Dolphins add AFL pass rusher

With linebackers Joey Porter, Kelvin Smith and Charlie Anderson all nursing injuries following the team's preseason opener, the Dolphins used their open roster spot on a pass-rushing linebacker from the Arena Football League by signing Maurice Fountain of the Utah Blaze to a contract. Fountain is the second AFL player signed by the Dolphins in the past month, following Dallas Desperados wideout Anthony Armstrong who was added on July 26.

Background

A college defensive end, the 25-year-old Fountain was a four-year letterman at Clemson from 2001-2004. (In case you're wondering, Dolphins second-rounder Phillip Merling didn't arrive at Clemson until 2005, so the two never played together.) I'd love to tell you about his senior college statistics, but I was unable to find them because the Clemson's website 2004 statistics PDF wasn't working. You can see his bio through 2003 here. He clearly wasn't a real standout through his junior season.

I've also been unable to find out what he was up to from 2005-2006 after his college career ended. Maybe he was recovering from a college injury, or maybe he simply wasn't viewed as a professional prospect. Whatever it was, he didn't play professional football in the two years following his tenure at Clemson, unless it was a very minor indoor league or something to that effect.

In 2007, Fountain signed with the Manchester Wolves of af2 (the Arena football's "minor league"). That season he recorded 29.5 tackles, a franchise-record 13 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and four passes defensed.

Fountain was then signed by the Utah Blaze of the Arena Football League in 2008. He recorded recorded 13 tackles (10 solo), four sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and two passes defensed on the year. For his efforts he was named to the AFL All-Rookie Team.

Analysis

Fountain's only real production at the professional level was in af2 in 2007, which doesn't make him much of an NFL prospect. The fact it's taken him this long to get here probably isn't a good sign and while it is true that some guys can come out of nowhere those instances are few and far between. He's a prototypical 3-4 linebacker (a college football defensive end and measuring in at around 6-4 and 270 lb.) so he fits the scheme, but the college and pro production to this point really isn't there. He's a long shot to make the team even with all the injuries and is probably nothing more than a camp body. He's likely still under contract with the Blaze (when signed by an NFL team, AFL players go to the other league/exempt list) and would probably return to them if cut by Miami.

Links:

• Clemson bio
• Utah Blaze bio
• AFL stats
  
• Blaze DL Maurice Fountain named to AFL All-Rookie Team (6/24/08)

Updated Thoughts/Observations/Predictions (defense)

Here are my updated thoughts and observations for the defensive side of the ball. I'm not trying to break any news here, but really just collect my thoughts and point out what has changed in my view two weeks into camp.

Defensive end

• I loved Kendall Langford as a prospect before he was drafted, I loved when we picked him and I love what I'm hearing about him now. The experimentation with standing up Roth and Holliday has given Langford a lot of time with the first-team defense and he's impressed Sparano quite a bit. He's a perfect 3-4 end.
• Speaking of Roth and Holliday, I really hope that all this stuff about them standing up is just a little practice in case of an emergency in-game. All you need to know about Holliday playing linebacker you can find out in one of Channing Crowder's interviews on the official website. If Holliday gets pressed into a role that calls for him to go into coverage, we're screwed.
  
• I'm disappointed with how slowly Randy Starks has come along; he was a guy I really wanted before free agency began. I still think once he gets used to the 3-4 he's going to be a quality starter, as he's still very young for a four-year vet.

Nose tackle

• The acquisition of Jason Ferguson was an invaluable one. We were sorely lacking a starting nose tackle before he arrived and he's filling the void perfectly. He's also going to push center Samson Satele to be even better.
• One thing I was pleased to hear was a comment from Channing Crowder about how second-year man Paul Soliai had lot a lot of weight, had come into camp tearing people up and had really impressed. Good to see from a guy that couldn't beat out Steve Fifita for the No. 2 job last year, since Soliai has prototypical nose tackle size.

Linebacker

• The loss of Jason Taylor as an outside pass rusher will hurt, but it was the best move for both parties. JT wanted out and the team is trying to get younger. They got good value for him and the draft picks will be here beyond the final two years of Jason's career he would have wasted in Miami.
  
• The battle to replace Taylor between Charlie Anderson, Quentin Moses and possibly Junior Glymph will be an interesting one to watch. Joey Porter will be productive on the opposite side and I'm confident that Anderson or Moses (or possibly both) will be able to be excel in the starting role. As an avid SEC follower, I'm a big Moses fan and think he has quite a lot of potential, so I'd love to see him grab the job. For this season, it might be best to rotate a few guys at the position.
• Even though Akin Ayodele and Reggie Torbor will be under contract next season at inside linebacker, I think Channing Crowder is going to earn an extension with his play this year. Unlike Zach Thomas, Crowder fits wonderfully in the Dolphins' new defense scheme. I have a feeling this is the year he takes it to the next level, and if that's the case I think the front office will lock him up long-term.

Cornerback

• Michael Lehan's slow progress with his ankle injury is a concern, especially given how thin our secondary is. Whether or not he ends up on the PUP list during the regular season will determine if an extra corner makes the team following the preseason. (No one let Travis Daniels near him, or he might injure him further to save himself from being cut.)
  
• On the plus side, it sounds like ex-Cowboy Nathan Jones is having a quality camp and should be able to fill the nickel role.
• Beyond that, however, there's little talent. Injuries here will screw this team.
  

Safety

• My prediction regarding the free safety spot hasn't changed one bit. I think Jason Allen locks up the starting job, Chris Crocker earns the backup gig and Renaldo Hill gets the boot.
• I'm really excited to see what Yeremiah Bell can do with a full year of starting. He'll obviously need to stay healthy, but if he can I think he'll surprise some people that don't follow the Dolphins. He could start for quite a few teams in the league.
  

Updated depth chart and new jersey numbers

The Dolphins signed two more players today - safety Keith Davis and placekicker Dave Rayner. While I won't get to an analysis video of them until tomorrow, I've updated my projected depth chart to included them. It is now completely up-to-date. It can be viewed here.

Also, the Dolphins' official site has updated the team's roster and has added jersey numbers for all of the team's free agent additions. Here is a list of all the new/changed numbers:

#2 - Brandon Fields (changes from #4 to accommodate Josh McCown)
#4 - Josh McCown (takes Brandon Fields' old number)
#16 - Dave Rayner (most recently worn by practice squad wide receiver Marvin Allen)
#11 - Chandler Williams (changed from #18 to accommodate Ernest Wilford)
#18 - Ernest Wilford (takes Chandler Williams' old number)
#28 - Keith Davis (most recently worn by running back Jes se Chatman)
#56 - Charlie Anderson (most recently worn by linebacker Derrick Pope)
#59 - Reggie Torbor (most recently worn by linebacker Donnie Spragan)
#65 - Justin Smiley (most recently worn by offensive tackle Julius Wilson, who has switched to #78)
#84 - Ernest Wilford (most recently worn by wide receiver Chris Chambers)
#85 - David Kircus (most recently worn by tight end Jason Rader)
#89 - Sean Ryan (most recently worn by tight end Tim Massaquoi)
#94 - Randy Starks (most recently worn by defensive tackle Keith Traylor)
#95 - Jason Ferguson (most recently worn by defensive lineman Chase Page)

Holy analysis videos, Batman!

I've finally got some analysis videos up for you on Miami's new roster additions. Here are videos on the signings of Justin Smiley, Ernest Wilford, Charlie Anderson, and Sean Ryan, as well as the acquisition of Jason Ferguson. The rest should come today. Enjoy!

Smiley & Wilford:


Ferguson:


Ryan & Anderson:


Related articles:
-2008 Offseason Preview: Wide Receivers
-2008 Offseason Preview: Tight Ends
-2008 Offseason Preview: Centers & Guards
-Every free agent with Parcells/Ireland history

One-line analysis and update on team's free agents

Since it's going to take a few hours to get some videos done and uploaded, I've decided to provide a little one-sentence analysis on each of Miami's additions. I should have at least three videos up tonight.

• OG Justin Smiley (49ers) - Great addition of a talented young blocker that fills a huge need on the offensive line.
  
• TE Sean Ryan (Jets) - Solid blocker to compete for a backup job.
  
• LB Reggie Torbor (Giants) - Good third linebacker that can start if necessary.
• DT Jason Ferguson (Cowboys) - Not a long-term fix, but came at a good price and fills an immediate need.
  
• DE Randy Starks (Titans) - talented, young player that should fit well at end in the 3-4.
  
• WR Ernest Wilford (Jaguars) - Underrated player that adds experience, reliability and provides a good complement to Ginn.
  
• QB Josh McCown (Raiders) - Sufficient short-term fix at quarterback until a long-term guy emerges or is found.
  
• LB Charlie Anderson (Texans) - Excellent special teams guy that will provide depth at inside linebacker.

Also, here is an update on Miami's own free agents this offseason:

Unrestricted Free Agents

• SS Yeremiah Bell
• RB Jesse Chatman
• OG Rex Hadnot
• CB Michael Lehan (re-signed)
• QB Cleo Lemon (Jaguars)
• OG Chris Liwienski
• OG Gene Mruczkowski
• LB Derrick Pope
• OT Mike Rosenthal
• FS Lance Schulters
• LB Donnie Spragan
• SS Travares Tillman

Restricted Free Agents

• RB Samkon Gado (not tendered)
• OL Cory Lekkerkerker (not tendered)

Exclusive-Rights Free Agents

• WR Greg Camarillo (tendered)
• RB Patrick Cobbs (tendered)
• OG Ike Ndukwe (tendered)
• DL Chase Page (not tendered)

Because they were not tendered contracts, Gado, Lekkerkerker, and Page are now unrestricted free agents and can sign with any team.