LB will apparently be addressed in free agency

The Dolphins have too many "needs" and "wants" (that's how they delineate their wish list) to fill out their roster exclusively through the draft.

The club needs to use at least some remaining portions of free agency to address at least one position. And it seems linebacker is that postion.

The club in recent days has hosted free agent visits from Bryan Kehl, Quentin Groves, Jonathan Goff and Gary Guyton. All four have been in the NFL for four seasons. All four have failed with their originally teams to one degree or another.

Goff, for example, started at middle linebacker for the Giants in 2010 but missed last season after tearing an ACL prior to the regular-season opener. Guyton, who went undrafted out of Georgia Tech, started 30 games for the Patriots over the past three seasons and had 47 tackles last year. New England has, however, been lukewarm on re-signing him this offseason.

Kehl also has played for the Giants and the Rams but has been mostly a special teams contributor. He's backup material.

Groves washed out with the Jacksonville Jaguars after coming out as a pass-rusher from Auburn. He has only 2 1/2 sacks in the NFL.

Miami will likely sign one of these guys, probably before the draft because all are eager to get a job. But understand, this is bargain bin shopping by the Dolphins.

Comments

[j]

Primero!

[DC Dolfan]

But wait, the jokers from yesterday said Bellichick was a drafting MASTERMIND. How could he have drafted a bust (Guyton)?

[dusty bottoms]

he drafts alot of busts, not a great track record since his right hand man left for atlanta

[Dolfdan13]

Sounds like More Acorns are coming.

[cocoajoe]

Bargin bin now, acorns later this month. Same as it ever was.

[Dz NUTS]

He is a mastermind at cheating and getting away with it.

[dusty bottoms]

wish we were

[InsureThisOnline]

All that these guys are going to do at most is to adddepth to Specail Teams. There is no one in that group of acorns that can push us to double digit victories this next Season. Dolphin Nation will rise or fall deeper on the strenth of the 2012 draft...

[dusty bottoms]

we already know we arent winning this year. we are rebuilding, course we wont win 10

[ralph ortega]

Koa Misi

is he in a California jail?

[The real G]

Let me get this straight. We get rid of good players and let our competition acquire them, then we sign other team's cast offs at bargain basement salaries. Now there's a formula for winning. Way to go front office, you guys are awesome!

[dusty bottoms]

what good players did we get rid of

[The real G]

uh, Y Bell comes to mind right off.

[dusty bottoms]

hes old and took up way to much money and no other team has even signed him yet, thats all u got?

[jsm08]

y bell is old and overpaid.

rashad jones was a very good strong safety in college. we played him out of position. plug him in at a fraction of bell's price and get the same production.

[realitycheck]

Professional writing fail.

[jeff]

Goff started for the Giants, that is enough for me! Sign him. If he is not healed or won't heal,cut him lose.

[C'Mon Man!]

Armando

Would it KILL YA to proof read your blogs before posting???

Sheesh. You should be ashamed of yourself constantly posting blogs with so many egregious errors.

You are a disservice to journalism.

[Poizen]

I know very little about these guys. I know Goff they had hight hopes for in NY and in practice was a beast before getting hurt. The rest I barely heard of.

As far as the Cam Wake "protest"? WTF? I like Cam and I like him a lot. He was owned one on one by the rookie, Soldier in our fist pre-season game. Teams are not throwing big double teams at him at this point. What kind of money is he looking for? I know he wants an extension, but he probably is not willing to take a pay cut. I just don't get it, if we do not extend his contract he is free to get a contract elswhere and for more money... Why the protest?

Not that I EVER want him to go elsewhere, because he is very good at what he does, but he has fallen short of dominant last year.

[drdolfan]

PROOF READ!!! You're like Omar Kelly over here...

[Poizen]

sorry, meant to say first regular season game last year... my bad.

[Scott]

If the Fins are looking to bring in a FA linebacker why not bring in James Farrior?

[JPAO]

Out of this bunch they should sign Goff. He started when he was healthy. He got hurt last year and was out. Assuming his ACL is OK I say sign him.

The others were 'wash outs' who never consistently earned a starting spot with the other teams.

[dusty bottoms]

why would they, hes old. bring young guys in, we all know we arent going anywhere this year so keep rebuilding

[Poizen]

Is Aubrey Beavers around? :)

[DC Idiot]

But wait, the jokers from yesterday said Bellichick was a drafting MASTERMIND. How could he have drafted a bust (Guyton)?

Posted by: DC Dolfan | April 11, 2012 at 08:49 AM

You're a goof! He was undrafted!

[tony sparano]

jeff ireland is an undercover agent working the patriots...

[Clue]

Bargain bin shopping??

We've been doing this, this team is full of acorns galore.

[DC Dolfan]

What's up Poizen? For context you'll need to go to the SS. They explain Wake was signed out of the CFL to a great contract for a CFL player, but peanuts over here. Apparently, Wake's backup (Jason Trusnik) is going to make more than him this year ($700,000 vs. $615,000).

I was with you, until I read that. The BACKUP is making more than the best defender we have? He's not even making a mil and he's the best pass-rusher on the team? Doesn't sound like an incentive to play your heart out.

I understand Miami's concern here (they are really close to the CAP, need to sign some more FA's and draftees). But this is a Chris Johnson-type joke. If Wake gets hurt this year, and never regains his form, he'll basically be screwed (like the old-timers). I personally wouldn't want to take that chance.

I agree Wake wasn't as effective last year, but who knows why (he picked it up halfway through the Season like everyone else). Take some of that Long money, Dansby money, re-structure those contracts and give Wake a short-term extension for now, at least so he's making more than his backup, and then work on a new deal (if they want to) after that. But I now fully understand why Wake is so unhappy (he's got good reason).

[MiamiD20]

Let me get this straight. We get rid of good players and let our competition acquire them, then we sign other team's cast offs at bargain basement salaries. Now there's a formula for winning. Way to go front office, you guys are awesome!
Posted by: The real G | April 11, 2012 at 09:09 AM

Kendall Langford? Marshall? We retained Solai, which was #1 objective (behind QB). what did Miami do wrong with their own players? Marshall is the only iffy person to let go but if these 2 3rd rounders net us something good than this offseason really wasn't that bad. Not sure what you're complaining about. Letting Columbo walk?

[41phish]

dc

the fact that that special team penalty machine Jason Trusnik makes more then a guy who plays his butt off on every down is typical of the front office in recent years.get wake some help(coples/ingram)and pay the man.

[Poizen]

DC, Thank you for thie info, I did not realize he was making so little, I see his point now. For that kind of money I would be nervous to go out there and get injured also, compared to what others are making.

Funny you brought up Chris Johnson, Just won his game worn 2011 pro bowl jersey! Very cool!

MiamiD20, Let's be honest here, Columbo hasn't walked yet, he is strill trying to get out of his 3 point stance from week 3.

[Turd Ferguson]

At least none played for Dallas...

[Marc Columbo]

For thoughs who think I struggled, try playing football, I tried my best and Coach Sparano asked me every week to improve which I did. So F off!!!

[dusty bottoms]

41phish wake signed his current contract. he knew what he was making

[DC Dolfan]

41/Poizen, agreed. You ask a guy to be a team player, I understand that. But, c'mon, 41 said it, TRUSNIK? The guy who's made maybe ONE play for this team? Making more than your BEST defensive player and one of 2 ProBowlers on that side of the ball. Both of those salaries are disgusting (why's Trusnik making so much and Wake so little?).

Hope that gets resolved. They can't draft a pass-rusher and then have Wake sit out. We'd be right back where we started. We'll see what happens when the practices become involuntary.

[41phish]

poizen at 9:52

i am quite certain that if i was drinking milk when i read your comment i would have passed it through my nose. i have read a lot of colombo comments here and that is the funniest.

[41phish]

dusty
in the real world a contract is a binding agreement(usually) but in the nfl renegotiation happens all the time.you have your dogs like haynseworthless who you pay and get nothing in return but i sense this is not cams style. he worked his way up from nowhere and deserves what is common treatment in the nfl.

[DC Dolfan]

dusty, yes, he signed it, and IS honoring it (these practices are voluntary). But would you like making less than someone under you? He had to prove his worth coming from the CFL. But he did, big time. He's now in a contract year and that's when things get sticky. I understand the team's point-of-view as well as the player. Both are watching out for their long-term interests. Neither is the wrong view to have.

I don't see Wake sitting out (he'd get fined $30K a day if he does), but I'd be worried he wasn't giving it his all. And that makes it in the team's interest to rectify this situation (give him a 1-year bonus, guaranteed money that doesn't hit the CAP). They need to get creative with this so as not to create any more problems than they already have.

[dusty bottoms]

yes and miami took a chance on him coming from a garbage league. i agree we should sign him for 4 more years, but it gets old having players whine over contracts they signed

[Poizen]

Yea, Must also agree on this front office not being on top of this earlier. Probably could have pread this over a good amount of time the last two years so that he would not be a huge cap issue. Seems Wake wants to be here.

Marc Columbo, thanks for joining the blog... Let me guess, your keyboard is on the floor, and your using your other hand to type as you are in your three point stance. You have mastered the pose, stand up, stretch a little. Oh by the way, your run blocking did improve, However Jake Long's farts protected Henne and Moore, more than you did on pass coverage.

[oscar canosa]

I think there will be a significant change in the top 5 order in the Draft. With Claiborne scoring a 6 in the Wonderlic many Teams are going to shy away from him. He'll probably go last half of the 1st Round.

[Stephen]

Pro Football Focus ranked Cameron Wake as the number 1 outside linebacker last year.

[MiamiD20]

MiamiD20, Let's be honest here, Columbo hasn't walked yet, he is strill trying to get out of his 3 point stance from week 3.
Posted by: Poizen | April 11, 2012 at 09:52 AM

Or he's on his back after being bull rushed on a pass-block attempt

[Captain Obvious]

DC, keep listening to the know it alls like Craig M & others. If you think Belli has had bad drafts, you know ZERO about football.

He's been taking risks in the draft because his team is pretty talented to begin with. Did it magically just happen? Live in denial just to keep thinking the Dolphins are doing right.

Stop FOCUSING ONLY ON THE MISSES! Why don't you compare the players each team as hit on? IT'S NOT COMPARABLE!

Again, I gave you names yesterday. The Pats have drafted stars. 4-5 Probowlers since Ireland took over the phins. WITHOUT THE LUXURY OF THE #1 pick.

How many has Miami had without the #1? NONE!

Blind, gullable & stupid is no way to go through life.

[dusty bottoms]

agree dc, sign him up

[MiamiD20]

Though there are a ton of people you can put here I would have to say that: Marc Columbo is 2011-2012 Miami Dolphins joke of the year.

Other respectable candidates include: Sparano, Ireland, Ross, Henne, Dansby (in "best LB in the league" form), Marshall, and much more

[dusty bottoms]

lol oscar that test wont affect his draft one bit. he will be gone by 6, i wish he would fall to 8 but no chance

[thavafin]

I love all the people who like to tell everyone else how they do not know anything about football. Seriously, just STFU.
I am done with this nonsense.

[massfish]

I agree. Pay the guy. Restructure Long's contract and give him some of that.

[41phish]

miamid20

i dont know colombo is an innocent bystander in the train wreck that was o-line guru tony sparano. This guy could have gone to jerry or garner or moved carey back but week after week he left that guy out there to die and kept telling us what a great job he was doing...so for my coin tony sparano is the joke of the year.

[Captain Obvious]

I love all the people who like to tell everyone else how they do not know anything about football. Seriously, just STFU.
I am done with this nonsense.

Posted by: thavafin | April 11, 2012 at 10:25 AM

When you post nonsense, you get ridiculed. That's how it is. DC refuses to accept the facts & the truth. I provided names. Irrefutable facts. He doesn't address them. Why do you think that is?

You've officially joined the choir. You're done? GOOD! The door's that way>>>

[Reality Check]

The homers on this blog hate objectivity & reality.

[my girls]

can degrade and beat up women if i want to, right Tim!

Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | April 11, 2012 at 09:33 AM

Yup!

Posted by: Tim Knight | April 11, 2012 at 09:33 AM

Thank you Tim. We dont like women anyway, they are all fat, ugly, stinky fish, right Tim?

Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | April 11, 2012 at 09:35 AM

Yup!

Posted by: Tim Knight | April 11, 2012 at 09:35 AM

Timmy, want to come supper at my mom's house, i mean my house tonight, we just murdered a little lamb?

Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | April 11, 2012 at 09:36 AM

Yup!

Posted by: Tim Knight | April 11, 2012 at 09:36 AM

Tim, i'm breing my little anus and greek salad dressing is that ok?

Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | April 11, 2012 at 09:38 AM

^ bringing my little anus

Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | April 11, 2012 at 09:38 AM

Yup!
have patience the Dolphins will be good in 3 years.

Posted by: Tim Knight | April 11, 2012 at 09:39 AM

[Clue]

Ohio Dolfan blog is wayyyy better than this craptacular blog.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

i got me dumb bells and some steroids to make my 160 lb body look freakishly deformed.
i likes the irsih basketball team in one state, i like s the dolphin fish tean in another state, i likes the hockey team in another state and wish i could stand on ice skates.
i hate all sports teams around me and hate girls.
fat girls, skinny girls and girls with chicken pox like hot dogs, Armor hot dogs!

oops nevermind

back to yelling about a basket ball team

BAHHAAAHHAA!

Your team Stinks! my team = great

ok off to the gym to work my arms, yup Tim!

[DC Dolfan]

Capt, you think Bellichick is the best thing since sliced bread. That's fine, I'm an ADULT (unlike you). I don't mind people having a different opinion than I do. And I'm not "listening to know-it-alls". I'm believing MY EYES over your silly opinion. Yeah, you listed a bunch of players, WHO WERE PART OF THE WORST DEFENSE IN FOOTBALL. If that's a star to you, then fine. But with our sh*tty GM (in your opinion), with the players he's acquired, we were one of the Top 10 (something like that) defenses in the league (in the end). See, those are REFUTABLE FACTS. But that's not what you're interesting in (having a civil debate/discussion about a topic). You're a child, who wants to be right no matter what, and call those who disagree names.

If that makes you feel better, fine. But you're not winning any arguments that way. So keep blabbing, and we'll keep overlooking you and discussing among ourselves, no sweat off my brow.

[DC Dolfan]

And I'll say this again, you take Tom Brady off the Patriots, and they are BUBKUS, WORTHLESS, BOTTOM OF THE BARREL.

The one year he didn't play, GUESS who won the division. So spare me the "Bellichick is God" routine. Go to the Pats site if you want affirmation of your love affair with your boyfriend!

[Edwin Pope]

"The Dolphins on Tuesday confirmed previous reports in The Herald that free agent linebackers Gary Guyton"

Who edits this trash

[Phins78]

Here's the problem, this article reads as if there were tons of choices to upgrade the outside linebacker position. The list of free agent linebackers this offseason sucked. Google 2012 free agent linebackers then subtract those who resigned with their own teams. The remaining guys are al useless. There's no way they aren't using a pick on olb. Dont be mad they couldn't get an olb in free agency The reason to be upset is that Ireland knew we would lose Taylor, knew Misi is weak, knew this years draft class was weak, yet still did nothing last season to address an obvious future hole.