Fins Sign Wallace (6y/60m), Ellerbe (5y/35m), & Wheeler (5y26m), Keller, & Gibson

[EmpireWF]

Schefter: League-wide expectation is that WR Mike Wallace winds up in Miami with the Dolphins.


And the local paper says it's a done deal.

http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/thedailydolphin/2013/03/11/talking-points-all-sign-point-to-miami-dolphins-landing-wr-mike-wallace/

Tannehill2WallaceTD

[Hasselbeck]

Report: Mike Wallace to Dolphins "all but done"

Which means he's probably headed to Cleveland..

The reports linking free-agent receiver Mike Wallace to the Dolphins continue to mount.

And that should make every Dolphins fan nervous.

The latest comes from Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post, who writes that it’s a “done deal.” But if we learned anything for the scrum of news that capped the end of the 2012 regular season, it’s that no deal is done until it’s, well, done.

From 95 percent to virtual certainty, multiple crystal-clear reports regarding coaching hires and player moves ended up being clearly incorrect.

In this case, it makes plenty of sense from a football, business, and political standpoint for the Dolphins to want Wallace. I’ve believed for weeks that it’s the most obvious free-agent move of them all. He’ll stretch the field, he’ll sell tickets, and he’ll buy votes in the upcoming stadium renovation referendum.

But we’ve seen it before with the Dolphins under owner Stephen Ross. Amid high expectations, they’re left standing at the altar as the bride climbs aboard a bus with Rain Man.

None of this means that some other team is destined to emerge from the weeds and snatch Wallace away from the Dolphins, either during the final hours of the legal tampering non-tampering period or after free agency begins. But as we inch toward another outcome that seems to be definite, let’s not forget that plenty of similarly definite situations have fallen apart.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/11/more-and-more-reports-link-mike-wallace-to-miami/

[f16harm]

Not against this, but very apprehensive of this. I don't want the Mike Wallace of last year to continue with us moving forward at that price, yet we do need someone with his proposed pedigree and insane speed to clear out more space for Hartline, Davone Bess, and hopefully a new pass catching tight end.

Word is circling also that Jake Long may be coming back, mostly because both parties really don't want to separate but also because reality has set in he won't be getting a lucrative contract elsewhere.

[ralaw]

f16harm

What is the word on Reggie Bush? I'm hearing that he is gone, which is interesting, because who do they have behind him? Are they hoping on Thomas?

[f16harm]

f16harm

What is the word on Reggie Bush? I'm hearing that he is gone, which is interesting, because who do they have behind him? Are they hoping on Thomas?

Reggie Bush not coming back. He was making $4.5mil a year, which is actual cap cost too I believe. Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas would be the 2 tandem backs. Miller did very well last year, in fact he ran the ball better than Reggie, but he was a rookie and a little green plus he needs to improve his blocking a lot. But as a runner, he has better vision in the backfield than Reggie, good speed and cutting ability. Reggie had some ridiculous runs, but his overall body of work was a lot of dancing in the backfield if you watched every game and not just highlights. Thomas is a very big, downhill back who can get you 4ypc, but he has shown to be a china doll. If he can stay healthy though he would definitely be a good bruiser. Both Miller and Thomas can catch the ball, and Thomas is a very good blocker. Marcus Thigpen was our return guy last year who scored a few return TDs, and they could sprinkle him in as the scat back style run/screen/route RB that Bush was playing. IMO, I see where they don't want to give Reggie $5mil a year at his age. Losing Bush will definitely hurt if Thomas continues to be fragile and Miller doesn't take advantage of more playing time, but they are really at a crossroads of where do we want to spend money versus where do we want to use our younger talent.

[TheImmortalGoud]

Rotoworld

Updating a previous item, Mike Wallace's Dolphins contract is for $60 million over five years.

ESPN reported Tuesday that Wallace received $65 million, but that number may have been a bit agent inflated. While it's likely Wallace can earn an additional $5 million in incentives, the contract has a $12 million annual base value. It still makes Wallace the league's third highest paid receiver behind Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald. Wallace received $30 million guaranteed.

Dolphins agreed to terms with LB Dannell Ellerbe, formerly of the Ravens, on a five-year, $35 million contract.

It's a terrible loss for the Ravens, who wanted badly to re-sign Ellerbe as the heir to Ray Lewis. They just weren't willing to overpay Ellerbe. Fins GM Jeff Ireland clearly was. It's uncertain where Ellerbe will play in Miami, but one guess is the strong side, where he could match up with tight ends in coverage. Kevin Burnett is 30 years old, and the Dolphins can save over $3 million by releasing him. Weak-side linebacker Koa Misi is in the final year of his rookie deal, and that's another potential playing spot for Ellerbe.

Dolphins agreed to terms on a five-year, $26 million deal with OLB Philip Wheeler, formerly of the Raiders.

The Dolphins are signing ALL of the linebackers. Wheeler gets $13 million guaranteed. Miami already added Dannell Ellerbe on a five-year, $35 million deal, and then released middle linebacker Karlos Dansby. With Wheeler coming aboard, it might signal the end for veteran SLB Kevin Burnett. Wheeler showed he could do it all in 2012. He defended the run, covered, and rushed the quarterback.

Dolphins re-signed FS Chris Clemons to a one-year contract.

Clemons was a 16-game starter for the Dolphins' No. 21 defense last season, grading out above-average against both the pass and the run. His return guarantees some stability in a secondary that could lose free agent Sean Smith.

Dolphins released LB Karlos Dansby.

The other shoe drops. Replaced by Dannell Ellerbe, Dansby led the Dolphins in tackles last season, and has missed just two games in the past five years. He was set to earn a combined $15.1 million over the final two years of his deal, however, and is going on 32. A three-down player who took the field for 1,123 snaps in 2012, Dansby will draw interest but will likely have a tough time getting guaranteed money beyond 2013. He was Pro Football Focus' No. 13 inside linebacker last season.

Dolphins released LB Kevin Burnett.

The writing was on the wall after Miami signed Philip Wheeler to go along with Dannell Ellerbe. Between cutting Burnett and Karlos Dansby, the Dolphins cleared $7.2 million in cap space. Going on 30, Burnett had a strong year as a three-down 'backer in 2012, notching 110 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble across 1,096 snaps. He won't hurt for one-year offers. Miami is gambling by going young and expensive at linebacker, but their defense should be faster to the ball.

[f16harm]

Let me tell you, the Ellerbe signing/cut Dansby came out of NOWHERE. Miami front office keeping this thing as hush hush as they did is insane. There were absolutely no rumors or inklings they were going after him.

From a cap/age perspective it is a great move, but I am a bit worried about his injury history and ability to live up to expectations. Has the talent, but can he progress now. Dansby had a big mouth, was lazy, aging (nearing 32), and had a $6+ million cap/salary number I believe. I said early last season it would be Dansby's last season in Miami. Hope Ellerbe pans out, but I am nervous on this. Dansby had good number son paper, but there were many times where he gave a has ass effort or simply didn't make a play he should.

Wheeler, another out of nowhere, but once again we dumped Burnett and his salary to replace it for a younger player. Don't believe that "strong year" comment above in the news snippet. Burnett was consistently burned last year by TEs and didn't add anything heavy to pass rush and run stopping so if Wheeler can provide a bit more big play ability there then he is an upgrade. Burnett had a lot of tackles because he was tackling guys down field after they already beat him!

[ralaw]

Ellerbe is a good player, but he isn't great. He has moments where you'll wonder where he is. While I was hoping he would resign with the Ravens I am glad Ozzie didn't overpay to keep him. At that price the Dolphins can have him. Miami fans better hope he isn't along the the long list of former Ravens who get big money elsewhere and never live up to the contract.

[f16harm]

Ellerbe is a good player, but he isn't great. He has moments where you'll wonder where he is. While I was hoping he would resign with the Ravens I am glad Ozzie Smith didn't overpay to keep him. At that price the Dolphins can have him. Miami fans better hope he isn't along the the long list of former Ravens who get big money elsewhere and never live up to the contract.

Typical Raven fan comment right now in this area for those others here reading this and can't be witness to the LULZ. For the past 3 weeks all that was said in Raven country was "We NEED to resign Ellerbe, it's crucial, especially with Ray gone." Now that he didn't resign with the Ravens all the talk show comments are:

-Miami overpaid
-Miami is desperate
-Ellerbe isn't that good a player
-They can have him for that much
-Ellerbe is injury prone
-Ellerbe can't cover.

It's very funny, considering (1) Baltimore overpaid big time for Flacco. (2) They just wanted all of those negatives up until 5pm or so yesterday when he signed elsewhere. (3) They didn't care as much about losing Boldin because they wanted Ellerbe back, but now they are mad they lost both.

P.S. Decided to anonymously read a Ravens forum last night to see what was going on after the shocking signing. Noticed "BazookaJoe" here is on that forum as well under same name....his posts were horrible, homeristic, and even foolish for a fan forum.

[DoubleDeuce]

I think Lamar Miller is going to have a very good NFL career. He's got mad potential and all the tools

[f16harm]

I think Lamar Miller is going to have a very good NFL career. He's got mad potential and all the tools

Don't want people to take this the wrong way, but Lamar Miller has a style and skill set (other than blocking!!) much like LaDanian Tomlinson.

EDIT: tell me his jump cut style and size doesn't look like LT

[ralaw]

Typical Raven fan comment right now in this area for those others here reading this and can't be witness to the LULZ. For the past 3 weeks all that was said in Raven country was "We NEED to resign Ellerbe, it's crucial, especially with Ray gone." Now that he didn't resign with the Ravens all the talk show comments are:

-Miami overpaid
-Miami is desperate
-Ellerbe isn't that good a player
-They can have him for that much
-Ellerbe is injury prone
-Ellerbe can't cover.

It's very funny, considering (1) Baltimore overpaid big time for Flacco. (2) They just wanted all of those negatives up until 5pm or so yesterday when he signed elsewhere. (3) They didn't care as much about losing Boldin because they wanted Ellerbe back, but now they are mad they lost both.

P.S. Decided to anonymously read a Ravens forum last night to see what was going on after the shocking signing. Noticed "BazookaJoe" here is on that forum as well under same name....his posts were horrible, homeristic, and even foolish for a fan forum.

Terrible post. You should refrain from using such broad brushes.

Most Ravens fans would tell you that Ellerbe is a good player and they wanted him back, but not at the price that Miami got him for. This is the point. Miami overpaid for him. Baltimore made an offer and was outbid by Miami....done deal. I am not being a homer, but just telling you how it is. I could say you are being a homer by getting all excited about every signed player, but I won't, because at this point you should be excited your team is trying to do something to be competitive. Good luck.

Flacco gambled on his talent and won a Superbowl....more power to him. At this point his contract is actually cap friendly for 2-3 seasons and he will have to restructure the other half, so I am not concerned. The Ravens are one of the more successful organizations because of the moves Ozzie makes and doesn't make. Ravens fans are use to other teams overpaying for our free agents, so it isn't much of a concern.

[Glenbino]

I wanted Ellerbe baaaaaad. He's one of the best interior pass rushers in the game.

[f16harm]

Terrible post. You should refrain from using such broad brushes.

I've lived in Ravens country for over a decade. I listen to their sports talk radio everyday on my long commutes. Please stop trying to tell me that one poster on VSN in Virgina knows more than what I hear everyday from countless Ravens fans and the people who cover them in the Baltimore media.

Flacco's overpay is cap friendly therefore it's justified? How do you know Ellerbe's isn't? Ravens fans are bitter and hurt because Ellerbe signed in Miami and not Baltimore, so they claim Miami overpaid because that's all they can do. It's also because they have no clue about Miami and choose not to read more. They don't realize Miami cut a soon to be 32 year old Linebacker who was going to cost $15 million over the next 2 years and wasn't well liked by the coaching staff, replaced him with a 4 year younger FA at similar cost and supposedly on the upside. According to Miami's organizational and financial needs, do you think they feel they are overpaid? They got younger and are handing out less money over the next 2 years to someone they feel has a better upside and attitude.

EDIT: BTW, if my post was so terrible and off base, how am I doing here so far (I didn't even have Ellerbe on there because he slipped my mind)?

Ravens gonna lose:
-Ray Lewis (obvious)
-Ed Reed (too much for age)
-Paul Kruger (Gonna get $35-40 mil with a $15-20 mil bonus from someone)
-Carey Williams (market is eh on CBs, which will inflate his value even more than the SB win, probably get $6 mil + a year)
-Bryant McKinnie (pretty obvious he won't be back)
-Matt Birk (age)
-Jacoby Jones (he is owed $4 mil, I don't think Ravens can afford that and Bolden, and his SB performance raised his value more)

IMO, could see them losing one or two of these three:
-Anquan Bolden (Owed $5 or 6 mil next year, cap casualty)
-Vontae Leach (Owed $3 mil+ for a blocking FB who plays 1/3 of their plays)
-Haloti Ngata (Cap casualty, especially if his knee looks as if it could affect his future)

Williams, McKinnie, and Leach are almost certainly gone. Now forced to pay Jones without Boldin, and probably Reed as well with them cutting Pollard just now.

[ralaw]

I've lived in Ravens country for over a decade. I listen to their sports talk radio everyday on my long commutes. Please stop trying to tell me that one poster on VSN in Virgina knows more than what I hear everyday from countless Ravens fans and the people who cover them in the Baltimore media.

Again, you should stop using such a broad brush.......I wasn't aware you knew my stance and views. I don't care about what you hear on the radio from living in Ravens country. I was speaking from my perspective.

I ain't gonna lie....losing Pollard hurts, because he was one of my favorites, but I trust Ozzie Smith, so I am not overly concerned. I am sort of excited about the changes....this happened in 2001 after the SB, so we shall see.