Dolphins, Mario Williams could do a deal on Tuesday

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The cross-pollination of the AFC East may be continuing.

Former Jets coach Rex Ryan, now with the Bills, has parted ways with defensive lineman Mario Williams. Former Jets G.M. Mike Tannenbaum, now with the Dolphins, may be signing Williams, soon.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Dolphins are the clear front-runners to sign Williams. There’s currently a push to get a deal done Tuesday.

If the Dolphins sign Williams, they either will be moving on from Cameron Wake or making no effort to match an offer sheet signed by Olivier Vernon. The Dolphins possibly (key word: possibly) could even rescind the transition tender, if they sign Williams.

While the free-agency period doesn’t open until Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. ET, Williams can be signed at any time, because he already has been released.

84 responses to “Dolphins, Mario Williams could do a deal on Tuesday

  1. The Dolphins can sign all the big name players they want, but they will not be competitive until they build an actual offensive line.

  2. Miami is stacking up there defense this offseason and it hasnt even begun yet. Mario Williams, Kiko Alanso and Byron Maxwell lot of moves.

  3. Could be leaving some money on the table if he signs this early. Raiders have a boat load of cash to spend and he could walk in an contribute right away on a team that is making serious headway in the AFC West.

  4. Honestly this seems as though Miami will actually let go of Wake, and not Vernon, even though they can rescind the transition tag from the latter, but Mario Williams play LDE, same as Cameron Wake.

  5. I think the Dolphins should start drafting and training QBs and see if someone can overtake Tannehill by next year. He needs to be in a competitive situation. He isn’t good enough to win a Super Bowl with any team. Even if he was on the Denver Broncos last year there is no way he could have won, even with that defense. It’s a waste of time to not be looking for the next guy.

  6. Dolphins pretty much replaced Brent Grimes’ price tag with both Byron Maxwell (in a scheme suited better for him) and Kiko Alonso.

    Restructuring Ndamukong Suh (who is taking an estimated $16 mil pay cut clearly shows he’s not just all about the money), Koa Misi and Jordan Cameron proves there are a lot more moves to be made. Mike Tannenbaum is giving Adam Gase a whole new team.

  7. Peyton won the super bowl throwing for 140 yards – so you are saying thats better than Ryan possibly could do ?

  8. Instead of signing someone else garbage who performed well a year or two ago – pay your home grown talent and start drafting better. Seriously it’s the same creep year in and year out. Miami signs or trades for players that weren’t a good scheme fit with the previous team. Then find out the players just isn’t good anymore.

  9. Might want to consider O-line after Tannehill got sacked like 50 times last year….just a suggestion

  10. His signing doesn’t factor into compensatory picks awarded for the 2016 free agency class either. Neither does the Maxwell/Alonso additions.

  11. Anyone that gets this infantile player will find out why he was cut without the Bills even looking for compensation, he won’t work or listen. Drop into coverage Mario, play the run and hustle for a tackle Mario ??? Oh no, I can’t do that. Just let me try to get to the QB, which is throwing the ball / handing the ball off faster than he can even get there.

    Tens of millions wasted on a dude that had like 3 memorable plays in Buffalo, without any real team success. Plan on whoever getting him to go nowhere with him on the field, Mario only listens to himself and complains perpetually. He’s cancer, beware.

    Signed,

    A Bills fan

  12. You stack your defense with studs or build through the draft. Alonso and Maxwell aren’t the definition of atud any never will be.

    Williams was a stud, but many years ago.

    You’d think they’d pull back after dropping the money on Suh and getting little results.

  13. Good move at a good price, He’ll demand double teams which is one this Vernon did not get. I just hope it’s not at the expense of cutting Cameron Wake.

  14. Unless he and Suh are going to be a two-way players and protect Toe Thumbs while he’s throwing this is nothing to get excited about…
    #OffseasonOlympics
    #Inseason$hitshow

  15. You will get 1-2 good years out of Mario and then he will find a reason to not play hard anymore. The Texans fans warned us Bills fans. I’m just paying it forward…

  16. Big Ant TV says:
    Mar 8, 2016 10:47 AM

    all that defense and still cant be the patriots?

    the Dolphins beat the patstricks* every year. You watch much football?

  17. Big Ant TV says:
    Mar 8, 2016 10:47 AM

    all that defense and still cant be the patriots
    #GoBrowns

    .
    Says who? The teams have split going back 3 season now. Week 17 win kept them from home fraud advantage.

    Sign Williams and drop that silly tag on Vernon to get a pick back from losing him.

  18. radrntn says:
    Mar 8, 2016 11:01 AM
    Might want to consider O-line after Tannehill got sacked like 50 times last year….just a suggestion
    ———-
    Word is they’re shopping hard for guard.

  19. buffaloblue85 says:
    Mar 8, 2016 11:22 AM
    You will get 1-2 good years out of Mario and then he will find a reason to not play hard anymore. The Texans fans warned us Bills fans. I’m just paying it forward…
    ———–
    I don’t think they are expecting more than that.

  20. Mario Williams will require double teams on him ? LMAO have you watched his game film ? It had nothing to do with scheme. The dude just mailed it in all season until the last game against the Nets when he realized he was going to be cut. Even then he was less the. Spectacular. Kinda like patty cake kid.

  21. Just imagine what he’s going to do to the Bills when they play twice a year.

    Can’t wait. 🙂

  22. I can’t wait to see the details of the deal. If he takes considerably less than what he was making in Buffalo, solid pickup, if not, well…

    He will thrive if used correctly playing alongside Suh with Wake on the other side, but it depends on how much gas he has left. He didn’t drop into coverage EVERY play in Buffalo, so the lack of sacks is just as much on him as it was the scheme. Miami still needs a complimentary offense, and money is getting tight.

  23. the Dolphins got a 1st hand look at Mario 2 a year yet are still willing to overpay. Suh didn’t help why would they think Williams would?

  24. would be a good move. better and cheaper than Vernon.
    he wasnt good last year when moved to a 3-4 defense and asked to drop into coverage. back to 4-3 with Fins.

    same with Alonso. went from 4-3 OLB in Buffalo where he put up great numbers as a rookie to a miscast 3-4 ILB in Philly. back to 4-3 with Fins. interested to see how he does now back in original position and with a full offseason healthy to train.

    and Maxwell should fit better in Miami. Joseph’s defense more similar to Seattle than Philly’s was.

    nobody in or around Miami claims to “win the offseason.” thats a dumb@ss term every other fanbase throws at any team that signs big FA’s every year.

  25. LOL. Look at all the comments with smell of sour grapes permeating. The angry, that the Fins are back in play in free agency, after supposedly being banned to “cap hell”. The one time Mario lovers are now warning about how bad he is. Dolphins’ fans can tell how much it aggravates all of you, and for that alone, it would be wonderful. Not to mention having two D linemen that require a double team at minimum. Of course, if they don’t sign him, it will be, see see, they can’t sign a top player. Yes, we know you can’t win the SB in the off season, but is pleasing to see the effort being made to acquire better players.

  26. Gotta wonder if Tannenbaum is somehow going to destroy the Bills when his current gig with the Dolphins is up.

  27. @bizmoney

    Alonso played MLB for the Bills his rookie season, which is his natural fit if you ask me. He can play the weak side and chase, but he can make plays better from the middle. He will be better than he was in Philly, being another year removed from his ACL, a better scheme fit and an overall better defense.

  28. Bizzmoney –

    Mario was asked to drop back into coverage a grand total of 21 times the entire season. Out of 900+ snaps he played…
    Buffalo rushed a 4 man front roughly 500 of those 900 snaps Mario played.
    So let’s not pretend he was asked to drop into coverage all the time. Mario simply didn’t put any effort in. He quit.

    And Kiko didn’t play in Schwartz’s 4-3. He only played one season in Buffalo, and that was when Pettine was there, using a hybrid of Rex’s 3-4.

    I expect Mario to put in a ‘prove it’ season though. He will probably be good again for 1 year, depending on whether or not he likes what he is asked to do.

    Also, I wonder how him and Suh would get along… Could be interesting.

  29. VenerableAxiom says:Mar 8, 2016 12:01 PM

    LOL. Look at all the comments with smell of sour grapes permeating. The angry, that the Fins are back in play in free agency, after supposedly being banned to “cap hell”. The one time Mario lovers are now warning about how bad he is. Dolphins’ fans can tell how much it aggravates all of you, and for that alone, it would be wonderful. Not to mention having two D linemen that require a double team at minimum. Of course, if they don’t sign him, it will be, see see, they can’t sign a top player. Yes, we know you can’t win the SB in the off season, but is pleasing to see the effort being made to acquire better players
    ——————————————————-
    Heard all that talk the last 2 seasons. As long as Tannehill is the Miami QB nobody, not even the Bills will take the Fins seriously. Next stop, 5-11

  30. hehateme2 says:
    Mar 8, 2016 11:36 AM

    Big Ant TV says:
    Mar 8, 2016 10:47 AM

    all that defense and still cant be the patriots?

    the Dolphins beat the patstricks* every year. You watch much football?

    Yeah I can vividly remember the fish in the playoffs kicking the Pats a..

  31. Sounds like Mario is more interested in making bank and shopping for retirement communities than he is playing for a winner.

  32. As I said in a previous post, I do not really like the move because way too many Dolphins fail to play up to their potential. If they do sign him I really hope he plays like he used to and leaves his poor attitude in Buffalo. I would rather have guys with a little less talent and a lot more brains and heart. Williams has played both sides on the DL so there are options. Lots of hope here but Wake on the left, Williams on the right and Suh blasting up the middle could be downright nasty. If they believe Wake can be healthy, yank OV’s transition tag because he is not worth that much cash and draft another DE for the future (after finding a solid offensive lineman).

  33. Yes…having the best O-line in the league is the key to winning.

    Signed
    – Dallas Cowboys

  34. ajsjr40 says:
    Mar 8, 2016 12:11 PM
    The Dolphins are primed to win back to back offseason Super Bowls.
    ——–
    Funny, I thought all the experts said the jets won the off season SB last year.

  35. First off, how does Miami have any more cap room??? That said, we’ve all seen MIA go this pathetic route before. It’s never panned out for them. Just like the Eagle’s Dream Team, haha. Maxwell was a total bust last season, and will continue to stink it up in MIA with no supporting cast like the LOB. In a year, or two of continuing to not make the playoffs they will be looking to dump all these bloated salaries yet again, lol. When will MIA realize it’s about keeping home grown talent in house, not spending on aimless big name FA’s with bloated contracts. Of course, MIA would first have to learn how to draft successful players for that, haha.

  36. LOL. Look at all the comments with smell of sour grapes permeating. The angry, that the Fins are back in play in free agency, after supposedly being banned to “cap hell”. The one time Mario lovers are now warning about how bad he is. Dolphins’ fans can tell how much it aggravates all of you, and for that alone, it would be wonderful. Not to mention having two D linemen that require a double team at minimum. Of course, if they don’t sign him, it will be, see see, they can’t sign a top player. Yes, we know you can’t win the SB in the off season, but is pleasing to see the effort being made to acquire better players.

    ______________________________________

    I wouldnt call a guy who gave up on his team and vocally criticized coaches, the most overpaid CB in the NFL and the most talented player who cant play since Jon Beason better players. As a Bills fan, you are far better sticking with Wake than Mario. The talent level isnt all that off between them and like I said, only one of them quit on his team. Same with Grimes. Grimes is quietly one of the more undervalued CBs, he has no name recognition but is fantastic in coverage. Maxwell has fallen apart without other all star secondary players to support him. As for Alonso, I want to love him, hes one of the most talented players in the NFL…but much like Jon Beason before him, the talent means nothing if he cant stay on the field. He had injuries in college, he lost a season in Buffalo, lost most of a season in Philly…hes no help if he cant play

  37. 2015. AFCE 175 pts against Dolohins 72 pts. Yep, Suh was a difference maker. Mario should shave oh, zero points off what the AFCE scores against them.

  38. Wake on the left, Williams on the right and Suh blasting up the middle could be downright nasty.

    .
    A three pronged attack is key and deadly. Supposedly this deal is 8M a year.

  39. “rabidbillsfan says:
    Mar 8, 2016 11:51 AM
    I can’t wait to see the details of the deal. If he takes considerably less than what he was making in Buffalo, solid pickup, if not, well…

    He will thrive if used correctly playing alongside Suh with Wake on the other side, but it depends on how much gas he has left. He didn’t drop into coverage EVERY play in Buffalo, so the lack of sacks is just as much on him as it was the scheme. Miami still needs a complimentary offense, and money is getting tight.”

    Where do you people get your information? As far as cap goes, Miami has the 7th best cap situation with 25 teams ranked UNDER them. They also are in the BEST shape of the four teams in the AFC-E. Maybe your Bills are in cap hell but Miami is actually in decent shape.

  40. skoobyfl says:
    Mar 8, 2016 11:04 AM
    Anyone that gets this infantile player will find out why he was cut without the Bills even looking for compensation, he won’t work or listen. Drop into coverage Mario, play the run and hustle for a tackle Mario ??? Oh no, I can’t do that. Just let me try to get to the QB, which is throwing the ball / handing the ball off faster than he can even get there.

    Tens of millions wasted on a dude that had like 3 memorable plays in Buffalo, without any real team success. Plan on whoever getting him to go nowhere with him on the field, Mario only listens to himself and complains perpetually. He’s cancer, beware.

    Signed,

    A Bills fan

    ————
    Sure but let’s ask the real question here……why would any player want to play for Rex Ryan and the Bills?

  41. So I guess the Dolphins are looking for another lineman who takes plays off to complement the one they already have that takes plays off.

  42. jeffreyshulenburg says:
    Mar 8, 2016 12:30 PM

    I wouldnt call a guy who gave up on his team and vocally criticized coaches, the most overpaid CB in the NFL and the most talented player who cant play since Jon Beason better players. As a Bills fan, you are far better sticking with Wake than Mario. The talent level isnt all that off between them and like I said, only one of them quit on his team. Same with Grimes. Grimes is quietly one of the more undervalued CBs, he has no name recognition but is fantastic in coverage. Maxwell has fallen apart without other all star secondary players to support him. As for Alonso, I want to love him, hes one of the most talented players in the NFL…but much like Jon Beason before him, the talent means nothing if he cant stay on the field. He had injuries in college, he lost a season in Buffalo, lost most of a season in Philly…hes no help if he cant play
    ———
    All three are going to be in a defensive system similar to that in which previously excelled. They are replacing players who were 6-10. None the less, thank you for your heartfelt concern about the Fins, and informing us just how bad these players are (as expected).

  43. As a Bills fan, building your team around any players that have have been on the Bills the last ten years is probably not the smartest idea…

  44. irkjames says:
    Mar 8, 2016 10:49 AM
    Honestly this seems as though Miami will actually let go of Wake, and not Vernon, even though they can rescind the transition tag from the latter, but Mario Williams play LDE, same as Cameron Wake.
    ——–
    Mario played RDE for 4 years in Houston. Wake salary isn’t bad for a top DE, but there’s the uncertainty of his return from the injury.

  45. intrafinesse says:
    Mar 8, 2016 1:08 PM

    I hope he signs with Miami for a good sized contract.

    — the NY Jets

    .
    Could be 7.5M year.

    Jax to sign Malik Jackson to 15M year. Drop the silly tag on Vernon already Mia.

  46. Here’s how it will work. He will have five sacks against the Bills (The only games that will matter to him) and then three sacks against the rest of the league. So his numbers will look better, but I highly doubt he’s going to play better than he did last year. Rooting hard for Alonso to return to form though, so it’s not all ill will from this Bills fan.

  47. Sure but let’s ask the real question here……why would any player want to play for Rex Ryan and the Bills?

    ———————————————————————————-

    The Bills have played ~.500 ball for a few season and now have a pro-bowl QB who set many team passing records year one starting. One might think that if Mario didn’t mail it in all year while eating up 13% of their cap last season, the Bills might of done better.

    If you watched the Bills versus Miami last season, you’d have seen the distance between the teams. The Bills treat Miami like a small farm animal in their house, I was there row 13 and can attest to the mercy the Bills showed them. Then Miami got re-schooled in Buffalo, so watching Mario go there is for money only and not for success.

    Mario hasn’t been part of any really successful teams, which I believe to be self-inflicted. He makes teams believe he will perform and not take plays off, sometimes games off. Miami will be lucky to win 4 games this coming year. Tannehill is a bottom 6 QB with zero O-line so plan on watching Mario disappear along Miami’s hope of success.

  48. unionjack1776 says:
    Mar 8, 2016 12:19 PM
    Sounds like Mario is more interested in making bank and shopping for retirement communities than he is playing for a winner.
    ====
    Seems to be a number of people upset that Mario’s not groveling to sign with the pats. On the other hand, who know’s, with all the changes, the Fins might be good.

  49. I find it delicious how all these Fish Fans think Mario will command “double teams”. LMAO!! NOBODY double teamed Mario last year and he was manhandled one on one vs mediocre OTs. Good luck with that lazy malcontent…..

  50. “Sure but let’s ask the real question here……why would any player want to play for Rex Ryan and the Bills?”

    Answer: Because it beats the hell out of playing for [insert this year’s coach de jour} and the Dolphins.

  51. Sorry, football’s peak is over. Money money… killing the sport to diminish it like the other main ones. Sad that some players (and it’ll only grow) after the big contract don’t want to play.

  52. I was looking forward to nice quiet off season signing good honest players building a proper team. But looks like we are back to flash and crash. A team that will good for about 3 games ordinary for 3 and kack for 10.

  53. What do R. Tannethrill and P. Manning have in common??? Here’s a hint… who were the last 2 QB’s to beat T. Brady and the Patri-cheats?

  54. finzfan49 says:
    Mar 8, 2016 1:33 PM

    BRING BACK INCOGNITO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    .
    He just resigned 3 years.

    .
    mogillabb says:
    Mar 8, 2016 1:50 PM

    I find it delicious how all these Fish Fans think Mario will command “double teams”. LMAO!! NOBODY double teamed Mario last year and he was manhandled one on one vs mediocre OTs. Good luck with that lazy malcontent…..
    .
    That would be because he wasn’t implemented properly.

    Good luck stopping the “lazy malcontent” breaking your o-line.

  55. ricko1112 says:
    Mar 8, 2016 11:41 AM

    Until they get a QB they will continue to be a laughingstock! NE has the 2 best QBs in the AFCE.
    __________________________________
    Yeah, that Jimmy G is stellar, he stinks.

  56. joetoronto says:
    Mar 8, 2016 11:48 AM

    Just imagine what he’s going to do to the Bills when they play twice a year.

    Can’t wait.
    __________________________________
    I imagine it will be nothing like always. I can’t wait either. Bills will blow the Dolphins just like they always do……..by the way, you have an NFL team yet?

  57. jeffreyshulenburg says:
    Mar 8, 2016 12:30 PM

    LOL. Look at all the comments with smell of sour grapes permeating. The angry, that the Fins are back in play in free agency, after supposedly being banned to “cap hell”. The one time Mario lovers are now warning about how bad he is. Dolphins’ fans can tell how much it aggravates all of you, and for that alone, it would be wonderful. Not to mention having two D linemen that require a double team at minimum. Of course, if they don’t sign him, it will be, see see, they can’t sign a top player. Yes, we know you can’t win the SB in the off season, but is pleasing to see the effort being made to acquire better players.

    ______________________________________

    I wouldnt call a guy who gave up on his team and vocally criticized coaches, the most overpaid CB in the NFL and the most talented player who cant play since Jon Beason better players. As a Bills fan, you are far better sticking with Wake than Mario. The talent level isnt all that off between them and like I said, only one of them quit on his team. Same with Grimes. Grimes is quietly one of the more undervalued CBs, he has no name recognition but is fantastic in coverage. Maxwell has fallen apart without other all star secondary players to support him. As for Alonso, I want to love him, hes one of the most talented players in the NFL…but much like Jon Beason before him, the talent means nothing if he cant stay on the field. He had injuries in college, he lost a season in Buffalo, lost most of a season in Philly…hes no help if he cant play
    ========
    Thank you for validating my comment.

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