The NFL's annual free agency period kicked off today, and it started with a bang. Many key players were on the move, and many teams are feeling great about their haul on the most important day of the NFL off-season. With all the moves that were made, there are a lot of "winners", but no one is a bigger winner today than the Miami Dolphins*.
The Dolphins got their guy. Jeff Ireland made it a priority for the team to sign Mike Wallace, the ultra-speedy wide receiver formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and was able to seal the deal. He signed a five year $60-65 million contract to be Miami's number one option. While I personally think that Miami severely overpaid for the services of Wallace, he brings an element to the Dolphins that was sorely missed last season. The big takeaway here is that Miami singled out a player that they felt they had to have, and they were able to deliver for us fans.
That deal alone would put Miami in the discussion of "biggest winners" on day one, but Miami was not done there. Later on in the day, Miami pulled the trigger on a deal that will bring former Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe. This is a wonderful pick up for Miami as it not only brings an upgrade to the position, but it also takes away a position of strength from the Super Bowl Champion Ravens. With the retirement of Ray Lewis, the earlier signing of Paul Krueger to the Cleveland Browns, and the departure of Ellerbe, the Ravens are sorely weakened. And Baltimore's loss is Miami's (as well as the rest of the league) gain.
Both moves stand to strengthen areas of weakness for the Dolphins and have ensured that, at the very least, Miami wins the first day of the free agent period, and brings some much needed hope to Dolphins fans everywhere.
*it should be noted that I'm not considering the 49er's or Seahawks as "winners" since their big moves came as trades before the start of free-agency.
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