Dolphins finalizing new deal with DT Randy Starks

Randy Starks will return to Miami after all. (USATSI)

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It sounds like the Dolphins and defensive tackle Randy Starks are getting closer to finalizing a deal that would keep the versatile Starks in Miami.

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reported early Wednesday that the two sides were nearing a deal that would pay Starks an average of $6 million per season, while NFL.com confirms that the deal is being finalized.

The Miami Herald reported a few days ago that the personalities of Stark and head coach Joe Philbin didn't fit, and it seemed that both sides might have wanted to move in different directions. But Miami already lost Paul Soliai to the Falcons (though the Dolphins have replaced him with a younger and cheaper defensive tackle in Earl Mitchell), and perhaps the team didn't want to lose another solid player in Starks, who ranks No. 27 on the CBSSports.com free agent list.

Starks played under the franchise tag last season, earning $8.45 million for 2013.

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The Cowboys cut Miles Austin and DeMarcus Ware? Who cares?The Giants possibly found their new starting running back? Pssh, overrated.The 49ers traded for one of the worst first-round picks in recent memory? That's just stupid.All of those stories pale in comparison to today's real news: kickers, kickers, kickers. They may think they are being devalued with the movement to push back the extra point, but on Tuesday, they were signed up as if they were their team's first priority.The Colts' Adam Vinatieri got it started Tuesday when he re-signed for two years and $5 million.Phil Dawson followed with a two-year deal of his own to stay with the 49ers.Then the Bills re-signed Dan Carpenter for four years, and the Jets gave Nick Folk, the guy they franchise-tagged two weeks ago, a four-year contract worth $12 million.Also, the Giants are reportedly close to re-signing Josh Brown.



What does it all mean? Not a whole lot. Yes, Vinateri and Dawson were very solid, top-10 fantasy kickers last season. For them, age is not an issue. If you want to rank them, I think those guys are at the top, followed by Folk, Carpenter and Brown. But keep in mind that, yes, kickers are a week-to-week crapshoot in general. Never take one before the final two rounds of your draft, and be flexible; don't be afraid to drop a highly ranked preseason option in favor of a more productive guy who has come from off the radar. I try to play kicker-by-committee, choosing the best kicker each week on a decent offense with a good defensive matchup. It's a lot of guesswork that doesn't always pay off, but welcome to fantasy sports. Half the job is guessing right.