Silverstar
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 6,944
- Reaction score
- 3,069
By Omar Kelly, Staff Writer 12:00 a.m. EST, March 5, 2010
Call it the changing of the linebackers.
Joey Porter is on his way out the door, and free agent Karlos Dansby apparently is on his way in. The Dolphins are expected to announce Porter's release Friday, which will save the team $9.5 million over the next two seasons. An NFL source says plenty of that savings will be offered to Dansby, who despite published reports and widespread speculation is not expected visit South Florida on Friday.
However, Dansby and his representatives are expected to be working out the details of a lucrative, multiyear contract that the Dolphins hope will end the linebacker's brief free agency. The NFL's free agent signing period begins at midnight. Dansby is pursuing a contract that will trump the five-year, $40 million deal the New York Jets gave Bart Scott last season.
The Dolphins are also pursuing Dansby's teammate in Arizona, former University of Miami standout Antrel Rolle. According to another source, the Dolphins offered the safety a five-year contract Thursday evening, shortly after the Cardinals released him to avoid paying a $4 million roster bonus. However, the Dolphins' offer was under the $8 million per year Rolle is seeking.
The New York Giants are expected to offer that much when Rolle is expected to visit Friday morning. Also in the hunt for Rolle are the Chicago Bears and Cardinals, but the Dolphins' offer will remain on the table.
Dansby earned $9.678 million last season and is coming off his second consecutive 100-plus tackle season. He has spent the past two years as the inside linebacker in Arizona's 3-4 scheme. He could unseat Channing Crowder for that role with the Dolphins. If that's the case, Crowder would either compete with Akin Ayodele for the other inside linebacker spot, or inherit it if Ayodele is cut.
Call it the changing of the linebackers.
Joey Porter is on his way out the door, and free agent Karlos Dansby apparently is on his way in. The Dolphins are expected to announce Porter's release Friday, which will save the team $9.5 million over the next two seasons. An NFL source says plenty of that savings will be offered to Dansby, who despite published reports and widespread speculation is not expected visit South Florida on Friday.
However, Dansby and his representatives are expected to be working out the details of a lucrative, multiyear contract that the Dolphins hope will end the linebacker's brief free agency. The NFL's free agent signing period begins at midnight. Dansby is pursuing a contract that will trump the five-year, $40 million deal the New York Jets gave Bart Scott last season.
The Dolphins are also pursuing Dansby's teammate in Arizona, former University of Miami standout Antrel Rolle. According to another source, the Dolphins offered the safety a five-year contract Thursday evening, shortly after the Cardinals released him to avoid paying a $4 million roster bonus. However, the Dolphins' offer was under the $8 million per year Rolle is seeking.
The New York Giants are expected to offer that much when Rolle is expected to visit Friday morning. Also in the hunt for Rolle are the Chicago Bears and Cardinals, but the Dolphins' offer will remain on the table.
Dansby earned $9.678 million last season and is coming off his second consecutive 100-plus tackle season. He has spent the past two years as the inside linebacker in Arizona's 3-4 scheme. He could unseat Channing Crowder for that role with the Dolphins. If that's the case, Crowder would either compete with Akin Ayodele for the other inside linebacker spot, or inherit it if Ayodele is cut.
