The Dolphins "missed" on tight end Jared Cook on Tuesday, if you call not wanting to pay $7 million per year to a player who had exactly three receptions more than Anthony Fasano a miss. Alright, I understand the infatuation with Cook but that sure is a lot of money for speed and seam-threat potential.
The Dolphins thought they had Cook at one point the past three days, I'm told. Then the Rams put on the full-court press, which is defined as money, money, money.
Fine, the Dolphins are moving on.
Today, Dustin Keller is visiting with the team, as I reported this morning. Well, more specifically the club plans to give Keller its own kind of full-court press. There will be meetings with coaches, dining with club personnel, and the physical.
The physical, which I'm told was taking place this afternoon, is key. Keller missed a lot of games last year with hamstring and ankle injuries. He had, however, played 64 consecutive games prior to that.
So the thinking here is if Keller is healthy and his physical checks out, then the Dolphins and his agent will be able to begin discussing contract terms.
The Dolphins are also expecting a visit today from wide receiver Brandon Gibson, late of the Rams. Gibson visited the Jets Wednesday morning but left town without a contract. He was flying to South Florida to visit Miami next, according to a source who confirmed various media reports.
Keller, by the way, has shown an ability to be quarterback friendly -- that is, he finds a way to be in place to get his quarterback out of a tough situation. No, he's not running a 4.49 in the 40 like Cook or maybe Vernon Davis. No, he's not going to block out the sun.
But he's efficient. He's been solid. He's played in big games, including two AFC Championship games. He would help Miami's cause if the Dolphins pull the trigger.
What will it cost?
A lot less than $7 million per season. Maybe half that.

half of 7 million for keller is a great move!!!

Personally, I think that is just bad reporting by 'Mando. I do not see any circumstance where he signs for less than $4m.

Personally, I think that is just bad reporting by 'Mando. I do not see any circumstance where he signs for less than $4m.

I feel the same. Miami is starved for a TE and he is the best free agent still out there. Plus everyone knows that the Phins have a ton of cash to spend. No way is he going to be cheap.

I feel the same. Miami is starved for a TE and he is the best free agent still out there. Plus everyone knows that the Phins have a ton of cash to spend. No way is he going to be cheap.

Man honestly I would've rather had Martellus Bennett, but he was dead set on the Bears. Cook had some intriquing athletic abilities ..... but Kellers strikes me as a tweener. I'd rather wait on Finley's status before going after him.

We currently don't really have any in-line blockers and I'd prefer Ireland to do something in the draft to get a guy who can both block and catch.

Keller while a slight improvement in the passing game

Slight improvement? A guy who has 36 more catches and 503 more yards in 36 less games is a slight improvement? A 4.53 guy like Keller, which is 0.04 slower than Cook, is a huge mismatch against linebackers.

He is a considerable improvement in the passing game over Fasano.

What Rich said.

I've read a few posts/tweets from people claiming Fasano's blocking was highly overrated.

I've read a few posts/tweets from people claiming Fasano's blocking was highly overrated. Can't argue against his TD production.

We call them the visually impaired.

Slight improvement? A guy who has 36 more catches and 503 more yards in 36 less games is a slight improvement? A 4.53 guy like Keller, which is 0.04 slower than Cook, is a huge mismatch against linebackers.

He is a considerable improvement in the passing game over Fasano.

ArmandoSalguero No news to report on Dustin Keller. He's neither in nor out, according to source. "Still too early," is text I got.

This is taking really long. Phyical, dinner, contract terms... obviously they're disagreeing on something.

I would take a serious look at Fred Davis before someone else signs him.

Sounds like Keller might be signing with Cleveland...

Does that mean the price on Fred Davis just weñt down?

Sounds like Keller might be signing with Cleveland.

Where talented players go to disappear...

Crud just read Jesse AAgler's tweet that Dustin Keller left WITHOUT a deal....

After all this time its about the money and i said it before he wants too much then we want to give him

That ridiculous contract the Rams gave Jared Cook is really skewing the price scale. Cook has done enough to warrant the contract he got, and Keller is coming off a year where he missed more than half of the season.

Said it over and over the money is the issue