I agree.

A lot of defensive backs are being released that can still play at a high level. Chris Gamble and Aaron Ross to name a couple.

Do you think this is going to drive down the price for guys like Sean Smith?

...

Hartline bypassed free agency Friday, signing a six-year, $30.7 million contract ($12.5 million guaranteed) to remain with the Dolphins. Hartline said free agency would have been more "lucrative" but he said taking less money is an indication of his excitement about the team's future.

"It just shows how much more important it is for me to be in this organization and be in South Florida, and what we're growing, than it is to just chase the top dollar," he said.
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It was a similar story for backup quarterback Matt Moore, who signed a two-year, $8 million deal to return to the Dolphins. Moore, regarded among the league's best backups, opted not to become a free agent and pursue a starting job with another team.

"I think this team is definitely going places," he said. "There's big things to come and I didn't want to miss out."

...

I think when we get the details of the contract, that's where the signing bonus will be around. Don't be misled by the "$12.5 million guaranteed" label. Some of those guarantees come in the form of bonuses outside of the signing bonus.



I don't mean to pick on you man, but I don't think you've caught up with the value of NFL players in 2013. You're stuck somewhere in 2006. According to a report issued by the NFL in 2010, the typical salary range for a #2 QB in the NFL was $2-$5 million a year.

So we can make an apples to apples comparison, let's look at the salaries for some of the top veteran back up QBs in the NFL for 2012. I excluded guys on their rookie contract because they are obviously going to be cheaper and it is an apples to oranges comparison. I also excluded Alex Smith because he was the opening day starter and Matt Flynn because he was supposed to be the starter.

Kyle Orton - $3.5 mil a year
Jason Campbell - $3.5 mil a year
Shaun Hill - $3 mil a year
Matt Hasselback - $5.5 mil a year

You can probably get a Matt Leinart or a Vince Young for less... but is that really what you want the team to do? THAT would be $2 million better spent elsewhere.

You're undervaluing our own players and failing to realize that every season the player contracts are supposed to get bigger. That was the point of the last CBA, to give the veteran players more and to keep rookie salaries reasonable.

I think you're going to be severely shocked when you start seeing some of the contracts being signed in free agency. It is what it is, man. The price teams play to keep or acquire veteran talent. You can't fix everything by letting holes open up and hoping you patch them up in the draft.

My question is would Hartline have received a deal this sweet from another team? I have my doubts. So why did we need to sign him prior to talking with Jennings, Bouldin, Cruz, etc.? We know we're going in heavy for Wallace..........how nice would it have been to have him paired with one of those three.

Was it worth taking a chance on losing Hartline outright gambling that another team wouldn't offer as sweet a deal? There is no guarantee Miami is going land Wallace or Jennings. Why create another hole in a roster already full of needs? What about the chemistry already created between Hartline and Tannehill? Miami locked up Hartline with a reasonable contract before he had a chance to speak with other teams. That is just smart business.

Omar Kelly wrote the following on 3/7/13........

Omar Kelly writes and says a lot of bizarre stuff. He's not exactly the best guy to quote to back up a point of view.

It was worth the gamble IMO. Plenty of Wr on the market that could replace him from my view point. Brandon Gibson is one & will not cost as much. Not a fan of this signing at all, but I do not know the breakdown just yet either. I simply do not view Hartline as more than a good No. 3/4 Wr.

My question is would Hartline have received a deal this sweet from another team? I have my doubts. So why did we need to sign him prior to talking with Jennings, Bouldin, Cruz, etc.? We know we're going in heavy for Wallace..........how nice would it have been to have him paired with one of those three.

I don't have a problem with signing Moore, but it's top level money for a No. 2. Considering Tannehill will likely be running more in 2013 and the Dolphins O-line issues, it's feasible he may go down at some point. If that happens, we know we can still win with Moore.

OK Rich............we'll just listen to you.

Brandon Gibson? LMFAO.

Yea, on second thought you're probably right. I should have picked someone lower on the totem pole.

Ya, don't stop at a 600 yarder receiver you slacker. See if you can find us a 300 yard one this time.

Free agency primer: Ranking the wide receivers

Impact players

1. Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers
2. Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers
3. Wes Welker, New England Patriots

...

Solid starters

4. Danny Amendola, St. Louis Rams
5. Brian Hartline, Miami Dolphins (re-signed with Dolphins)

...

Hartline will command attention as a No. 2 option. I still believe the Dolphins will bring him back. Miami needs pass-catchers and the chemistry with Ryan Tannehill was impressive. If Hartline escapes, he'll make another quarterback happy with his consistent -- and sometimes record-setting -- play.

Role players with questions

6. Brandon Gibson, St. Louis Rams
7. Donnie Avery, Indianapolis Colts
8. Julian Edelman, New England Patriots

Notes: Gibson has 34 starts for the Rams over the past three seasons, but he's never the same guy from week to week. He's an option for teams seeking a second (or, realistically, third) receiver. ...

but he's never the same guy from week to week. He's an option for teams seeking a second (or, realistically, third) receiver. ...

If Hartline escapes, he'll make another quarterback happy with his consistent -- and sometimes record-setting -- play.

Sounds just like Hartline.

Man, this is sad. You have been so indoctrinated with bad talent that you can no longer tell the difference between good & great. Let me get this straight. Hartline has 1 Yr of 600 Yd production & one year with more & suddenly the previous three years are forgotten? Seriously? Where are you getting that Hartline is just this awesome Wr?

When Miami needs a TD, Hartline will get them 10 Yds. What was Brian Hartline this time last year? A 500 Yd Wr. Thats right. Not even 600. He has one game against a bad team & it seems you have lifted him up to where you think a comparable WR is laughable. Hartline is easily taken out of a game which is proven by his 11 games with under 80 Yds receiving. Gibson found the endzone just one time less last year than Hartline has over his entire career. Heck Gibson doubled Hartline's TDs last year in one game. Miami just gave a 1 TD Wr 30 Million dollar contract. That is what is worth a LMFAO.

I think you would be very hard pressed to find to many people who would not think those two are comparable.

Hartline surpassed Gibsons's best yardage in his 2nd year.

Keep huggin' that dumpster bud.

What????????????

Is this Jethro math or something where 615 is more than 620? Of course Gibson best year of now 691, but we are not discussing that. If this is Jethro math, then your above statement would be true.

Funny thing is, you make these comments, but have yet to provide any back up for your opinion & what you tried is factually inaccurate. Please tell us where Hartline is so much better.


That would be you. I'm not saying Gibson is something special, just that Hartline is not either. Both can get better. Just for Hartline's talent & production there were cheaper options out there.

The better play for Miami would have been to let Hartline hit the market & found out his true value. They would have paid less for his services.

You are the dumpster diver. 30 million for a TD a year production. Ireland is making a huge gamble that Hartline will thrive as a No. 2 or the contract is structure to where Miami can draft a Wr, develop him & then cut Hartline before his contract gets stupid. I do not see this deal being more than a 3 Yr deal. I believe Hartline will be cut before 2016 at the lastest, but no way he sees Yr 4 & 5 from this deal.

Yea, I almost spit out my drink when I read that.

For giggles, go ahead and find relevant sources saying other teams were seriously considering paying Hartline $6+mil/yr, $12.5mil guaranteed.

My bad, 4th year .... Paying a #2 what we paid Hartline is NOT a gamble with the cap the NFL has now.

I'm the dumpster diver and you're the one suggesting Brandon Gibson .... hahah. Ok Mr. Acorn.

I'd rather see us evaluate other options than pay $6+mil/year for a middle of the road receiver. Tannehill had tremendous chemistry with Hartline in one game...........the rest is a mixed bag.

What are talking about? Spend some time actually reading my posts before you try to blast me.

I wrote the following.........

I don't have a problem with signing Moore, but it's top level money for a No. 2. Considering Tannehill will likely be running more in 2013 and the Dolphins O-line issues, it's feasible he may go down at some point. If that happens, we know we can still win with Moore.

Hopefully it didn't hit Brandon Gibson's lap ........... Hahaha, sorry you left that for me, I had to take it.

First, Omar Kelly spends more time devoted to the Phins than any other reporter.

The "we" speaks to everyone else on this site

HA!.........the only evidence you've provided contradicts everything you're saying.

The logic behind your statement is absolutely befuddling.

So because it's not reported in media outlets, other teams weren't considering him at that rate?

I'd rather see us evaluate other options than pay $6+mil/year for a middle of the road receiver. Tannehill had tremendous chemistry with Hartline in one game...........the rest is a mixed bag.

Good or bad game stats, I think as the season went on and besides the Arizona game, there was definitely a constant security blanket for Tannehill to have Hartline in the lineup.

I see what your saying about exploring other options, but if you look at the "guaranteed" money part of the deal, this can get restructured again in a couple of years. Did Miami over pay for Hartline, probably, BUT, I believe when Miami gets that true #1 receiver, that Hartline will become even more valuable to Tannehill and the Dolphins. It remains to be seen, but that is my personal gut feeling. The 2013 season will tell us a lot and let's hope for the best!

PS: I did hear a rumor that Detroit was prepared to snag Hartline for the money he wanted to play opposite Calvin Johnson.

I'm sure you take it often & a lot.

Hartline bypassed free agency Friday, signing a five-year, $30.7 million contract ($12.5 million guaranteed) to remain with the Dolphins. Hartline said free agency would have been more "lucrative" but he said taking less money is an indication of his excitement about the team's future.

The logic behind your statement is absolutely befuddling.

So because it's not reported in media outlets, other teams weren't considering him at that rate?