Berger signs 3-year deal with Miami [Update 2]

Maybe it's not the splash you wanted, but the Dolphins have addressed two desires along the offensive line with the signing of Joe Berger today.

Berger's visit with the Dolphins today, first reported here, culminated in the former Dallas Cowboys signing a three-year deal with the team this afternoon, also first reported here.

So what is so special about a career backup signing with Miami?

Berger was brought in to compete with starter Samson Satele for the starting center job. At 6-5 and 310 pounds, he more closely fits the mold of what the Dolphins want anchoring the middle of their offensive line. The Dolphins will likely add a draft pick to that center competition as well.

Berger also will provide competition at right guard for Donald Thomas, the rookie who won the job last year but was injured in the season-opener and went on injured reserve.

Even if Berger does not win either job, he will provide the Dolphins with quality depth. The team last year was not pleased with the depth at either left or right guard and suffered for it, particularly in the playoff loss to Baltimore.

A little perspective here: Berger had earned the starting job with the Dolphins in 2005 when he suffered a foot injury that basically cost him the job. The following year the Dolphins needed to make a roster move and cut Berger to put him on the practice squad but he was claimed by the Cowboys. He's been a backup in Dallas since.

"Joe's very happy to be back down there," agent Tom Tafelski said in confirming the deal. "He's reunited with his old Dallas offensive line coach who is now the head coach. He's looking forward to getting the pads on and proving this is a good move for the Dolphins." 

So what else is going on? I'll have the names of any other players that might be visiting the Dolphins today after 4 p.m. I don't imagine it will be a very long list. [UPDATE: Berger is the only unrestricted free agent visit the Dolphins are reporting to the NFL today.]

One name not on the list will be Laveranues Coles, who many fans (and some reporters not named Salguero) have speculated would be on Miami's radar. Coles, drafted by Bill Parcells in 2000, is in Buffalo today.

Finally, for now, check out this story by colleague David J. Neal, who today caught up with newly minted strong safety Yeremiah Bell for an exclusive interview following the player's re-signing with Miami yesterday.

[UPDATE 2: Renaldo Hill, who started 39 games for the Dolphins the past three seasons has signed with the Denver Broncos. He signs a four-year deal worth $10 million with a $3 million signing bonus.]

One more thing before you guys continue to complain about Miami's start to free agency. Yes, the Redskins are tilting the cash register. Yes, the Jets are looking to get Bart Scott. Yes, Coles is in Buffalo. Yes, Center Jason Brown is in St. Louis and negotiating with the Rams.

But the winners and losers in free agency aren't determined on the first day. And I like Bill Parcells and Jeff Ireland and their chances of making the right calls as much, indeed more, than the folks in Washington, St. Louis and New York.

Comments

[hurriphin]

1st, perhaps?

[Ixxy13]

Im sure they know what they are doing.

[TRICKY]

CAN I GET CHEESE AND KETCHUP ON THAT BERGER. HAHAHAH GOOD TO HAVE HIM BACK. WE SURE CAN USE DEPTH.

[Tyler]

dumb move i dislike it for several reasons....

[hurriphin]

Since its just me in here......

FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAART!!!!!!!!!!!

[stormernie]

Just as a FYI Coles was spotted this afternoon at Miami Inter'l Airport.

Hum that's not Buffalo...

[bill]

we just signed marino for a free year of nutri-system.

[whit wine]

Anothe dumb no good move for 1-15 team

[Alex]

Thanks Mando.
This may not feel big for you guys out there but .it is we have to built dept in our line so we won't be in the same spot as last year. Remember how the ravens destroyed our line.

[mike]

Mando, why are you soooooooooooo bitter?

[Waterboy]

Makes me think we can pick up a WR on the first pick. I have a hunch they love on the guys from the combine.
I still am waiting for the trade of beck to be replaced with Pat White taken in the 7th round.

[finfandolphinrock]

ESPN JUST REPORTED THAT THERE WILL BE CONTRACT SIGNED AMONG BERGER AND DOLPHINS JUST HONOR AGREEMENT INCLUDES FREE FOOD AND RETIREMENT HOME PLUS 25O BUCS A WEEK.

[c.c]

is his family coming with him to as ted hands of stone's family did?

[Rhoffman]

Berger...umm..who cares?

[c.c]

Who is he?

[Sprovo]

berger this

[joe]

Any word on Andre Goodeman, is any other team interested in him. What are the chances Miami will re-sign him?

We have a lot of money invested in our secondary, so i do not see Miami going after McFadden from the steelers.

[Cam Cameron]

Call me crazy, but if putting on a dress, covering myself with orange marmalde and lying down amongst 20,000 of my best friends (fire -ants) is crazy then ok I'm "crazy".

[Rhoffman]

Armando SalEGO.

[Dick Vermiel]

It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.

[Eric]

BORING!!!!!!

[Johnny Bravo]

Wow. Great scoop. Beat your chest why don't you. Dude was a third string guard for a team that didn't make the playoffs.

[Eric]

if Dave Wannstedt and Cam Cameron had made these moves (giving huge money to a pair of safeties and re-signing an average linebacker) we would be killing them.

[Johnny Bravo]

I predict Berger is inactive for more games than he plays in. He's a veteran Sean Murphy.

[Mr. Bungholio]

Berger kinda sounds like what I'm having for dinner tonight. I need TP!! Because I am Mr. Bung-holio!!!

[Sprovo]

Eric you don't know what you talking about.

[Wise Man Say]

Eric,
Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

[Hal Marion]

Congrats Scoop! Joe Freakin Berger - who cares.

[Mr. Bungholio]

He said FAAAAAAAAAAAAART! That's cool yea yea cool!

[Ken]

Great, we just signed an injury prone reserve to provide competition to our dissappointing center and our injury prone guards. Has anyone checked to see if Parcells is still on the payroll or has Randy Mueller been rehired?

[David E]

All of this talk about Jason Brown is pathetic.

He's the best offensive lineman available in an extremely weak offensive line free agency class. He's not a Pro Bowler. He was a 4th round pick out of North Carolina.

Why in the world would the Dolphins waste $40 million dollars on a position that has 5-6 players coming out of the draft that are rated 1st or 2nd round draft picks at the center position.

Again, loser teams make ludicrous financial decisions over players like Jason Brown.

Winning teams make smart decisions about how to spend their free agency money in comparison to how they view their draft board.

Again, this guy was a 4th round draft pick out of North Carolina. I'm pretty sure the Dolphins brain trust can figure out how to draft a good center with one of their first 5 picks in the first 4 rounds of the draft.

[Mr. Bungholio]

Ken dude you suck BP rocks like AC/DC!!!!!

[Eric]

Wise Man Say: i know football but you i think you have no Clue

[HP in PA]

Eric, you are a bitter little man. You would love for us to spend all the money on the market like the skins. How many championships has that helped them win? Or how many division titles? You keep the players you have the have been developed and suppliment where you can. Two years ago no one knew who Jason Brown was. Bart Scott backed up Adelius Thomas and no one knew he was either. Give it a break

[hEcTor]

If God dwells inside us, like some people say, I sure hope He like enchiladas, because that's what He's getting!

[Eric]

Sprovo you don't know what your talking about, your just drinking the Parcells kool-aid. Channing Crowder hasn't made a play in four years, Joe Berger sucks and safety is the most worthless position on defense.

[Nick Syntax]

All the movement in the AFC East today and THIS is what I read about????

What the other teams are doing will have 50 times more impact on the Dolphins than this minor signing. NFL.com says he played in 3 games last year and was inactive almost the whole year.

[Mike]

Nice depth pick up.

[Eric]

every i see you
every time i hear you
i get big head pain

[Ron Burgundy]

Eric,

Crowder was our 2cnd leading tackler and play caller on defense, when he was out in KC our D suffered...but obviously you know more than Parcells, Armando, and everyone else in here, so I tip my hat to you sir....

[Jimmy]

"Even if Berger does not win either job, he will provide the Dolphins with quality depth".

I kind of disagree with this statement. He was a third stringer for the Cowboys !!!

There should be plenty of quality backups in the later rounds of the draft. And even if we don't draft one a veteran freeagent can be had for a veteran minimum paycheck.

So far our freeagency has sucked.

[Wes Mantooth]

Guys, please. Berger is not an all pro - we know that. But look at it this way- just because swans mate for life, I don't think its that big a deal. First of all, if you're a swan, you're probably not going to find a swan that looks much better than the one you've got, so why not mate for life?

[Tyler]

parcells should have kept his poker face on and waited for Scott...

[Finfandolphinrock]

If you get Berger for 250 Bucs a week the that's good plus food and retirement home .it's OK deal

[Eric]

our defense suffered because it was freezing cold and they were caught off guard by the Chiefs throwing it all over the field, not because of a linebacker that hasn't made a play in four years being hurt.

[thejuandiggler]

Will this guy end up like a Sean Ryan , Nate Jones , ernest wilford.....offseason moves...in -season scrubs?
Makes it very intresting in what way we are going in the Draft.?.?

[Ron Burgundy]

Wes,
I will take your mother, Dorothy Mantooth out for a nice seafood dinner and NEVER call her again!!

[Ken in San Diego]

I remember Berger. He was doing really well until he injured his foot and was put on IR. He is big and beefy, plus he is exceptionally smart, and he will provide depth at the very lease and compete for a starting job. While it is not a "big name" pickup, it is a solid pickup. Building depth is the critical second step for the TunaFish.

[Ron Burgundy]

The juandiggler,

Nate Jones came on strong at the end of the year as a nickleback...he even got a couple sacks

[Cam Cameron]

Fellows - trust me you are going to like this Berger. I know his family too. So don't panic, and if you ever catch on fire, try to avoid looking in a mirror, because I bet that will really throw you into a panic.

[markthefinfan]

Hey eric safety is the most worthless position on defense.
Have you seen troy palamalu play.
In the NFL some times your up sometimes you down. If you don't have any depth you will loose more games then you win remember 1-15.
Hey there is a mcfarlane custom dolphins of your choice on ebay.check it out they look good. Heres to the dolphins going 6-0 in the east next year.

[Ron Burgundy]

Haha, the Bungles just signed Chris Crocker...look out for blown coverage in cincy...

[Jules]

Big Kahuna Burger? Mmmm mmmm That is a tasty burger. Cheeseburgers - the cornerstone of any nutritious breakfast.

[Sprovo]

LET ME MAKE THIS CLEAR.

I don't criticize or insult other Dolphins fans. I am only here to copy and paste as well as regurgitate information previously reported by others.

If you find that I've insulted you, its the idiot Jets fan trying to take out his frustrations from losing the Steelers guard AND Bart Scott.

[Cam Cameron (Football Mastermind)]

If you saw two guys named Hambone and Flipper, which one would you think liked dolphins the most? I'd say Flipper, wouldn't you? You'd be wrong, though. It's Hambone.

[creep]

UN FREAKING REAL.......

so far WE BROKE EVEN WITH GIBRIL=HILL

and now a FREAKING BACKUP WHO HAS NO STARTS.....

HEY morons LET'S PRAISE THE SKINS!!!!!!

HAIL REDSKINS!!!!!!!!

you retards will bash what they do every year, but DON'T ALL TEAMS "TRY" TO BUILD THROUGH THE DRAFT??????????

does it work for all teams??????

how many wasted picks have the FINS made in past years??????

AND DIDN'T THE SKINS ONLY HAVE 8 MIL UNDER THE CAP, YOU FREAKING MORONS WHO ALWAYS COMPLAIN ABOUT.....NOT GOING OVER THE CAP

hey, do the moves the SKINS made give them a RING?? HECK NO......BUT AT LEAST THE DO WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO........

[Mr. Bungholio]

Cam Cameron looks like a dork yea yea a dork with those stupid glasses and that clipboard but what he says is cool!!

[HP in PA]

creep = the name says it all

[Mr. Bungholio]

ceep you suck dude! You are put on trial for being stupid and jumping around in our face and stuff!!! I am Mr. Bung-holio!!!!!! punk

[cRUZ]

Mando had this before anyone so props mando.