Dolphins sign WR David Kircus

The made a roster addition today, signing former Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions wide receiver David Kircus. For more background info and analysis on the move, watch the following video. Enjoy!



For more on Kircus' arrest last year, see this article.

Dolphins enter bidding for Lions' Rogers

The Dolphins have reportedly entered the bidding for Detroit Lions defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, who is on the trading block. For my thoughts on the prospect of this trade, see the following video. Enjoy!



Also, you can read the full Mlive.com article here!

2008 Offseason Preview: Wide Receivers

I apologize once again for this video being a day late; I've been battling the flu recently. The wide receivers offseason preview turned into two videos based on the stuff there was to talk about (or at least stuff I felt like saying) so be sure to watch both parts. The running backs video will be up tomorrow, followed by the quarterbacks video on Thursday, February 28. Then free agency begins. Well, thanks for watching and enjoy!

Part I:


Part II:


In semi-almost-Dolphins-related news, the Detroit Lions are bringing in recently released offensive lineman L.J. Shelton for a visit Tuesday. I think it's safe to say that if any team is looking for Shelton to start, even on the right side and/or at guard, then they've got problems.

CB Goodman placed on IR; G Ndukwe signed

Cornerback André Goodman was placed on injured reserve today with a knee injury, while guard Ike Ndukwe was signed off the practice squad of the Baltimore Ravens to fill the roster spot.

Goodman background

Goodman was originally drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round (68th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft out of South Carolina. He played in 14 games his rookie season including six starts, and recorded 46 tackles (38 solo), an interception and 12 passes defensed.

In 2003, Goodman suffered a dislocated shoulder in the Lions' third game of the season, landing him injured reserve. He finished the season with 11 tackles (all solo) and two passed defensed.

Over the next two seasons Goodman appeared in 26 games, of which he started 12. He totaled 75 tackles and four interceptions between 2004 and 2005, including a career-high three interceptions his final season with the team.

Goodman signed with the Dolphins as an unrestricted free agent in March 2006. He received a three-year contract worth close to $5 million with up to $2.5 million in incentives. He had base salaries of $1 million each of the three seasons.

A lingering ankle injury for Travis Daniels allowed Goodman to secure a starting cornerback spot in 2006. Goodman went on to start 14 of the 15 games in which he appeared, recording 41 tackles (26 solo) and nine passes defensed. He was placed on injured reserve on December 27 with a shoulder injury.

In January 2007, Goodman underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove debris from his left shoulder. He had surgery again in May and missed the entire preseason on the PUP list, but was activated just prior to the regular season. His shoulder continued to give him problems, causing him to start just four of the 13 games in which he appeared for the Dolphins. He suffered a knee injury during the team's Week 16 game, landing him on injured reserve for the third time in his career. He finished the year with 20 tackles (15 solo) and two interceptions.

Ndukwe background

Ikechuku "Ike" Ndukwe, who is the brother of former Notre Dame and current Cincinnati Bengals safety Chindem Ndukwe, was originally an undrafted free agent out of Northwestern in 2005. He went to camp with the New Orleans Saints his first year, but was released after the preseason. He then spent nearly two months on the practice squad before being released again in October.

In November 2005, Ndukwe was signed to the practice squad of the Washington Redskins. He was promoted to the active roster on December 20, but was inactive for every game through the end of the season.

In 2006, the Redskins re-signed Ndukwe but released him at the end of training camp. He was added to the practice squad, but was picked up by the Baltimore Ravens on October 3.

Ndukwe was inactive for the entire 2006 season, and was re-signed in the offseason. However, he was once again released after the preseason and added to the practice squad. On October 13, he was promoted to the active roster. He was inactive for the team's Week 6 contest and was then waived and re-signed to the practice squad, where he remained until being signed to the Dolphins' active roster on December 16.

Analysis

Goodman is the fifth defensive back go on injured reserve for the Dolphins this season, but the transaction doesn't necessarily mean his injury is serious. Teams often place guys on injured reserve before Week 17 if they are out of playoff contention and know the guy won't be able to play the last game of the season.

Nagging injuries really hurt Goodman's 2007 season, though he's always been solid and was actually the team's best cover corner in 2006 despite having no interceptions. His absence won't help the Dolphins already decimated secondary in Week 17, but fortunately there's only one game to go. Goodman's injury could open the door for extended looks at guys like Tuff Harris and Jereme Perry.

Ndukwe is a big-bodied guard without much speed, but he's always had potential; he just hasn't been able to get on the field yet. He's had a sort of déjà vu career, bouncing from practice squad to active roster and team to team through the last few years. It seems unlikely he'll play in Week 17 given his lack of familiarity with the offense, however he was likely signed to a two- or three-year deal and will probably be in camp in 2008.

Practice squad kicker Prater signed by Broncos

The Denver Broncos have signed placekicker Matt Prater off the practice squad of the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins now have an open spot on their practice squad.

Background

Prater, who played college football at Central Florida, was originally signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He was simply a camp leg without any kind of shot at beating out Jason Hanson, and was released before the regular season.

The Dolphins signed Prater to a future contract in January 2007, but was the odd man out after Jay Feely was signed. He was released by the Dolphins on August 27 and subsequently signed with the Atlanta Falcons after Billy Cundiff lost his chance at the job.

Prater went just 1-for-4 on field goal attempts in two games with Atlanta, and was released by the team in favor of veteran Morten Andersen. He was re-signed to the Dolphins practice squad on November 14, where he remained through December 19 until he was signed to Denver's active roster.

Analysis

I'm surprised at this move from the Broncos perspective, simply because they now have three potential kickers and two kickoff guys on the active roster. When the team released punter Todd Sauerbrun yesterday, they re-signed punter/kicker Paul Ernster to handle punting duties. Now it seems they've signed Prater to kick off, though Ernster has handled these duties before and I don't know why they'd use up an extra roster spot for Prater.

From the Dolphins point of view, this is of little significance. Prater was likely only re-signed to the practice squad to give Feely breathers in practice and to work on special teams. With Feely's excellent performance in 2007 and Prater's poor job in Atlanta earlier this year, he had little future in Miami.

The Dolphins now how a vacancy on their practice squad. Check back here to find out when that vacancy is filled, plus info and analysis of the signing.