The Purging of the Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons
Before the basement dwellers of the NFL can binge on the feast that is free agency and the draft, they must first purge themselves of the dead weight they carry on their roster (like those extra 10-15 pounds one gains after the holidays). In recent days, the lowly Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons have projectile vomited away team members in a way that would make a fraternity pledge who just attempted his first funnel jealous.
Let’s take a look at the damage…
Miami Dolphins:
Number of Cuts Made - 10
Notable Names - QB Trent Green, WR Marty Booker, LB Zach Thomas
Estimated Cap Savings - $14 million
Analysis - Obviously the big news here is the release of 12-year veteran and Pro Bowl regular Zach Thomas (on Valentine’s Day, no less - how’s that heartbreak treating you Miami?). While it may seem a cold way to treat such an integral part of the team, business is business. And it’s simply good business to let go of a soon to be 35-year old linebacker with concussion issues in order to clear about $5.5 million in cap room. Even if that means he may go to your hated division rival (and make me look like a genius slightly less of a moron).
Atlanta Falcons:
Number of Cuts Made - 7
Notable Names - QB Byron Leftwich, TE Alge Crumpler
Estimated Cap Savings - unknown
Analysis - Much like Zach Thomas, Crumpler was an All-Pro veteran who was limited in productivity this year by injuries. He should also be scooped up quickly by another team (the Seahawks immediately come to mind as a good fit).
What’s more, the blood letting could be just beginning over in Atlanta. New General Manager Thomas Dimitroff indicated that after the cuts the Falcons have about $17 million in salary cap space, but Arthur Blank has stated he wants to have $23 million ready to roll in free agency.
Meaning that other veterans like Warrick Dunn and Lawyer Milloy might not want to get too comfortable just yet…
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