The Carolina Panthers will announce in the next 24 hours that they have retained running back DeAngelo Williams.
Why am I reporting this?
You have to ask?
The Dolphins were interested in Williams and were one of three teams that made offers to perhaps the best running back available in free agency.
The offer was considered no more than a flirtation by Williams, however, once it became clear the steep price it would take to pry him loose from the Panthers or keep him from going to Denver. ESPN.com is reporting Williams has agreed to a 5-year, $43 million contract that includes a whopping $21 million in guaranteed money.
The Dolphins were shopping for a running back and continue that search. But they were looking around at Sears and Williams was hanging out at Sak's.
So what does this mean?
Miami still needs a running back to pair with rookie Daniel Thomas. Ahmad Bradshaw is still a possibility, although the Giants are considered the heavy favorites to retain him. He could be considered the next-best available runner. He also would not come cheaply as it would require outbidding New York.
The Dolphins have talked to agent Drew Rosenhaus about Bradshaw and Rosenhaus has given the team the appropriate parameters for making that work.
Then we head to the clearance aisle. Miami can still go back to Ronnie Brown, who is offering himself to the highest bidder. Miami can look at Cedric Benson, assuming he's not in jail today. Miami can go very cheap for Atlanta's Jason Snelling.
I suppose there's also Ricky Williams.
The pray-for-it-to-happen solution is that Reggie Bush gets cut by the Saints because he has a cap value north of $11 million. Then Miami swoops in and add him for the sake of giving him the football 15 times a game or so.
Don't bank on that working out perfectly.
Other running backs that are available include Willis McGahee, Joseph Addai, Marion Barber, Carnell Williams, Darren Sproles, or ...
Nevermind.
Finsfan, he's not great but you are correct. Add that to hopefully Bradshaw, B Marsh, Bess and the D and we are pretty good all of a sudden.
Posted by: jrljr2 | July 27, 2011 at 04:28 PM
Sanchez is NOT better than Henne.
Neither is VY-PERIOD!
Get a grip-SHEESH!
Posted by: odinseye | July 27, 2011 at 04:29 PM
@ClaytonESPN Dolphins talking with Ronnie Brown
Orton should only be traded for as a 3. Yeah I like Mando's idea that Dolphins give Broncos a 2 if he gets to the championship game...
Orton will pick up the play book flip through it once and be ready to compete the instant 10+ TDs and 1200 yds outta Marshall should be guranteed and Edmund Gates doesnt even need to catch just get the speedster legs going not that Ginn was a stud but he did take the top off a D.
-Kolb, um minimal success in the West Coast
-V.Young, would need two years to figure it out and that's if you keep him on football instead of South Beach distractions
-Bulger is two hits away from not knowing his name, let him back up Flacco for 3 more years
Miami has no needs for TEs
Fasano can handle 20 more balls this season and see the end zone alot more then B. Watson did in Cleveland (member our new O-Coach)
this was also why Charles Clay was picked a meat head (think like what Cooley does w/the Redskins) back even thou listed as Full back check the college stat line 2,544 yds in the air vs. his 911 on the ground
Posted by: wil | July 27, 2011 at 04:29 PM
i agree finsfan
Posted by: jamesthefinfan | July 27, 2011 at 04:29 PM
i dont drink the cool aid on sanchez, he is a bellow average qb on a franchise qb contract. in that jests team you could put any other starting qb in, in place of sanchez, and that team improves
Posted by: nick | July 27, 2011 at 04:29 PM
DB, if add BradshAw also, they at least are in the conversation. A couple injuries here and there and they have a shot.
Posted by: jrljr2 | July 27, 2011 at 04:30 PM
nick, you asked me how sanchez was better than henne. sanchez knows his role and wins games. he can take his team down the field quick for td's;not fg's. as for orton,i like him too.
Posted by: greg z. | July 27, 2011 at 04:31 PM
Mando if I have a big gripe with our management.
The Jets Talk first like bumbeling idiots about how great they are. then their management sells their soul to the devil to back it up.
Our coaches Waffle everywhere, and our management makes more waffles and try to sell us on how good they are with cheap maple syrup...
BTW, thanks for answering my question.
Posted by: Poizen | July 27, 2011 at 04:32 PM
No Big Signing Yet for the 2 times losing 7-9 Miami Dolphins?
Hmmm ...
Dont they still play twice a season the AFC EAST one game from the Super Bowl the last 2 years NY JETS
and the New England Patriots?
Have the Dolphins not finished near the bottom of the division w a losing record the last 2 seasons?
Miami did not make any significant FA signings ???
Hmmm ...
WTF!
Just Saying ...
Posted by: Home True Blood | July 27, 2011 at 04:32 PM
greg your point makes no sense, if sanchez was better than henne, because he is playing on a better team his stats would be better than henne's surely?
Posted by: nick | July 27, 2011 at 04:33 PM
Guys, don't be suprised if and possibly when Henne beats Orton for this job.
Posted by: Poizen | July 27, 2011 at 04:34 PM
Clayton says Fins out on Bradshaw. Talking to R Brown. So much for adding speed to the offense. Joke fvcking front office.
Posted by: jrljr2 | July 27, 2011 at 04:34 PM
NO FA signing s of any significance yet for the Miami Dolphins!
Didn't the Dolphins LOSE AN EMBARRASSING 7-8 IN THEIR OWN STADIUM LAST SEASON AND STRUGGLE TO SCORE POINTS IN A NFL FOOTBALL GAME ?
Just Saying ...
Posted by: Home True Blood | July 27, 2011 at 04:34 PM
joe schmoe,
i never said that as a matter of fact check my phinsider blog back when we signed chad.......F chad pennington he is a jet.....period.....and i didnt want culpepper his hands are too small i wanted brees that year so as far as i can tell i was right
Posted by: jamesthefinfan | July 27, 2011 at 04:35 PM
Hate to burst you guys bubble. But I expect Samnchez to easily be the 2nd best qb in our division this season. The guy now has the full confidence of leading his team to 2 consecutive afc championship games in his first couple seasons.
Confidence goes a long ways. Im not liking it, but I expect Sanchez to be a beast this season.
Posted by: DyingBreed | July 27, 2011 at 04:35 PM
Miami has no needs for TEs
Fasano can handle 20 more balls this season and see the end zone alot more then B. Watson did in Cleveland (member our new O-Coach)
Dude, seriously I almost lost my beer all over the screen with that comment......That was funny.....Really good One!!!!*lmao*
Posted by: superPHIN | July 27, 2011 at 04:35 PM
adam schefter reporting QB Bruce Gradkowski to the Bengals two-year deal.
Posted by: nick | July 27, 2011 at 04:35 PM
nick, bellichek says stats are for losers. the only stat that counts is wins and losses. i agree.
Posted by: greg z. | July 27, 2011 at 04:35 PM
Fins may not trade picks to Broncos. Instead a player or two may be on the way to Denver. Like that better. With this FO though, they may trade freaking Dansby and Bess for him. lOL
Posted by: jrljr2 | July 27, 2011 at 04:38 PM
Let's examine the needs:
QB
Speed RB
Interior O-line Depth
Speed WR
OLB with rush ability
Possible FS
What has Miami done? DE reupped for 2 years & ST OLB from Cleveland.
Sigh Soliai long term and free up cap space this year & address needs. I think Orton would be the 2nd best qb in the AFC east. Sanchez stinks and Fitzy was putting up numbers cause his team was behind by 30 points all the time.
Orton would be an upgrad but a short term one. Bradshaw would be the shifty back to complement Thomas. Can carry a load better than Bush!
We really need to FINALLY accept the fact that this is a QB driven league & try to move up in the draft and take a QB. Until we get an elite talent at QB, we are just not going to make progress. This team, as assembled, is about as good as it's gonna get without a legit QB.
Posted by: Joe Schmoe | July 27, 2011 at 04:38 PM
Even other fa's look and see how play it safe this organization is and wants no part of this team. Every player in this league knows this fo doesnt have the balls to go after a championship!
Being on the outside looking in, would you wanna come play for this fo if you were a fa? Im a dolfan and I would balk given a choice.
Posted by: DyingBreed | July 27, 2011 at 04:39 PM
Merling and or Starks. IDK about that trade. Merging maybe but Starks also? Hold on!!!
Posted by: jrljr2 | July 27, 2011 at 04:40 PM
Ever notice the perennial playoff teams usually have running backs that are good, but not great aka not expensive? Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Greenbay, New England all come to mind. Running back by committee is fine. It's not 2002 anymore. Especially if they could get a burner like Bush or Sproles. The key is QB!
Posted by: Jon | July 27, 2011 at 04:40 PM
Even other fa's know that we're not agressive about winning, we're just agressive about playing it safe. We're even willing to over pay to play it safe. LOL.....
Posted by: DyingBreed | July 27, 2011 at 04:41 PM
If the phins cannot land Bradshaw, please do not compound an error with bringing in Bush. I'd rather have Ronnie back. Even though he & Thomas are clones of each other.
I wonder where this so called speed upgrade is gonna be coming from....
Posted by: Joe Schmoe | July 27, 2011 at 04:42 PM
Efvery year we're in one bind after another with this organization. When will it end. Never?
Posted by: DyingBreed | July 27, 2011 at 04:42 PM
Once again Orton will be the best qb we have had since Dan Marino........case closed......great deal for us
Posted by: jamesthefinfan | July 27, 2011 at 04:20 PM
WHAT ABOUT JAY FIELDLER???!!!
Posted by: Fielder's Mom | July 27, 2011 at 04:42 PM
Pennington worked out OK. Hopefully Orton will be as good or better.
Other than a situation like VY, you aren't going to get a chance at a Premium QB unless you draft him, and high 1st Rd at that.
Posted by: finsfan72 | July 27, 2011 at 04:43 PM
Does anyone else want to put their head thru a fvcking wall right now?
Posted by: jrljr2 | July 27, 2011 at 04:43 PM
Jeff Ireland has created the play it safe unless deemed neccessary.... or in other words i could be fired tommorrow.....Job Security grants you those privleges in life!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | July 27, 2011 at 04:44 PM
Joe Schmoe...Excellent analysis...But Bush wouldn't be signed to carry the load, I think that would be Thomas more than Bush...However, Bush could be our primary punt returner, and a dangerous one. More than Devone Bess, that's for sure. He brings explosiveness to this slow offense. As far as the QB goes, that's exactly why they SHOULD take a chance on Vince Young. We'll see what's going to happen, but one thing is certain...Ireland and Sparano are walking on very thin ice...This is do or die basically...
Posted by: #1 Dolphin Fan in Montreal | July 27, 2011 at 04:44 PM
seriously jay fiedler........wow......hes like a members only jacket....hung in the back of the closet.......
What about Tiki Barber ????????
one year removed cheap worth a shot?
Posted by: jamesthefinfan | July 27, 2011 at 04:45 PM
Jay Fiedler...Bad memories all over again...Him and Wannstedt...Puke/Barf...
Posted by: #1 Dolphin Fan in Montreal | July 27, 2011 at 04:46 PM
Orton isn't a scrub, but simply put, an average nfl Qb. Sadly, he's probably better than what we have. That tells you everything you need to know about this franchise.
I said it when the Sporano debacle went down. No top tier FA's will want to come play here for a Coach & a GM who will likely be axed at the end of the season. Not too mention an owner who doesn't even have the class to fire the guy he want's to replace before starting the search.
We'll see how it pans out, but don't bank on any big names. We'll be bargain hunting again. You know how that will end. 7-9 right now is an optimistic wish.
Posted by: Joe Schmoe | July 27, 2011 at 04:47 PM
I hate to day this, But I loved Jay Fiedler, the kid had heart and played beyond his pootential.
Anyway. I hope we sign ronnie, maybe Sproles.
they key is ALL Offensive line. If they play really good, We make the playoffs, hands down.
Posted by: Poizen | July 27, 2011 at 04:48 PM
Just clueless.
Posted by: jrljr2 | July 27, 2011 at 04:49 PM
you cant expect much out of ireland. don't forget last year when jeff went out and got al harris after gbay put his broken body to the curb.
Posted by: greg z. | July 27, 2011 at 04:50 PM
Ronnie Brown needs to retire. Ireland probably doesn't realize he's bidding against himself for Brown. Nobody wants a dancing, injury prone, 235 lb. Washed up RB. Except Ireland.
Posted by: jrljr2 | July 27, 2011 at 04:51 PM
Playoffs? Do you really think either the Pats/Jets or Pitt/Ravens will take a step so far back that we could sneak in? That's the ONLy way we get in.
Playoffs are not only unrealistic, they are far fetched. IMHO
Posted by: Joe Schmoe | July 27, 2011 at 04:51 PM
What's this stop gap, medicore nonsense talk about Orton? He won't be 28 until November and threw for 37,000 yards and 21 touchdowns for the 3-13 Broncos, in 13 games. Average QB's don't do that people. Not saying he is a super star, but he's top 15 easy. Dolphins would of won 10 games easy last year with him instead of Henne. Can't hate on EVERYTHING the regime does just for the sake of hating.
Posted by: Jon | July 27, 2011 at 04:52 PM
ross/ireland/sparano have hijacked our beloved dolfins.
Posted by: greg z. | July 27, 2011 at 04:52 PM
poor season ticket holders, hoping to come to sun life to watch actual good football product, not just another day of tanning...Hey at least those employees got their full time saleries re-instated, thats good news for Fin Personal!!
Posted by: superPHIN | July 27, 2011 at 04:52 PM
Jon, Orton would be nice if the added a couple more pieces. But they aren't, so he isn't going to make a huge difference. 8-8 maybe.
Posted by: jrljr2 | July 27, 2011 at 04:53 PM
NOT Happy if we really lost out on Bradshaw. What now?
I love Ronnie, but come on...
Posted by: finsfan72 | July 27, 2011 at 04:54 PM
Jay is #1. I remember when he ran the ball into the endzone to beat the Raiders at home! What a game. I love Jay!
Posted by: Fielder's Mom | July 27, 2011 at 04:54 PM
If it's only a 3-7 rounder for Orton, I'm good with it. I think he'd be the 2nd best in the division. However, I still don't think it's enough to make a playoff push. Still too many holes.
Posted by: Joe Schmoe | July 27, 2011 at 04:54 PM
Tiki Barber........bring him in to coach up thomas and grigsby i like it alot
Posted by: jamesthefinfan | July 27, 2011 at 04:58 PM
I just don't understand this fan base. All I;ve heard for over a year is 'get another QB', :get some competition for Henne'. Isn't that what the team is doing trying to acquire Orton. They guy has 20 Tds and 9INTs last year and if he wasn't hurt the last three games of the year he would have thrown for over 4000 yards on a bad Denver team. He's a smart QB and a good leader and what does the fanbase focus on?....'he a stopgap'...'he makes too mush money'...'don't give up any picks for him'. My God....insanity!! Who is it everybody wanted instead? Please tell...last I checked Brady, Rodgers and Brees weren't available for nothing...so seriously?? Doesn't look like we're selling the farm to get this guy. He's not injury prone. He's not one drug test away from beong suspended for a year. He's not a poor character guy....
What EXACTLY is it the fanbase wants? Please tell....Henne wasn't good enough in most people's minds...this should help in terms of quality and quantity.
Posted by: Craig M | July 27, 2011 at 04:58 PM
here is some thing special for guys check this out... http://tinyurl.com/hotnewz2011
Posted by: Mary Lisa | July 27, 2011 at 04:58 PM
R. Brown has 4 years of NFL playing on his legs and back total because of early injuries.
How is that washed up? He dances to much?
What the hell is this tip toe dancing crap. In previous years he had lines opening holes and he got to them GREAT. He ran people over.
He did the same thing this year when there was a hole!!!
But when there was not a hole, which was most of the time, what the hell is he supposed to do? Drill the o-lineman in the back and injur another one?
Honestly... Tell me... Brown had to run the failed wild cat that everyone and their brother, sister and 2 year old watching knew what was coming.... But he is supposed to make yards out of that, because AP could have right? NOT, or Peyton hillis would have right? NOT Oh, maybe Stephen Jackson would have... NO..
Get real.
Posted by: Poizen | July 27, 2011 at 04:59 PM
What happened to that kid who broke his arm in preseason. Aside from that ball bouncing off his facemask, he looked great as a return man. Sproles would make a great addition, but I say take care of your own and resign Ronnie. He's a class act and can still ball!
Posted by: biggs13 | July 27, 2011 at 05:00 PM
Jon,
That's exactly my point...it's hating on the FO for the sake of hating...pathetic!!
Posted by: Craig M | July 27, 2011 at 05:00 PM
You know it's only day 2 right? Plus you really wanna give 7-9 million for a running back? 8-10 million for a receiver that would be a #2 on this team? It's not fantasy football and the salary cap went down, not up. Free agents are staying home too, it's not like Williams,Holmes, and Bradshaw went to new teams. Every team is doing the exact same thing right now
Posted by: Jon | July 27, 2011 at 05:01 PM
we should just spend the rest of our cap money locking up Solia....and load up for next years draft.....good things are coming to south beach....NO REALLY, THEY ARE!!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | July 27, 2011 at 05:02 PM
This team is gonna be alot better this season from last
Posted by: jamesthefinfan | July 27, 2011 at 05:02 PM
37000 yards...wow!
Posted by: finsfan72 | July 27, 2011 at 05:04 PM
CraigM,
The cry has been get another qb, not over pay for him.
These are the 4 potential afc wildcard teams: Jets/Pats or Steelers/ Raven.
Has anyone seen any offseason moves by this fo that could possibly upset this scenario?
Our offseason moves should be geared towrads unseating one of these for potential wildcard playoff teams. Not seeing how safe we can play it. seems the Jets primary focus has been to rmain as one of these teams.
Lets play it safe and again watch the playoffs from hom!
Posted by: DyingBreed | July 27, 2011 at 05:05 PM
Orton can run this offense just by throwing more TDs than INTs. A friend who is a TEN fan tells me the reason the FO doesn't want VY is because of work ethic. Instead of studying film he's out of the building before the backup QBs. That and immaturity is too much for the FO to put they're heads on the chopping block.
Posted by: morphin | July 27, 2011 at 05:08 PM
The comment about Fiedler and Wannstedt reminded me how much better off we are now. Used to be "punting is not a bad thing". Now at least we get field goals. Maybe one day we'll actually score TD's.
Posted by: finsfan72 | July 27, 2011 at 05:08 PM
its not like our team will exceedingly be that different from last years in all honesty, we arent ready anymore this year to take steps then we were last year b4 the lockout occured...maybe we should just go with the status quo for another year and then make the changes needed...just sayin!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | July 27, 2011 at 05:09 PM