Dolphins Franchise Tag Opens Market

As reported by Adam Schefter this morning, the Miami Dolphins have used their franchise tag on Defensive Tackle Randy Starks. This will have Randy signed to a one year deal worth $8.25 Million. The bigger picture of this deal is three other players that were likely to receive the tag as well, CB Sean Smith, WR Brian Hartline, and OT Jake Long.

Smith, the 25 year old CB out of Utah can find a spot on teams around the league looking for a viable first CB or a number two. The Patriots, Jets, Giants, Buccaneers, and 49ers all seem like logical landing spots. The Jets show their defense can play without Revis, so why nt land Smith (But he would have to take less money than he is asking for).
The Patriots could land him and solve the Aqib Talib fiasco, getting a younger CB with less off the field issues.
As for the 9ers, Giants, and Bucs, throughout the season they showed holes in their secondary, especially the 9ers who were getting bodied by Aquan Boldin in the big game.

Sean Smith is asking for about $7.5 million a year, and only recording 2 INTs last season, that seems like a steep price. There is a team out there that will pay him, but they may not be a contender. It comes down to Smith asking for a ring, or a pay check.

Dipping into Hartline and Long as I sit in boredom at fire stone waiting on my tire rotation, I see Hartline staying and Long leaving.

Brian Hartline exploded onto the scene with a 253 yard game against Arizona in week 4, while recording a TD as well.. However that was his only TD of the season. Since Greg Jennings anticipated departure with the Packers, he has made statements about being reunited with head coach Joe Philbin, who was the Oc during Rodgers MVP season and Jennings career year. Jennings could stretch the field and compliment Hartline along with helping out the young QB Ryan Tannehill as well. Look for a move at TE however for cap space, with Fasano either restructuring his contract, or being let go.

As for Long, he had an injury rattled year, along with a decline in production, and is approaching the 30 year old hill. The aOt market is full of talent and candidates for a starting job, so it's a bad year for him to come out, but it looks like everything worked against him. Look for teams with O-Line problems to make a move for him, Giants, Packers, Jets, Eagles. Given those teams don't take advantage of the crop of rookies in the draft this year, who, Long himself as a #1 overall pick his draft year himself. Long is asking for $11 million a year, I don't see any teams making that pay day.