Miami sign receiver Mike Wallace and Dannell Ellerbee to long term deals, as playoff building continues.
The Miami Dolphins made the biggest splash on the first day of the 2013 NFL season, as they signed Mike Wallace and Dannell Ellerbee to big money contracts, per NFL.com.
The Mike Wallace signing was expected. The Dolphins have offered the play-making wide receiver $60m over five years in the hope that he will instantly make an impact on the Miami offense, and give them the big play target that second year Quarterback Ryan Tannehill so desperately needs.
The big shock was the acquisition of Super Bowl champion Dannell Ellerbee at middle linebacker. Many expected Baltimore to strike a deal with the 27 year-old quickly; however, it is extremely unlikely that the Ravens are offering the $35m over five years Miami were prepared to offer.
It is clear that head coach Joe Philbin has a plan in mind to make this team better immediately. Bringing in Wallace is on paper a failsafe move.
Ellerbee is a little more intriguing. While he was instrumental in Baltimore Ravens’ Super Bowl success last year, he has still yet to reach 50 games in the league, so throwing a large amount of money at a relatively inexperienced player is a high risk move.
It will help Ellerbee that Miami also brought in outside linebacker Phillip Wheeler from Oakland on a five year deal worth $26m. He will add to the pass rushing capabilities of the Dolphins, who clearly feel that getting after Tom Brady twice a year is key to their potential playoff success.
The Dolphins have made a lot of noise so far, and it is unlikely they will stop there. When the dust settles, this could be a team with a big chance of causing some upsets next season.
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