Marion and Fletcher????

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Sat Feb 28, 2004 10:52 am

Latest to go: Marion, 2 others

Pro Bowl safety Brock Marion, receiver James McKnight and offensive lineman Mark Dixon are released as the Dolphins continue to slash salary. In two days, the team has shed some $20 million.

BY JASON COLE
jcole@herald.com

The Dolphins continued their salary purge Friday but might take a breather before talking with other top players about restructuring contracts.

Pro Bowl safety Brock Marion, receiver James McKnight and offensive lineman Mark Dixon will be released before the start of free agency Wednesday, the Dolphins told the players' agents. The Dolphins also were believed to have released cornerback Jamar Fletcher, although his agent declined to comment.

Cutting Marion, McKnight and Dixon saves the Dolphins another $2.9 million in salary cap space.

Over Thursday and Friday, the Dolphins cut more than $20 million in salary-cap space through the release of five players, the restructuring of linebacker Zach Thomas' contract and new deals with defensive tackle Tim Bowens and kicker Olindo Mare.

With that done, the Dolphins started the more serious work of re-signing right tackle Todd Wade by sending a counteroffer to agent Tom Condon on Thursday. The team also held lengthy talks with agent Drew Rosenhaus regarding restricted free agent defensive end Adewale Ogunleye.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/8062344.htm

Redskins4Life · Post by **Redskins4Life** » Sat Feb 28, 2004 11:14 am

I think we should bring in Marion! He will bring in loads of experience to a very young defense. I understand young players are key for franchises, but you have to have the occasional veteran here and there. We should sign Marion, move him to SS, then draft Sean Taylor. That would be a great safety tandem, and someone reliable for Taylor to learn from. As for Fletcher, I dont think he's anything better than a nickel corner. But he does play the nickel position extremely well and was a former round 1 pick if im not mistaken.

PhinstiGator · Post by **PhinstiGator** » Sat Feb 28, 2004 12:07 pm

Marion is still an excellent Safety. He has great hands. He is a solid tackler. We used him alot in run support...he occassionally cheats up (because we have great corners) and gets beat deap. He is a quality, smart team player. He brings good energy to the defensive unit with game changing plays. He was probably our best kick returner...but we just did not want to wear him out. Doesn't have great speed...just has a natural ability to return kicks.

Fletcher is NOT a nickle corner. He would be better playing outside in a zone system. He has long arms...but doesn't have top end speed. He never really had a chance to move up with Surtain & Madison...especially since he never changed his style to our aggressive press coverage system. He could develop into a quality player in the right system. He is just too expensive for us to wait and we have to cut our losses. He works hard in the off-season and has a good attitude.

BringThePain! · Post by **BringThePain!** » Sat Feb 28, 2004 12:13 pm

Redskins4Life wrote:I think we should bring in Marion! He will bring in loads of experience to a very young defense. I understand young players are key for franchises, but you have to have the occasional veteran here and there. We should sign Marion, move him to SS, then draft Sean Taylor. That would be a great safety tandem, and someone reliable for Taylor to learn from. As for Fletcher, I dont think he's anything better than a nickel corner. But he does play the nickel position extremely well and was a former round 1 pick if im not mistaken.

I don't think we'd pick up Taylor and Marion this offseason...especially with Bowen and Iffy back there....I mean there not the greatest...but there not half bad either...and i can't see us grabbing 2 guys for the safety position when we have so many other holes to fill...personally, i'd rather get taylor..

Justice Hog · Post by **Justice Hog** » Sat Feb 28, 2004 12:16 pm

Bowen will improve so much in '04. We don't need Brock.

Redskins4Life · Post by **Redskins4Life** » Sat Feb 28, 2004 12:41 pm

JH, BOWEN SUCKS. What do you see in the guy! Your always talking about how he will improve? Why do you feel this way? Hes slow, he only seems to tackle hard during practice, and cant catch (he had 3 ints, but coulda had a potential 10+ ints). Is he like a friend of yours that you met in training camp or something and dont wanna see fail? Please fill me in.

Justice Hog · Post by **Justice Hog** » Sat Feb 28, 2004 12:50 pm

Not at all. I can't pinpoint it for you, but I just see potential in the guy. He's got the heart of a giant ....and the desire. I think Gibbs is going to develop him into something special. Let's just say....I feel it in my "gut"...which, unfortunately, is pretty large! Oh...one more thing....he may not be a true speedster...but I certainly wouldn't call him "slow".

redskincity · Post by **redskincity** » Sat Feb 28, 2004 12:58 pm

Everybody want superstars

Skinsfan55 · Post by **Skinsfan55** » Sat Feb 28, 2004 1:35 pm

"he may not be a true speedster...but I certainly wouldn't call him "slow"."

Well, he may be faster than you or I, but he is slow in relation to other NFL players

Philly is an Armpit · Post by **Philly is an Armpit** » Sat Feb 28, 2004 1:42 pm

I like Bowen's heart, but I'm afraid he's expendable. If Taylor comes to Washington, he'll be teaching Bowen how to hit.

redskincity · Post by **redskincity** » Sat Feb 28, 2004 3:25 pm

Brock got burnt alot last year

tx_skins_fan · Post by **tx_skins_fan** » Sat Feb 28, 2004 11:12 pm

Brock's got a Super Bowl ring with stars on it. No thanks.

Justice Hog · Post by **Justice Hog** » Sat Feb 28, 2004 11:21 pm

Philly Is An Armpit writes:

I like Bowen's heart, but I'm afraid he's expendable. If Taylor comes to Washington, he'll be teaching Bowen how to hit.

Actually, Bowen alredy knows how to hit. I just hope Taylor teaches him how to hit "in a game"!

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Sat Feb 28, 2004 11:56 pm

Man, Bowen will be a beast in Williams' system. It was his first year, and that system couldn't optimize having Lavar, Armstead and Trotter, for God's sake. It was Spurrier's fault. Please, let Matt Bowen have one year under Gibbs and Williams before we say he ain't got it. Last year, on our defense, nobody really had it.

Redskins4Life · Post by **Redskins4Life** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 1:36 pm

Well if Taylor comes Bowen will be second string. I for one think that Ohalete will easily steal away the SS spot in a competion between him and Bowen.

Justice Hog · Post by **Justice Hog** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 4:23 pm

TCWest and I are on the same page. Under Spurrier, no one played to potential...and, many people don't realize this, but last year was Bowen's first as a starter!! Given the chance, I think he'll be great along side Taylor with Ohalete being #3.

Texas Hog · Post by **Texas Hog** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 6:00 pm

I agree TX.....no puke players for us...leave em alone