Potential 2008 Free Agents
By Brian Miller
I figure since the Miami Dolphins will have to start looking at 2008, why not start looking at the potential 2008 free agent list? This is not iron clad and in fact is far from it. Many of these players will be re-signed, tagged, maybe traded, maybe retire, who knows, but they are, for now, the top names at each position. So why the hell not take…say just a peek? Oh, and as it stands now, the Dolphins could have around 25 to 30 mill to play with next year. I have not gone through each of these to see if any have renegotiated their contracts prior to this season, so if some will not be on this list next year, sue me. It’s the middle of October for crying out loud.
RBs:
Michael Turner – Perhaps the biggest name at the position. The long time back-up to Ladanian Tomlinson will hit the market and will likely make some nice bank within the first week of free agency. Barring a catastrophic injury to LT.
Miami Prognosis: Even though Ronnie Brown is shining right now, Cam Cameron loved having turner as a reliable backup and change of pace guy. Although it is not likely with the resurgence of Brown, don’t be surprised if he doesn’t at least get a nice long look early from Cam.
The rest of the potential free agents RB’s are: Jamal Lewis – Cleveland, Fred Taylor – Jacksonville, Vernand Morency – Green Bay, Chris Brown – Tennessee, Julius Jones – Dallas Cowboys, Cedric Cobbs RFA Denver Broncos, T.J. Duckett UFA Detroit Lions, Justin Fargas UFA Oakland Raiders, Noah Herron RFA Green Bay Packers, Maurice Hicks UFA San Francisco 49ers, Travis Minor UFA St. Louis Rams, Mewelde Moore UFA Minnesota Vikings, Artose Pinner UFA Minnesota, Vikings, Musa Smith UFA Baltimore Ravens, Tyson Thompson RFA Dallas Cowboys, LaBrandon Toefield
WRs/TE’s:
Bernard Berrian – Chicago, Patrick Crayton – Dallas, Bryant Johnson – Arizona, Drew Carter – Carolina, Eric Johnson, TE – NO, LJ Smith, TE – Philly, Antonio Chatman – Cincy, Keary Colbert – Carolina, Terrance Copper – NO, Andre’ Davis – Hou.
Miami Prognosis: With the trade of Chris Chambers, the Dolphins will get a long look at Ted Ginn and Derek Hagan. Look for them to do some shopping, especially if only one or neither show anything at all. What I don’t expect is money to be thrown out to the TEs. They will patiently wait out David Martin and Justine Peele is looking decent.
OL: Ruben Brown – Bears, Alan Faneca, Ryan Lilja – Indy, Max Starks – Pitt, Floyd Womack – Seattle, Jake Scott – Indy.
Miami Prognosis: The Dolphins took last year off in the free agency fight for offensive lineman. With the line improvements and the youth on the line, the Dolphins may opt to do the same rather than overpay for the above mentioned. Last year 2nd and 3rd tier lineman were cashing in around the 45 mill mark. The above mentioned will likely want more than that.
DL: Jared Allen – KC, Justin Smith, Bengals, Terrell Suggs, Baltimore, Mike Rucker, Albert Haynesworth.
Miami Prognosis: The Dolphins thought that their Dline was the least of their problems. They were wrong. Wrong in a big way. Problem is that as of now, there doesn’t appear to be much in the way of young valuable talent on the line. You can write of Haynesworth, Cameron wants upstanding players, Al does not fit that bill. This will be an area of need, and a lean area of products.
LBs:
Tedy Bruschi – NE, Karlos Dansby – Ari, Demorrio Williams – Atl, Boss Bailey – Det.
Miami Prognosis: This will be an interesting area to watch. If Zach retires or is traded, look for Channing Crowder to move to the middle, that leaves a hole on the outside. Bruschi is not leaving NE especially for Miami and the larger problem is that Miami doled out 20 mill guaranteed to Porter and that so far has not paid off. A big ticket LB will likely be passed on, which is good considering that the names above may not be worth the money it would cost to get them.
DBs: Mike Doss – Minny, Dominique Foxworth – Denver, Drayton Florence – SD.
Miami Prognosis: The Dolphins must find a way to improve their defense and their secondary is as much a problem as their front 7. This list is nice but there is not Nate Clements among them. Last year the Miami front 7 made the secondary look better than they were by pressuring the QB and forcing quicker plays, this year, they are making the secondary look good, by giving up so much in the running game that teams don’t need to throw. Not much to hope for next year.
OVERALL: As I said this is an unconfirmed list and there are names that are not on it and names that are that shouldn’t be and won’t be. It is mid-October and the thought of looking at potential free agents for next year is rather pathetic. But it is, what it is.