Grading the Miami Dolphins' Offseason Moves so Far

The Miami Dolphins have seemingly been quiet this offseason, but that's likely because their non-moves (read: failed signings of Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn) have gained more publicity than their moves.

They have made several under-the-radar moves, and though they're still in the bottom 50 percentile of the AFC East, at least some of the moves should help them as a team.

Whether they help enough to help Miami improve on its 6-10 record of 2011 remains to be seen, but let's take a look at the moves thus far.

Signings

QB David Garrard: B+

The reason most Dolphins fans aren't more keen on the David Garrard signing is because they were anticipating a much bigger name at quarterback (i.e. aforementioned Manning or Flynn). Well, that and the fact that he's 34 years old and coming off back surgery.

The Dolphins expressed interest in Garrard in the 2011 season when Chad Henne went down with an injury, but Garrard himself needed surgery according to the Huffington Post.

As a backup option, the Dolphins did right by themselves to pick up Garrard, who has plenty of quality starting experience in the NFL. Still, it looks like the starting job is Matt Moore's, as well it should be.

CB Richard Marshall: B+

Marshall's been up and down over the past few years, and with that, it would seem that a three-year, $16 million pact (per Adam Schefter of ESPN) might be a bit pricey. 

But Marshall had a solid year in 2011, and the Dolphins can use all the help they can get in the secondary. While Vontae Davis remains a solid starter, they don't have much behind him in the way of depth, especially after Sean Smith's down year.

The Dolphins took a bit of a risk with such a high contract, especially if their defense hits a snag in transition and the secondary suffers for it, but you can't fault them for trying to address an area of need.

OLB Jamaal Westerman: B-

A rather innocuous signing, to be sure, but the Dolphins grab themselves a versatile linebacker and special teams player in Westerman, who is quite familiar with the division.

He's not likely to crack the starting lineup, but what Westerman can contribute as a role player was evidenced by ESPN's Rich Cimini:

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He wasn't a front-line player for the Jets, but the former Rutgers standout contributed in a variety of roles. He was part of the committee at outside linebacker that replaced the injured Bryan Thomas. He finished with 36 tackles, 3.5 sacks and nine QB hits (tied for third on the team). Westerman also made 19 special-teams tackles, third on the team. 

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Re-Signings

NT Paul Soliai: B+

This would be an A if the Dolphins were staying with the 3-4 defense. Soliai's been a solid nose tackle for them in that alignment.

What will his role be in the 4-3, though? The need for a hole-plugging defensive lineman isn't quite as strong in that front, where the main idea is typically to penetrate the line with the linemen. 

While there is a place for a talented and disruptive tackle, and the Dolphins can certainly find ways to use him, forking over $5 million-plus per year for two years seems like a bit much. He's only 29 years old, so his best days may not be behind him, but one has to wonder if Soliai will suffer from square-peg-in-a-round-hole syndrome.

RB Steve Slaton: B

The Dolphins have a solid running back in Reggie Bush, but as we all know, the running back position is one that's especially prone to injury. Especially when your running back depth chart is topped by Bush (missed 20 games from 2007-2010).

Slaton was incredibly productive in his rookie year but has struggled to stay on the field since then, and when he has been on the field, he's struggled to produce. He carried the ball just 17 times for the Dolphins last year for a total of 64 yards, scoring once.

If Bush should go down with injury, at least the Dolphins have a high-upside back to step in. How much upside he'll reach, though, is another question entirely. Keeping him around for one year wasn't much of a risk, while the potential that he could find glory in a West Coast offense similar to what he played in with the Texans is worth it.

DE Philip Merling: A-

Merling hasn't lived up to the billing as the first pick in the second round back in 2008, but at the low price of $1.26 million, there's no reason not to keep him around and give him another shot to contribute in the 4-3 defense, where he should be more comfortable.

I turned to B/R Dolphins featured columnist Alessandro Miglio for his take:

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[Merling] is a rotational player, not a starter, and his price tag was just right for that at $1.26 million...While Langford is an underrated pressure player, his $24 million contract would have been too much for the Dolphins who will likely find a cheaper solution and better fit in the draft.

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Let Walk

QB Chad Henne: A+

With the emergence of Matt Moore, this was a move the Dolphins could afford to make. Plus, the Dolphins found themselves a much better backup in Garrard.

For two years at $6.75 million, the Jaguars can have him. Good riddance to Henne and his 75.7 passer rating and 13-18 record as a starter.

S Yeremiah Bell: B+

It's hard to argue with the logic behind the cut: The Dolphins didn't want to pay their 34-year-old tackling safety $4.3 million. Still, it's never fun to watch your leading tackler walk away.

That being said, it's never fun to watch your leading tackler be a safety. 

While Bell has made an impact for the Dolphins in some ways, it wasn't worth keeping him around at $4.3 million. That being said, he may return to the Dolphins at a different price, according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus on WQAM's Joe Rose Show.

DE Kendall Langford: B

Langford signed a four-year, $24 million contract with the St. Louis Rams, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN. It wasn't worth keeping Langford around at that price, especially with the Dolphins switching to the 4-3 alignment and with the simple reality that Langford is better suited in a 3-4.

That being said, it's interesting that a team that runs a 4-3 such as the Rams would bring him in. Jeff Fisher likely sees something in him to warrant an average of $6 million per year, but as the Dolphins leave the 3-4 behind, it wasn't worth it for them to retain him.

CB Will Allen: C+

Allen is aging, and his best days may be behind him, but with a secondary as thin as what the Dolphins currently have, you'd like to see them keep players around who have been there before.

At least then they'd have someone to coach up the youth that they seem interested in bringing into the secondary.

The Patriots signed him to a one-year deal, and with minimal commitment, it would have been nice to see the Dolphins at least try to retain him.

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