NFL Trade Rumors Free Agent News and more - from footballtraderumors.com - Dolphins exploring options at guard, tight end

By BARRY JACKSON

Outside linebacker, safety, receiver and nose tackle remain the Dolphins' most pressing offseason needs. But they also are exploring options at guard and tight end.

Open to the idea of upgrading at right guard, the Dolphins have expressed an interest in unrestricted free agent Richie Incognito, 26, and are expected to bring him to team headquarters for a visit next week. Incognito has started all 47 of his NFL games but was cut by St. Louis in December after committing two personal-foul penalties (for head-butting Tennessee players) and verbally confronting coach Steve Spagnuolo.

The Dolphins put in a claim for him Dec. 15, but he was awarded to Buffalo in the waiver process. Incognito, a third-round pick who started at right guard for the Rams, has good size (6-3, 324) and toughness but has had problems with personal-foul penalties and was named the NFL's dirtiest player in a Sporting News poll. He withdrew from Nebraska in 2004 after being suspended for repeated discipline problems, including misdemeanor assault. So far in free agency, only Karlos Dansby (who signed with Miami) and Ryan Clark (who didn't) have visited the Dolphins.

The Dolphins aren't convinced Donald Thomas -- who had trouble blocking on the move -- is a long-term solution at right guard. Miami was impressed by Nate Garner, who replaced Thomas as a starter in mid-December, but he also has value as a multiposition backup. Miami likes left guard Justin Smiley, who was solid but hasn't played a full season since 2006, when he was with the 49ers.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins are eyeing several tight ends from a deep draft class and might pick one in the middle rounds to compete with restricted free agent Anthony Fasano and backup Joey Haynos.

Sporting News analyst and former Browns scout Russ Lande said the players who most display the skills Miami is seeking (downfield receiving skills, good size, skill to develop into solid blockers) are Arizona's Rob Gronkowski, Southern California's Anthony McCoy, UM's Jimmy Graham and Penn State's Andrew Quarless.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/14/1528566/will-dolphins-next-signing-be.html