Armando expects Vernon to get $14-15 million a year???

by **JMP** Mon Feb 15, 2016 11:35 pm

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2016/02/tomorrow-february-16-is-the-first-day-nfl-teams-can-designate-franchise-or-transition-tags-on-players-and-that-is-importan.html

Tomorrow, February 16, is the first day NFL teams can designate franchise or transition tags on players. And that is important to the Miami Dolphins because they have a decision to make on defensive end Olivier Vernon -- the only player scheduled to hit free agency that is even remotely worthy of a tag.

...

The floor is no longer $12 million per year. He's going to land in the $14-$15 million per year range APY one way or another -- either by signing a deal with the Dolphins, signing a deal with another team in free agency, or getting tagged.

If the Dolphins had any desire to keep Vernon, they should have shown it last year and done so at a much cheaper price. If they want to keep him now, it'll cost them approximately $10-$12 million more over the life of a five-year deal than it would have then. That's just the facts of NFL business. The salary cap doesn't go down (it was flat in 2011, but didn't go down) and players, particularly pass rushers, don't get cheaper with time when they're about to hit free agency in their prime.

Indeed, if the Dolphins are considering a franchise tag for Vernon, that will come in around $15 million guaranteed for one year. And unlike the cap hit for a multi-year deal that would have been cheaper a year ago and would have been prorated over four or five years, the franchise tag's $15 million would pile up on the team's salary cap in one lump sum.

Maybe I live in a different world, but on my planet Vernon is not even close to a $15 million a year player. If that's what it will cost to keep him - see ya! Like I've said numerous times, you can't build a team by throwing outrageous money at lesser players. Vernon is not now and never will be one of the league's top pass rushers...it would be foolish to pay him like one. That money is reserved for elite players - not good players. Vernon is good...nothing more, nothing less. Let some other team make the mistake of paying him top dollar.

by white1 Tue Feb 16, 2016 7:56 am

There are a couple of interesting alternatives to Vernon:

Mario Williams. True, he is "elite". He's also 30 years old. I wonder if he would be actually MORE affordable than Vernon.

JPP. Injured, which brings a lot of question marks. This will drive his price down. Do we pair him with Wake, and look to draft this year/next year to get an elite DE?

by Birdmond Tue Feb 16, 2016 8:06 am

white1 wrote:There are a couple of interesting alternatives to Vernon:

Mario Williams. True, he is "elite". He's also 30 years old. I wonder if he would be actually MORE affordable than Vernon.

JPP. Injured, which brings a lot of question marks. This will drive his price down. Do we pair him with Wake, and look to draft this year/next year to get an elite DE?

I'm all about signing Mario Williams if the price is right. I love me some big DE's.

by Lacesout Tue Feb 16, 2016 8:25 am

I understand Mario Williams is older. I can't understand a world in which Olivier Vernon is paid more .Vernon played his heart out to get to his meager sack total. We have seen his low ceiling and he will certainly come crashing down earth next year. I'd much rather draft a top 10 pick, keep Shelby, and keep Wake.

by DolFan 316 Tue Feb 16, 2016 8:34 am

Let me put it this way: I'd much rather have Mario Williams on this team than against it. He might even actually sign since he apparently doesn't care much for Rex Ryan scratch

by **JMP** Tue Feb 16, 2016 9:15 am

If the choice is Super Mario or Olivier Vernon...there is no choice. Bye, Olivier.

by Birdmond Tue Feb 16, 2016 10:46 am

Problem is , due to timing , choice doesn't come into play. A decision on Vernon will have to be made before Mario is released.

by finskev Tue Feb 16, 2016 1:14 pm

Get Mario or just draft one and do You keep Wake. Plus Wake and Mario play on the side of the RT, Who would You switch to the Left?. But I agree Vernon can't be on this team at 15 Mil a Year.

by Birdmond Tue Feb 16, 2016 1:28 pm

finskev wrote:Get Mario or just draft one and do You keep Wake. Plus Wake and Mario play on the side of the RT, Who would You switch to the Left?. But I agree Vernon can't be on this team at 15 Mil a Year.

i know Wake is a workout warrior but I just don't think he can stay healthy. I'd see if he'd accept an incentive laden deal and if not I'm letting him go.

by **JMP** Tue Feb 16, 2016 2:12 pm

Birdmond wrote:Problem is , due to timing , choice doesn't come into play. A decision on Vernon will have to be made before Mario is released.

Well, the choice for the Phins is: do you keep Vernon, and if so at what price? I'm sure they have a max dollar amount in mind, and if Vernon accepts it's all good. If he wants significantly more, he'll enter free agency. I don't think the Phins will franchise him...ties up too much money.

by **JMP** Tue Feb 16, 2016 2:20 pm

finskev wrote:Get Mario or just draft one and do You keep Wake. Plus Wake and Mario play on the side of the RT, Who would You switch to the Left?. But I agree Vernon can't be on this team at 15 Mil a Year.

I'm pretty sure Mario lined up over the LT with the Texans. He's good enough that you can put him on either side, IMO.

Wake is a question mark. I don't even know when he'll be able to play after the Achilles injury. At this stage of his career, it would probably be best to limit his snaps and make him a pass rush specialist, like the Phins used to do with Trace Armstrong. To be honest, since I don't think we're going anywhere anyway, I'd prefer to just cut him now and move on.

by DolFan 316 Tue Feb 16, 2016 4:30 pm

JMP wrote:Wake is a question mark. I don't even know when he'll be able to play after the Achilles injury. At this stage of his career, it would probably be best to limit his snaps and make him a pass rush specialist, like the Phins used to do with Trace Armstrong. To be honest, since I don't think we're going anywhere anyway, I'd prefer to just cut him now and move on.

This. Times ten. cheers

I wanted Wake traded years ago when the Fins could've gotten a high pick for him but nope, they kept him and kept losing. Oh well, they'd have likely just blown the pick anyway, right?

Fins will be needing two new starting DEs, and there's no way around it.

by **JMP** Tue Feb 16, 2016 5:11 pm

DolFan 316 wrote:
Fins will be needing two new starting DEs, and there's no way around it.

Yep, sure seems that way. And I'm totally OK with that. In fact, I'm excited about the idea of adding a young, explosive pass rusher in the draft and maybe a quality vet as well. What I'm not excited about is the people that are 'buying the groceries'...

It sucks...this could be a really cool time in Dolphins' history, with an opportunity to turn over the roster once and for all and add some key young talent - but I just don't trust anyone in this organization to get it right. I fear we'll just be throwing more money at overrated free agents and drafting more role players and scrubs.

by Birdmond Tue Feb 16, 2016 6:15 pm

JMP wrote:
finskev wrote:Get Mario or just draft one and do You keep Wake. Plus Wake and Mario play on the side of the RT, Who would You switch to the Left?. But I agree Vernon can't be on this team at 15 Mil a Year.

I'm pretty sure Mario lined up over the LT with the Texans. He's good enough that you can put him on either side, IMO.

Wake is a question mark. I don't even know when he'll be able to play after the Achilles injury. At this stage of his career, it would probably be best to limit his snaps and make him a pass rush specialist, like the Phins used to do with Trace Armstrong. To be honest, since I don't think we're going anywhere anyway, I'd prefer to just cut him now and move on.

It was partially torn. He was walking shortly after surgery. But I'm with you. I'm ready to move on.

by mercury22nathan Thu Feb 18, 2016 9:02 am

a decent analysis of the situation with all 3 of Miami's DEs...

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/dave-hyde-blog/sfl-hyde5-solving-the-dolphins-the-dilemma-at-defensive-end-20160218-story.html

Over the last half of the season, Vernon had two sacks and 11 quarterback hits against four starting NFL left tackles. Against reserves, he had 3.5 sacks and 17 quarterback hits.

In other words, he was decent against starting left tackles and dominated back-up left tackles. How do you put a price on that?...

I hate to see Vernon go. But I’d hate to pay him like a franchise impact player when … well, has he always been that?

it figures that a real reporter/columnist like Dave Hyde would actually have some facts to support of his assertions, where as hacks like Omar & Armando just make up stuff based on whether they "like" a guy or not (or do a radio spot with his wife).

by Birdmond Fri Feb 19, 2016 7:51 am

The fact that Miami is working on restructuring Wake and considering the franchise tag for Vernon really shocks me. Sorry no link (Twiitter) but I also read Miami will look to improve LB's and CB's via free agency because they really like the DT rookie class. A'Shawn Robinson maybe?

by **JMP** Fri Feb 19, 2016 8:06 pm

Restructuring Wake is absurd...just filling up future cap space for an aging player - not smart. If you want to keep him, just eat the big hit this year and see what happens in 2017.

Franchising Vernon is even stupider...tying up $15 million in a player that is decent (not great) is foolish.

by Birdmond Sat Feb 20, 2016 6:30 am

JMP wrote:Restructuring Wake is absurd...just filling up future cap space for an aging player - not smart. If you want to keep him, just eat the big hit this year and see what happens in 2017.

Franchising Vernon is even stupider...tying up $15 million in a player that is decent (not great) is foolish.

We are in complete agreement.

To me this is not a Tannembaum type move. This tells me he's letting the GM run the show.

by rightchea Sun Feb 21, 2016 4:03 pm

BOOOO to that. I rather have Miami beef up their DB in the rookie class then try in free agency.

by Birdmond Sun Feb 21, 2016 4:08 pm

rightchea wrote:BOOOO to that. I rather have Miami beef up their DB in the rookie class then try in free agency.

Me too but it's win now baby! We are soooo close. LOL

But really , I don't much care for the rookie class of DB's.

by rightchea Sun Feb 21, 2016 4:29 pm

I have too agree the rookie class of DB do look fairly week but for Miami to go into the FA looking for a good DB is going to be expensive. Unless Miami is still looking for full the roster type players, Suh contract better drop a lot.

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Armando expects Vernon to get $14-15 million a year???

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common sense on Vernon, Wake and Shelby

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