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2012 Free Agents: PFF Ranks Pass Rushers

Is it any surprise that Mario Williams is the top pass rusher available this free agency period?

Jim McIsaac - Getty Images

Is it any surprise that Mario Williams is the top pass rusher available this free agency period?

The Miami Dolphins will be looking to make a splash during this up coming free agency period. While everyone knows the team will be looking to upgrade the quarterback position, the other major need for the team has been hidden behind the Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn debate. The Dolphins need to find a pass rusher to play opposite Cameron Wake, and the 2012 free agency could be exactly where they find the right guy.

Which brings us to Pro Football Focus, who recently ranked the top ten pass rushers available when the new league year begins on March 13.

Below you will find the listing of the top ten, and you can hit the link above to see the write-ups about each free agent.

Star-divide

  1. Mario Williams, Houston Texans

  2. John Abraham, Atlanta Falcons

  3. Robert Mathis, Indianapolis Colts

  4. Cliff Avril, Detroit Lions

  5. Michael Bennett, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  6. Jeremy Mincey, Jacksonville Jaguars

  7. Anthony Spencer, Dallas Cowboys

  8. Andrew Carter, New England Patriots

  9. Israel Idonije, Chicago Bears

  10. Mark Anderson, New England Patriots
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1 recs  |  15 comments

Comments

I would be good with any of the top 4.

However if we go and spend a ton of money on a FA QB, then I don’t think we will have the money for any of them. Yes, I understand the numbers. I, like many of the Dolphins faithful have been pouring over the numbers and the possibilities and time and time again. I just see us looking to the draft for this need. Defensive linemen seem to be very stacked in the draft this year.

Cliff Arvil...

… but I doubt Detroit allows it without a fight….

Watch out for Kamerion Wimbley

He’s due 11 or 12 million and isn’t taking a pay cut so he will probably be released.

lets just draft one
i say stick Misi on the line and see what he can do.

Our dline coach is notorious for taking someone with marginal talent and coaching up their strengths. Besides, in a 3-4 he posted 5.5 sacks, in a 4-3 a position hes played well in college, you could se that number raise by at least 2-3.

Sign Scott from the Raiders for competition.

Misi didn't really get much of a chance last year ...

And his rookie season he did put up 4.5 sacks. That is the same number as JPP put up in 2010 as a rookie. The difference was in 2011 we stuck him behind JT and didn’t give him many opportunities. He only started 9 of the games and was completely out of 4 games due to injury. Give him one more chance if we can’t bring in another guy. I also think it will be different if we can ever get to the point where we play from a lead.

yall are funny

comparin Misi to JPP.
he has no pass rush moves at all. wasn’t a pass rusher in college and wont ever be one in the nfl.

Its not always about the pass rush

Though he only recorded 10.5 sacks in his college career, one that was only three years playing football, he also had 3 strips and fumble returns for touchdowns. In three years at Utah, he tied the team record with 209 tackles. You have 3 guys that can rush the passer on any given down for Miami, and contrary to your claims, he already has 55 solo tackles 5.5 sacks, a strip and a return for touchdown. This is in limited playing time sharing with Wake, and Taylor. So the claims he isnt a pass rusher are semi bogus.

Face it, he simply isnt the guy YOU want as a pass rusher, but you cant negate the other skills he brings to the team. He is a huge factor in our run defense, and has the work ethic to improve.

Is he JPP? No, will he get better, yes. Stop looking at what he hasnt accomplished, and look at what he has, and you will see a versatile player that can line up all over the field. Imo we are handicapping our team by not giving this kid a chance.

I can’t debate with someone who doesn’t watch the games.
that “return for a td” was him fallin on a ball in the endzone.
most of those sacks were starks or wake chasin the qb out of the pocket and misi being the high motor player he is wud chase down the qb.

I like misi but he is not a pass rusher. I think he is a better fit at 4-3 olb.

Mario Williams could make our defence elite.
Mario Williams cant play safety

You have three pass rushers on the line in the 4-3, people forget that in practically his first full year as a starter, Odrick posted 4.5 sacks himself. He can play anywhere on the line as is and this was without a full training camp and coming off injury.

You sign Williams, sure you get a great player but you handicap the team from handling other pressing needs, and your ability to re sign Wake, perhaps even Jake Long in the end.

For the money we would pay him, we could sign Jake Scott AND Flynn. Taking care of two pressing needs with players that fit the description of what we actually are looking for.

^ this

might I add, I still would want ingram, coples, or upshaw in the draft at #8/9 even with Williams. You can never have too much pass rush. The NY Giants have 2 Lombardi trophies in 5 years due in large part to the success of their pass rush.

draft a pass rusher

Save money for peyton. But could you imagine wake and mario on the same line? It’d be a heck of a pass rush.

i would love to have 1 of those top 4

but i do agree that if we put all that money into a FA qb we wont be able to afford them, but we could afford maybe 1 of the 2nd tier OG in FA (grubbs or scott)

Mario doesn't care about money

He has said this multiple times. He wants a ring and he wants to have a productive career. You get that in Houston.

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