The only major personnel move made so far this offseason was the signing of CFL star DE/OLB Cameron Wake, who could provide Joey Porter with much-needed help in the pass-rushing department. The only change in the coaching staff was the surprise dismissal of offensive line coach Mike Maser, who was Tony Sparano's first hire when he was named head coach last February. Maser worked with Sparano and OC Dan Henning in Carolina.

Replacing Maser - whose young unit did help Miami improve their offense dramatically from 28th to 12th while earning rookie LT Jake Long a Pro Bowl berth - was Giants assistant offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo - who worked with Sparano at Boston University in the early '90s. The Giants had the No. 1-ranked rushing attack this year.

TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY

The trifecta, headed by Bill Parcells, don't like shelling out big free-agent contracts to their own, so don't expect any of their top three free agents of LB Channing Crowder, RT Vernon Carey or SS Yeremiah Bell to be tagged.

Because they have three free agent starting defensive backs to consider keeping, it's imperative they hold onto at least one and that should be SS Yeremiah Bell, the only true playmaker in their back end. While not an Ed Reed type regarding picks, Bell is a run-stuffer (120 tackles) and always seems to be in the right place during critical defensive stands. Forget his age (soon to be 31) or brittle past, the Dolphins need to use some of their $23 million of cap funds on Bell. Neither FS Renaldo Hill or CB Andre' Goodman should command the big numbers that Bell will.

As for Crowder, if the Dolphins just show him some love he'd re-sign, but they clearly won't break the bank for a player who still hasn't proven he could be an impact playmaker like his predecessor Zach Thomas was. He also has a long history of knee concerns. Crowder made a ridiculously low $1 million last year, yet he notched 114 tackles.

If they don't tag or re-sign Carey, expect the Dolphins to invest big in a free-agent lineman. Last year they spent the most on LG Justin Smiley ($9 million signing bonus) so if Carolina's Jordan Gross isn't tagged, expect a phone call from Tuna at about 12:01 AM Feb. 28.

"You have to value everybody," Parcells said during Super Bowl week in Tampa. "We have our own free agents, we have others, we have to put a value on them and then we have to decide what we're going to do - and our opinion of a value might be different than theirs.

"It's hard to tell what's going to happen."

Expect the Dolphins to bolster their front seven in free agents by picking off any linebacker the Ravens can't re-sign. It would be hard to believe that the Ravens would allow either star LB Ray Lewis or Terrell Suggs to depart, so that leaves Bart Scott, 28, a solid ILB whose durable and productive who could easily step in for Crowder. Cowboys DE Chris Canty is a Parcells' guy and should be available. He's a younger, larger cheaper version of veteran Vonnie Holliday, who may be expendable because of his lofty cap hit of $5.75 million due to an upcoming $1.5 million roster bonus. With young defensive ends Phillip Merling and Kendall Langford pushing the classy 33-year-old, it would be wise for Holliday to restructure his contract ASAP. Of course, free agent DE Julius Peppers would also allow Joey Porter to post another Pro Bowl season.

The Dolphins want to continue to get younger on defense, and improve their run defense which improved from 32nd to 10th, but was still overpowered at times, allowing 112 or more yards in at nine regular-season games. They need another outside linebacker to complement Joey Porter in the pass-rushing department. Porter's career-high 17.5 sacks accounted for more than half the sacks from the entire defensive line.

TOP THREE TEAM NEEDS

1. Offensive line: Without the surprise implementation of the Wildcat last season the Dolphins running game would've been ranked near the bottom of the league instead of 11th. They averaged 6.1 yards per attempt behind the Wildcat and 4.2 overall. If they allow free agent RT Vernon Carey to walk then this would become more of a priority because they're counting on inexperienced guard Donald Thomas and oft-injured LG Justin Smiley to bounce back from multi-surgeries. Mississippi's Michael Oher may still be on the board by Miami's 25th pick and he seems to be the kind of project that would be right up former O-line coach Tony Sparano's alley.

2. Wide receiver: The absence of a playmaking receiver and lack of arm strength by QB Chad Pennington hurt the running game because safeties were able to cheat up and stuff the box. Also, an inconsistent, evolving offensive line didn't afford Pennington enough time to take shots downfield. That said, the young corps of Ted Ginn Jr., Greg Camarillo and Davone Bess all improved because of Pennington's smarts and accuracy. Kenny Britt from Rutgers might be a good fit as we all know how Parcells loves athletic receivers who played in the Northeast and his hometown of New Jersey.

3. Cornerback: While CBs. Andre' Goodman and Will Allen both had solid seasons, they're both over 30 and Allen ended the season pretty beat up, while Goody is an RFA. The depth is virtually non-existent because 2006 first-round pick Jason Allen has been unable to get on the field regularly for any of the three head coaches he's played for. The Dolphins need to get younger, especially if they allow free agent SS Yeremiah Bell and to a lesser extend FS Renaldo Hill to depart. UConn's Darius Butler may be on the Dolphins menu come draft time. Free-agent wise, Oakland's Nnamdi Asomugha will be on everyone's wish-list unless the Raiders re-sign him or tag him.

MEDICAL WATCH: LG Justin Smiley needed surgeries to mend ankle and shoulder so he may take the longest to heal. He is hopeful of being OK by training camp. Ditto for WR Greg Camarillo, who underwent major knee surgery in late November. RG Donald Thomas should be ready for spring mini-camps after undergoing foot surgery last September. All three have been taken off injured reserve.

--CB Will Allen was pretty banged up by end of season with knee and groin injuries, but the Dolphins haven't announced any offseason surgeries.

FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

-- SS Yeremiah Bell, who led the team with 120 tackles, proved that he could put up Pro Bowl numbers over full season when healthy, but knowing his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, he may be too expensive to keep, especially with his injury history and age. He'll be 31 by next season. Bell made a paltry $520,000 last year and should command $3-4 million per based on his play.

--RT Vernon Carey will command large numbers so unless the Miami native takes a hometown discount, it's unlikely he'll return. However, if he takes guard-type money and moves to guard where he may be more suitable for, that could change.

--ILB Channing Crowder continues to be a solid linebacker who's been grossly underpaid his entire career, however, his inability to make game-changing plays on a regular basis should prevent teams from opening their vaults. Crowder had no sacks, no picks and just one forced fumble this year. He has no INTs in four years. The Dolphins low-balled him with their first offer and hasn't budged since.

--CB Andre' Goodman, seemingly over his shoulder ailments, played Pro Bowl-caliber defense during the last 12 games of the season, coming up with a career-high five INTs and 19 pass breakups. Also, 31 by the season opener, Goodman should be affordable to the cap-friendly Dolphins. His class and leadership should also earn him lifetime Dolphins status.

--FS Renaldo Hill bounced back from knee surgery and after recapturing his starting job by Game 3 seemed to be the missing ingredient of a veteran secondary. His communication skills, quiet leadership, run support (74 tackles) and intelligent play-calling in the back end should earn him another contract even at 30. In a perfect world super agent Rosenhaus could put together a package deal for Hill and Bell.

--C Al Johnson, a midseason pickup who was nearly 100 percent recovered from multi-knee surgeries, is a Tony Sparano favorite for his high football IQ. His flexibility to play guard as well is also a boon and it would be shocking to not see the Dolphins retain him for what should be a bargain-basement price.

--WR Tab Perry, who spent last year on IR with a torn Achilles, will most likely be re-signed for the minimum.

--LB Derek Smith, a veteran late-season pickup, won't be a priority due to his age (33).

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS

--LB Quentin Moses.

--RG Ike Ndukwe.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED: None.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

--LB Cameron Wake: FA CFL; 4 yrs, $1M SB, other terms unknown.

PLAYERS LOST

--G Matt McChesney (released).

--LB Kelvin Smith (released/failed physical).