There are few inside linebackers in the NFL that are as good in coverage as they are against the run. But Karlos Dansby certainly fits the bill, which is why he was the most sought after linebacker on the free agent market this offseason.
On Friday, Dansby signed a five-year, $43 million contract with the Dolphins, which includes $22 million in guarantees. It’s the richest deal ever for a linebacker that isn’t primarily a pass-rusher, which proves how valuable he was to Miami.
If there were one thing the Dolphins have sorely needed the past two years, it would be a playmaker that can immediately step in and make an impact on the defensive side of the ball. Dansby will fill that need for Miami playing next to Channing Crowder as the team’s new “Ted” linebacker in their defense. He’s solid in run defense and skilled in coverage, which is a rarity for inside linebackers. He’s also good for causing a couple of turnovers a year and will certainly be missed by the Cardinals.
Next up for the Dolphins is finding someone that can rush the passer, which is the one thing they won’t get from the Dansby signing. As expected, the Fins terminated the contract of Joey Porter today, whose only contribution to the team was getting after the quarterback. Miami also released fellow linebacker Akin Ayodele and safety Gibril Wilson, who turned out to be a free agent bust after signing a five-year, $27.5 million contract in February of 2009. It was the second time in two years that Wilson was released by a team just one year after he signed a multi-year contract. (The Raiders cut him after the 2008 season after he signed a lucrative contract that previous spring.)
Photo from fOTOGLIF
