The truth about the DeAngelo Williams love affair

The recurring theme I hear when fans and some journalists speak of the Dolphins' running back options going forward is, sorry to tell you, often myopic at best. Basically, a lot of folks are just saying stuff without really knowing the facts.

For example, the group that blindly repeats the, 'Let's sign DeAngelo Williams,' theme obviously is not aware of the facts that could keep Williams from going anywhere in 2011. Those same folks say Williams has said he'd like to play here without knowing he's also said he'd like to return to Carolina.

And no one seems to recognize that even if Williams is a free agent, he'll have a handful of teams vying for his services.

So let's seriously consider this:

First, if the appeals court denies the NFL's request for a stay of a lower court's decision to end the lockout and the league must return to work under 2010 rules, as many believe will happen, then Williams simply will not be an unrestricted free agent at all.

Surprised?

If the NFL is forced to operate under 2010 guidelines, only players with six years of NFL experience will be considered unrestricted free agents. Williams has five years of NFL experience. He would be restricted. This is such a serious reality that Carolina on March 2nd placed a tender on Williams, assuring its rights to the running back.

It is such a serious reality that during the draft, once Carolina drafted Cam Newton, new Panthers coach Ron Rivera spoke passionately about how having Newton would benefit Williams in the backfield.

"If the defense crashes down on the line of scrimmage, [Newton] can bootleg outside and make something happen," Rivera told the Charlotte Observer. "If they honor that too much, then DeAngelo cuts back on the backside and breaks it for a 60-yard gain."

The Panthers tagged Williams with the highest tender, meaning any team wanting to sign him under 2010 guidelines would have to compensate the Panthers a first- and third-round draft pick. What does that mean? It means the Dolphins will not be getting DeAngelo Williams if he is restricted because I believe the Dolphins have come to dislike the idea of always being down one or several high draft picks each April while the New England Patriots are replete with their picks and some of everyone else's.

Of course, it is possible sanity prevails in this labor situation and the league and the non-union union work out an amicable collective bargaining agreement that makes Williams and all players with five years of experience free agents if they're unsigned.

Does that automatically clear the decks for the Dolphins?

Well, working for Miami is the fact Williams is represented by Jimmy Sexton, who also happens to represent coach Tony Sparano and general manager Jeff Ireland. I'm not suggesting that gives the Dolphins an advantage. I am suggesting if the Dolphins want to pay top market value, Sexton will be happy to bring a client to another client. It makes for a logical business dealing.

Also making Williams a possibility if he's a free agent, is the fact he has stated to several media outlets he'd like to play for Miami.

But guess what? Williams has stated to several other media outlets he'd like to stay in Carolina, too.

My guess is Williams wants to be wherever the payday is most lucrative and his opportunity for collecting stats and wins is greatest. That combination will trump everything, in my opinion, and he's not going to close any door until a decision is made.

One more thing regarding Williams: Folks seem to forget his former coach John Fox is now in Denver. Fox held Williams in high regard. The Broncos need help with their running game. The Detroit Lions were linked last year to liking Williams.

What I'm saying is their will be a market for arguably the best running back on the market.

So before we start picking out a number for this kid, remember he might be more valuable -- meaning $$$$ -- to someone else. And remember if the NFL lockout is ended by the courts and we're back to working under 2010 rules, Williams will not be playing in Miami because he will not be an unrestricted free agent.

Comments

[Kris]

YEAH BABY.....11111111111SSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTT..........

Now i gotta read the article

[Gary Stevens]

Umm...Armando...we're Miami Dolphins fans -- aren't we supposed to get excited at the possibility of signing top-line free agents.

Should we instead sit around in a pensive, cynical depression and root for a Pat MacQuistan contract extension?

[Darryl Dunphy]

...Armando. I was starting to think you had been abducted.

Knowing this. I'm sure this played a part in the FO trading up to grab Thomas. After Ingram, there weren't too many everydown backs in the draft. I know that we run a platoon system. But we still needed a guy that was goint to get the majority of the carries.

I would imagine that the FO will pursue a free agent or try to resign Brown or Bong Pipe.

[DyingBreed]

Yup, by stating he would like to play in both market cities Williams is only seeking to raise the bargaining price. It's always trouble when an athlete places money ahead of performance. AKA: Albert Haynesworth.

Darren Sprowles could be a much more attractive prospect and much lower cost. We just spent 3 draft picks on Thomas. Do you guys seriously think we're looking spend high value at rb based on this.

IMO, our big money in fa will be in pursuit of Carl Nicks, Asomghua, Gallery, even the Raiders TE who names eludes me right now.

We definitely need a pulling lg. We definitely cant rule out the fo doing some very heavy sniffing to see what it takes to land Asomghua either. Asomghua's lockdown coverage skills will buys just a little more time for the pass rush to get to opposing qb's.

[DyingBreed]

If Williams is tendered for a 1st and a 3rd, this automatically suggest even if he becomes unrestricted is price tag will be extremely high too. What makes dolfans actually think after spending 3 draft picks on Thomas this fo would be leaning in Williams direction.

Signing Willliams at very high price tag basically states Thomas wont be a starter and 3 draft picks for him was at "scalper's price".

[Kris]

Armando.....I was never high on the possibility of signing him anyway......now i'm even less so.....

Thanks....

[tarence]

Forget about deangelo. Sign ronnie

[$0.02]

Armando, I see your done reading Rex Ryan's new book.
Tell us about it.

[DyingBreed]

Asomghua will be #1 on everyone's fa list. However, it will be well north of $50 milllion for any team to get him signed.

The major question for us regarding Asomghua will be, is paying far north of $50 million for him worth it? IMO, yes! Asomghua allows Nolan to go all out with his blitzing pressure schemes.

[Victor]

A. Bradshaw,... is the guy! You heard it here first.

The quarterbacks in consideration,... A.Smith or V.Young.

All of these guys are either in their prime or have yet to reach their potencial. I believe A.Smith would fit B.Daboll's offense nicely. the same can be said for (a FREE) V.Young. The only player I'd be willing to pay for is C. Palmer (2nd Rounder at MOST). I do nopt believe any other availble quarterback can beat Henne out of the starting job by week 1. Not even Kolb.

[DyingBreed]

With Asomghua we can put every team's #1wr in absolute lockdown. Smith and Davis will have to battle for the starting spot opposite him.

If Smith wins, Davis can be moved to the slot. If Davis wins the possibility exists Smith could be moved to ss or fs.

[Craig M]

Armando,

All valid points and it's always good to clarify the situation on Williams. What I and others have said, I think, is that if Williams is indeed an UFA he should be the target. Will there be competition for him? Sure. I think teams such as Denver, Washington and Carolina will all look at him but I see him as a great compliment to Thomas. If the bidding gets too high, I say forget it. There will be other options out there, such as Ricky Williams, Ronnie Brown and I believe Reggie Bush will end up getting chopped in New Orleans. All of these guys would help, along with Thomas.

[Craig M]

DB,

Sorry man...I think you are DREAMING when it comes to Asomghua. Great player but no way this team spends $18 million on a position that is not a real need. Sorry bud, this is how the Redskins have done things in the past and it just doesn't work. The guy doesn't fit here at $18 million a year.

[bobbyd12]

Hate to disagree with Armando but I do on the NFL Lockout. I seriously believe the NFL will just shut the whole business down if they lose the Court Ruling, and will let the players start missing paychecks before they will go back to the 2010 rules. I doubt we will see any football till October, if even then. I predict 2011 will be a year with no NFL.

[DyingBreed]

Palmer's going on season 9. I for one would not give up a 2nd rd'er for a qb going into season 9 heading in the wrong direction. 4-12 last season, why in all common sense would anyone be willing to give up a 1st or 2nd rd pick for him?

Plus, its a "known fact" Palmer's damaged goods to boot.

[ALoco]

WHEN ARMANDO GOING TO WRITE A POST ON THE NEWS OF THE DAY OR THE FUTURE MOVES OF THE TEAM AND NOT WRITE SOME POST LIKE THIS ONE W/ OLD NEWS .

[Craig M]

bobby12,

I'm starting to see things that way too. I laughed at people when they talked about that before but I'm starting to lean that way now too. It doesn't look good.

[ALoco]

GRAIG M ,

DB KNOWS HE'S DREAMING.HE JIST LIKE US TO FOLLOW LIKE DONKEYS .THE DAYS OF SIGNING PLAYERS FOR LONG TERM WITH BIG MONEY GUARANTEED IS OVER ......

[NY "G"]

The Fins have a better chance signing the Zonk before D. Williams.

let's move on folks and hope that we bring back the wildcat so that we can keep Hannie off the field as much as possible.

[Darryl Dunphy]

Dying Breed...I think that Signing Namde would be huge! 2 things we could do.

1 TRADE VONTAE DAVIS... thats right. Davis may be the one player we have that would be tradable if we aquired Namde. Davis is a good player, but not quite the shutdown guy a lot of people think he is. IMO Smith is the better of the 2 corners, espcially if you believe the stats.

2. Use Davis as the nickel corner in those situations. I have made this point a bunch this offseason. The forward thinking defensive coordinators have already started to put there #1 corner inside in nickel packages. It makes all the sense in the world if you really think about it. Doing this depends on finding a outside cover guy that you can trust. Asimngowa meets this criteria.

Not only would Namde be a huge upgrade. But it would give us some leverage to do a few things. Ross has big pockets, so it is never out of the question.

[Craig M]

Victor,

I agree with everything you talked about EXCEPT for the idea fo trading a pick for Carson Palmer. To me this is short term thinking. No more giving up draft picks.

[ALoco]

CARSON PALMER SOLD HIS HOUSE FOR 2.1 MILLION AND LOOKING INTOP BUYING BANKRUPT HOUSE IN SOUTH FLORIDA .

REX RAYN'S BOOK WHICH ARMANDO TOLD US HE'S READIN IS A FLOP .IT'S AT NO 788 ON AMAZON.COM LIST .

[Kris]

NO football now...and possibly not till 2012....

No basketball CBA after the championship series ends in june...

Baseballs CBA expires in DEC 2011......

You guys see a coincidence here....this is some HOME type sh*t......

economy crashing......and the BILLIONARES.........are taking THEIR BALL.....AND GOING HOME........

weird to say the least....brace yourself's..........

[ALoco]

HE'S READING

[DyingBreed]

CraigM,

Dont totally rule out Asomghua. Ross has deep pockets and Asomghua helps take the defense to the next level. You have to at least keep it in the back your mind the defense isnt quite a completed deal either.

Plus check out 2011's schedule. I think its at least 11 games playing against the top 13 2010 offenses. We didnt face that many quality offenses in 2010 and still had tough time getting off the field on 3rd downs.

I know many blame pass rush, but although the coverage issues weren't considered disastrous, they can be indisputably considered very problematic. Asomghua could greatly help in this area. Just consider this as one loyal fan's take.

[ALoco]

DEEP POCKETS MY FOOT.... GET A YOUNG PLAYER AND MAKE HIM ANOTHER SOLIAI NOT ASOMGHUA WHO'S GOING TO BE GOOD FOR A FEW GAMES THEN CASH OUT HIS GUARANTEED MONEY .

[DyingBreed]

DD,

Exactly! Not only does Asomghua help in getting the defense off the field on 3rd downs. He allows more flexibility in how Nolan will be able to use other players on defense, including Davis at nickel.

Heck you could even try Will Allen at fs. Signing Asomghua enhances our defense all the way around. There nothing but absolute garbage in fa considering adding a olb. So, Asomghua is the best available solution.

[ALoco]

DYING BREED PICKS PLAYERS BY HOW NICE THEIR NAMES ARE .I NEVER SEEN HIM PICK A PLAYER WHO'S NOT HIGH PRICED GUY ALREADY , HE NEVER PICK A PLAYER WHO'S NOT UNDER THE RADER ....... OSCAR CAN DO THAT ,NO TALENT REQUIRED .

[DyingBreed]

If this is a high flying passing attack league like most dolfans here suggest. Then why in all hell would you not be very interested in adding a guy who is clearly one of the game's top 2 defenders at the corner position?

Asomghua alone could bring your td's allowed average down 7pts a game. That's huge when facing a high scoring attack led by Tom Brady twice a year. Last season the Pats led the league in scoring.

[Darryl Dunphy]

Dying Breed...I agree with your opinion 100 percent. With the exception of Dansby, Long, and Marshall. I think you could look closely at every other position and examine how to get better there. Cornerback included.

[DyingBreed]

ALoco,

I like you but sometimes you completely talk out of your a*ss gibberish. You dont know wtf you're talking about so you ATTACK those with better insight than than you.

AT TIMES YOU ARE THIS BLOG'S GREATEST GAPING A*SSHOLE!

[ALoco]

DB,

I FOR ONCE NEVER USE SUCH LANGUAGE FOR I RESPECT YOUR POSTS A LOT AND I WILL NOT TRADE INSULTS WITH YOU B/C I KNOW DEEP IN YOUR HEART YOU KNOW I AM RIGHT .

GOD BLESS YOU .

[wes]

Armandos blogs are so irrelevent that half way through the first page everyone is already off on a different topic.

[DyingBreed]

DD,

Last season the defense still gave up a little over 20ppg. This season we play better scoring offenses. A jump has to be made defensively or we're in trouble playing 11 of 2010's 13th best offenses.

With Asomghua alone I believe we can finish in the neighborhood of 15-17ppg allowed. Without him we finish in the low 20ppg allowed at best.

[ALoco]

WES,

ARMANDO WRITES MOST OF HIS POSTS WHEN HE'S WAITING FOR HIS LUNCH ,THEN OUR VERY SMART BLOGGERS LIKE DB START POSTING CRAP .

[DyingBreed]

ALoco,

You are so full of s*hit. If you respected anything more than your own foolish gibberish you would "THINK FIRST" before posting your childish MANURE!

[ALoco]

OUR DEFENSE IS OVER RATED ...WE HAD 1-7 WITH MR NOLAN WHO'S OVER RATED COACH AT BEST .

[Kris]

Wes....by the end of page 2......we will be bashing Chad Henne....and debating Carson Palmer......

those are the only topics anybody cares about......

[ALoco]

DB,

WHY YOU R UPSET I AM VOICING MY OPNION WITH HONESTY .

SOME TIMES I AGREE AND SOMETIMES I AM NOT .

[ALoco]

KRIS IS RIGHT @ 4;39 PM .

[Randy S.]

Just say No to DeAngelo! We'll be fine at RB. Thomas, resign Ronnie or Ricky, Lex, and someone that you'll all get to know.......Cory Sheets. He's good peeps! If we sign any FAs, it better be at QB, OL, or OLB.

[DM]

Im on board with the signing of Asomgha. He's the best CB in the league. SIGN ASOMAHGHAAHA!!

[Poizen]

Sign Ronnie...when we can, then sproles. Still should be cheaper than D will.

[ALoco]

WHEN I DON'T SEE ODINSEYE , I KNOW THE TOPIC ISN'T WORTH ANYTHING .

[ALoco]

ANY ONE TRIED LATELY MAC AND CHEESE WITH LOBSTER ?????

[DyingBreed]

Guys,

What you are not thinking about with Palmer is this:

One, it means cutting bait with Henne, totally meaning a wasted 2008 2nd rd pick.

Two, even if only for a 2nd rd pick, with Palmer going into season 9 we still need to spend a 1st rd 2012 pick on grooming his successor.

This gives Palmer 4 years at the helm(3years developing the 2012 #1 qb pick), which means our "REAL" 2012 draft doesnt start until 3rd rd. Because again we go into a draft without a 2nd rd'er.

I just dont feel Palmer can lead any team to a SB. His track record certainly doesnt state it. Isnt the SB the primary goal? Even if Palmer's at the helm for 4 season for us, I still dont see him ever leading us to the promised land and the cost for not achieving this ultimate goal(SB) is far too high.

[Craig M]

I noticed today that Peter King has Vontae Davis in his top 100 current players in the NFL (Marshall too btw). It's only one man's opinion of course, but I still think a lot of you guys are underestimating Davis too much. He has great RAW talent and I think after a couple of years under his belt he'll be better. Smith is probably the better cover corner and maybe Davis gives up too many big plays right now but he's a great athlete and he's a very comptitive guy...this guy WANTS to get better.

Sorry guys....while I'm a BIG Asomghua, to me this would be a waste of money. There will be HUGE competition for his services. As yourself this guys, were the Redskins any better after the signed one of the best shut-down corners ever to play the game in Deon Sanders? Were they? Nope. We'd be looking at the exact same situation here.

[ALoco]

THANKS GRAIG M FOR TALKING ABOUT DOLPHIN PLAYERS LIKE VONTAE DAVIS NOT SOME ASHOUMGHUE .

[ALoco]

ALLWAYS THE SAME WITH THE GANG OF DEFEAT ON THERE BUTTS WITH NO JOBS WHILE I PAY FOR THERE WELFAIR. DB ONLY TALKING ABOUT THE BIG NAMES THAT WILL TAKE MR ROSS MONEY AND THEN GO ON VACATON IN THE BAHMAHAS LIKE HYENA COWHER DRINKING RUM WITH NAKED ORPAH WINFRY .

[Craig M]

I talked to a good friend of mine today who is a big 49er fan. He figures Alex Smith is gone for sure, despite the fact Harbaugh wants him back. I guess we'll have to see. He's heard that Smith is upset about the Niners trading up to get Kaepernick, his eventual replacement. This is all speculation at this point but if Smith is out there he would be good competition for Henne. The guy who does the better job gets the long term contract next year.

[ALoco]

DOLPHINS DO NOT NEED ASHOHMAHUGHE

[Darryl Dunphy]

...If you take a close look at our defense last year the numbers seem a little fraudulent.

I'm not taking anything away from Mike Nolan. He did a good job, and the defense played better. But against good offensive teams(exception Green Bay) we got toarched. And yes 3rd down efficiency was a problem.

We are not far away from having a defense that can be a force. I think that the unit will be better in year 2. But to dismiss this side as a fully operational mothership would be a mistake. More teams are taking advantage of the width of the field in their attack. Nickel corner has morphed into a position where if you are weak, the defense will be exposed. It could be the most difficult position on the defense. A lot is aksed, with little or no help. And when you do get help, it is usually in the form of a linebacker. This is the weakspot in a lot of defenses, and there is a reason proficient offenses attack this area of the field.

[ALoco]

FUNNY FAKED ALoco @ 4;56 pm BUT TRUE .... BIG NAMES TO TAKE OUR MONET ,THE PEOPLE'S MONEY .

[DyingBreed]

ALoco,

You seem to not know the difference between stating your opinion and creating total outright lies. I made a reference to Asomghua being the #1 fa on everyones bulllseye. That's the truth. I also stated how I feel the can drastically help to improve our defense.

How you derived this from that is beyond me:

DYING BREED PICKS PLAYERS BY HOW NICE THEIR NAMES ARE .I NEVER SEEN HIM PICK A PLAYER WHO'S NOT HIGH PRICED GUY ALREADY , HE NEVER PICK A PLAYER WHO'S NOT UNDER THE RADER ....... OSCAR CAN DO THAT ,NO TALENT REQUIRED .

What's your evidence I pick players based on how nice thier names are? To me, not only are you stating I have zero even slightly meaningful football knowlege. You're also suggesting I arrive at my football facts like a girl.

Girl's make thier meaning football decisions based on something as simple as players name to color of uniform they like. You can be such an idiot with the things you allow to slip from your tongue.

You border closer to persecutory than opinionated with your posts.

[Kit Kat]

BIG NAMES TO TAKE OUR MONET ,THE PEOPLE'S MONEY .

Posted by: ALoco | May 16, 2011 at 04:59 PM

=================================

Not just the Monet, but also the Cezanne, the Gaugin, and the Rembrandt.

[the wolf, icu, starvation coma]

armando's losing it , these last few , occasional reports, esp this one r not helping the coma or my appetite

boring

dw maybe an ufa and maybe not?

maybe he wants to stay in carolina and maybe some other teams might want him?

duh

sorry a.s., but it's like u said about us being fin fans, if we're always gonna be a.s. blog readers we'll always be back

but something with a little more depth would be nice

addictions at its worst when the drugs lost its affect and u still keep taking more, u need to make the stuff stronger for us to get a kick out of it

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[the wolf, icu, starvation coma]

effect!!!!!!!!!!

[ALoco]

DB,

YOUR POST @ 5;00 PM IS A GOOD ONE AND CLASSIC .NO INSULTS,NO FOUL LANGUAGE AND YOUR POINTS WERE VALID .......YOU HAVE GROWN .

[simon says]

blow all the competition for henne talk. how did the pennington competition work out?
players got it or they don't, no cast off player will change another player.

[DyingBreed]

CraigM,

The most alrming 2010 issue with Vontae Davis is that he seemed to play down to the level of competion. He gets up to play the great wr's and usually does a great job.

However, it was the "NO_NAME" wr's he allowed to eat his lunch in 2010. The facts are there and this cant be disputed. I hope it doesnt become a career long trend. However it was a 2010 trend with him.

This is a legitimate red flag issue with hoim until "he proves" he can correct this.