BROWN AND FASANO TENDERED

With less than 36 hours before the new league year starts at 12:01 AM Friday, the Dolphins moved forward by placing tenders on two of their restricted free agents. The Dolphins gave tight end Anthony Fasano an original draft round tender, which comes out to being a second round tender, and gave Pro Bowl running back Ronnie Brown a first round tender.

If Fasano does not sign with another NFL team, or fails to sign a long term extension with the Dolphins, he will make a base salary of $1.18 million. If another team would sign Fasano, the Dolphins would have seven days to match the offer and keep Fasano, or let him leave the team and receive a second round pick as compensation.

When Brown signed his rookie contract back in 2005, it was for five years, but had a sixth year option if there was no new CBA in place following the 2009 season. With there being no new CBA and an uncapped offseason just over a day away, the sixth year option would only kick in if both Brown and the team decided to excerise it. The team decided not to pick up the option, making Brown a restricted free agent. In a somewhat surprising move the Dolphins decided to place only a first round tender on Brown. Since Brown made $3.6 million last season, the tender amounts issued by the league do not apply to him and he would receieve 110% of his salary no matter what the Dolphins placed on him. The tender amount will pay Brown $3.9 million for the 2010 season. If the Dolphins would have placed a first and third round tender on Brown, they would still only have to give him $3.9 million in 2010.

As of this report, there has been no offiical word on the Dolphins other restricted free agent linebacker Quentin Moses. It is very possible, the team has decided to part ways with the three year veteran from Georgia.

                         TELL US WHAT YOU THINK IN THE FINHEAVEN FORUMS!