Miami continues overhaul; QB McCown signs

Dolphins cut Green, three other veterans

Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:30am EST

MIAMI (Reuters) - The woeful Miami Dolphins have continued to reshape their roster by releasing quarterback Trent Green and several other veterans.

Also getting pink slips were wide receiver Marty Booker, right tackle L.J. Shelton and defensive tackle Keith Traylor, the team said.

"This is never easy, especially since all of these players worked hard during their tenure here," Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland said in a statement on Monday.

"In particular, in the case of each of the veterans, it's especially difficult to release players who have been productive and valued members of the organization. However, we feel these decisions are in the best interest of the team."

The Dolphins have expressed interest in having Green back, the Palm Beach Post said, with Monday's move allowing them to restructure the contract of the double Pro Bowl player.

Green's base salary would have been $2.8 million next season and $3.5 million for 2009, the newspaper said. The 10-year veteran missed the last 11 games of 2007 with a concussion.

"There is a window for him to come back, depending on circumstances," Green's agent Jim Steiner told the newspaper. "It just depends on how everything shakes out."

Miami had an NFL-worst 1-15 record last season and have been in a rebuilding mode since hiring Bill Parcells as executive vice president of football operations in December.

(Writing by Steve Ginsburg in Washington; Editing by Alan Baldwin)

http://ca.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idCAN1222127520080212

The Parcells factor

Bill Parcells is a decision maker. Some people talk about making the tough call, others make the call and don't look back. The Miami Dolphins have a former head coach in the top seat. Not a guy on the competition committee, not a guy with a law degree, not a guy worried about building a new stadium, but a nuts and bolts football guy who has torn down and rebuilt a number of NFL teams.

Parcells went to work the second he took over the Dolphins. On Monday we witnessed the first wave of personnel decisions as Trent Green and Marty Booker were two of nine players released by the Dolphins. Heck, Miami didn't even start its offseason conditioning program and players have already been shown the door.

The game tapes don't lie and I promise you Parcells locked himself in his office and studied every player under contract himself besides getting the opinion of the people he hired. There will be more to come in the way of player dismissals, and the size of the contract will have little to do with his decision.

Trent Green, L.J. Shelton, Joe Toledo, and Keith Traylor leave $2,835,043.00 of potential acceleration money in bonuses that will be charged against the 2008 cap. That kind of money never convinced Bill to keep a player. Now the remaining players on the roster know Parcells means business. There should be a few more players notified that Mr. Parcells would like them to restructure their deals shortly, and I don't mean converting salary to a signing bonus. I think the message will be loud and clear that a reduction in pay is a good idea if they want to stay on the Dolphins' roster. The third phase will come at the start of the offseason program. I feel bad for the first player who has an excuse for why he can't be there for the start of the program. He will be gone!

Free agency should see a swift injection of former Parcells players from his many stops along the way in the NFL. Parcells' first goal will be to strengthen special teams. A guy like Keith Davis of the Cowboys could be a prime target.

As the draft approaches, look for Parcells to get a few trade deals in the works. And don't be surprised if he goes after a restricted free agent with a high tender. When he came to the Jets it wasn't long before he had his sights set on Curtis Martin. If Derek Anderson gets to restricted free agency and Parcells believes he is a better option than the available draft talent, he will find a way to land him.

Imagine if Parcells pulled off a trade with the Cowboys and gave them the top pick in the draft for their late first-round picks and RB Marion Barber, which has been rumored. He could then turn around and offer one of the low first-round picks and a third round pick for Anderson. He would still have a first-round pick, the top pick in the second round and two great backs in Barber and Ronnie Brown for the Dan Henning power running game. It's all speculation at this point, but it's all possible with a football guy like Parcells running the Dolphins. --Pat Kirwan | NFL.com

Dolphins to release 7-time Pro Bowler Zach Thomas

One of the faces of the Miami Dolphins is no longer with the organization.

Miami has informed perennial Pro Bowl linebacker Zach Thomas they will release him Thursday, FOXSports.com has learned.

Thomas, like the rest of the Dolphins, suffered through a miserable 2007 season. He suffered a concussion on the field and injuries in a car accident that limited his play.

After missing several games, the Dolphins finished Thomas' season for him when they placed him on injured reserve in December.

Thomas instantly became a fan favorite his rookie year and went on to become one of the league's most well-known tackling machines.

In the last couple of months, Thomas has told FOXSports.com he thought his release was imminent due to his salary. However, Thomas also said that he is not ready to hang up the cleats.

Thomas played in just five games in 2007, recording 52 tackles and one sack. The Dolphins finished the season with a 1-15 record.

I'm glad they cut all that overpaid trash that we had on the team but I cant imagine Zach Thomas playing for another team. Its sad to see him go but it is expected given his consussion issues at that age.

Thanks for all you've done for Miami Zach.

Who's gonna be next? Jason Taylor?Bobbles

He may just retire and stay on NBC's crew...

I understand that Miami is making all of these roster changes as part of their "overhaul" campaign, in an effort to better the team, but I seriously do not understand the logic in releasing all of these major veteran players. :(spfx30

Changing to a 3-4 Defense. B.P. likes size in front seven; wants to win 1-on-1 battles. Beat u down.

If player(s) don't fit the new scheme / aren't cap friendly (dollars-2-production), pull off the band-aid now.
It's better to release a player a year too soon than a year too late. Happens to HOFers by best of teams (Lott, Rice, Montana, E. Smith)

Also, by keeping a declining player you're reducing reps & playing time which could be better served if invested in an up-and-coming guy. (keeping a few vets for their leadership of course)

Cuts/Trade a vet or face of Franchise sends message to all that it's my way or highway time.

I've followed many a HC (HC turned GM).. they like to bring in 'their guys' from past when/if possible.
Miami is about to become D.C., South FLA for the 2nd time in 13yrs: JJohnson; Parcells :D

I understand what you're getting at, Burton. However, I just don't see how the Dolphins can expect to have a good season any time soon by wiping their team roster clean like this. :(spfx30

They didn't have a good season with them on the roster either. If you go 1-15, you're veterens aren't helping you out anyway.

Ross agrees to buy 50 percent of Dolphins, stadium

(AP) -- New York builder Stephen Ross has agreed to purchase 50 percent of the Miami Dolphins from owner Wayne Huizenga, with an opportunity to become managing general partner in the future.

Ross would acquire 50 percent of the franchise, Dolphin Stadium and surrounding developable land, the team said in a release. The sale requires approval from the NFL.

Tuna Rounding up 'his guys'

The Cowboys and Dolphins apparently are close to a trade that will send defensive tackle Jason Ferguson to Miami in exchange for draft picks. ... It'll probably be in the neighborhood of a fifth- or sixth-round pick, possibly both.

As for Ferguson's contract, it is hardly for the minimum. He was scheduled to count $5.62 million on the salary cap. While the Cowboys do wipe off his $4 million base for 2008, they will take a signing bonus proration of $3.2 million this season. So add it all up and if Ferguson is not on the team in 2008, the Cowboys will save about $2.4 million.

This will be the third time to reunite with Bill Parcells and he'll even be coached by Kacy Rodgers, the defensive line coach here who jumped ship to Miami to join Tony Sparano, Todd Bowles and Paul Pasqualoni. --Nick Eatman, DallasCowboys.com

Other former Tuna guys who soon could be joining the Fins include running back Julius Jones and tackle Jason Fabini.

Guard Justin Smiley has agreed to terms with the Dolphins on a five-year, $25M contract than includes a $9 million signing bonus, he said. He is scheduled to fly to Miami early Friday morning to sign the contract and make it official.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity," Smiley said on the phone just moments ago. "Miami called as soon as they were able to call me and told me they'd like to have me down there. They called me right after it (free agency) started. They offered me that (contract). I feel very blessed. It feels good to have security. I want to go down there and give them every penny's worth and play hard for them."

Smiley said he is slated to play right guard for the Dolphins. Smiley resides in Ellabel, Ga., and attended Alabama.

Dolphins reach deal with QB McCown

Miami has a new starting quarterback.

FOXSports.com has learned Oakland's Josh McCown has agreed to a two-year, $6.25 million contract with the Dolphins. McCown will receive a $2.5 million signing bonus.

The Dolphins were seeking to address the position after releasing Trent Green and, as FOXSports.com first reported, allowing Cleo Lemon to leave via free agency today to Jacksonville. Before the McCown signing, unproven 2007 second-round draft pick John Beck was the only notable quarterback on the roster.

McCown started nine games during an injury-plagued 2007 season with Oakland. While he posted pedestrian passing statistics, McCown was lauded for his leadership skills and willingness to play through pain.

McCown has 31 career starts in six NFL seasons.

The McCown signing is one of a flurry of roster moves Miami has made in Bill Parcells' first off-season heading football operations. The team traded with Dallas for nose tackle Jason Ferguson as well as signed wide receiver Ernest Wilfork (Jacksonville) and tight end Sean Ryan (New York Jets).
The Dolphins also entertained Arizona linebacker Calvin Pace on a free-agent visit.

^^

thank god that josh mccown, when i read post i thought it was luke mccown.....

McCown, eh? He should fare well with the Dolphins.

Dolphins sign Texans' LB Anderson

The Dolphins added their seventh unrestricted free agent Saturday when they announced the signing of Texans linebacker Charlie Anderson.

Anderson is expected to help out at strong side linebacker.

Whoa Kfrand is back! Lol how ya doin buddy?

Miami is still gonna suck, they need couple more years and some good drafts before they can contend again.

Dolphins sign Texans' LB Anderson

The Dolphins added their seventh unrestricted free agent Saturday when they announced the signing of Texans linebacker Charlie Anderson.

Anderson is expected to help out at strong side linebacker.

JackBurton

Who?

ya like dpistons said who is charlie anderson ive never heard of that guy lol, and im good sfgiantsfan how have u beenKFrandsen2

He was one of our backup OLBs, I think he is decent.

Im doin good too KF

Dolphins sign ex-Cowboy Keith Davis

You can bet Dallas Cowboys will miss Keith Davis

Keith Davis signed a contract with the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday. The Cowboys will miss him more than many of you think.

That's because Davis brought attitude to the Cowboys' special teams, and the defense in the limited opportunities he received.

If you don't believe that, then ask yourself why the South Beach Cowboys, led by Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano, made sure they added Davis to their roster.

The Dolphins stink. We all know that. Parcells and his group need to change the culture.

Guys like Davis do that.

Davis doesn't have the most athletic ability. He's not the biggest or the fastest or the strongest. He bites too much on play-action passes, and he gambles too much.

But he plays the game with a passion that can't be duplicated, he works hard, and most important, he plays the game with no fear.

None.

He doesn't believe he can be blocked. He doesn't believe he can be stopped on kick coverage.

He believes he's the biggest, baddest junkyard dog on the field - and it doesn't matter if everyone else thinks he's crazy.

He believes that in his heart, and his attitude rubs off on others. That's what made him a valuable member of the Cowboys and why he'll soon become a fan favorite in Miami. --DallasMorningNews.com

Dolphins Sign CB Nate Jones, an UFA From Dallas

The Miami Dolphins today signed four-year veteran cornerback Nathan Jones, to a two-year contract as an unrestricted free agent from the Dallas Cowboys.

The 25-year-old Jones was a 7th-round draft choice of Dallas in 2004. In his four seasons with the Cowboys, he played in 51 regular season games, including one start. He collected 58 tackles, 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles on defense. He also stood out on special teams, where he totaled 26 tackles.