When the Dolphins decided to fly linebacker Karlos Dansby into South Florida on the first day of free agency Friday, they had also already made another decision: They weren't going to let him leave. Not without signing a contract.
Just don't expect Dansby to call the police. This isn't exactly a hostage situation.
By early Saturday, Dansby plans to ink a monster five-year deal worth $43 million that will pay him $22 million guaranteed. He will average a salary of $9 million per year over the first three years of the contract, sources said Friday night.
Dansby, who will be one of the league's top three highest paid linebackers, becomes the new central figure of a Dolphins defense that underwent the next big step of an ongoing makeover Friday.
On the same day Dansby agreed to terms, deciding to forgo visits with other potential suitors to sign with Miami, the Dolphins also waived three defensive starters from 2009: Safety Gibril Wilson, inside linebacker Akin Ayodele and outside linebacker Joey Porter.
Porter's departure was only a formality (the team initially attempted to waive him last month), but the decision to cut Ayodele and Wilson each signaled the Dolphins' desire to upgrade at two positions that caused setbacks last season.
Ayodele, viewed as a solid backup, was due a $500,000 roster bonus to be paid April 1, in addition to a salary of $3.25 million in 2009. The decision to waive him was based on the desire to build their depth with younger players.
Wilson, meanwhile, failed to prove worthy of the high expectations placed on him after Miami invested $8 million in guaranteed salary last season. Despite his struggles, Wilson has now made $24 million in guaranteed money during the past two years after a pair of one-and-done seasons in Oakland and Miami.
Wilson's failures can be viewed as a cautionary tale of the excitement that often follows big free agent signings like Dansby's new deal. The Dolphins front office, including Dolphins czar Bill Parcells and general manager Jeff Ireland, will look toward Dansby to compensate for last season's expensive hiccup.
A second-round pick in 2004, Dansby has been a solid starter for the Arizona Cardinals since he entered the league. Despite his position as a middle linebacker, Dansby morphed into a consistent playmaker, piling up 17 sacks in the past three seasons.
That's a major reason the Dolphins were willing to invest big money in him. Unlike most middle linebacker, who focus on producing tackles while stopping the running game, Dansby also has been a force in pass defense.
He's now being paid like a pass rusher, too.
Only two other linebackers in the league -- Terrell Suggs and DeMarcus Ware -- will have better contracts than Dansby. And both players are pass-rushing experts, a position that often merits bigger paychecks than inside guys.
That's not to say Miami won't experiment with Dansby as a potential outside presence, but he has made his mark in this league on the inside. Wherever he plays on the field, his presence should also impact those around him.
Fellow middle linebacker Channing Crowder should benefit from a more experienced, more talented presence like Dansby. He will not have to handle as much presnap responsibility, and he likely will be able to focus on his own assignments more often.
The Dolphins will still need more help -- either through free agency or the draft -- to continue building this defense. With Wilson out, Miami needs to find a new starting strong safety. Chris Clemons, a rookie last season, made nice progress in 2009, but whether he's able to become a starter remains to be seen.
Initially in the hunt for safety Antrel Rolle, the Dolphins will need to look elsewhere in free agency to find their guy. Newsday reported late Friday night that Rolle signed with the Giants. Rolle spent his first free agent visit with New York on Friday.
The Dolphins soon also could look toward some offensive players in the coming days, specifically at the wide receiver. Although Anquan Boldin is no longer on the marker (he was traded to the Ravens), free agent Antonio Bryant is available.
Bryant is interested in joining the Dolphins, a source said Friday night. Now, if Miami wants him, it will be up to the team to reciprocate.
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