Donnie Jones to sign offer sheet with Rams

P Donnie Jones, a restricted free agent, has been offered a 5-year contract worth $5.9 million, including a $1.175 million signing bonus from the St. Louis Rams. Jones is likely to sign the deal today. Miami will have 7 days after he signs to match the Rams offer. If they choose not to match the offer, Miami will receive the Rams seventh-round draft pick.

According to Jones' agent Drew Rosenhaus, "The Dolphins won't match because we really haven't had any productive discussions with them about an extension.''

I'm all for stockpiling draft picks, but in this case I would rather keep Jones. The contract that the Rams are offering is slightly more expensive than I think Jones is worth, but a mid-seventh round pick doesn't seem worth it. Parting ways with Jones would simply create another hole on the team that needs to be filled. The team currently has P Ryan Flinn on the roster, but he's only played in 2 games in two seasons in the NFL. Jones showed the potential he has during the 2005 season when he led the NFL with a 39.3 yard net average. However, his play slipped a bit last season. It's tough to say at which level of play Jones is more likely to perform at, but his youth and potential are promising. The free agent market is bare, and there are more pressing draft needs than punter. Another important consideration was Jones' use as the holder on field goals. He did a good job in that role and his departure will result in a 2/3 turnover in the long-snapper/holder/kicker unit. Nevertheless, at this point it appears as if Jones will be leaving. Hopefully Miami scouts out some college punters who could end up as undrafted free agents.

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- Miami's other restricted free agents, S Yeremiah Bell and QB Cleo Lemon, have signed injury waivers which will allow them to participate in the team's first minicamps which begin today.

- Miami had scouts at Ohio State University on Wednesday to scout WR Ted Ginn Jr.

Ellis Rainsberger, a scout for the Dolphins, told The Columbus Dispatch that Ginn was limping at times and wore out at the end of his workout, which included running routes and catching passes."It was a heck of a feat for him to do what he did [while still recovering from his injury]."

I'm not comfortable with the Dolphins taking Ginn with the number 9 pick. He's too much of a risk at that spot. If Miami can't land Quinn and decides to trade down, then Ginn becomes more of an option.