Some Of The Best And Worst Free Agent Moves Made By The Dolphins
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Over the years the Miami Dolphins have made some big splashes in the NFL's free agent pool.
Some of those moves have worked out well for the team and some, well, haven't.
With the latest round of free agency picking up steam, let's take a look at some of the best and worst moves the Dolphins have made when trying to improve the team by throwing money at players.
BEST MOVES
Defensive tackle Randy Starks- Signed in 2008 as a 24-year-old for five years, $21 million with $7 million guaranteed. Starks went on to be a mainstay on the Dolphins defensive line and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2010 and 2012.
Tight end Keith Jackson- Miami signed him away from the Eagles in 1992 and he thrived with the Dolphins, catching 48, 39 and 59 passes in his three years with the team. He also averaged six touchdowns a season during his time in Miami.
Safety Brock Marion- Signed in 1998 after coming up on the Dallas Cowboys championship defense, being reunited with Jimmy Johnson. Miami signed him to a three-year, $8.1 million contract. Marion would stay with the Dolphins until 2003, making three Pro Bowl appearances (2000, 2002 and 2003) and at one point making 15 interceptions in a three year span (5 picks in 2000, '01 and '02).
Quarterback Jay Feidler- Signed in 2000 and was the first QB to start for Miami following the retirement of Dan Marino. Sure, he was no Marino but he still led the Dolphins to the playoffs in his first two seasons with the team, including their last playoff win. He finished his Dolphins tenure with a 36-23 record as a starter, which includes a 1-6 mark for a bad team in 2004.
Cornerback Brent Grimes- While it may be a sore subject now, Grimes came to Miami with low expectations due to him coming off of a torn Achilles' tendon. All he did was go to the Pro Bowl in each of his three seasons with the Dolphins, who thought so highly of him that he was named one of the teams 50 greatest players of all time.
WORST MOVES
Wide receiver/tight end Ernest Wilford- Brought to Miami on a four-year deal worth $13 million including $6 million guaranteed in 2008, it was thought that Wilford would be a prime pass catching threat for the Dolphins under the new regime of Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano. He proved to be anything but, catching a whopping three passes for 25 yards in seven games. Not surprisingly, he was cut loose following the season.
Offensive lineman Marc Colombo- Remember him? He came to Miami in 2011 on a meager one-year, $2 million contract but it was his on-field production that left everyone with a horrible taste in their mouths. He was just awful but still started all 16 games for the Dolphins while playing for Sparano, his former offensive line coach in Dallas.
Safety Gibril Wilson- Miami brought in Wilson in 2009 to play safety opposite Yeremiah Bell. Signing a five-year, $27.5 million contract, the Dolphins coaching staff thought it would be a good idea to move the career strong safety to free safety, and boy did that move backfire. Wilson took his $8 million guaranteed and was gone after one terrible season in Miami.
Center Jake Grove- This move isn't just one of the worst in Dolphins history, but it's considered one of the worst in league history. He was injury-prone before coming to Miami so many wondered why the team gave him a four-year deal worth $29 million, with $14.5 million guaranteed. He was injured once again during his first year with the Dolphins, starting just 10 games. He was hurt again during the following training camp and Miami had to cut its losses and dump him.
