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.

Dolphins add Wilford, Starks

I am proud to say that the Dolphins have signed two players I discussed in my offseason preview videos - Jaguars wide receiver Ernest Wilford and Titans defensive tackle Randy Starks.

Miami has certainly been the hottest team early in free agency, signing Wilford, Starks, Justin Smiley, Sean Ryan, Reggie Torbor and acquiring Jason Ferguson via trade. Quarterback Josh McCown and linebacker Calvin Pace could soon be on the way.

Because Miami's actions have been so rapid thus far, it would be tough for me to dish out videos on every signing today. So what I'm going to do is pace myself over the next 2-3 days and release videos on each signing in the basic order they were first reported. I figure Miami can't keep adding players at this pace, so it should be easy to catch up over the weekend.

In the meantime, I'll still be posting here whenever there is news. Personally, I'm loving what Miami is doing and I think we're heading in the right direction. Go Dolphins!

Dolphins sign Ryan, Torbor; acquire Ferguson

The roster revamp of the Dolphins is continuing at a rapid pace, as the Dolphins have now added four new players since free agency began today. In addition to Justin Smiley, the Dolphins have signed tight end Matt Ryan and linebacker Reggie Torbor. The team has also acquired nose tackle Jason Ferguson from the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2009 sixth-round pick and a swap of sixth-round picks in 2008.

Furthermore, the Dolphins are hosting quarterback Josh McCown (Raiders), linebacker Calvin Pace (Cardinals) and defensive lineman Randy Starks (Titans). Video analysis on every signing will be up today, so keep checking back!

2008 Offseaon Preview: Tight Ends

Apologies for the lateness of this video. It was supposed to be up Thursday, but I was out of town until Friday night. Then I made the video Saturday and YouTube was being uncooperative until Sunday afternoon. Well, it's up now so here it is.

This video covers the Dolphins' current tight ends situation. My three remaining videos of the offseason preview will be released on schedule. Enjoy!

EDIT: It has been brought to my attention that I stupidly failed to mention recently released Atlanta Falcons tight end Alge Crumpler. What happened was I looked only at upcoming unrestricted free agents (the ones that will be available the 29th) but not ones that have been cut already. I would say that Crumpler is the best tight end on the market and I'd definitely like to sign him. However, I have yet to hear the Dolphins connected to Crumpler while a ton of other team have been, so it seems unlikely he'll land in Miami. Sorry for the exclusion though.

Every free agent with Parcells/Ireland history

I've put together what I think will be an interesting and handy list of players come free agency. Unless I accidentally missed someone, this is a list of every NFL team's free agents that has a history with Bill Parcells and/or Jeff Ireland.

Why is this important? Well as we all know, Parcells likes guys he is familiar with. It's certainly no coincidence of the four guys he's signed this offseason - Matt Baker, Junior Glymph, Trey Darilek and Joey Thomas - all had histories with either him and/or Ireland in Dallas.

A few things to note with this list though. First of all, I included every player that had a history with Parcells or Ireland, no matter how long ago or brief it may have been. This means that some of the players on this list will not be on Miami's radar at all. That's why I've rated each player on a scale of 1 to 10 on how interested I think the Dolphins will be in said player. 1 is obviously no interest, while 5 is moderate/possible interest and 10 is heavy interest. You can figure out the stuff in between. Enjoy!

Flozell Adams, 31, offensive tackle, Cowboys - played for the Cowboys during the entire tenures of Parcells (2003-2006) and Ireland (2001-2007).
Dolphins' interest? 10/10. The Dolphins are guaranteed to be interested in Adams, whom the Cowboys will let hit the open market. Signing Adams would give Miami a reliable left tackle for the next 4-5 years and allow them to move Vernon Carey back to right tackle where he's best suited.

Larry Allen, 36, guard, 49ers - played three seasons under Parcells in Dallas from 2003 to 2005; Also present during Ireland's first two years there in 2001 and 2002.
Dolphins' interest? 7/10. Allen is expected to retire, but that doesn't mean the Dolphins won't try to convince him to hold off on it. Miami needs help at guard desperately and Allen would provide a solid starter for a year.

Rocky Boiman, 28, linebacker, Colts - signed by Parcells-led Cowboys in 2006 as a free agent, but did not make the team out of camp.
Dolphins' interest? 7/10. Although Boiman didn't make the team in 2006, the Cowboys had a lot of talent at linebacker and the team at least thought he'd fit the defense when they signed him. Would be far more likely to make the team over Edmond Miles or Kelvin Smith.

Troy Brown, 36, wide receiver, Patriots - drafted by Parcells-led Patriots in 1993; played all four seasons of Parcells' tenure in New England.
Dolphins' interest? 1/10. Brown is clearly at the end of his road and likely won't attract attention from other teams. Miami needs experience at receiver but there will be plenty of better alternatives out there.

Tedy Bruschi, 34, linebacker, Patriots - drafted by Parcells-led Patriots in 1996 and played one season under him.
Dolphins' interest? 6/10. Bruschi is getting up there in years, but Miami could use another veteran inside linebacker to team with Channing Crowder and this guy has plenty of 3-4 experience. A younger guy would be ideal, but getting Bruschi on a two-year deal would be more than sufficient.

Aveion Cason, 28, running back, Lions -played one season for Parcells-led Cowboys in 2003.
Dolphins' interest? 3/10. Cason had some success in a reserve role for Dallas in 2003, but he's nothing special and Miami is pretty deep at running back. He could be brought in to compete for a backup job.

Terrance Copper, 25, wide receiver, Saints - signed as an undrafted free agent by Parcells in 2004 and played two seasons under him with Cowboys.
Dolphins' interest? 7/10. With 56 games played, the 25-year-old Copper would still be the most experienced receiver on the Dolphins' roster. He's got some talent, would come fairly cheap and could push for the No. 3 or 4 job.

Keith Davis, 29, safety, Cowboys - Davis was present for Parcells' entire Dallas tenure from 2003 to 2006 and was also there in 2007 with Ireland; also played for various Dolphins defensive assistants.
Dolphins' interest? 8/10. Parcells and Ireland have plenty of experience with Davis and the Dolphins are lacking at safety. Davis would be a fairly inexpensive signing, and he'd compete for a starting job and be a strong special teams player at worst.

Ebenezer Ekuban, 31, defensive end, Broncos - played for Parcells-led Cowboys in 2003.
Dolphins' interest? 2/10. Ekuban left Dallas after 2003 because he did not fit the 3-4 scheme. Nothing's changed on that front, so don't expect Parcells' interest to have changed either.

Jason Fabini, 33, offensive lineman, Redskins - Drafted by Parcells in the first round in 1998 and played two seasons under him with the Jets; also played for Cowboys in 2006 under Parcells.
Dolphins' interest? 6/10. Fabini isn't the player he once was and isn't anything more than a veteran backup at this point. However, Miami lacks any veteran backups on the offensive line and Fabini would be an inexpensive pickup that could provide depth at both guard and tackle.

Aaron Glenn, 35, cornerback, Jaguars - Played for Jets during all three years of Parcells' tenure from 1997 to 1999; also played for Parcells and Ireland in Dallas from 2005 to 2006.
Dolphins' interest? 6/10. Miami is lacking at the corner position behind Will Allen. Parcells has plenty of experience with Glenn and although he's not starter material anymore, he'd provide solid veteran depth for our secondary.

Bobby Hamilton, 36, defensive end, Browns - played for Jets during all three seasons of Parcells' tenure from 1997 to 1999.
Dolphins' interest? 7/10. Hamilton's near the end of his career and is not starter material, but he has plenty of 3-4 end experience and would be a great backup on the Dolphins' defense that lacks the right personnel in most areas.

Ken Hamlin, 27, safety, Cowboys - Signed by Cowboys in 2007 with Ireland in the front office; also played for various Dolphins defensive assistants.
Dolphins' interest? 9/10. Hamlin is a talented player at a position the Dolphins are sorely lacking. He'd be a huge boost for the secondary and had a career-high five interceptions for Dallas in 2004.

Nathan Jones, 25, cornerback, Cowboys - drafted by Parcells-led Cowboys in 2004 and played three seasons for him; also played for Ireland and various defensive assistants in 2007.
Dolphins' interest? 8/10. Jones is a solid backup corner and would come at a cheap price. He'd compete for a nickel or dime job in Miami.

ReShard Lee, 27, running back, Raiders - signed by Parcells-led Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2004 and played one season for Cowboys.
Dolphins' interest? 2/10. Miami is set at running back and Lee would have a hard time making anyone's roster.

Matt Lehr, 28, offensive lineman, Buccaneers - played one season for Parcells-led Cowboys in 2003.
Dolphins' interest? 3/10. Lehr has value as a backup at center and guard, but he's been let go by Parcells once and the Cowboys never showed interest the two times he's been on the market since.

Jacques Reeves, 25, cornerback, Cowboys - drafted by Parcells-led Cowboys in 2004 and played three seasons for him; also played for Ireland and various defensive assistants in 2007.
Dolphins' interest: 9/10. Reeves is a talent player that could be a third or fourth corner in Miami. The Dolphins will likely have a strong interest in him and he shouldn't be expensive to bring in.

Jeff Robinson, 38, long snapper, Seahawks - played two seasons for Parcells-led Cowboys from 2003 to 2004; also present in 2002 with Ireland.
Dolphins' interest? 3/10. Miami has no long snappers on the roster and this is least one Parcells and Ireland are familiar with. However, Robinson went unsigned the entire 2006 season and is nearly finished, so the Dolphins might look for a younger guy at the position.

Sean Ryan, 27, tight end, Jets - drafted by Parcells-led Cowboys in fifth round of 2004; played two seasons under Parcells before being traded to the Jets in August 2006.
Dolphins' interest? 9/10. Parcells obviously liked him during his two years, and just because he was traded doesn't mean Ireland didn't either. Dallas simply had two starting-caliber tight ends (Witten and Fasano) and saw an opportunity to get draft picks for a backup. But the Dolphins are severely lacking at tight end so it wouldn't be surprising if he were brought in to compete.

Omar Stoutmire, 33, safety, Redskins -Played one season for Parcells-led Jets in 1999.
Dolphins' interest? 2/10. Stoutmire has just a little history with Parcells, and the Dolphins will likely look elsewhere for backup safety help.

Vinny Testaverde, 44, quarterback, Panthers - played two seasons for Parcells-led Jets from 1998 to 1999; also played one season for him in 2004.
Dolphins' interest? 2/10. Testaverde is almost guaranteed to retire, but then again he was "retired" before last season too. He'd be an absolute last resort for the Dolphins, who will probably be able to pick up a better veteran.

Tyson Walter, 29, offensive lineman, Packers - played two seasons for Parcells-led Cowboys from 2003 to 2004; Tony Sparano was also his offensive line coach both those years.
Dolphins' interest? 6/10. Walter has experience at all the offensive line positions and would provide an experienced backup.

Casey Wiegmann, 34, center, Chiefs - played one season for Parcells-led Jets in 1997.
Dolphins' interest? 1/10. Wiegmann had minor experience with Parcells for one season ten years ago, so there isn't much there. Also, Wiegmann is very undersized for Parcells' taste and the Dolphins don't need a center anyway.