DB help next year ?

I think that's a high probability.

Yeah, I think he's gone too, but, rather than eat the entire thing this year, I think the more likely scenario is that he either:

a) Agrees to a buy-out like LaVar (who has, again, opened his mouth and shown that, just b/c you CAN form a complete sentence, doesn't mean that you SHOULD);

b) gets cut as a June 1 cut and split the salary cap hit;

c) kept for a year but simply as an inactive and then cut him as a June 1, 2008 cut. (essentially, by occupying a roster spot, you spread the hit out over three years. Hell, if it were up to me, I would even tell him that this is what we were going to do and say "You will be required to come to practice and meetings, but, unless required by injuries, you will be inactive for all games. If this is okay by you fine. Otherwise let's talk buy-out.")

9M is a big hit to take all at once and, although we can, I am betting they will try and manipulate the numbers that will allow them some leeway to make some aquisitions. Plus, taking the 9M hit would probably preclude resigning Dock and Betts/Duckett.

I would not draft a CB. that is one area I would bring in a FA. I dont know if they will release Arch. My guess is they can see how he progresses in the offseason and pre-season. It will cost them less of a cap hit next offseason than this offseason. (i think) Springs moving over may be good coverage wise, but I am not sure about the run support part of it. I guess it can be worked out to where he is in coverage most of the time and let Taylor roam around.

I'm liking the Springs to Safety move. Let he and Vincent (if he's coming back) platoon back there. Solid veteran leadership for ST. Bring in another CB like Clements or Samuel to support Rogers. I've changed my perception of Rogers as of late due to the Tom Friend article. In fact, I'm giving the entire secondary the rest of the season and offseason through next year's pre-season to prove to me that they are capable unit. I think it looks like chemistry is a huge factor between the CBs and the safeties, both players on the field and coaching on the sidelines.

I like Springs at FS, but that would mean ST at strong safety. While he would excel closer to the line, I think he’s still growing into the FS position & it gives him more opportunities to make hits & roam to the ball. I guess if they employ a cover 2 it wouldn’t matter as much though.
We need to draft a young cb if we can’t get one in fa.

I think Springs as a safety would be a terrific move IF we can then get a guarranteed No.1 corner. Sorry, Rogers just looks like a solid number 2 corner to me (A slightly - and I do mean slightly - more physical corner than Smoot).

If we can get a solid no. 1 corner then it seems to me that Springs has the perfect skill set to compliment Taylor - better in coverage, good blitzer, and a solid, if not spectacular tackler.

Well, according to the latest announcement, the salary cap is going to be ~116M next year.

Actually the cap will be $109M next year and $116M in 2008.

MiamiHerald.com | 12/07/2006 | Current cap near limit (http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/16181357.htm)

"And even though the cap will be $109 million next season and the NFL announced Wednesday it will be a whopping $116 million in 2008..."

Oops - My bad. Thanks CC.

Let's not forget about Prieoleau though. And what do you guys think of Tory James?

Do we really want another 30+ year old DB?

Here's what we have now:

Under contract thru 2007
Sean Taylor S
Adam Archuleta S
Pierson Prioleau S
Reed Doughty S
Mike Rumph DB
Troy Vincent DB
Shawn Springs CB
Carlos Rogers CB

2007 free agents
Vernon Fox DB
Adebola Jimoh CB
Kenny Wright CB

Despite our recent FA busts I'd still like to bring in a top corner (ie Clements). I'd move Springs to S. That way we'd have Clements and Rogers at the corners and Taylor and Springs at safety. Prioleau, Fox, and The Ade can come off the bench, and Springs can go back to CB in certain situations or in case of injuries.

I'd like to keep Vincent but he's expensive at $1.5M for 2007. Maybe if he resigns for something closer to the vet min ($425K). I think we cut AA, and then fill in the remaining slots with the Doughty, Rumph, Wrights of the world.

Ade has proven his worth on special teams. but he must have taken a step back wards in pass coverage. as lousy as the skins secondary has played this season, jimoh has hardly stepped on the field