Dolphins Sign Lawrence Timmons

Levine wrote:The Dolphins have signed linebacker Lawrence Timmons to a two-year, $12MM deal ($11MM guaranteed), reports ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter.

https://www.profootballrumors.com/2017/03/dolphins-sign-lawrence-timmons

Looks like Miami trying to get the LB straighten out

Another aging, declining veteran. He's played his entire career in a 3-4, so not sure where he fits. They'll probably use him at MLB, but SLB may be a better spot for him at this stage.

I'd prefer to get younger and faster at LB, but it is what it is.

He is only 30 years old and durable missed two in his career, 114 tackles last year if that is declining than I will gladly take it.

Timmons is an upgrade for the Phins for sure, but he's not exactly a superstar. Good, solid player, but he's lost a step and he's going to be 31 in May. He's a 2-year stopgap.

This is a decent signing, and we've improved the run D on paper with Hayes and Timmons. But again, younger and faster is what I was hoping for at LB.

While I do not think the Phins will go LB early, remember the plan seems to be to cover all your (glaring) holes so you can go with the flow of the draft.

I agree with JMP though. Yes, this is an upgrade, but not if it means they bypass a stud LB that could have anchored the defense for years.

finfanatic wrote:While I do not think the Phins will go LB early, remember the plan seems to be to cover all your (glaring) holes so you can go with the flow of the draft.

I agree with JMP though. Yes, this is an upgrade, but not if it means they bypass a stud LB that could have anchored the defense for years.

No reason to bypass a LB. They can still draft Cunningham and play him at strong side until he fills out a bit. Or they could draft Reddick who can play anywhere. They're still short one LB and they weren't going to start two rookies.

I'm about ready to make Reddick my favorite for our 1st rd. pick.

Not to beat a dead horse in the first I want the best edge rusher on the board. I'm fine with linebacker in 2nd or 3rd round.

This draft is deep in safeties too would be nice in 2 - 4 round

Birdmond wrote:

finfanatic wrote:While I do not think the Phins will go LB early, remember the plan seems to be to cover all your (glaring) holes so you can go with the flow of the draft.

I agree with JMP though. Yes, this is an upgrade, but not if it means they bypass a stud LB that could have anchored the defense for years.

No reason to bypass a LB.  They can still draft Cunningham and play him at strong side until he fills out a bit.  Or they could draft Reddick who can play anywhere.   They're still short one LB and they weren't going to start two rookies.  

Cunningham is going to be gone before Miami's pick, IMO Miami will go after Lamp to fill the OL spot then go after the rest.

rightchea wrote:

Birdmond wrote:

finfanatic wrote:While I do not think the Phins will go LB early, remember the plan seems to be to cover all your (glaring) holes so you can go with the flow of the draft.

I agree with JMP though. Yes, this is an upgrade, but not if it means they bypass a stud LB that could have anchored the defense for years.

No reason to bypass a LB.  They can still draft Cunningham and play him at strong side until he fills out a bit.  Or they could draft Reddick who can play anywhere.   They're still short one LB and they weren't going to start two rookies.  

Cunningham is going to be gone before Miami's pick, IMO Miami will go after Lamp to fill the OL spot then go after the rest.

I actually agree about your Lamp prediction but I'm not sure Cunningham will be gone when 8 CB's getting first round grades.

Yeah, if Lamp is there at 22, right now that's looking like a strong possibility. But, I have a feeling he'll be off the board before we pick. To me, 6 would be crazy to take a guard, but don't be surprised if the Jets go with Lamp (or Cam Robinson). I don't think there's another team in the NFL that needs OL as bad as they do.

I'd like to see Lamp or Howard here, myself. I think Lamp will take care of an O-line spot for a decade wherever he goes.

I can't complain about the Timmons signing. He's 30, should give quality play for the two years of the contract, gets Alonso out of the MLB spot and fills a need for a reasonable price.

So far, being set up pretty solidly to draft the BPA. I can't find too much to complain about, even if there isn't that much (outside of retaining Stills) to be overly excited about.

So far, being set up pretty solidly to draft the BPA. I can't find too much to complain about, even if there isn't that much (outside of retaining Stills) to be overly excited about.

I totally agree.

I think we will add a second tier guard now that first wave is wrapping up. Also, there are a lot of DTs still on the market including Poe and Hankins. To me, this means the offers are coming in lower than they wanted, so the market is not willing to pay them top dollar apparently. Could mean a cheap, solid addition is attainable for us.

We will probably also add a second tier (or third tier) strong side linebacker. It sounds like Misi is on the bubble regarding whether he can resume his career after his latest injury. In any case, the team would be wise to have a contingency plan in place if he can't go come training camp. I'd rather they sign a cheap, experienced veteran and only draft one if there's value on the board with one of our picks.

Every time I think of Timmons, I see images of the Patriots absolutely destroying him over and over in the passing game both times they played the Steelers last season.

I still think we need to add at least two LBs, and I'm hoping we find them in the draft. We need to add young, fast, tough LBs to this team in the worst way. Reddick would fit the bill.

Think Reddick would be perfect for this defense but I dont think that he will be there by the time we pick at 22. I really feel like we can really have a productive draft.

The thing that scares me is that with a fairly good free agent season, Tannebaum will do something crazy and trade up to 3 and draft a K. Giving him this power and latitude really scares me.

Another Steelers castoff. They never work! Means we will bypass LB in round one. Probably draft Mixon and trade the Jay train for a guard. The rumor I've heard is Gase wants a different running back. One that's better catching the ball. Plus I hear Mixon can really hit!

CarsonChris wrote:I hear Mixon can really hit!

Umix10 wrote:Think Reddick would be perfect for this defense but I dont think that he will be there by the time we pick at 22. I really feel like we can really have a productive draft.

The thing that scares me is that with a fairly good free agent season, Tannebaum will do something crazy and trade up to 3 and draft a K. Giving him this power and latitude really scares me.

The way I read it was Grier and Gase's power increased and Tannebaum's decreased.

CC wrote:Plus I hear Mixon can really hit!

You should be flogged for this. By Mixon. It was mighty funny tho.

I don't know....It certainly looks like Gase is calling the shots. He wanted Stills, he got Stills. One thing you can say about Gase for sure IMHO; he definitely knows whether a player can play or not. And does not seem to care if the player is a nice guy or not like Grandpa Queasy Joe did.... ie Dallas Thomas.

It's sort of refreshing to have a HC that is more worried about ON-FIELD performance rather than how they practice, whether they show up on time, and whether or not they throw candy wrappers on the field!!!