The Dolphins today have to be considered the early favorite to sign linebacker Karlos Dansby.
Dansby, 28, confirmed on ESPN after midnight Friday morning that he will visit with the Dolphins Friday. "I just got off the phone with my agent," Dansby said, "and he told me our first visit right now is Miami. We have other things lined up."
And away we go!
Obviously, Dansby will be in South Florida sometime in the afternoon. He was not, contrary to various reports, aboard a plane to Miami at midnight. (Oh and reports that claim they were slightly "off" on their claims were wrong, too. This isn't horseshoes or hand grenades.)
The Dolphins will do everything they can to keep Dansby from leaving town without a contract. They have a relationship with Dansby's agent Todd France, who also represents running back Ronnie Brown.
But Dansby will cost. As I reported earlier, he's looking for $30 million guaranteed.
The Dolphins were not messing around Thursday even before the new league year began at midnight. They were among the first teams to speak with local agent Drew Rosenhaus about safety Antrel Rolle, according to a source close to Rolle.
I have not confirmed that Miami has offered Rolle a contract as has been written elsewhere. Going to be cautious here.
On another front, a source close to Chad Pennington is saying the quarterback wants to play for the Dolphins. Nothing new thee. There is no contract agreement, but it seems the veteran will do whatever he can to be with the Dolphins as a backup.
If there is a follow through on this -- and remember it's not done until and unless there is a contract -- the Dolphins may find themselves with four quarterbacks at the end of training camp. And that could be one quarterback too many.
I do know the Buffalo Bills have sniffed around about Tyler Thigpen so that might be an option for alleviating the crowded quarterback room.
One small caveat to all this: The Carolina Panthers released starting QB Jake Delhomme on Thursday. Dolphins offensive coordinator Dan Henning coached Delhomme the year the Panthers went to the Super Bowl. Not saying it's going to happen, but again, until Pennington has a signed contract with the Dolphins, he hasn't.
[Update: Chris Mortenson of ESPN is reporting Pennington wants a no-trade clause to sign with the Dolphins. Dolphins have resisted. Like I said, it's not done until it's done.]
The New York Jets, perhaps Miami's biggest rival, have already made a significant move Thursday evening. They acquired cornerback Antonio Cromartie from the San Diego Chargers for a 2011 third-round pick that could be a second-rounder depending on Cromartie's play and how far the Jets advance.
Cromartie led the NFL with seven interceptions in 2007 but has only five picks in the two years since. The Chargers had grown weary of his unmet potential. Rex Ryan, who loved Cromartie coming out of FSU years ago, believes he can play man-coverage on either side now and bring even more pressure than he did last year.
The Jets had the No. 1 defense in the NFL last season.
Thanks for late blog Mando. What about bryant talks? Looks like were gonna be stuck with our mediocre WRs unless we find something in the draft.
Posted by: THUNDERBOLT | March 05, 2010 at 01:29 AM
Bye Bye Pennington.
Posted by: fishypete | March 05, 2010 at 01:31 AM
Im gonna miss pennington. Everytime i say his name my dog goes wild. I dont know why but its kinda cool. Pennington woof.
Posted by: THUNDERBOLT | March 05, 2010 at 01:34 AM
Odin, I think the chase of Dansby shows the Dolphins aren't in love with the idea of Rolando McClain.
Dan Williams at No. 12 is a possibility.
I love either of the safeties -- Thomas or Berry -- if Rolle doesn't land in Miami.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | March 05, 2010 at 01:35 AM
Bye Bye Pennington.
Posted by: fishypete | March 05, 2010 at 01:31 AM
I'd rather have Penny than Delhomme.
Posted by: odinseye | March 05, 2010 at 01:35 AM
By the way, Dansby is telling the Washington Post he'd be open to taking several visits including one to Washington.
so the Redskins ARE in free agency. And Dansby ISN'T locked up.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | March 05, 2010 at 01:38 AM
delhomme is awful id rather have pennington with the injury than delhomme
Posted by: sports inc | March 05, 2010 at 01:38 AM
Pay, if you guys want a late blog before draft night or whatever, I'll make it happen.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | March 05, 2010 at 01:39 AM
Cut Pat white he can't complete a pass and is too small to take the beating running the option
Sign Pennington Keep Thigpen and let Delhome go to Buffalo
Posted by: Therocker39 | March 05, 2010 at 01:40 AM
Dansby is trying to drive up his price. He'll be in Miami, deal signed before dinner tomorrow night.
Posted by: WestCoastFan | March 05, 2010 at 01:40 AM
I see Thomas Armando as the real choice, Berry most likely will be selected before the Dolphins pick. Thomas is a pure playmaker...thats why I believe Rolle is just smoke to get the Giants to bite.
Posted by: fishypete | March 05, 2010 at 01:40 AM
Mando, what about Boldin? Any news on that?
Posted by: WestCoastFan | March 05, 2010 at 01:41 AM
We now can see why the Dolphins wanted to sign Pennington...to trade...and it makes sense, Pennington as a starter would bring a far better draft choice than Thigpen.
Posted by: fishypete | March 05, 2010 at 01:42 AM
Armando,
I tend to agree with your logic on Dansby/McClain.
With Dansby and Crowder starting inside, do you think Crowder will have the coverage skills needed?
Posted by: odinseye | March 05, 2010 at 01:42 AM
Fins interested in Chester Pitts
Posted by: Robert | March 05, 2010 at 01:43 AM
Come on Armando...Dansby is just doing what every other player does...driving the price up.
Posted by: fishypete | March 05, 2010 at 01:44 AM
Passing along another rumor: National Football Post is reporting the Dolphins have interest in Chester Pitts, who I never heard of before two minutes ago.
He's a 30-year-old OL from the Houston Texans who was hurt most of last year.
Sounds exactly what the Dolphins typically look for doesn't it? NOT!
Posted by: Armando Salguero | March 05, 2010 at 01:44 AM
if rolle really wanted to be back in miami he would of signed
Posted by: bob | March 05, 2010 at 01:45 AM
No Dolphins news on Boldin.
Again, I have heard Baltimore is hot for him.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | March 05, 2010 at 01:46 AM
If we get dansby and rolle there is no reason not to trade for boldin!! nt 1st, olb 2nd, te 4th
Posted by: bob | March 05, 2010 at 01:47 AM
Chester Pitts is most famous for telling his life story during the Super Bowl two years ago. Not an upgrade at all over Smiley, Thomas or Berger for that matter
Posted by: WestCoastFan | March 05, 2010 at 01:47 AM
Armando,loved the last one after the season was over.I don't post alot but read every night.
Posted by: payuengsnwings | March 05, 2010 at 01:47 AM
Why hasn't Peezacrap been released yet
Posted by: Therocker39 | March 05, 2010 at 01:48 AM
Chester Pitts is a story I believe...he was bagging groceries when another O-line player saw him and talked him into trying football...I believe he plays a flute.
Posted by: fishypete | March 05, 2010 at 01:49 AM
Pitts attended San Diego State University, and he worked bagging groceries at a Ralph's supermarket. After a chance encounter with Kyle Turley (and later Ephraim Salaam), Pitts joined the university football team as a freshman walk-on. Upon dominating future Pro-Bowler Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila in practice he was awarded a scholarship.
Posted by: fishypete | March 05, 2010 at 01:50 AM
keep chad and trade tyler or white
Posted by: miami1354 | March 05, 2010 at 01:52 AM
What about Jason Ferguson, Mando? Resign him?
Posted by: WestCoastFan | March 05, 2010 at 01:53 AM
White has no trade value He is a joke he can't pass and is too small to play any other position
Posted by: Therocker39 | March 05, 2010 at 01:53 AM
Any interest in the Fins going after DT Pat Williams? That would fill a huge need!
Posted by: Jason | March 05, 2010 at 01:54 AM
i have always looked on the good side but the dolphins needs to do several things to keep up with the jets!!! Mando do you think sam hurd could bring something to the phins! the tuna signed him with thw cowboys
Posted by: bob | March 05, 2010 at 01:55 AM
The trifecta won't give up on White yet. We took him in the second. He's better than he showed, but not a capable backup in this league.
Posted by: WestCoastFan | March 05, 2010 at 01:55 AM
WestCoast, Ferguson wants to play but wants to make sure he's 100 percent and doesn't have to go through camp to do it.
Bottom line: If he plays in 2010, it will probably be in Miami.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | March 05, 2010 at 01:56 AM
sam wyche reports fins and Dansby likly to agree to deal shortly after visit
Posted by: The Truth | March 05, 2010 at 01:57 AM
pet white has to be tried at wr for this pick to not be a total joke
Posted by: bob | March 05, 2010 at 01:57 AM
Ahhh, that's Pitts. Now I know who we're talking about. And so why would the Dolphins have interest in him?
Posted by: Armando Salguero | March 05, 2010 at 01:57 AM
pat white my bad
Posted by: bob | March 05, 2010 at 01:58 AM
Get rid of tyler and white,sign penny and draft the kid from the gators in the 6th or 7th rd.
Posted by: payuengsnwings | March 05, 2010 at 01:58 AM
bob, Rolle wants to really be back in Miami AS LONG AS THEY ARE PAYING HIM MORE THAN JUST ABOUT ANY OTHER TEAM MAKING AN OFFER.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | March 05, 2010 at 01:58 AM
I like Thigpen but I think Penny "fits" better with our situation.
Dan Henning must have walked Parcells down the garden path on the White fiasco.
Bill! Say it aint so. Please tell us your not slipping in your old age.
Henne, Penny and Thigpen are good to go. Send White packing!
Posted by: odinseye | March 05, 2010 at 01:59 AM
with Henne Pennington and Thigpen WE have a solid QB staff White is not even close to any of them and serves no other purpose cut him now while there are no cap ramifications don't waste a roster spot on him and no one is going to trade for him
Posted by: Therocker39 | March 05, 2010 at 01:59 AM
The interest in Pitts might related to Justin Smiley's injury concerns.
Posted by: Jason | March 05, 2010 at 02:00 AM
Rocker, Peezy will be gone soon enough.
And then reality will set in and he'll understand that he isn't really that good anymore.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | March 05, 2010 at 02:00 AM
First Free Agent signing Nate Burleson to Lions
Posted by: Robert | March 05, 2010 at 02:00 AM
Armando, any news on the Rolle front. Any way te fins get him before he visits the giants?
Posted by: The Truth | March 05, 2010 at 02:01 AM
so true....just shows it is about the money and guess i can't say anything bc money is what talks
Posted by: bob | March 05, 2010 at 02:01 AM
Heard it hear first!
Sean Weatherspoon will be Defensive R.O.Y next year
Posted by: WestCoastFan | March 05, 2010 at 02:01 AM
After plenty of momentum building for a return by quarterback Chad Pennington to the Dolphins, a contract term requested by the player reportedly has thrown a wrench into the plans.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that Pennington has asked for a no-trade clause.
Mort's report comes from another team that is interested in Pennington. So maybe that other team will end up getting the player -- if that other team is willing to give a no-trade clause.
The fact that Pennington would want such protection and that the Dolphins would be reluctant to give it suggests that Pennington's instincts were on the money.
Looks like Penne knows he was gonna be trade bait and isn't going for it. Seems the trifecta may be happy with what they have in Thigpen. Of course they could have got more in trade for Penne than Thiggy.
Posted by: GetterDone Phins! | March 05, 2010 at 02:02 AM
When healthy is a very good guard....could also play RT. Most likely he'll come cheap.
Posted by: fishypete | March 05, 2010 at 02:02 AM
Therocker39
I guess we agree on White huh?
Posted by: odinseye | March 05, 2010 at 02:03 AM
Do you believe any 3rd round player that the Dolphins can pick will have a bigger impact than if they traded for Boldin?? A #1 WR will instantly upgrade this football team!
Posted by: Jason | March 05, 2010 at 02:04 AM
Jason, I agree 100%. the only problem is money. After you get Boldin you gotta pay him. That won't be cheap. I'd still do it though.
Posted by: WestCoastFan | March 05, 2010 at 02:06 AM
Odinseye
I have been against white since I heard his name on draft day I think they drugged parcells to get that pic through either that or had some revealing photos
Posted by: Therocker39 | March 05, 2010 at 02:06 AM
i just want to see a serious play for players that dont bust!! i realize you can never tell but the phins brass has not shown much with smart chocies this far in free agency the past couple of years!!!!!
Posted by: bob | March 05, 2010 at 02:07 AM
I would rather the Dolphins went after Breaston than boldin he's just too old
Posted by: Therocker39 | March 05, 2010 at 02:08 AM
this trying to out smart people with 2nd teir peolpe is great if you show it works but so far they have not
Posted by: bob | March 05, 2010 at 02:08 AM
Breaston isn't a #1. he can field kicks though
Posted by: WestCoastFan | March 05, 2010 at 02:09 AM
I'm out folks. Good night.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | March 05, 2010 at 02:11 AM
Thanks for staying up Mando!
Posted by: WestCoastFan | March 05, 2010 at 02:11 AM
Breaston isn't a #! because he plays behind Fitzgerald and boldin but give him the opportunity I think he can be
Posted by: Therocker39 | March 05, 2010 at 02:11 AM
I know Boldin won't be cheap, but the Dolphins have been neglecting going after a #1 WR for years!! I believe a #1 WR will open up the running game and make our receivers so much better. This would be a move every Dolfan would dream of!!
Posted by: Jason | March 05, 2010 at 02:11 AM