2008 Off Season - Free Agency Part 1

Coach Phillips and the Miami Dolphins front office have returned from the combine. A special practice was called with the wide receivers. All the wide receivers except Ted Ginn Jr. dropped multiple passes, after which Coach Phillips cut all the wide receivers except Ginn from the roster. Defensive End Jason Taylor walked into the coaches office to discuss the cuts, but found himself on the trading block after leaving the coach's office. Apparently Taylor had interrupted a phone call between Phillips and the Chicago Bears. Reporters posing as Dickies BBQ delivery drivers tried to sneak into the facility. The reporters got more than they bargained for as coach Phillips was heard wrapping up the details on a trade with the Chicago Bears. For QB John Beck it would be known as the last meal; as he was traded for TE Desmond Clark. At the press conference 5:07 Coach Phillips said the while Clark is a smart veteran player who has a excellent combination of size, speed, and hands. Phillips expects to use Clark to create mismatches against LB's on the vertical seams. With no quarterbacks left on the roster, analysts are predicting the Dolphins will take QB Matt Ryan with the first pick of the draft.

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With 54 days left until the draft teams have begun signing free agents. The Dolphins shocked the NFL by signing absolutely no one the first day. Then they landed ROLB Kawika Mitchell 7:48, one of the most sought after linebackers available. The Dolphins coaching staff praised him by saying he had the ability to play all four of the linebacker positions. Shortly after signing Mitchell, more news arrived that LG Stacy Andrews 10:54 would be joining the team. Ronnie Brown was most excited by the acquisition saying calling Andrews a road grader who flattens opponents. We checked the scales and Andrews is on the plus side of 340 lbs. Without a QB on the roster, expect the Dolphins to be doing a lot of running. Stephen M. Ross told the media that Andrews was the first piece of the puzzle in rebuilding the offensive line this off season. We can't help but wonder if the Dolphins will add more offensive lineman in free agency.

The Dolphins inked veteran CB Ty Law 12:14 to a one year deal. NFL insiders seem to think the Dolphins overpaid, but Miami's front office said they don't mind paying a little extra now to have flexability next year. As suspected the Dolphins added more offensive line help in RG Ben Knoll 13:57, looks like Miami has putting together a formidable line. After attempting to trade away every safety on the roster, and being unsuccessful; the Dolphins signed FS Gibril Wilson 18:05. Coach Phillips said he loved Wilson's speed and ability to "knock out" receivers going over the middle. After hearing those comments, Phillips may be getting a call from the league commissioner.

Scouts from the Dolphins took a trip to Arizona to scout CB Antoine Cason as a potential first round pick. While the scouts were in Tucson,  Coach Phillips was on the phone inking MLB Odell Thurman  19:53 to a five year contract. Thurman appears to be another player that Phillips specially marked, as NFL insiders agreed that the contact given was too long and for too much money. Will Thurman play out his contract? Only time will tell.

In a quest to rebuild the offensive line, Miami sent their scouts to Vanderbilt's pro day to scout LT Chris Williams. Many scouts have predicted Williams will be selected in the middle of the first round.  After this offseason Coach Phillips will be known for wheeling and dealing as the Dolphins appeared to have conned a 3rd round pick from the Detroit Lions in exchange for RB Lorenzo Booker 25:48. It's still early but Ross & Phillips are already starting to put together a  a power running game. The big question still remains....

"Who will play quarterback?"

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