A lot of fans are troubled by the fact that they didn’t use the franchise tag, and now Vernon will slip away. Many fans are saying it’s Clay and Welker all over again, and that another incompetent regime is here to be the whipping boy for the rest of the division.
Honestly, that’s not the case. This regime played the hand about as well as you could. And more importantly, they played it without desperation.
“The Tag” will cost $12.734 mill with no commitment and give Miami to match any offer that Vernon receives. The Franchise tag would have cost $15.7 mill with a commitment to rent his services and end up still needing to hammer out a long term contract. If no other team steps in, then at least Miami will be able to retain Vernon for $3 million less.
Another team will bid on Vernon’s services because a 25-year-old pass rusher has premium value in the NFL, and half the teams in the league have at least $25 million in free cap space for 2016. Most of the
Everyone knows that Miami needs a guard, and most who read my articles know Osemele would be my first option to improve the Guard position on their offensive line. But there are quite a few talented Guards that were released by various teams in order to clear cap space. Miami has begun to show interest in at least one of them, according to Jason Cole of the Bleacher Report.
The former New York Giants Guard Geoff Schwartz, is 29 years old who is 6’6”, 340 pounds. He was on the third year of his four years $16.8 million dollar contract, but the Giants decided to release him in order to free up just around $3 million in cap space. He only played in 11 games last season, because he was put on injured reserve with a fractured ankle. However, during his 11 games, pro football focus rated him as the 22nd best Guard out of 82 possible players.
Both the Dolphins and Schwartz have both mutually expressed interest, which clearly makes sense because Schwartz would immediately be plugged in as one of the starting guards, and Schwartz is currently searching for a starting job. Also, unlike Osemele he won’t command top dollar, which could work towards helping them fill all their holes. The only downside, he might end up better as an RG and it’s the LG that is more crucial and harder to acquire.
The bottom line is that Schwartz may not be the best Guard on the market, however, it doesn’t take the best pay per head reviews to figure out he is definitely an upgrade over Thomas and Turner. In addition, Schwartz will also be affordable, with the Dolphins only probably needing to spend around $2 to $4 million on his 2016 salary.
The fact is that Miami needs to acquire two Guards that can replace both Thomas and Turner, because neither player has shown that they can be anything more than a backup depth type player – although, I do believe Dallas might have a shot at the RG slot. Schwartz would be a good starting point for the Dolphins Guard makeover, leaving them with just one more Guard position to improve on before this unit will no longer be a thorn in the Dolphins side. What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans’ thoughts about possibly signing Schwartz?
would bet on at least one of the other 31 teams being willing to break the bank and overpay on a pass rusher in his prime.
Here’s why they played the perfect move!
Low cap space with many holes and Vernon’s salary would mean Miami is choosing stars over the team. That’s not how you win the NFL. You win by having a team with stars and a salary cap that’s under control.
Would you, or I, or Miami love to have Vernon? Of course, but what would be the sacrifice? For that same amount the Dolphins could re-sign Miller, Matthews, Shelby, and still, probably have little left over to sign a Guard, Cornerback, or Linebacker.
Another major factor is the huge negotiations Vernon’s contract will take. They will be a massive time sink – massive! They would constrict Miami’s ability to accurately see their cap and affect negotiations with other players. Now they can let everyone else hustle while they pursue other players and try to get the contracts they feel are winners without pressure. If on the back end they want Vernon, they can always match.
Vernon played well at the end of the season and was rated the league’s third-best edge rusher. However, Vernon was in a contract year, and in his 4 NFL seasons with the Dolphins, he only had 1 year with double-digit sack season. Last year, while his QB pressures were outstanding, he only had 7.5 sacks, and no forced fumbles, no fumble recoveries, and no interceptions. In addition, Vernon racked up quite a few unnecessary roughness and late hit penalties and still needs work on his run defense.
For Miami’s situation, his play isn’t worth $15 mill.
The Dolphins need to heal as a team by filling it’s many holes, straightening out their cap, and deciding on their direction at QB. Vernon is a fine piece for a franchise that has it’s act together. At this point, Miami Dolphins are not such a franchise. BUT, by making this move, they still hold all the cards, and if played right, they can begin the process of becoming a quality franchise, once again. Go Fins!!!
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