The Miami Dolphins signed free agent CB Richard Marshall Wednesday night to a three-year deal worth $16 million. The team has yet to sign one of the two free agent quarterbacks they have targeted, but in the meantime have bolstered their defense with another signing. 

 

A six-year veteran, Marshall was drafted in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers out of Fresno State. He spent five seasons in Carolina, starting 32 games in the final two years of his tenure. Marshall moved to Arizona last season, starting 9 games. He intercepted 3 passes last season and defended another 11.

 

For his career, Marshall has 17 interceptions and 58 passes defended to go with 7 sacks and 406 tackles. He is expected to compete with Sean Smith for a starting role alongside fellow CB Vontae Davis. Marshall could also see some time at free safety, where Reshad Jones is the current incumbent. 

 

Miami's pass defense was among the worst in the NFL in 2011, giving up 3,992 yards on a 59% completion rate. Only seven teams gave up more yardage through the air. Miami was extremely thin at defensive back, with Davis missing four games to injury and young players like Jones and CB Jimmy Wilson forced into action. 

 

With NFL offenses relying more and more on the pass, having three solid cornerbacks on the roster has become a necessity. While Marshall may not unseat Smith from his starting spot, the two would probably spend a large chunk of time on the field together in a nickel package anyway.

 

On the quarterback front, Peyton Manning reportedly met with the Tennessee Titans for eight hours on Wednesday, and while the Dolphins are still in the running, it is looking less likely that Manning will pick Miami.

 

The Dolphins have been keeping former Green Bay QB Matt Flynn at bay while waiting to hear from Manning, but Flynn has received interest from the Seattle Seahawks. He has not received an offer from either team, but will visit Seattle on Thursday. This could force the Dolphins to make Flynn an offer for fear of losing out on both quarterbacks.