for Brandon Marshall.  I truly believe they want to rid themselves of the WR and the grandstanding 1st round pick is meaningless.  Since that isn’t going to happen and FA offers absolutely nothing, the Phins have only one way to go and that is the draft where they will likely spend another 3rd rounder on a rookie and hope they hit.  Of all the positions of need, this is the one, that once again will go unfilled…again.

So why should the Fins take a shot at Incognito? Well for starters he’s going to come relatively cheap. Nobody is vying for his services right now which means Miami will be able to get him for well below what his market value should be (if not for the peripheral issues with his dirty play). Second of all in an uncapped year if he proves to be problematic Miami can cut him with no cap penalty whatsoever. So the risk is essentially minimized.

But let’s also look at what Incognito could bring to the table. He’s 26, he’s 6′3 320, he’s started every game he’s ever played in and he’s incredibly mean. We all hate Logan Mankins but talk to any Patriots fan and they’ll tell you how much they love the guy. Think about it, Miami was a top five rushing team already without Incognito who would represent a clear-cut upgrade at right guard. This would improve the line and by extension the run game, possibly even the passing protection. But moreso it would give the Dolphins line an attitude adjustment. Jake Long is mean, but in a fairly subdued way. Justin Smiley is mean but in a “hurt-half-the-season-way.” Jake Grove? He’s mean also. Vernon Carey… not so much. But Richie Incognito is downright nasty. You’re telling me the Dolphins could add a mean-streak, upgrade the line and do so at a relatively low cost? No-brainer.

I’ve always felt Miami’s offense was somewhat… timid. Maybe timid isn’t the best word but ferocity is not the word that comes to mind either. That can be especially problematic in say, New Jersey, against the Jets defense. I’d like to see what Richie Incognito, finally on a competitive team and under the expert tutelage of Tony Sparano and the Tuna, would do to Bart Scott and Calvin Pace.

Incognito has never really had the benefit of playing on a good team or receiving good coaching. He played for Frank Solich and Bill Callahan at Nebraska, St. Louis has been in a meltdown-mode for over half a decade now and he got to play under an interim coach in Buffalo. Then consider the incentive for him to behave and prove he can be an elite guard (because after this chance he’ll find himself in Jeff George territory) and it’s not hard to argue that if he’s willing to buy into the Dolphins philosophy, he could actually be one hell of a reclamation project. A we all know how Parcells likes his reclamation projects.

To me this move would make perfect sense. The Dolphins have the potential to get bigger, stronger and meaner (ultimately better) with very little risk involved. The people in place to work with Incognito are the best in the business and this team desperately needs more tenacity, more personality. Miami just got rid of the one of the league’s dirtiest players in Joey Porter. At least, historically, Incognito commits most of his transgressions against players on other teams. Why not? Miami needs to sign Richie Incognito, if just for how much fun it is to say that name.

There aren’t any starting nose tackles in free agency since they were all resigned by their teams and Jamal Williams was signed by the Broncos so it looks like the only way to acquire a nose tackle is by trade or the draft. There aren’t a lot of nose tackles on the trading block so it looks like we will make our selection through the draft.

Dan Williams (Tennessee) is a first round prospect and many people believe that he will be the selection at #12 to Miami. If the Dolphins choose to skip on Williams then some other options are Terrence Cody (Alabama) projected 1st – 2nd round, and Cam Thomas (North Carolina) projected 2nd- 3rd round. Some late round prospects are Linval Joseph (East Carolina), and Torrell Troup (Central Florida) both are projected to be drafted around the 3rd or 4th round, or Jay Ross (East Carolina) who is projected to be drafted in the 5th or 6th round.

Whoever Parcells brings in we know that he believes he can start and be a force for Miami on the defensive line.

While it may look confusing at first, we will be able to provide you with more information that you can access.  Over the course of the next couple of weeks we will be adding an all new links section on our menu, a more complete draft section, and a few other surprises.

Also, we have officially added our on-site forum.  (Haven’t had time to play with it yet).  We truly hope you like the new look and we also think you will enjoy the new content when we get them added.  I promise you will have access to a lot more news on the Miami Dolphins.

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