Free agency begins this evening and we're going to celebrate two ways: I'm going to give you some information while also hang out with you starting at midnight for about an hour.
The information I have for you is that the Dolphins are going to be aggressive during this free agency period. A club source tells me they have a couple of guys they like and they're going to bring those guys in starting Friday. So the Dolphins could have their first wave of free agency signing(s) Friday afternoon sometime.
It will be very, very, very interesting to see if soon-to-be-former Baltimore center Jason Brown is one of those guys. Make no mistake, the Dolphins like this guy a lot and have been inquiring about him and doing their due diligence on him.
But part of that due diligence is understanding what the guy is looking for in free agency. And if he is serious about getting $7-$8 million per year, that just might be too rich for the Dolphins to stomach. They can afford it, make no mistake. But it would adversely affect the club salary structure in which the center would be making as much, or more, than the right tackle. That is hard for a team to justify.
Moreover, Brown rexpects to be chased by the free-spending Washington Redskins or the St. Louis Rams who have had no issues in the past with throwing money around. So my free Miami-Dade Public Schools education tells me the Dolphins address the center-right guard position, but they do it with someone else in free agency, someone not quite so expensive.
... And then get another crack at it the spot in the draft, too. Remember Tony Sparano believes you can never have too many linemen.
This is not to suggest Brown doesn't like the idea of playing for the Dolphins.
"Bill Parcells definitely knows football," Brown said in an interview that will appear in Friday's edition of the Carroll County Times. "He's definitely doing the fundamental things it takes to build a winner and you can see that ... You can see how Parcells has turned that thing around."
Brown also likes the idea of moving his family to South Florida for the next five or six years.
"There's lots of beautiful beaches, retirement communities, and it can be pretty laid back," he said. "Me and my wife would fit in with that."
But in the next instant, Brown talks of liking the idea of staying in the Baltimore-D.C. area, too. It is closer to his native North Carolina, so there is a comfort zone there. And again, the Redskins or Rams are likely to bring money quickly -- as early as 12:01 a.m.
I'm not saying the Dolphins won't make a push, but it just looks like they're not the big favorite in this deal.
Anyway, come back for the midnight live blog. If worse comes to worse and nothing happens, we'll just hang out for a bit. You guys don't have anything else to do, right?
lol everyone here reporting the Hall deal
Posted by: h3at23 | February 27, 2009 at 12:31 AM
The Dolphins had TE Aaron Halterman with fewer than four accrued seasons and they declined to give him a qualifying offer or even a minimum tender.
He's now an unrestricted free agent and obviously the team is no longer interested in having him back.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | February 27, 2009 at 12:31 AM
Daniel Snyder is hysterical. What is his philosophy exactly? "Hey guys, blindfold me and then let me pull some names out of a hate and when I'm done, I'll overpay for that player by 50%"
Posted by: David E | February 27, 2009 at 12:31 AM
If the phins sign Bart Scott or J. Brown they will be winners in free agency this year.
Posted by: Indydolfan | February 27, 2009 at 12:32 AM
isaac, shut it! A mock draft is the farthest from our minds right now!
Posted by: Pat | February 27, 2009 at 12:32 AM
That's it! 12:30 and the Trifecta hasn't signed anybody yet. Now I'll have to find a new team to root for.
Posted by: SWFlafan | February 27, 2009 at 12:32 AM
dude we WANT GOOD INFO I.E. (JASON BROWN INFO) DUDEEEEEEEEE GET IT!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: isaac | February 27, 2009 at 12:33 AM
Hey Armando,
How about the Dolphins pursuing Matt Birk from the Vikings? This guy has been a stud for years. The Vikings running game is always strong.
He'll cost less than Brown.
Posted by: littleDitka | February 27, 2009 at 12:33 AM
The Redsikins are the dumbest team alive to give Deangelo Hall 54 million...Oh, Im sorry, I mean the RAIDERS and the REDSKINS are BOTH the dumbest teams alive. Im glad in the Raiders case because we got the best FS available in free agency in Wilson...The Ravens can have Ray Lewis. I bet the Jets will make a stupid offer to Bart Scot. He's good but has been playing next to Ray Lewis his whole career. Let's see how good he is next to Vernon "the bust" Gholston...
Posted by: Micah Vargo | February 27, 2009 at 12:33 AM
Mando,
Coles was not cut. His contract was restructured to allow him to become a UFA at midnight tonight. So it is not correct that the Dolphins, or anyone else, could have signed him or talked to him at anytime previous to midnight.
Posted by: Lyle Gorch | February 27, 2009 at 12:34 AM
DONT Y'ALL WANNA SEE WAT MR.MANDO THINKS CUZ I SURE WOULD =)
Posted by: isaac | February 27, 2009 at 12:34 AM
mia jump on brown!!!!!!!
Posted by: Tyler | February 27, 2009 at 12:34 AM
Brown to travel to DC first?? That Blows..
Posted by: Rick on the Beach | February 27, 2009 at 12:34 AM
mando! u gotta step up man! lol we all found out about hall before you? step up the gameeee haha. free agency is pretty exciting
Posted by: sicknastyyy | February 27, 2009 at 12:34 AM
I like jabari greer's game. 2 me he better than goodman and it would b nice if we got him. plus its always a good feelin 2 sign a divison rival player
Posted by: dolfans | February 27, 2009 at 12:35 AM
vargo the funny things is that if the Jets Sign Scot the dumb jets fans will start screaming superbowl
Posted by: cRUZ | February 27, 2009 at 12:35 AM
I think Synder is aclone of Al Davis. When we are old and Grey we will talking about Snyder like we talk now of Al Davis.
Posted by: Robert | February 27, 2009 at 12:35 AM
armando any FA mia is after?? that we havent heard of all ready?
Posted by: Tyler | February 27, 2009 at 12:35 AM
Alex Mack, Max Unger, and Johnathan Luigs were touted as can't miss starting centers before the combine. Louisvilles Eric Wood graded out as good or better than the other three. Example Bench Press: Mack DNP, Unger 22 Luigs 24 Wood 30 Samson Satele 41. Baltamore's Brown is a proven commodity. Are the Dolphins trying to push Washington into signing Brown and their real player is a first or second rounder of the above mentioned 4 college centers. Washington and Pittsburg are in need of centers. Eliminating Washington by allowing them or pushing them to sign Free Agent Brown from the Ravens. This stradegy allows the Dolphins with the # 1 pick to sign their man as center or a linebacker and center at the 2nd pick. Even for Bill Parcells its going to be hard to pass on the WR's available on the board Day 1. The posturing, mis-direction and clandistine moves would make for a spy novel. The dolphins have excecuted extremely well it appears so far in the off season. It seems all the S Florida scribes have even appoved and thats a tough audience.
Posted by: | February 27, 2009 at 12:36 AM
*PLAYS JEPORADY THEME IN HEAD WAITING FOR MR.BLOGGER* =)
Posted by: isaac | February 27, 2009 at 12:36 AM
Heard that Goody is looking for $5 million a year and the Pats are sniffing around.
Posted by: Matt | February 27, 2009 at 12:36 AM
Broncos sign Buckhalter and JJ Arrington
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/real_scouts/
Posted by: Sprovo | February 27, 2009 at 12:37 AM
how about we pursue tank johnson for dt and go after the wr from dallas.. miles?
Posted by: jtownsfine5t | February 27, 2009 at 12:37 AM
this blog sux...
Posted by: sean | February 27, 2009 at 12:37 AM
Actually Brown is making a visit to St Louis first...wouldn't worry too much about the Rams. He should make it out of there without signing...
Posted by: Calmer than you are | February 27, 2009 at 12:38 AM
Jason Brown is heading to St.Louis not Washington!
Posted by: Adam Pratt | February 27, 2009 at 12:38 AM
i do not believe andre goodman is a 5 million per year player...Armando, how about Leigh Bodden? He was misplaced in a tampa 2 defense last season. He is younger, more talented, and should come at equal value. I would steer clear of Bartell, McFadden, and Foxworth. They all are destined to get huge deals that there play has not warranted.
Also, i wouldn't be opposed to keeping Goodman and signing a free agent. Even though Parcells doesn't put a premium on CBs, as they say, you can never have enough corners. Joey Thomas anyone
Posted by: jared | February 27, 2009 at 12:39 AM
HERE YE HERE YE HERE YE
Fresh off the ESPN john Clayton press:
I just talked to someone in the Redskins organization who said nothing's close to happening -- in the first 12 minutes of free agency! Last year, the Dolphins waited at least 30 minutes to sign the first player of free agency. I think teams want to wait at least an hour so the tampering that goes on (shhhhh!) won't be so obvious.
An NFL Live free agency special begins in three minutes if you're interested.
Posted by: Mike W | February 27, 2009 at 12:39 AM
Ya i know this is pretty bad..
Posted by: Phil | February 27, 2009 at 12:39 AM
$5 mil a year for goodman? no way. let him walk
Posted by: Indydolfan | February 27, 2009 at 12:39 AM
i hope we sign albert haynesworth... that would make my week..
Posted by: marioelloco | February 27, 2009 at 12:40 AM
MR.BLOGGER WENT TO SLEEP
Posted by: isaac | February 27, 2009 at 12:41 AM
HERE YE HERE YE HERE YE
Fresh off the Brady watch:
Brazilian model Gisele Bundchen married National Football League star Tom Brady Thursday in an "intimate" sunset ceremony, US Weekly magazine reported on its Web site.
Posted by: Mike W | February 27, 2009 at 12:41 AM
i think we might make a LEGIT run at brown.
Posted by: cRUZ | February 27, 2009 at 12:41 AM
UR FIRED MANDO!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Jeff | February 27, 2009 at 12:42 AM
Breaking news: miami signs center jason brown to a 7 year 55.3 million dollar contract. you just got punked! this the contract we r discussing right now. go redskins!
Posted by: Daniel Snyder | February 27, 2009 at 12:43 AM
At the opening of free agency, the popular deals were re-signs.
Just as the Washington Redskins resigned CB DeAngelo Hall, the New York Jets did the same with FB Tony Richardson. It’s believed to be a one-year deal, with New York keeping the dependable blocker and locker-room leader.
How is Tony Richardson 100
Posted by: Robert | February 27, 2009 at 12:43 AM
Jets sign Tony Richardson
http://blogs.nfl.com/category/adam-schefter/?icampaign=DW_free_agency_friday
Posted by: Sprovo | February 27, 2009 at 12:43 AM
Okay, at first I though Mando was getting a bad rap and wanted people to leave him alone, but come on this is your blog give us something.
Posted by: fishfan | February 27, 2009 at 12:44 AM
BREAKING NEWS!!!!
Brett Favre just announced his unretirement, then heard that he would still be obligated under contract with the JETS and quckly retired again.
Posted by: SWFlafan | February 27, 2009 at 12:44 AM
MR.SALGUREO SOLD OUT!!! SEEEEELLLLLLLL OUTTTTTTTT
Posted by: isaac | February 27, 2009 at 12:44 AM
UR FIRED AGAIN MANDO!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Jake | February 27, 2009 at 12:44 AM
Good centers in the draft, but I think we would have to use our 1st rounder on Mack or Unger. So my thoughts is get Brown from the Ravens and use our 1st and 2 2nd rounders on 2 defensive players and a WR.
Posted by: PhinMan | February 27, 2009 at 12:44 AM
Alright guys, I just wanted to let our fan base know that Jeff is in the process of attempting to get Center Jason Brown signed at this time. St Louis is currently the only other player in the Brown derby at this time. Brown will (hopefully) be our only major free agent signing, although we still expect a few more signings for depth purposes.
This move gives us flexibility in the upcoming draft with our three picks in the first two rounds.
On the defensive side of the ball we will be looking to add a pass rushing OLB, NT or CB...and on the offensive side of the ball we will be looking to add a WR, G and RB in the draft.
Unfortunately the signing of Jason Brown will see us releasing RB Ricky Williams.
That is where we currently stand. Have a good evening fellas.
Sincerely
Bill Parcells
Posted by: Bill Parcells | February 27, 2009 at 12:44 AM
Fins are making a hard push for Brown...they're making a run at him right now.
Posted by: Calmer than you are | February 27, 2009 at 12:45 AM
Armando Salguero!!!
IS !!!!
A!!!!
SELLOUT!!!
Posted by: isaac | February 27, 2009 at 12:46 AM
Tony Richardson signed with the jets and Hall with the skins, incase the 1000 posts on this didn't faze you yet !
Posted by: Mel Martinez | February 27, 2009 at 12:46 AM
MANDO U SUCK.....U HAVE ZERO SOURCES.....WEAK!!!!!!
Posted by: JUICE | February 27, 2009 at 12:46 AM
The Dolphins have firmed up a Friday visit with C-RG Joe Berger. Berger played the past three season with the Dallas Cowboys.
He played two seasons with the Dolphins in 2005 and 2006.
Berger has never started an NFL game. He is 6-5 and 310 pounds.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | February 27, 2009 at 12:48 AM
OMG how sad that on the night free agency opens espn is talking about tom brady being married
Posted by: dolfan4life | February 27, 2009 at 12:48 AM
Where u at mando????? NOwhere to be found....
Posted by: JUICE | February 27, 2009 at 12:48 AM
Mando
We're still waiting to hear who the OL is you mentioned earlier...something fall through?
Posted by: Calmer than you are | February 27, 2009 at 12:49 AM
Mando,
Any chance the phins sign TJ Howsyermama?
Posted by: Indydolfan | February 27, 2009 at 12:49 AM
The Rams, meanwhile, have plans of their own. They have lined up a visit with Ravens center Jason Brown. As we've discussed, Brown would dramatically upgrade the middle of the Rams' offensive line. The team has been getting by with stopgap players at center.
Posted by: PhinMan | February 27, 2009 at 12:49 AM
THATS IT, THAT IS WHAT I WAITED UP FOR. MANDO YOU DO SUCK.
Posted by: fishfan | February 27, 2009 at 12:49 AM
Thats it!
Posted by: dolfan4life | February 27, 2009 at 12:49 AM
Isaac and Juice, you are stupid as hell to coin a phrase from a bad movie.
Posted by: arg | February 27, 2009 at 12:49 AM
cards got buckhalter and jj arrington
Posted by: miamifan305 | February 27, 2009 at 12:49 AM
comeon guys leave mando alone. im sure hes going crazy with emails and texts and crap. just wait hes gonna suprise u all!
Posted by: sicknastyyy | February 27, 2009 at 12:49 AM
Thats the other OL name you had?
Posted by: dolfan4life | February 27, 2009 at 12:49 AM