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You’ll have to excuse Tony Sparano and the rest of the Miami Dolphins organization if they are breathing a sigh of relief today…and maybe even chuckling a bit.
Authorities in Bakersfield, Ca., are reporting that troubled linebacker Joey Porter of the Arizona Cardinals has been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and is also being accused of assaulting an officer and resisting arrest.
While this comes at a very bad time for Porter, who just signed a three-year, $17.5 million contract with the Cardinals, it seems the Miami Dolphins just dodged a massive bullet.
The Dolphins brass has been extremely disappointed with their players’ conduct so far in this offseason. The Associated Press quotes coach Tony Sparano as saying “I’m not happy with any of this. That is for sure, I’m absolutely not happy with any of it. Any time any player, anybody, brings a negative light to the organization in any way, I’m not happy about it.”
Ronnie Brown became the third Dolphin to get arrested in the last two months when he was picked up for drunk driving on March 20. He was tipping the scales at twice the legal limit.
In the month of February, CB Will Allen was arrested for a DUI, and DT Tony McDaniel was accused of domestic violence.
Porter gained a reputation as a loud mouth within the Miami dressing room and was released at the beginning of the Free Agency period.
After the Dolphins signed former Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby, Porter turned around and signed with the Cardinals. I, personally, will take that trade any day of the week and it seems like the Dolphins are getting an early last laugh.
As for the other arrested Dolphins, Miami will wait for the legal system’s decisions before deciding what to do with them. They did, however, not rule out cutting a player following an arrest.
I think it’s safe to say that Ronnie Brown ain’t going anywhere.
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Leading up to the 2007 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers were entering an unusual transition. They were coming off a disappointing 8-8 season after winning their fifth Super Bowl the previous season. More importantly, the Bill Cowher era came to an end and the Mike Tomlin era began. There was much speculation as to what direction that Tomlin would take the Steelers.
Pittsburgh released punter Chris Gardocki. Starting center Jeff Hartings retired and was replaced with Sean Mahan. While this was a major transaction it paled in comparison with the release of team leader and All-Pro linebacker Joey Porter. The Steelers didn’t just take a linebacker to replace Porter, they spent their top two selections on linebackers.
It has been three years since Tomlin’s first draft and the players have had an opportunity to establish themselves. Here is a look at how the draft graded out and how it will impact the upcoming draft.
Linebacker Joey Porter is scheduled to make a visit to Redskins Park this week in Ashburn, Virginia.
The former Miami Dolphin turns 33 this month and would a surprise pickup for the Redskins.
It has been known that the team was looking for an inside linebacker to play next to London Fletcher in the team’s new 3-4 defense, and that isn’t Porter, or at least that isn’t where he’s used to playing.
For the majority of his career he’s been lining up as a right outside linebacker, and well, frankly, that is where Brian Orakpo plays for the Skins.
If the Skins signed Porter, who would make the switch?
If the team was smart, it would be Porter changing positions and not your first round pick from a year ago who had to already make the adjustment of lining up as a linebacker as opposed to his college position of defensive end.
It is really hard to say if this is could be a good signing for the Redskins. If they don’t guarantee a lot of money and the deal is mostly incentives, then it could be a good situation.
However, the Miami Dolphins very publicly said they don’t believe Porter has any gas left in the tank. Also, you have many claiming that he has off the field issues that a team would have to deal with.
To be completely honest, it is hard to rate a signing until the season actually begins. If they sign Porter and he posts career numbers (or close to that), I say it was a great signing. On the flip side, if he has a mediocre to bad season, well then, it’s just more of the same from Redskins Park.
If this were owner Dan Snyder and former Vice President of Player Operations Vinny Cerrato still running the show, I’d be pulling out my hair, but it’s not.
It’s Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan calling the shots now, and for at least this season (and maybe next), I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.
I’m sure we’ll hear more from Redskins Park after Porter makes his visit.
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The first week of NFL free agency is already in the books.
Numerous teams have already made significant upgrades at positions of need.
Unfortunately, the San Francisco 49ers are not one of them.
Despite having multiple starting positions in need of an upgrade, the 49ers have made only one minor signing so far this season. By signing quarterback David Carr to backup Alex Smith, San Francisco’s lone free agent pickup thus far has come at a position that’s quite low on the needs list.
In fact, quarterback wasn’t really a need at all considering the direction the 49ers are heading in, with continuity being of the utmost importance.
Now fans and analysts may argue the order of the top four biggest needs for the 49ers, but there really is no arguing against what they are.
In any given order, the 49ers need to upgrade in the following areas:
1. pass rush
2. offensive line
3. secondary
4. return game
Granted, the 49ers have two first-round draft choices in the upcoming NFL draft, but by addressing some of their needs in free agency, the team would then be able to narrow the list of positional needs in the draft.
For example, there are various NFL “mock drafts” that have the 49ers taking two offensive linemen in the first round, as well as some that have them addressing the return game and pass rush with those picks.
With varying opinions from both fans and experts alike on how the 49ers should utilize their two first-round picks, it is clear that the 49ers need a handful of positional upgrades.
In order for the 49ers to become stronger come draft day, they should look to address some of the areas of need in free agency.
The pass rush, offensive line, and secondary should all be upgraded in one way or another through free agency.
First of all, the pass rush can be significantly upgraded on the cheap. Just recently, the incredibly flamboyant but immensely talented pass rushing outside linebacker, Joey Porter was released by the Miami Dolphins.
Soon to be 33, Porter’s age and brash style will probably prohibit the four-time Pro Bowler from getting a long-term deal.
By adding Porter to the mix, San Francisco would bolster a pass rush that has been incredibly mediocre over the last few seasons, and signing him isn’t likely to break the bank.
Upgrading the secondary can be done by going after veteran free agent safety, Darren Sharper, to fill in at free safety while then moving the up-and-coming Dashon Goldson over to strong safety.
Sharper may be turning 35 next season, but he still tied a career high with nine interceptions last year, helping the Saints to their first ever Super Bowl victory.
Clearly, a Sharper-Goldson combo would be a much better duo than a Goldson, and concussion prone, Michael Lewis tandem. Sharper would be a great veteran presence on an otherwise young 49er defense, and at his age, he won’t require a lengthy contract.
As for the offensive line, names such as Langston Walker, Levi Jones, Mike Gandy, and Damion McIntosh are all free agent tackles that could fill in the gap the 49ers currently have at right tackle.
Of course, the 49ers would need to proceed with caution before signing Jones if they also plan on signing Joey Porter at outside linebacker. These two have some severe issues with one another going back to the days when Porter played for the Steelers, and Jones was on the Bengals.
Either way, whether the 49ers want to go after Jones or another free agent tackle, there are a number of talented stop-gaps available to play opposite Joe Staley that shouldn’t require more than one-year deals.
If the 49ers were able to pickup a safety, pass rusher, and offensive tackle in free agency, that would give them much more flexibility with their first-round draft choices.
Taking Clemson running back C. J. Spiller at No. 13 overall would be a much wiser move if the 49ers were to have added an offensive tackle in free agency.
Spiller would be a great fit in the return game—an area where the 49ers desperately need to improve—and he could also suffice as an ideal change of pace back for Frank Gore.
Four picks later, the 49ers would then have the luxury of being able to go in many different directions.
Essentially, at pick No.17, the 49ers could take the best player available. They could still take the best tackle on the board to add depth to the offensive line, or they could also look to draft an offensive guard (perhaps Mike Iupati, if available). Even inside linebacker Rolando McClain (if he falls) could be an option at this point in the draft.
However, if the 49ers don’t add quality players at their positions of need via free agency, they will limit what they can do with their first-round draft choices.
San Francisco will almost assuredly have to take an offensive tackle with one of their first-round selections, and improving either the secondary or pass rush will end up being more critical than drafting a return specialist. Therefore, the 49ers would probably have to pass up on drafting the explosive C. J. Spiller.
But drafting Spiller would be a huge addition to this squad, and in order to make his selection at No. 13 an ideal move, the 49ers will need to have added some new talent through free agency.
Unfortunately, 49er management has been steadfast in not making a “splash” in free agency.
However, the good news is that with the amount of free agents available, “splashes” don’t necessarily have to be expensive long-term deals.
The 49ers can improve in free agency by signing a couple of proven veteran players to cheap, short-term deals.
If the management realizes this and picks up some of these veteran free agents, then the 49ers will be able to snatch up a play maker like Spiller come draft day.
This article was originally published at nfltouchdown.com and can be seen here.
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When the clock struck 12:01 on Saturday morning, struggling teams like the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions made their desperation known, attacking the free agent market by signing big time players like Julius Peppers, Chester Taylor, and Nate Burleson to big-time contracts.
A few AFC East foes quickly followed, making headlines as a result of trades and signings: CB Antonio Cromartie to the Jets, LB Karlos Dansby to the ‘Fins, and NT Vince Wilfork becoming the highest paid DT in the NFL for the Patriots.
Still, Bills fans are watching the ESPN ticker, waiting for the move that will take their team to the promised land. Offensive lineman Wade Smith visited Buffalo over the weekend, but departed for Houston before a deal could be reached.
But is the lack of aggressiveness in free agency a bad thing for Buffalo? Can the team really afford to shell out a big time contract for a 30-year-old player, when there are so many holes to fill? The answer to both questions is no.
Remaining Free Agents the Bills Should Target:
LB Joey Porter, Miami Dolphins
Today, reports are surfacing that Buffalo intends to meet with Linebacker Joey Porter, who could be used as a rotational pass rusher in the 3-4 scheme Buffalo will utilize in the upcoming season. The former ‘Fin may choose Arizona over Buffalo, thanks to lobbying by DT Darnell Dockett. Porter, however big his ego is, could be a great pick up for the Bills.
At 31, he is an aging veteran, but he could exhibit leadership for the young defensive corp the Bills are working with. He is a proven pass rusher, and could serve as a mentor for young Aaron Maybin, who is putting on some weight this offseason, already adding six pounds in the past week.
QB Charlie Whitehurst, San Diego Chargers
Charlie Whitehurst may be a sleeper here for the Bills. A restricted free agent with a third round tender, Buffalo would surrender their third round draft pick for the former Clemson Tiger. Most Bills fans wouldn’t approve of this, but hey, how many surprises have we had already? Whitehurst has great upside, being coached by a great QB mentor in Norv Turner for the past four seasons. He won’t win any Super Bowls, but he could be a game manager, while a drafted QB develops under him.
DE Jarvis Green, New England Patriots
Green may not be high on the Bills’ radar this offseason, but he could be a force as a rotational pass rusher. However, he may not have the size to play in the 3-4 scheme.
QB Jake Delhomme, Carolina Panthers
Another QB who won’t win us a Super Bowl, Delhomme would still be an excellent mentor to a young prospect. Coming off Tommy John surgery last season, he threw a ton of picks, but could come back with a vengeance for the red, white, and blue.
WR Antonio Bryant, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bryant is the big, physical wideout Buffalo needs in order to take pressure off of Lee Evans. He averaged 15.4 ypc last season, and can only improve with a prolific passer under center. With Josh Reed gone, Buffalo may explore this option.
2010 NFL Draft
The Bills may not make a huge splash in free agency, but Buddy Nix has a knack for drafting big time players. Since 2001 in San Diego, Nix has assisted in drafting LaDainian Tomlinson, Drew Brees, Quentin Jammer, Igor Olshansky, Shawne Merriman, Luis Castillo, Vincent Jackson, Antonio Cromartie, Marcus McNeil, Shaun Phillips, Michael Turner, Darren Sproles, and Shane Olivea. Not Bad.
I expect Buffalo to use their nine draft picks wisely this year, especially toward offensive lineman and linebackers. Buffalo will most likely employ a 3-4 Over scheme, one that calls for lineman that fit Buffalo’s personnel. With this scheme, Marcus Stroud and Kyle Williams would be set as DT and DE, with Spencer Johnson and Chris Kelsay rotating. Aaron Schobel would become a linebacker, alongside Paul Posluszny, Kawika Mitchell, and Maybin.
If this is so, Buffalo will heavily address the depleted offensive line, while adding depth at the linebacker and defensive tackle position.
Patience is a Virtue!
The offseason has only just begun, but don’t jump on Nix or Chan Gailey just yet. To me, the draft has more promising prospects than free agency, and those guys come at a much lower price tag. So be patient, and wait for the draft before jumping to conclusions on the 2010 season. I don’t expect a Super Bowl run this year, but we may make it out of the bottom 10 if we are lucky!
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