Richie Incognito is a Miami Dolphin.
The Dolphins and the player's representatives at this hour are finalizing a deal that was submitted last night. Jeff Darlington of The Miami Herald reports the deal is worth slightly over $1 million. When the final language is written, the deal likely will include approximately $250,000-$300,000 in incentives to cover the possibility Incognito starts for Miami.
[Update 2 p.m.: The contract is one year with a $725,000 base salary, a $25,000 signing bonus, and a $125,0000 bonus if he's on the team the first week of the season. The total deal can be worth $1.35 million.]
That is bargain money. Good starting guards in the NFL average anywhere from $3-$5 million depending on experience and whether they have hit free agency or not.
Incognito has played three positions along the offensive line in his career -- RG, LG and C. But the Dolphins want him join the competition at both guard spots. Notice I said both guard spots. Yes, Justin Smiley has been something of a lock at left guard since joining the team in 2008, but he'll have to win his job during training camp -- regardless of whether he's the odds on favorite to do so or not.
The obvious area where the Dolphins most need solidifying is the right guard spot where Donald Thomas was the starter the first 12 games of 2009 but Nate Garner beat him out as the starter the final four games.
Incognito has had a checkered career and suffered maturity issues in college and with the St. Louis Rams. The Buffalo Bills, who claimed him on waivers last season, broke ties with him this offseason.
With this signing the Dolphins fill a "want."
They still have "needs" at OLB, FS, NT and WR in no particular order.
Get what Marino? What do you want me to "get"? I made my point perfectly clear so what's your point?
Posted by: Account Deleted | March 17, 2010 at 05:18 PM
yes scott cause rookie wrs usually help so much and im sure there is some free agent stud wrs out there, come on dude get real. i know we will draft a wr this year, but i wanted to get better right now. we havent even brought any wrs in for a visit, kinda frustrating
Posted by: marino | March 17, 2010 at 05:19 PM
Thats what I was saying marino.
Posted by: Po White Trash | March 17, 2010 at 05:20 PM
Thigpen BLEW the Pittsburgh game for us when we were in position to tie. All he had to do was throw the ball away on 2nd down and he would've had one more try at the end zone, if not we kick the field goal and tie. I agree that he's a back up, it's the solid part that I don't agree with. Kid makes too many mental mistakes at the most important times in the game. And if a team won't give up a 3rd rounder for him he's definitely not solid.
Posted by: Account Deleted | March 17, 2010 at 05:22 PM
Alright, even if he becomes a starter can you consider him a long term solution because of his past & his 1 year contract? I'm sure hoping Thomas, Garner & Smiley grade out better in camp and preseason.
Posted by: Turd Ferguson | March 17, 2010 at 05:22 PM
A year or 2 down the road we might get a better pick than a high 3rd for Thigpen.
Stranger things have happened.
Posted by: Po White Trash | March 17, 2010 at 05:22 PM
we havent won a playoff game in 10 years, it gets old
Posted by: marino | March 17, 2010 at 05:22 PM
Po,
I cant imagine Sparano keeping 4 QB's going into next season so someone has to go. We know Henne is a keeper and cant see Penny going,so that leaves White or Thigpen.
Just cant imagine White being traded fella
Posted by: Mark | March 17, 2010 at 05:23 PM
Po,
I cant imagine Sparano keeping 4 QB's going into next season so someone has to go. We know Henne is a keeper and cant see Penny going,so that leaves White or Thigpen.
Just cant imagine White being traded fella
Posted by: Mark | March 17, 2010 at 05:23 PM
And we won't bring in any WRs for a visit, this team will draft a WR and give Turner his chance...Personally I like D. Thomas in the second round too but by what I'm reading and hearing it will more then likely be the 4th
Posted by: bobbyd12 | March 17, 2010 at 05:24 PM
really, how many backups do u know of that a team will trade a third round pick for?
Posted by: marino | March 17, 2010 at 05:24 PM
marino I hear ya man but there just isn't any free agent receivers to be had. The only ones worth looking at are going to cost us draft picks and large contracts and we have too many holes on our 29th ranked defense to afford any of that. By the way, Marshall contributed right away as a rookie as have many other rookie WRs throughout the years. It just seems like you've given up and it's way too early for that.
Posted by: Account Deleted | March 17, 2010 at 05:25 PM
Armando - you got the need order correct. OLB, FS, NT, WR.
Posted by: snikoom | March 17, 2010 at 05:25 PM
He's not a starter, but he is young and he didn't know squat about our playbook @ "Pittsburgh" I'm sure.
White had how long to learn the play book and how many 1st downs did he get thru the air.
Thigpen Shows promise. More than White, IMO.
Posted by: Po White Trash | March 17, 2010 at 05:26 PM
no way have i given up, just tired of being patient year after year
Posted by: marino | March 17, 2010 at 05:26 PM
marino, Cassell comes to mind.
Posted by: Account Deleted | March 17, 2010 at 05:27 PM
I'm out, sorry for ripping on you marino, keep your head up man it's not that bad.
Posted by: Account Deleted | March 17, 2010 at 05:27 PM
so one? marshall as a rookie caught 20 balls for 300 yards
Posted by: marino | March 17, 2010 at 05:27 PM
Good answer NY, that’s my point. Invest in the guy and receive the dividends.
Posted by: Po White Trash | March 17, 2010 at 05:29 PM
Po White, thing is almost every team in the NFL will give their high picks three years to produce...remember Parcells used a second round pick on White because he liked him...Look at Ginn, Parcells didn't even draft him and they have given him his 3 years going on 4....whether that means moving White into a receiver type position OR moving Thigpen via trade, one will happen...White will be given his opportunity
Posted by: bobbyd12 | March 17, 2010 at 05:29 PM
Matt Schaub is another.
Posted by: Po White Trash | March 17, 2010 at 05:30 PM
white is not an nfl player, period. lets move on from him
Posted by: marino | March 17, 2010 at 05:31 PM
Give ya that B12, but I like what I see in Thigpen. Some times you have to "cut your losses" aka White.
But I could be wrong.
Posted by: Po White Trash | March 17, 2010 at 05:32 PM
Allright last thing marino. I am totally in agreement with you and yes it gets VERY tiring year after year. I just don't think we should blame 25 years of mediocrity on a guy who has only had 2 years to try to turn it around. That's when I get up in arms and defend BP. I think because we've been suffering for so long people don't see that they're actually trying to do it the right way now and that the right way, after 1-15, takes time. They could've come in here and signed a bunch of pro bowlers to huge contracts ignoring depth and chemistry in an effort to make it to a superbowl. But we probably would've fallen short and then been stuck with another 10 years of crap. It sucks to have to wait but they really do care about the future of the organization, even to a point that they seem to care what happens after they leave. They want to leave a legacy when most GMs and coaches only care about the now anbd how it's going to make them look. We are building toward a dynasty and my original assesment after the 1-15 season was 5 years until contention. Chin up marino, enjoy the process because we have a lot of young players that we can watch grow into true Dolphins.
Posted by: Account Deleted | March 17, 2010 at 05:36 PM
Ginn has no Balls(what so ever) but he is a burner and that is his worth, you get a True #1 Reciever on the other side of Ginn and he will show his value(stretch the field).
Not sure what Whites value is with Henne behind center.
Don't hate CM. LOL
Posted by: Po White Trash | March 17, 2010 at 05:37 PM
great post NYScott,great post :)
Posted by: Mark | March 17, 2010 at 05:39 PM
disagree on ginn, he drops so many balls and runs awful routes. dont think we need him on this team anymore.
Posted by: marino | March 17, 2010 at 05:41 PM
on parcells, the problem with him is he wont be here 5 years, think we all know that
Posted by: marino | March 17, 2010 at 05:42 PM
Ginn is the Quickest when he's running to the sidelines ...IMO...
Posted by: cuban menace | March 17, 2010 at 05:42 PM
Speed has its value. I'm not a fan of his but speed kills and that is what he has.
All he has to do is run down the sideline or a deep post.
Posted by: Po White Trash | March 17, 2010 at 05:43 PM
Ginn speed is fooling everyone who thinks he is good. As a Wr you must have big balls, he doesn't. Ginn sucks! He is not even a 50/50 guy. He's hurts us more.
Posted by: Finatic | March 17, 2010 at 05:44 PM
if it was that easy......
Posted by: marino | March 17, 2010 at 05:44 PM
marino,
I've said it once and i'll say it again....look for Brian Hartline to have a great season now that he'll be given alot more time on the field.
Agree on your Ginn assessment. He really has no place on our roster
Posted by: Mark | March 17, 2010 at 05:45 PM
Can't debate that CM.
Posted by: Po White Trash | March 17, 2010 at 05:45 PM
i like hartline and his quick progress but hes not a number 1 and never will be. has a white wr ever been a 1? guess largent in the 80's
Posted by: marino | March 17, 2010 at 05:46 PM
NYScott
Unless you get lucky they say it takes a receiver two to three years to develope. Again, we are in trouble. How can you not see we are going to have problems.
Posted by: sullysfins | March 17, 2010 at 05:47 PM
Agree on your Ginn assessment. He really has no place on our roster
Posted by: Mark | March 17, 2010 at 05:45 PM
Been saying that since Cam Moron drafted him and his entire family......
Posted by: cuban menace | March 17, 2010 at 05:47 PM
White people make great Wes welkers!
Posted by: Finatic | March 17, 2010 at 05:48 PM
I think basically it is that easy; stretch the D and keep em honest. If you have a great #1 WR; it is contingent on that.
Posted by: Po White Trash | March 17, 2010 at 05:49 PM
Very strong post NYScott.... Good to see that some of the guys who need some encouragement are getting some. What has happened in Miami over the past 10 years was not an accident. It is very easy to follow, see where the mistakes where... and point at it and say "See... that's where the coach was an idiot and so was Management. I believe this current staff is doing all they can to not repeat the same mistakes that placed this franchise in the mess it was once in. Things are a whole heel of a lot better then they were in January of 08... are they not? Patients really sucks... but you gotta believe its worth it... or why bother dealing with a blog like this one???
Posted by: Ask Bill Ruger | March 17, 2010 at 05:50 PM
ginn is a poor mans james jett
Posted by: marino | March 17, 2010 at 05:51 PM
I will say if you can find another sub 4.3 burner I would drop Ginn in a heart beat.
Posted by: Po White Trash | March 17, 2010 at 05:51 PM
Again,
Not a FAN of Ginns. CM you know that...
Posted by: Po White Trash | March 17, 2010 at 05:52 PM
Pragmatism can sometimes be distasteful.
Posted by: Po White Trash | March 17, 2010 at 05:54 PM
NYScott has good arguments/reasons why NE is always in the cat bird's seat. The logical part of my mind agrees but the other part is screaming WHY?
Posted by: cocoajoe | March 17, 2010 at 05:55 PM
By the By... here is a list of what one prognosticating site says is the top 10 WR in the draft in order... Please!!! Not my list... Ripping off my head is uncool for now... Need it to count cash and close my store later...!
Understand that Miami has workouts with #2 #4 #6 #7 & #10. List of workouts is not complete since some have not had pro-day yet.
1. Dez Bryant*, Oklahoma State
2. Demaryius Thomas*, Georgia Tech
3. Golden Tate*, Notre Dame
4. Arrelious Benn*, WR Illinois
5. Mardy Gilyard, Cincinnati
6. Damian Williams*, USC
7. Dezmon Briscoe*, Kansas
8. Brandon LaFell, LSU
9. Mike Williams*, Syracuse
10. Dexter McCluster, Ole Miss
Posted by: Ask Bill Ruger | March 17, 2010 at 05:56 PM
Joe,
NY left out one thing, Belicheat sold his soul to the DEVIL!
Posted by: Po White Trash | March 17, 2010 at 05:57 PM
ted ginn HAS EVERY RIGHT TO BE ON THE DOLPHINS TEAM AND NO THING CAN CHANGE THAT ,EVEN WITH THE IDIOTS TALK .
MAMA MARIA COMING TO THE HOUSE TODAY TO COOK .
Posted by: ALoco | March 17, 2010 at 05:58 PM
P.W.T. ..... Thought he WAS "The Devil"!
Posted by: Ask Bill Ruger | March 17, 2010 at 06:02 PM
"But the Dolphins want him join the competition at both guard spots."
Yeah, I want him join competition, too, Mando.
-- Bebo
Posted by: Bebo | March 17, 2010 at 06:02 PM
CAN WE SPEAK FOOTBALL ONLY GUYS TONIGHT ,PLEASE .
TO BE OR NOT TO BE .
Posted by: ALoco | March 17, 2010 at 06:02 PM
LOL @ Bill.
Shades of grey.
Posted by: Po White Trash | March 17, 2010 at 06:05 PM
Bill lots of play-makers on that list, but dont be shocked when the mighty air breathers use there first 3 picks on defense, Lets face it that defense lost the last 3 games single handedly last year and lets not forget the Indy, and New Orleans game either.......
Posted by: cuban menace | March 17, 2010 at 06:06 PM
Po, you are correct. Thigpen is an asset. White is not. Might change but as of now, it's a fact.
Ginn? As much as we all hate on him, he's not going anywhere until the situation improves. That may mean a trade or hold your breath for this: A #1 WR. Turning blue yet?
Posted by: cocoajoe | March 17, 2010 at 06:06 PM
Joe,
That is the point I was trying to make no matter how weakly.
Posted by: Po White Trash | March 17, 2010 at 06:08 PM
Cocoajoe, how much of an asset is Thigpen in ur opinion???? Enough of an asset to be packaged with someone to pick up a 3rd rd pick??? I personally would trade him with whoever for an extra high pick...
Posted by: bobbyd12 | March 17, 2010 at 06:14 PM
Po,
There may be some truth in that. I can see Darth Belicheat bowing down to Darth Sidious. 'What is your biding master?' (John Williams music in the background)
Posted by: cocoajoe | March 17, 2010 at 06:17 PM
I'm with that B12. High 3rd and he is outta here.
Posted by: Po White Trash | March 17, 2010 at 06:17 PM
po,
nice to hear from the master po the trash.
Posted by: ALOCO | March 17, 2010 at 06:17 PM
How are the meatballs AL?
Posted by: Po White Trash | March 17, 2010 at 06:18 PM