Miami Dolphins CB Sean Smith Wants To Get Paid

Dec. 23, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Steve Johnson (13) makes a catch as Miami Dolphins cornerback Sean Smith (24) defends the play during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Dolphins have reportedly decided to use the franchise tag on defensive tackle Randy Starks. Amongst those who will now hit the free agent market is cornerback Sean Smith, and apparently he couldn’t be more thrilled since he wants to get paid.

Fortunately for the Dolphins, who have a lot of desirable free agents (Jake Long, Brian Hartline, and Reggie Bush) their salary cap is around $37 million after the Starks franchise tag. So Sean Smith could “get paid” and stay with the Dolphins.

It’s important to note that Starks didn’t want the franchise tag and the two sides continue to negotiate as reported by Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. But despite the negotiations the two sides are still at a stand still which means come March 12th, Smith will start receiving bids.

As Salguero notes the negotiations between Long, Smith and the Dolphins are at a stand still as both think they can receive more money on the open market and Salguero says for Smith it’s all about the money.

"“Smith is eager for the start of free agency so that he can “get paid” according to a source. That is his priority. He doesn’t much care where he plays but rather that he gets paid playing there. The Dolphins believe they can replace Smith with a comparable if not better player either in free agency (more expensive) or the draft (much, much less expensive).”"