Ronnie Brown's contract plus Sparano's words

It had been widely reported that Ronnie Brown is a free agent after this season, but I kept looking at numbers sent to me by a source that insisted the Dolphins running back had originally signed a six-year and not a five-year contract.

So today I decided to go straight to the source and end the little mystery. And now we have an interesting (at least to me) answer.

It turns out Brown signed a contract that was for five years plus an option year when he was the second-overall selection in the draft in 2005. And according to Brown himself, the option is tied to whether the NFL and players reach a new collective bargaining agreement prior to the 2010 season. Currently, the CBA is scheduled to expire after the 2010 season with that season being an uncapped year.

"The way it works," Brown told me, "is if they reach a new agreement, this is my last season under contract and I become a free agent. If they don't come to an agreement for 2010, I'm under contract to the Dolphins for another year. I have to play another year under the old contract because it becomes a six-year contract."

So if the players' union and the NFL do not reach a new collective bargaining agreement, Brown's option kicks in and he is scheduled to make a $5 million base salary in 2010. Brown is scheduled to make $3.608 million this season.

And once again, if the union and league work out a new CBA, Brown becomes a free agent able to sign with any team he wants, he said. So I asked Brown if he's been keeping abreast of the news of the labor negotiations because the stuff directly impacts his status?

"I haven't thought about it a lot for the most part," Brown said. "I worry more about things I can control. I mean, I'd obviously like to stay here. I like it here. The way I see things is if I continue to care of business, everything else will take care of itself."

Brown's status is unique because he might or might not be in a contract year. That affects talks between his agent and the team -- which obviously are not very heated right now. And it might affect the manner in which some players are motivated.

"A lot of time that's where guys put a lot of pressure on themselves," Brown admitted. "I just want to go out and improve on a daily basis and I think the main goal is to stay healthy for the whole season. If you're healthy and you can go out and improve each week, everything else will take care of itself."

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Today marked the final day before Thursday's nationally telecast preseason game that coach Tony Sparano talked to the local media. 

Sparano said Chad Pennington will start the game against Tampa Bay and play through midway in the third quarter. Backup Chad Henne would play about one-and-a-half quarters to finish the game. The starting offensive line, Sparano said, will play three quarters. Pat White is apparently not scheduled to play.

Sparano confirmed the Dolphins have still not settled on a starting receiver opposite Ted Ginn Jr. "It's still uncertain to me right now," he said. "It's starting to clear up a little more for me, but it will take a little more time."

Well, the clarity is apparently coming from rookie Brian Hartline, who started the Carolina game. Hartline has continued working with the first unit in base offense and with the first unit in the three-wide package that also includes Davone Bess and Ginn.

Sparano said the fourth and fifth receiver on the roster "have to be special teams players." Obviously, Patrick Turner, Brandon London, and Hartline have been playing special teams. Greg Camarillo, by the way, cut his teeth on special teams before earning playing time.

Speaking of special teams, Sparano said you will probably see Bess, Ginn and Hartline returning punts against the Buccaneers. Ginn, Cobbs and perhaps Lex Hilliard will be returning kicks.

Hilliard will work on special teams regardless of whether he returns kicks or not. It is the way he either makes this team or not. So far, Hilliard has carved a roster spot for himself. That can change. But in game one against Jacksonville, Hilliard did a "tremendous job on special teams," according to Sparano. In game two against Carolina, Hilliard "did a nice job. He kind of made a few mistakes but it was a million miles an hour."

Still speaking of Hilliard, Sparano said coaches will "put a bunch on his plate," with the starting special teams units this week so they can see him against Tampa Bay's starting special teams unit. And, of course, Hilliard's likely to get some carries also.

Hilliard is clearly more in than out as far as a roster spot goes. How he plays Thursday determines if he stays that way.  

Comments

[odinseye]

Ooooooo.....that SquoooWee CUbano!

I'm not a farmer!

I'm the Norse Viking God of WAR!!!!

........Dammit.....

[CUbano]

when people talk politics here , you can feel it's a more like a farmers market blog

[cuban menace]

You know if barack wanted to help the auto industrie he should have made it a requirement that you had to buy american auto's, But then again, does ford sell anything but F-150s ???It kills me that these guys continue to POUR money advertising these gas guzzling trucks, its amazing...

[CUbano]

CARLITO'

did you ever went to a game when fins won the super bowl ?

[odinseye]

That's right!

Run you little roach!

You Rodent!

You will beg for mercy soon enough..........

[cuban menace]

Iam sorry, i was talking about his cash for clunkers, my bad, just got home and havent had my first(of many) beer yet...

[CUbano]

let's admit it that ODE and CARLITO are funny people and good read

[CUbano]

ODE'

are you talking to mice running in your living space ?

[carlito from golfito]

cubano,

No, I was not born last time Dolphins won the Super Bowl. Last time they went to super bowl I was little kid.

[cuban menace]

Odinseye, Well you show them mercy???

[odinseye]

CUbano just jealous of real farmer in Columbia.

Only cane Cubano sniff is sugarcane.

[cuban menace]

Carlito, you forgot about taxes...

[x]

who killed more innocent people ?

A-VIKINGS

B-ROMANS

[cuban menace]

I think it was the nazis, though i could be wrong...

[odinseye]

CUban

I have a large snow white weasel that lives under my house. He so pretty I just name him and call him a pet.

PS: My weasel keep all other rodents out of my house. He good pet!

PSS: True story!!!!

[odinseye]

X

Romans hands down. Their reign of terror lasted much longer than the Viking or Nazi era's.

[Tom Bunchen]

Two thoughts on the political discussion:

JFK is in the top 3 most overated presidents of all time. As a Senator, never sponsored one piece of significant legislation. As President, completly botched one of the few significant crises he had to deal with (Bay of Pigs). Sort of reminds you of the current Democrat clown occupying the White House.

Re Ted Kennedy: Another in a long line of siver spoon blow hards from that family. His "liberal white guilt" politics will not be missed by most decent Americans.

[carlito from golfito]

cuban menace,

not true. I know many people that don't pay taxes. most gringos that live in golfito move there for this reason.

[CUbano]

i want ,
CUBAN
ODE
CARLITO
NJ FAN

EACH DESCRIBE HOW YOUR FACE LOOKS LIKE, HOW SHORT AND YOUR WEIGHT .

THANKS FRIENDS

[carlito from golfito]

cubano,

this not dating website.

[cuban menace]

CUbano, thats got to be the most uncomfortable question that Ive seen on this blog....

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Odinseye. that's the f'n problem it involves me and my life. You see unlike many naive americans, i researched and studied about obama and new about him being a far left wing liberal with socialist values. The man was studing karl marx and hung out with radicals . He had no experience and never ran a business in his life. I tried to warn people, but they were brainwashed by the left wing looney media. Ok . i promise no more politics.

[carlito from golfito]

I feel like I need to wash hands or take a shower after cubano question. Please, somebody quick, talk dolphins!

I want Patrick Cobbs return Kickoff, he was very good at this last year. Maybe Lex Hilliard?

[odinseye]

Tom

Wrong again. Kennedy was duped by the CIA and then Killed by them.
He wouldn't sacrifice innocent American lives to line the pockets of Nazi's like Prescott Bush, John Rockerfellar. and John and Allen Dulles.
Vietnam was about Heroin, Rubber, and oil profits.

[x]

did any one knows if the vikings in their days of killing innocent people they ever shaved ?

nj phin ,shut up and talk hot dog and football only .

[stool pigeon]

NJ is Joe the Plumber. He knows pipes so good, inside and out. He learned how to use his tool with pipes at a young age.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Tom Bunchen. Well said !. Couldn't agree more. JFK's best job , as odinseye pointed out, was bagging marilyn monroe , but then again she was drugged most of the time. also clown is being to nice to obama.

[x]

ODE ......has a dog bite on his face - 5'4" short -267 lb

nj, has a mustache -5'5 short - 315 lb

carlito has brown dod on his check -5'11 tall- 167 lb

[NCfinfan]

Hey plumber you should go to a fox news blog with that mess.

[carlito from golfito]

How come X never say something important or right?

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Ncfinfan , what's the matter truth hurts ? LOL !

[cuban menace]

Notice that Nathanal Doddsworth got his citizenship and now he's no where to be found on our lil blog?? Mr. Doddsworth, please grace us with your presence...

[Chorizo]

Nj hates people he lot likey Bush

[NCfinfan]

Its not like the other extreme is any better. Look who got us in to this mess!

[odinseye]

X

I'm 6'-1" 190. I workout, fish, hunt and I aint afraid of NOTHING. You don't want none of this.
Vikings didn't kill innocent people anymore than anyone else during that time period. It was survival of the fittest. We took what we needed from whomever.....including weak a$s little punks like you!!!!

[cuban menace]

If you ask me its all the airlines fault we're currently in this mess ...

[Chorizo]

nj dont like obama
his favorite color is white
his not favorite color is brown/black

[carlito from golfito]

No one wants to talk Dolphin?????

Patrick Cobbs for return Kickoff? Maybe Lex Hilliard? Who starts at #2 wr?

I like Bess for start with Ginn.

[x=finfan13]

Ody, your are a liar, i will take care of you next time I see you at that bar you go to

[carlito from golfito]

Odinseye,

Vikings used to raid monastary and kill all monks and nuns and rob church. this not survival.

running the wildcat. that survival.

[odinseye]

Fair Warning!!!!

Making a beer run....but I'll be back!!!!

[cuban menace]

You the man Odin...

[carlito from golfito]

Since nobody want to talk Dolphins, what kind of beer you think Odinseye getting?

1. Carlsberg (from Denmark, home of viking)
2. MIckeys Ice
3. Heiniken
4. Schlitz
5. Milwaukee Best
6. Old English
7. Smirnoff Ice
8. Steel Reserve
9. Imperial
10. Snobby Microbrew

[x]

You the man CARLITO

vikings killed all these people for what ?

SURVIVAL MY AZZZ.
NJ LOVES ALL PEOPLE ONLY WHEN HE SLEEPS

[odinseye]

Carlito

That's only because all the little sissy punks tried to hide the goods in the Monastary......Duuhhh!!!!
We did not kill the nuns. We TOOK them for their own good. They lived large cooking, cleaning and raising more little WARRIORS!

[NJ PHIN FAN]

But at least they were real americans who believed in capitalism ( you know hard work small business's ) and freedom instead of socialism , big government , no freedom and government handouts that will make us broke. This mess is all on obama and this congress that has been there since 2006. Their irresponsible spending ( 4 time the deficit ) in 6 months is all on them.

[carlos]

AND now most people live in the land of vikings are gay ." not there's any wrong with it "

[cuban menace]

I think odins a bud guy myself, maybe mich. amber boch.. we'll see, we know he likes Bacardi rum...maybe i likes something from the west coast maybe Anchor steam.. who knows what a Norse warrior would like, the real question should be will he pay for it or whip out the viking sword that ways 40 lbs and lob off the cashiers head and burn the store to the ground?? just wondering???

[NJ PHIN FAN]

carlito , odinseye likes dark bacardi . beer ? t think he said he love budweiser ( bud light ).

[Ace]

I pick the Carlsberg brand of beer that Odinseye will get. I used to drink that many years ago. It was pretty good stuff.

NJ, Odinseye what's up?

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Personally , i think odinseye is a raging alcholic. LOL :} Everytime he's on here , he either drinking or going to the bar.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Ace , What's up. We ( odinseye , cuban and myself ) are about to have a party, You In ?

[cuban menace]

Man NJ there we go again...

[NCfinfan]

NJ

George Bush and DIck Cheney freedom loving Americans??? They guys that attacked their own country to get he public to back a unjust war? Freedom Loving????? The guys that torture people and tap phones and kill civilians in foreign countries??

[Ace]

I am in, but will catch up with you guys later. Gotta get something to eat.

[Ace]

NJ dont bite. NCfinfan is fishing. Half the time people on here are fishing. Let someone like uncle sam take care of him

[cuban menace]

Not that theres any thing wrong with that..

[burger13]

odinseye

The CBA which is set to expire after the 2010 season, was not adopted until 2006. At that point, it was set to run through 2012. It wasn't until 2008 that the owners decided to opt out 2 years early...making 2010 the final year of this CBA.

I just don't see any way possible that in 2005, Ronnie, his agent or the Dolphins saw 2010 as any CBA landmark.

Doesn't make sense.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Ncfinfan , so you're the one of the 5 9/11 conspiracy theory members that bush attacked the WTC. LMFAO ! Pissing in my pants. That says it all. you're far left kook . Enough wasting my time with you. The same so called " tortures saved lives including yours. Any credability you had just went down the toilet after that comment about 9/11 . Do me a favor say hello to rosie o 'donnell , jeanine garfalo and the rest of your fellow kooks. LMFAO ! Un-freaking-believable.

[cuban menace]

And say hi to Kieth Olbermann while your watching MSNBC...lmfao