Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Porter pleads no-contest

The case involving LB Joey Porter's conviction for misdemeanor battery is over - at least as far as the judicial system is concerned. Porter entered a no-contest plea for his fight with Bengals OT Levi Jones at a Las Vegas casino in March. The judge ordered him to pay a $1,000 fine, which he paid.

Although the case is closed in the court of law, Porter is still at risk of facing punishment under the NFL's personal conduct policy. The punishment, decided by Commissioner Roger Goodell, will most likely be either a fine or a suspension. While I don't think that this incident is worthy of a game suspension, Goodell has made it a point to crack down on bad player behavior. Porter's not out of the woods yet, and we will all have to wait and hope that he doesn't miss any games because of this.

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Chris Grier, the Dolphins' national scout and assistant director of college scouting since 2003 is taking over the position of director of college scouting, formerly held by Ron Labadie. Labadie will take over Grier's former role.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Lemon re-signs; Taylor shines

Although the two sides were not able to come to an agreement on a long-term contract, the Dolphins re-signed QB Cleo Lemon to a one-year contract worth $1.3 million. That was the level at which he had been tendered as a restricted free agent. Assuming that the team would not keep both Daunte Culpepper and Trent Green (should he be acquired), Cleo has a very good chance of becoming the No. 2 QB on the depth chart. Although John Beck is the future at QB, he could benefit from not playing this year and learning as the team's third string QB. Lemon has been getting an extensive amount of work with the team's starting unit during offseason practices as Culpepper continues to rehab his knee. Those reps will provide some great experience for Lemon, making him a trustworthy backup.

* WR Ted Ginn is scheduled to report to Miami on June 7, which is one day before the team's next minicamp begins. Although it's uncertain to what extent he will work with the team due to a lingering foot injury, he has been given a playbook so that he can begin to learn the offense. He will miss this week's Organized Coaching Sessions for rookies.

* The Dolphins are considering holding joint preseason practices with the Tennessee Titans in Nashville.

* The team hasn't started contract negotiations with QB John Beck, C Samson Satele, or G Drew Mormino. Mormino's agent is still on his honeymoon, but the agents for Beck and Satele said they do not anticipate any problems regarding contracts. Miami has reportedly made a contract offer to DT Paul Soliai. The agent for Ted Ginn does not comment on contract negotiations.

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Jason Taylor has proven once again that he is the cream of the crop when it comes to being a true team player. If anyone needed any further proof of his amazing character and devotion to the Miami Dolphins organization, he provided it during a radio interview on 760-AM ESPN. Go here to see a transcript of the interview. Here are some choice quotes:

When asked if he would play for free if that meant the Dolphins would make it to the Super Bowl:
"Playoffs, no, Super Bowl, yes. I’ve been to the playoffs before, our goal is not to make the playoffs, it’s to win the Super Bowl. [Our goal is] not to win 10 games or make the first round of the playoffs and see what happens."
Then, when asked if he would leave the Dolphins to try and win a Super Bowl elsewhere, he said:
"It doesn’t cross my mind. There are no guarantees in the league and to leave the team you [entered the league] with and chase Super Bowl dreams somewhere else, there’s no guarantee another team’s going to make it. It can turn around here; New Orleans turned it around quickly last year and was 30 minutes away from the big game. If I made the playoffs somewhere else there would always be a piece of me that felt empty, for not having a chance to do it here for the fans. The way I’ve been received by the community, I would always have a void for not being able to turn it around and get it back to where it’s supposed to be for our football franchise."
That kind of attitude just has to make you feel good as a fan. Too often in this day and age of the NFL, players are too willing to leave behind the team that drafted them in order to chase the big free agent dollars elsewhere. A situation like this makes me think about Adewale Ogunleye, who Miami traded to Chicago after a deal was unable to be reached on a long-term contract. Ogunleye was a promising young talent who demanded more money than the team was willing to give him. I wanted him to show his loyalty to the organization that signed him as an undrafted free agent with a torn-up knee. The Dolphins took a chance on him and rehabbed his knee, but then he recorded 15 sacks and made the Pro Bowl and he cashed in.


There's something to be said for a player who maintains their loyalty to the team that took a chance and drafted them out of college - even when that team is struggling to even be average and doesn't appear close to a championship. It's even more special that a player chooses to stick by his team through thick and thin when that player is currently in the twilight of his career (even though he's playing like he's in his prime). It would mean more to Jason to retire a Dolphin than win a Super Bowl somewhere else. That is a true team player.

He also took the opportunity to defend Daunte Culpepper, something I think he should be applauded for:
"Daunte Culpepper is my quarterback, Cleo Lemon is my quarterback and [John] Beck is my quarterback. Daunte has received a lot of bad press and he doesn’t deserve it. People are free to write and say what they want, but at the banquet I was in a position to stand up for the man. I see how hard he works and how bad he wants to come back and be successful. I’ve seen stuff in the papers and heard people on the radio say he’s not showing up for workouts, he’s missing rehab, he’s gaining weight, he’s not working hard and a bunch of other crap that couldn’t be further from the truth."
Something that a lot of fans are forgetting amongst all the Trent Green talk is that Culpepper is the guy who is actually a Dolphin right now. No matter what the chances are that Green will eventually get here or that Culpepper will be released, Daunte is rehabbing every day and wearing aqua and orange while doing it. He deserves the support of the fan base and his teammates as long as he is giving everything he has to this organization. It's great to see one of the team leaders stand up and defend Daunte.

Yet again, Jason Taylor gives Dolphans everywhere a perfect reason to feel pride in this team.

Monday, May 28, 2007

Happy Memorial Day!


Happy Memorial Day, everyone!
(Note: yes, I realize that the guy carrying the flag is no longer a Dolphin, but it's a damn good picture and it's fitting for the holiday.)

Friday, May 25, 2007

Friday OCS Recap

The Dolphins concluded another week of Organized Coaching Sessions today. The most important development to take place was Cam Cameron firmly declaring Rex Hadnot as the team's starting right guard. He had started the last 19 games for Miami at center. During a press conference, Cameron was enthusiastic about Hadnot playing guard, saying that, "Rex Hadnot can be as good a guard as I've been around." Cameron thought that Hadnot was a bit too big for center, but his size is perfect for the guard position. In addition, guard is Hadnot's natural position. He played guard during his first three seasons in college, but was shifted to center during his senior season. He started off as a guard with Miami in 2004. Before the draft, I was hesitant about the team moving Hadnot to guard because there wasn't a clear option to insert at center. Now, with the addition of Johnathan Ingram, Samson Satele, and Drew Mormino, there is plenty of solid, young depth at center. Hadnot played well last season, and a return to his natural position should allow him to excel even more. His knowledge of the center position and line-calls will help too, especially since he will likely be lining up next to a young guy at center. If he notices something that the center doesn't he'll be able to yell out the call, and he can direct the blocking calls if the center has to shotgun snap. Even though Ingram has been getting the snaps with the first-team offense, I expect Satele to eventually take over as the starter. It may not happen by the first-game, but with Hadnot's move to guard his chances are vastly increased. The coaches probably don't want to hand the starting job to a rookie so soon.

Here's some more info on what went down at today's OCS:

* DE Matt Roth (groin), NT Keith Traylor (ankle), RB Patrick Cobbs (hamstring), T Joe Toledo (foot), T Anthony Alabi (knee), and CB Andre' Goodman (shoulder) did not participate due to injuries. All of them except for Goodman are expected to be ready for the June minicamp. Traylor, Alabi, Toledo, and Cobbs rode stationary bikes. WR Ted Ginn was absent since Ohio State is still in session.

* First-team Offense
QB Cleo Lemon FB Cory Schlesinger RB Ronnie Brown
WR Chris Chambers WR Marty Booker TE David Martin
LT Vernon Carey LG Chris Liwienski C Johnathan Ingram RG Rex Hadnot RT L.J. Shelton

Second-team Offense
QB Gibran Hamdan FB Kyle Eckel/Reagan Mauia RB Lorenzo Booker
WR Derek Hagan WR Derek Hagan
LT Julius Wilson LG Drew Mormino C Samson Satele RG Tala Esera RT Mike Rosenthal

* QB John Beck worked primarily with the third-team, but took some snaps with the first-team. At times he looked impressive, showing good awareness and touch on his passes. At other times, he struggled, having a few passes knocked down at the line and telegraphing his throws. QB Cleo Lemon looked good in the team drills.

* FB Reagan Mauia was impressive. He showed good balance, quickness, and hands catching the ball. RB Lorenzo Booker really showed his speed during the practices.

* QB Daunte Culpepper practiced on a limited basis, taking snaps and throwing to uncovered running-backs on short routes. His passes were accurate and he looked comfortable. He didn't work in any of the team drills.

Sources: Palm Beach Post, Sun-Sentinel

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Here's a funny statement that Trent Green said on a radio show today. Even though it was said in jest (only partly, I'm sure), it really shows how much this situation is frustrating Green.

"Maybe run out on the field with my whole Chiefs stuff on and borrow a Dolphins helmet from one of the former players that are here. I think that would be stepping it up a little bit,'' joked Green. "But maybe that'd be pushing it a little bit too far.''

To make that quote even better, Green was talking about doing that during the Chiefs' Fan Appreciation Day. Nice.

Additionally, Green said that he has passed all brain scans and neurological tests that he has taken since suffering a severe concussion last season and is suffering no lingering effects.

Fifth rookie signed

The team signed its fifth draft pick today, FB Reagan Mauia. He was signed to a four-year contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Dolphins have now signed half of their ten draft picks.

Here is my post-draft write-up of Mauia:

Round 6 (181) - FB Reagan Mauia, Hawaii
The second player from Hawaii, and third Samoan drafted by Miami, Mauia is a bruising FB. Once a NT, he is a big-bodied battering ram who has the potential to be a powerful run-blocker. He also has decent hands out of the backfield. He's raw and will benefit from being tutored by Corey Schlesinger.

Expectations: I wouldn't be surprised if Mauia lands on the practice squad this year while he refines his blocking skills and learns from Schlesinger. By the time Schlesinger is gone though, Mauia should be ready to come in and be a solid blocker for Ronnie Brown.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Three more draft picks signed

[Update]: RB Lorenzo Booker's four-year contract is worth $2.01 million, including a $795,000 signing bonus. [End Update]

The team signed three more of its draft selections today. Those players are RB Lorenzo Booker, P Brandon Fields, and LB Abraham Wright. All three players were signed to four-year contracts, although terms were not released. Along with the signing of LB Kelvin Smith, the Dolphins have now signed four of their ten draft picks.

Here's my post-draft write-up of the newest three players to sign with the team:

Round 3 (71) - RB Lorenzo Booker, Florida State
Rounding out Day 1, Miami chose its fourth offensive player. Booker is going to be a really interesting player to watch on offense since he is much more than just a RB. He can line up as a slot receiver, an outside receiver, catch passes out of the backfield, stay in as a blocker, catch screen passes, and return kicks. He's a swiss-army knife on the offensive side of the ball and the ability to move him around before the snap is going to confuse many defenses. He presents the opportunities for some great mismatches. As a RB, he's probably best suited as a change-of-pace type runner, and he perfectly complements Ronnie Brown's all-around ability with a quick burst of speed. He's a slasher and he excels in the open field, but he can't break tackles. That's why he'll be spread around so much to try and get him open. Booker is a smallish back who is better suited to being a role-player, at least at first.

Expectations: Booker is going to add another burst of speed to Miami's offense. Whether it's being used on a toss-sweep or lining up as a slot receiver, Cameron has a bevy of ways to utilize his abilities. I would expect Cameron to ease Booker into the NFL where he should really excel as a jack of all trades for the offense. He will make an impact in some way for this offense as a rookie.

Round 7 (225) - P Brandon Fields, Michigan State
I'm not a big fan of drafting a punter, but with three seventh-round picks, Miami was able to get the one they wanted. This guy is huge for a punter and he can certainly boom the ball with his strong leg. He also has experience kicking off, should the need ever arise. The biggest concern is his inconsistency. He has trouble angling punts out of bounds and he will probably shank one every now and then. Another big problem is that he holds onto the ball too long and is a big risk to have his punt blocked. Luckily, the problems he has can be corrected with some good coaching.

Expectations: Since Miami spent a draft pick on Fields, I'm pretty sure that he will be the punter for this team. His immensely powerful leg is a treat, but he will have to get better at directional kicks, as well as becoming more consistent. It will probably take a while to see significant changes take place in his game, so he might struggle this season. Down the line, I think he'll make a solid if unspectacular punter.

Round 7 (238) - DE/LB Abraham Wright, Colorado
Wright is a smallish, tweener-type player who might play DE or OLB. His small size makes him poor against stopping the run, but he is an above-average pass-rusher. He didn't play much special-teams in college, so it's yet to be seen whether he'll be able to make an impact there for Miami.

Expectations: His versatility is a plus, but Wright may find himself bouncing between the practice squad and the roster until he matures and polishes some skills. Hopefully he shows that he can play special-teams. In the future, I could see him filling the role of David Bowens as a pass-rush specialist.

What's Green Worth?


Anyone who has been following the Dolphins for the past couple of months is probably very familiar with the team's attempts to acquire QB Trent Green from the Kansas City Chiefs. Every week, it seems, a new report is issued stating that the trade is imminent and is close to getting done. Recently, those reports have taken a sour tone as Green has expressed his frustration and anger towards the Chiefs' front office that is increasingly looking incompetent for how it has handled this situation. It seems inevitable that Green will end up in Miami this offseason; the only question is whether his arrival will happen sooner or later.

Now, given my understanding of the situation and the rational approach that I'm taking towards a deal for Trent Green, I have to voice my disagreement with the strategy that Palm Beach Post columnist Greg Stoda has voiced in his commentary "Don't quibble about the pick." Stoda's argument is that because Miami is "starved at quarterback despite having a cupboard filled with players listed at the position," the team should have no reservations about handing over a fourth-round draft pick to the Chiefs in order to get the trade done now. He goes on to justify this position by claiming the insignificance of fourth and sixth-round draft choices (Miami is reportedly willing to part ways with a sixth-round choice for Green). Although I would be content with trading a sixth-round pick for Green, I think that it's ridiculous to say that giving up a fourth-round pick at this or any point during this offseason is worth Trent Green. I like Green, and I think he will make this team better, but what he will bring to the table is not worth a fourth-round draft pick. Let's not forget that this team has used the strategy of giving up high draft picks for other teams' aging QBs for far too long and with far too little success. It's time the organization puts a premium value on the draft picks it has in order to build a solid young core. Thankfully, Cam Cameron and Randy Mueller have done a great job of that thus far.

I've been advocating patience this entire offseason, and there is no reason to suddenly abandon that patience and send a fourth-round pick away just to have Green with the team. Stoda is worried that the longer Miami takes in acquiring Green, the more likely it is for other teams to enter the mix and make a run for his services. He's probably basing this concern on recent rumors and speculation that Atlanta may be interested in Green as insurance for Michael Vick's legal troubles. Doesn't this scenario sound a lot like Cleveland's supposed interest in Green at the beginning of April?
Green did not want to play in Cleveland and he does not want to play in Atlanta. He wants to play in Miami. Because of this, he can refuse to negotiate his $7.2 million base salary if he is traded to anyone other than Miami, with whom he has already agreed to a restructured deal. That means that one of three things will happen:
  1. Miami trades for Green.
  2. Miami waits for Green to be released and signs him as a free agent. Miami won't need to worry about competition for Green's services in free agency if Green's stated desire to play in Miami remains true.
  3. Miami does not engineer a trade for Green, and Kansas City decides to keep him.
At this point, I highly doubt that Kansas City retains Green. He has already made it clear that he does not want to play for Kansas City this year, and KC does not want to pay more than $7 million to a backup. Thus, the best strategy for Miami is to just wait it out. The front office has shown an incredible patience so far this offseason, and there's no reason to change that now. Play the waiting game and force Kansas City to part ways with Green without having to give up a draft pick. It's not a big cause for concern that Green may have to miss time with Miami's offense in this scenario because he already has a good grasp of it, having played under Terry Shea in Kansas City.

So, let's assume that if Miami waits long enough, that Green will be released. Of course, this may mean waiting significantly longer than what would be optimal for Green as far as getting comfortable in Miami and with a new cast of teammates. But my question is how much is that difference worth to Miami? Exactly how much different will Green be for the Dolphins if he arrived tomorrow as opposed to a month or two down the road? Is that difference in ability worth sacrificing a future young player for this team? Not at all.

What I find particularly problematic are the examples that Stoda uses to back up his opinion. He cites different players that Miami has taken in the past with fourth and sixth round selections. Sure, Miami hasn't hit on all their draft picks in recent history, but should that mean that they simply give up on trying? What's more is that he goes on to name several players that actually defeat his argument. Take a look at the players listed below and ask yourself whether it would be worth it to give up a young player of that caliber in order to have Green at the Dolphins practice facilities for an extra few months.
  • 2002, fourth-round - TE Randy McMichael
  • 2003, sixth-round - S Yeremiah Bell
  • 2004, sixth-round - G Rex Hadnot
  • 2005, fourth-round - CB Travis Daniels
All of those guys are or were productive starters for the Dolphins. That list doesn't even mention the potential of recently drafted players like fourth-rounder Paul Soliai or sixth-rounder Reagan Mauia. It's also not fair to dismiss a player like CB Will Poole or T Joe Toledo just because they have been plagued by injuries. Stoda also argues that among these players it's difficult to justify the difference between a fourth and sixth round draft pick. I'd just like to see him call up a GM on draft day and try to swing a trade using a sixth-round pick where the value chart demands a fourth-round pick. The bottom line is that fourth-round players have a higher chance of succeeding than sixth-round players. The small pool of Miami players that he uses may not exemplify that, but I'm sure a league-wide sample size would show the difference.

We also have to be honest with ourselves. With or without Green, this is going to be a tough year for Miami to compete. The AFC is strong as usual, let alone the fact that the Jets and Patriots are both within the Eastern Division. With Miami's stout defense, they will always have a chance to compete. That chance just isn't very big. When it comes to a decision like trading for Green, the team must think about its future. Green is not the future of the Dolphins. He will start for a year or two at the most and then become a backup or retire. The player that Miami would choose with that fourth-round pick that Stoda wants Mueller to give up for Green could very well be a solid starter for a long time with this team.

It's absurd to think that giving up a future player like that is worth having Trent Green in South Florida a little early, just because some people are losing patience.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

First draft pick signed

Miami signed LB Kelvin Smith to a four-year contract today. Terms of the deal were not available. Smith is the first of Miami's 10 draft picks to sign. He was taken in the seventh round with pick #219.

I would expect the late round draft picks to sign their deals relatively quickly. It will most likely take a little while longer for the top picks to sign, as they wait for other top picks to set the market value.

Here's the write-up I made in my post-draft analysis of Smith:
Round 7 (219) - LB Kelvin Smith, Syracuse
Although Smith played ILB in college, he'll most likely be used at OLB in Miami. He tackles well and can rush the passer with some success, but he doesn't have much of a burst and probably isn't a big playmaker. He will have trouble in pass coverage as well.

Expectations: Despite Smith's weaknesses, he will be able to make an impact on special teams for Miami. With his versatility at LB, he'll make for a good backup. He has a lot of experience coming out of college and that will help him transition.

Monday, May 21, 2007

Bell re-signed

SS Yeremiah Bell signed his one-year tender offer worth $1.3 million today. It's unfortunate that a longer deal wasn't able to get done, but Bell is still hopeful of getting one done during the season.

After being inserted into the starting lineup replacing Travares Tillman, Bell proved to be the only consistent playmaker in the secondary. Although he can still use some work in coverage and stopping the run, the energy and knack for making big plays is something this secondary sorely needs more of. He's still relatively young, too, and it should certainly be a priority to get him signed to a longer deal.

After replacing Tillman in the starting lineup, the Dolphins were 5-4 and the defense averaged 15.3 points allowed per game. Without Bell, they were 1-6 and the defense averaged 20.7 points allowed per game. And, even though Bell only started midway through 2006, he managed to finish fourth on the team in tackles with 68.

Friday, May 18, 2007

Organized Coaching Session Recap

The Dolphins held Organized Coaching Sessions this week. These OCS are similar to the minicamps, but they are less intensive and are voluntary. The team will have OCS again next week on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Here's a recap of what went down this week during the sessions:

* S David Lofton and WR Michael Malone, two undrafted college free-agents who were invited to the last minicamp on a tryout basis, were signed to the team. WR Gabe Hatchett was waived.

* WR Ted Ginn, QB John Beck, and RB Lorenzo Booker were forced to miss the OCS in order to fulfill mandatory commercial endorsements organized by the marketing branch of the NFL Players Association. Ginn would not have been able to attend the practices regardless since Ohio State remains in session until June. DT Vonnie Holliday, CB Will Allen, S Cameron Worrell, and S Travares Tillman were absent for personal reasons. The following players missed practice because of injuries: CB Andre' Goodman (shoulder), DE Matt Roth (groin strain), NT Keith Traylor (ankle), RB Patrick Cobbs (hamstring), T Joe Toledo (foot), and T Anthony Alabi (knee). All of the injured players except for Goodman are expected to return by the June minicamp.

* QB Daunte Culpepper was finally able to do something other than ride a stationary bike as he practiced on a limited basis during all four of this week's OCS. He didn't take part in the team drills, but he was able to take snaps, drop back, roll out and make passes to the WRs. He didn't report feeling any pain after the practice. Even though the perpetual black cloud concerning his future with the Dolphins is still hanging over his head (and will continue to do so until it becomes clear what Trent Green's destination is), this nevertheless marks a significant progression in having him get back to full health in time for training camp. During the practices, Culpepper worked as the third-string QB.

* First Team Offense
QB Cleo Lemon RB Ronnie Brown FB Cory Schlesinger
WR Chris Chambers WR Marty Booker TE David Martin
LT Vernon Carey LG Chris Liwienski C Johnathan Ingram RG Rex Hadnot RT L.J. Shelton
(WR Az-Zahir Hakim worked as the third receiver)

Second Team Offense
QB Gibran Hamdan RB Jesse Chatman FB Kyle Eckel
WR Derek Hagan WR Kelly Campbell TE Justin Peelle/TE Tim Massaquoi
LT Julius Wilson LG Drew Mormino C Samson Satele RG Tala Esera RT Mike Rosenthal

First Team Defense
DE Jason Taylor NT Paul Soliai DE Rodrique Wright
SLB Joey Porter MLB Zach Thomas WLB Channing Crowder
CB Travis Daniels S Renaldo Hill S Yeremiah Bell CB Jason Allen
(CB Michael Lehan and S David Lofton also saw reps with the first team)

Source: Palm Beach Post

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

CB signed; NFL Europa update

The Dolphins were awarded CB Derrick Johnson off of waivers from the Atlanta Falcons. Johnson (5'10", 186 lbs.) was a sixth-round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2005. He had a relatively productive rookie season, playing in 14 games and starting 5. That year, he recorded 36 tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery, and 7 passes defensed. He returned the fumble recovery for a touchdown. The 49ers waived him before the beginning of the 2006 season. He then was picked up by the Houston Texans, where he played in 3 games and recorded one tackle. Later that season, he was picked up by the Atlanta Falcons. In Atlanta, he appeared in two games, but did not register any stats. Johnson spent the final five games of last season on IR after breaking his arm. He played in a reserve/special teams role for Houston and Atlanta.

After a productive rookie season from a sixth-round draft pick, it's curious as to why he was waived by the 49ers before his second season. In the wake of Andre' Goodman's shoulder surgery, this signing provides the secondary with some additional depth in case Goodman isn't ready to go by training camp. Johnson might even be able to win a spot on the roster as a backup and special-teams player.

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Here's an update on how our four NFL Europa players are doing:

* DT Steve Fifita, Frankfurt
Played in 5 games, started 1
10 tackles, 1 sack

* DB Shirdonya Mitchell, Frankfurt
Started all 5 games
14 tackles, 7 passes defensed, 1 INT returned 81 yards for a TD

* WR P.K. Sam, Rhein
Played in 5 games, started 4
leads team with 15 catches for 274 yards
named Offensive Player of the Week

* DT Kevin Vickerson, Cologne
Started all 5 games
15 tackles, 1.5 sacks

Monday, May 14, 2007

Goodman has surgery again

On Friday, CB Andre' Goodman had surgery on his left shoulder and is out indefinitely. He first sustained an injury to that shoulder which required surgery in a game against the Jets on Christmas. He then went on IR and had surgery on January 18. He reinjured the shoulder during a minicamp session on May 4.

Initial estimates have him regaining full health right around the start of training camp in July at the earliest. However, it's very possible that he is sidelined longer. Travis Daniels will move into a starting role opposite Will Allen, and Jason Allen will likely assume the nickelback role, providing he can beat out Michael Lehan and Shirdonya Mitchell. Daniels is a quality CB and he has the ability to start, but losing Goodman is a significant blow to the secondary depth. He played very well last year in a starting role, and although Jason Allen has great potential, he is still unproven and it's yet to be seen whether he can play nickelback. In my opinion, he will be able to succeed there, but it's never good when the weakest aspect of the defense loses one of its most consistent players.

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LB Joey Porter's hearing for a misdemeanor battery charge has been postponed to May 30.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Get Off Your High Horses


Well, here's the news that I'm sure you all already know:

RB Ricky Williams reportedly failed a drug test in April. The banned substance detected was marijuana. This test marks the fifth time that Williams has violated the NFL's drug policy. He had been in the process of seeking reinstatement from Commissioner Roger Goodell, but he will now have to wait until September to try and regain entry into the league. Since this violation occurred while Williams is suspended, it is considered part of the rehabilitation process and thus does not carry a suspension with it. However, Ricky's psychologist will suggest that Goodell postpone the application for reinstatement until September.

Here's what I think:

For starters, Ricky Williams will most likely never play for Miami again, even if he is eventually reinstated. Furthermore, I would be surprised if he ever took the field for any team after this latest incident. And that is unfortunate.

What's more unfortunate is the reaction from both fans and media that have surfaced in the wake of this report. Of course, all the hate and malice directed at Ricky was to be expected. It's what I've heard spewed about him from his very first suspension. Most of these tirades and complaints included some form of labeling Ricky a "pot-head", a "coward", a "quitter", or a "moron."

To those people who are criticizing Ricky: Get the hell off of your high horses.

What right do you think you have to rip Ricky to pieces? Are you so callous and unsympathetic that you can find justification and pleasure in doing that?

Trust me, I don't condone the use of marijuana, and there should be no excuses made for breaking the clearly stated rules of the NFL. But that's not what this is about. There is always such bitter controversy surrounding Ricky because of the feelings people have toward the game of football and the entitlement they think their role as a fan gives them. After being suspended, countless fans claimed that Ricky had in some way let them down. They yelled that he was selfish for retiring. I still remember the day that Ricky retired. I had just come home from work and flipped on ESPN only to see nonstop coverage of the breaking news. I was shocked and dismayed, but I never thought that he was being selfish. Even though football is such a huge part of our lives as fans, it's just entertainment. Sure, these guys are getting paid millions to play a game (albeit an incredibly violent one), and I can attest that that very game infuses itself into our lives and becomes such a huge passion and source of joy. But these players are more than the game they play. A guy like Ricky happens to be much more. For him, football wasn't a great passion. That's hard to understand for us die-hard fans. Those people who criticize Ricky can't accept the fact that football simply doesn't mean nearly as much to him as it does to them. And my question is: Why is that wrong? Why is that a good reason to crucify him? My answer: It's not.

Ricky may have had some of the greatest, most spectacular skills of any running-back that the NFL has ever seen. For that reason, is he supposed to feel some sort of obligation to work at a job that he has little desire to perform? Let's say you were the greatest accountant around. Would you feel the need to work in an accounting office even if you felt alone, isolated, and out of place while there? Probably not. Why is Ricky being held to a different standard? It's because as a society we place so much importance on the money and fame that comes with being a star NFL player. To go against the grain and willingly choose to be an outsider is considered preposterous. It's so easy to denounce Ricky for choosing something so alternative like yoga as a preferred life profession rather than raking in millions for getting his body abused and beaten on a weekly basis.

Don't we always tell our children to do what makes them happy? That's what Ricky was doing, and he seemed to be happy and at peace as the yoga instructor in California - a huge departure from his days of giving interviews in the NFL while wearing a helmet or stalking the sidelines quiet and alone. Ricky was clinically diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, and while that should not excuse him from resorting to marijuana, it should elicit some human compassion and understanding from everyone. Not every player can be as cool and collected as Jason Taylor in the face of the blinding spotlight that you step into as a member of the NFL. To me, that very idea of being so scrutinized all the time is daunting indeed. Now imagine what that experience would be like if you suffered from social anxiety. How cruel do you have to be to see the anguish that playing football causes a person and still demand that they show up and perform?

Ricky Williams doesn't owe any one of us a damn thing. Hell, I think more than a few "fans" owe him an apology for viciously tearing him apart. I respect Ricky's decision to not embrace football. That's a personal decision, and it seems like it has made him a happier person. I respect the fact that he doesn't derive self-worth from money and fame. I hate the fact that he's called selfish and moronic for making those decisions. We think of the NFL as an idealized fantasy because as outside observers it provides us with something meaningful and enjoyable to spend our energy on. Football is an escape for us. It's not an escape for Ricky. For him, football is a constant reminder that he's different from everyone around him.

He wasn't being selfish when he retired and he wouldn't be selfish if he never comes back. Playing in the NFL is his choice. The pleasure that we derive from watching him play football should have no impact on whether he continues to play or not. Ricky's critics are the ones being selfish and moronic. Stop for one second and forget about Ricky Williams, the star running-back, and think about Ricky Williams the human being. If you can do that, you should be able to see why it's so wrong to vilify him.

I will always be a fan of Ricky Williams - both as a football player and as a person. Most people won't feel the need to think of him as anything more than a padded workhorse, and those people will continue to hate him for "what he owes them." Ricky, you don't have to carry our baggage. Do what makes you happy.

That deserves nothing but respect.

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Reader Question: Willis over Ginn?

A reader submitted a question yesterday that I would like to answer. (As a note, if you have any questions that you would like answered, leave them in a post after an article or send me an email at samlef@hotmail.com).

Q: How do you counter the argument that Miami reached for Ginn at #9 when they could have gotten more talent and production from LB Patrick Willis?

A: This is a difficult question to answer because in reality there isn't much of a difference in the level of talent between the two players. It's also very hard to compare a WR to a LB. I would have been very happy with Willis at #9. I don't think that he would have been a reach there. I have said that I think Ginn was a slight reach, but with the Texans poised to take him at #10, Miami made it clear that they valued Ginn higher than most of us did.

As for production, Mueller was looking for someone who could step in and contribute immediately. While Ginn may not be a star WR right away, he will be a star return man from the get-go. Willis on the other hand would have been relegated to being the primary backup LB, spending most of his time on the bench. He obviously has tremendous potential (as does Ginn), but it's unrealistic to think that he would have seen significant playing time with the current lineup of Channing Crowder, Zach Thomas, and Joey Porter. Crowder is the heir apparent for the MLB position once Thomas decides to hang up his cleats, and MLB is what Willis is best suited for in the NFL.

It's always best to draft for value, but when two players like Ginn and Willis are so close in terms of value, the ability to fill a need becomes the deciding factor. Willis was hardly a need for a stacked defense with a star MLB (Thomas) and a rising stud who is the team's future at MLB (Crowder). Our offense, on the other hand, was deficient in almost all aspects. One of its glaring weaknesses was a lack of speed and big-play-ability. Ginn addresses that need as well as the need for a return man.

So, would I have been upset by the selection of Willis? Certainly not. In fact, if made in a vacuum without considering the makeup of the team, Willis probably would have been the better pick. But, the needs that Ginn fills more than make up for whatever small amount of value that Miami sacrificed by reaching for Ginn.

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

2007 Dolphins Draft Analysis

I have held off on analyzing the Dolphins' draft up to this point because I wanted to make sure that I wasn't basing my opinions on the hype of draft weekend and the quick and often poorly qualified judgments that are spread like wildfire in the immediate aftermath. Now that we know a little more about the selections and having seen them very briefly in this past weekend's minicamp, let's take a look at how well the Dolphins performed in the draft this year. (Disclaimer: I realize that most of this is purely speculative and the true grade of a draft cannot be told until several years have passed, but at least we can establish some guidelines for expectations.)

Round 1 (9) - WR Ted Ginn, Ohio State
I know that a great majority of Dolphins fans were upset and shocked by this pick. Admittedly, I was too at the time. However, I wrote an extensive commentary detailing why I think that collective anger was and is misplaced. So, having already established my position on the passing of Brady Quinn, let's look to the guy who is now a Miami Dolphin - Ted Ginn.

To start off, I think a bit too much emphasis is being placed on Ginn's foot injury. By all accounts he will be ready to participate in training camp. If the injury is still lingering around into August then it may be cause for concern, but not now. As far as what he brings to the table as a player, I think that can be summed up in one word - electricity. If the Miami offense has needed an injection of anything lately, it's certainly been some electricity. On most days, Ginn will be far and away the fastest player on the field, which will demand a defense's attention. His strength is going to be stretching the field on vertical pass plays. As he adjusts to being an NFL receiver, Ginn will be able to contribute immediately as a premier return man. His blazing speed renders initial pursuit-angles futile. As far as his weaknesses, he is very hesitant to run crossing routes over the middle of the field, and he has struggled to beat strong press coverage on the line. Also, while he excels on deep vertical routes, he is going to need to improve the rest of his route-running. I'm not so much concerned with his inability to catch over the middle since other guys like Marty Booker and Derek Hagan are more suited to those routes anyway, but I am worried about his ability to break away from a cornerback jamming him on the line. If he can't get good separation at the beginning of his route, his speed will be effectively neutralized.

Expectations: I'm really excited by this pick. I expect Ginn to immediately make the Dolphins return game a true weapon. As a receiver, he'll have his struggles like every rookie receiver does. I'm not projecting him to be a star right away, but his presence alone will help to open this offense up, freeing up guys like Chris Chambers and Marty Booker from constant double-teams. Given a couple years to refine his receiving skills, Ginn has the potential to be as big of a threat for the offense as he will be in the return-game.

Round 2 (40) QB John Beck, B.Y.U.
Beck is the guy that Cameron has put his faith into as the future starter for Miami. Cameron knows QBs so I trust his judgment. The most impressive thing about Beck is his intelligence - he's a true student of the game. If he struggles, it will not be because he hasn't prepared. The next thing that impresses me about Beck is his accuracy and poise in the pocket. He completed 69.3% of his passes last season and if he can translate that into a completion percentage in the mid-60% in the NFL, he will definitely be successful. Some people have knocked Beck's arm strength, which is a criticism I just don't understand. Sure, he doesn't have the arm of Michael Vick, but he's more than adequate. He is slightly shorter (6'2") than most passers which may lead to some passes being knocked down at the line.

Expectations: I don't expect Beck to start right away or at all this season. In fact, I think it would serve him better if he could spend a year on the bench being groomed by Trent Green. Granted, he will be 26 at the start of the season, so I don't think it will take him as long as other less mature rookies to adjust to the NFL. That could lead to him being inserted as the starter as the season progresses. There is certainly the possibility that he will fail at the NFL level, but I think it's much more likely that he eventually turns into an efficient and productive QB in Miami.

Round 2 (60) - C Samson Satele, Hawaii
Miami finally addressed its offensive line needs with this pick. Satele has experience at all the line positions, but he'll most likely play guard for Miami, unless Rex Hadnot is moved from center. He started 53 games for Hawaii, so he's definitely mature and durable. The strongest aspect of Satele's game is his pass-blocking. In Hawaii's offense that is what he was asked to do on a vast majority of plays. Because of this, his run-blocking is going to need a lot of work. He also struggles when blocking on the move, which may hamper his effectiveness at the second level. However, if he can concentrate on manning a single position, his good technique should go a long way in helping him to succeed. He has the aggressiveness and toughness that Miami's OL unit sorely needs more of.

Expectations: Satele has a good chance to crack the starting lineup at the beginning of the season, most likely as the LG. However, it's unclear whether the team will stick with Rex Hadnot at center. If not, Satele could assume that role. If he doesn't start right away, I don't think it will be long before he does.

Round 3 (71) - RB Lorenzo Booker, Florida State
Rounding out Day 1, Miami chose its fourth offensive player. Booker is going to be a really interesting player to watch on offense since he is much more than just a RB. He can line up as a slot receiver, an outside receiver, catch passes out of the backfield, stay in as a blocker, catch screen passes, and return kicks. He's a swiss-army knife on the offensive side of the ball and the ability to move him around before the snap is going to confuse many defenses. He presents the opportunities for some great mismatches. As a RB, he's probably best suited as a change-of-pace type runner, and he perfectly complements Ronnie Brown's all-around ability with a quick burst of speed. He's a slasher and he excels in the open field, but he can't break tackles. That's why he'll be spread around so much to try and get him open. I really hope that his selection does not spell the end of Ricky Williams. Ricky is a perfect backup to Ronnie Brown who can share a significant portion of the carries. Booker is a smallish back who is better suited to being a role-player, at least at first.

Expectations: Booker is going to add another burst of speed to Miami's offense. Whether it's being used on a toss-sweep or lining up as a slot receiver, Cameron has a bevy of ways to utilize his abilities. Hopefully Ricky Williams is welcomed back as the backup RB, which would allow Booker to ease into the NFL and really excel as a jack of all trades for the offense. He will make an impact in some way for this offense as a rookie.

Round 4 (108) - DT Paul Soliai, Utah
Weighing in at 345 pounds, Soliai is one big dude. I really think that Miami got great value at this spot. He's not going to record a bunch of sacks, but he has a great chance of becoming a fine NT in the mold of Keith Traylor. He has the ability to clog running lanes and he can easily take on two blockers. He's not a pass-rushing threat, but he wasn't brought in to be one. He clogs up the middle of the field, pure and simple.

Expectations: This was one of my favorite picks in the draft. Miami got such great value here in the fourth round. As a rookie, Soliai will most likely be part of a rotation as he polishes his skills, but with Traylor's injury history and age, it's very likely that he will be pressed into action later in the season. After Traylor is gone, look for Soliai to step right in and fill the NT position more than adequately.

Round 6 (181) - FB Reagan Mauia, Hawaii
The second player from Hawaii, and third Samoan drafted by Miami, Mauia is a bruising FB. Once a NT, he is a big-bodied battering ram who has the potential to be a powerful run-blocker. He also has decent hands out of the backfield. He's raw and will benefit from being tutored by Corey Schlesinger.

Expectations: I wouldn't be surprised if Mauia lands on the practice squad this year while he refines his blocking skills and learns from Schlesinger. By the time Schlesinger is gone though, Mauia should be ready to come in and be a solid blocker for Ronnie Brown.

Round 6 (199) - C Drew Mormino, Central Michigan
A four-year starter, Mormino can play both G and C. He's very tough and he plays with good leverage, but he's smaller than most (300 lbs.) and lacks great power. While he is good at the point of attack, he has problems getting to the second level effectively.

Expectations: Mormino will probably make the team as a back-up who has the versatility to play both guard spots and center.

Round 7 (219) - LB Kelvin Smith, Syracuse
Although Smith played ILB in college, he'll most likely be used at OLB in Miami. He tackles well and can rush the passer with some success, but he doesn't have much of a burst and probably isn't a big playmaker. He will have trouble in pass coverage as well.

Expectations: Despite Smith's weaknesses, he will be able to make an impact on special teams for Miami. With his versatility at LB, he'll make for a good backup. He has a lot of experience coming out of college and that will help him transition.

Round 7 (225) - P Brandon Fields, Michigan State
I'm not a big fan of drafting a punter, but with three seventh-round picks, Miami was able to get the one they wanted. This guy is huge for a punter and he can certainly boom the ball with his strong leg. He also has experience kicking off, should the need ever arise. The biggest concern is his inconsistency. He has trouble angling punts out of bounds and he will probably shank one every now and then. Another big problem is that he holds onto the ball too long and is a big risk to have his punt blocked. Luckily, the problems he has can be corrected with some good coaching.

Expectations: Since Miami spent a draft pick on Fields, I'm pretty sure that he will be the punter for this team. His immensely powerful leg is a treat, but he will have to get better at directional kicks, as well as becoming more consistent. It will probably take a while to see significant changes take place in his game, so he might struggle this season. Down the line, I think he'll make a solid if unspectacular punter.

Round 7 (238) - DE Abraham Wright, Colorado
Wright is a smallish, tweener-type player who might play DE or OLB. His small size makes him poor against stopping the run, but he is an above-average pass-rusher. He didn't play much special-teams in college, so it's yet to be seen whether he'll be able to make an impact there for Miami.

Expectations: His versatility is a plus, but Wright may find himself bouncing between the practice squad and the roster until he matures and polishes some skills. Hopefully he shows that he can play special-teams. In the future, I could see him filling the role of David Bowens as a pass-rush specialist.

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Overall, I think this was a fantastic draft for Miami. They didn't really reach in any spot with the exception perhaps of Ginn at #9 and Mauia in the sixth-round. It's hard to call a sixth-round pick a reach though. It's also rumored that Houston was prepared to take Ginn at #10, so Miami chose wisely by taking their man. Without reaching or trading away picks, Miami was able to address most of their glaring needs including QB and OL. They also added guys who can make an immediate impact (Ginn, Booker, Fields) and developmental guys who can start off playing special-teams. Hopefully this draft will look as good or better in a couple years than I think it does now.

Monday, May 7, 2007

Weekend Minicamp Wrap-up

Here's the most important/interesting things to come out of the Saturday/Sunday minicamps:

* Everyone was at the camp except for DT Dan Wilkinson and CB Andre' Goodman (shoulder). It looks like Goodman did indeed re-aggravate the same shoulder which forced him to shut it down early last season. He was a pleasant surprise as a starter last season and his injury could prove costly to a shaky secondary. The severity of the injury is not yet known. TE David Martin (flu) returned to practice, but FB Kyle Eckel (flu) missed Sunday's camp due to similar symptoms. OL Joe Toledo (foot) also missed Sunday's camp after feeling soreness in the same foot that he fractured at the end of last season. DT Keith Traylor (knee), T Anthony Alabi (ankle), WR Ted Ginn (foot), and QB Daunte Culpepper (knee) all rode stationary bikes. Culpepper was also able to do some sprinting and take some snaps from center. WR Kelly Campbell looked recovered from the lower leg injury he had sustained.

* First Team Offense
QB Cleo Lemon RB Ronnie Brown FB Cory Schlesinger
WR Chris Chambers WR Marty Booker TE Justine Peele
LT Vernon Carey LG Chris Liwienski C Rex Hadnot RG Dan Stevenson RT L.J. Shelton
(Rex Hadnot also saw time as the first-team RG and Johnathan Ingram took over at C)

Second Team Offense
QB John Beck/QB Gibran Hamdan
LT Joe Toledo LG Samson Satele C Johnathan Ingram RG Tala Esera RT Mike Rosenthal
(Mike Rosenthal also saw time at LT; Drew Mormino played C; Julius Wilson played RT)

* QB John Beck looked more comfortable and showed good mechanics although he obviously still has to learn all the routes and receivers better. Cam Cameron raved about QB Cleo Lemon's practice on Saturday.

* CB Jason Allen took over Goodman's role as the nickel-back and showed good closing speed and coverage skills.

* DT Rodrique Wright and DT Fred Evans were impressive as was DE Matt Roth.

* P Brandon Fields was inconsistent, mishitting several punts before tweaking his mechanics. DE Jason Taylor did some work at long-snapper, and he will serve as the team's emergency LS in case John Denney suffers an injury during a game. K Jay Feely missed one 43-yard field goal but nailed everything else.

Sources: Palm Beach Post

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The Dolphins have contacted the New York Jets about a possible trade for G Pete Kendall. The Jets are wary to make a deal with a division rival. Kendall would probably be an upgrade for the line, but he is 33 years old and not worth trading for in my opinion. It would be wiser for the team to wait for the Jets to release him as it seems they will.

Friday, May 4, 2007

Friday Minicamp Updates

The Sun-Sentinel and Palm Beach Post have released some nice minicamp reports. Here's the most important info from them:

* Every player was at the camp except for DT Dan Wilkinson and TE David Martin (flu). As expected QB Daunte Culpepper, DT Keith Traylor, OT Anthony Alabi, and WR Ted Ginn spent most of their time riding the stationary bikes on the sideline. Even if Ginn is healthy by the next minicamp (June 8-10), Ohio State will not have had its graduation yet so he will not be able to participate.

* Here's the line-ups:

First Team Offense
QB Cleo Lemon FB Cory Schlesinger RB Ronnie Brown
TE Justin Peele WR Chris Chambers WR Marty Booker
LT Vernon Carey LG Chris Liwienski C Rex Hadnot RG Dan Stevenson RT L.J. Shelton

Second Team Offensive Line
LT Joe Toledo LG Samson Satele C Johnathan Ingram RG Tala Esera RT Mike Rosenthal

First Team Defense
DE Jason Taylor DT Vonnie Holliday DT Fred Evans DE Matt Roth
SLB Joey Porter MLB Zach Thomas WLB Channing Crowder
CB Will Allen FS Renaldo Hill SS Yeremiah Bell CB Travis Daniels

Second Team Defense
DE Chase Page DT Paul Soliai DT Rodrique Wright DE Akbar Gbaja-Biamila
LB Robert McCune LB Donnie Spragan LB Derrick Pope
CB Jason Allen S Travares Tillman S Cameron Worrell CB Michael Lehan

* QB John Beck, working with the third-string offense, showed a strong arm but had trouble with the quickness of the defense and he also let the clock run out twice. He did display quick feet.

* RB Ronnie Brown said that he is about 8 pounds overweight. FB Reagan Mauia displayed some good hands out of the backfield. RB Lorenzo Booker showed just how fast he is. Booker also joined WRs Kelly Campbell, Derek Hagan, Chris Chambers, and Az-Zahir Hakim in returning punts. Ted Ginn looked on from the sideline while special teams coach Keith Armstrong coached him about the position that he will undoubtedly be manning.

* WR Derek Hagan looked particularly impressive, making all his catches.

* P Brandon Fields is showing the same kind of strong leg that Donnie Jones had.

* Injuries - WR Kelly Campbell went down with a lower leg injury but quickly returned to the field. However, after returning, he was limping. This guy just cannot stay healthy and I don't see how he makes the team. CB Andre' Goodman also had to leave the field. It's uncertain what injury he sustained but it could have to do with his surgically-repaired shoulder.

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QB Daunte Culpepper said during today's minicamp that he expects to be able to participate in the June minicamp and that by training camp in July his knee will be 100% healed. Reports from today's camp say that he looked much healthier than during the April camp and that he doesn't walk or run with nearly the same limp. He said that there is no swelling in his knee.

Although it seems inevitable that Trent Green will be coming to Miami, I still don't think the team should release Daunte. This was very encouraging news, and if true I think he would make a much better starting QB for the Dolphins in 2007 than Green. However, with Cleo Lemon and John Beck also on the roster I can't see how he will stick with the team, but it makes no sense to get rid of him at this point. I fear that Miami will have undergone his entire rehabilitation process only to let him go and watch him catch on with someone else and succeed.

Updated college free agent signings

Here is an updated list of the college free agents signed by the team:

* G Tala Esera, Hawaii
* G Stephen Parker, Arkansas
* T Julius Wilson, U.A.B.
* T Marion Dukes, Clemson
* WR Gabe Hatchett, Oregon State
* WR Kerry Reed, Michigan State
* WR David Sutton, Texas-El Paso
* DT Marquay Love, Houston
* DE Mkristo Bruce, Washington State
* LB Edmond Miles, Iowa
* CB Tuff Harris, Montana
* CB Geoffrey Pope, Howard
* S Courtney Bryan, New Mexico State
* S Chris Vedder, San Jose State

In addition to the above 14 players who were signed, there are 5 college free agents who have received a tryout for this weekend's minicamp. They are:

* WR Michael Malone, Sam Houston State
* WR Charles Futrell, North Carolina Central
* S David Lofton, Stanford
* LS Jake Weber, Illinois State
* P Cameron Muro, Hampton

Source: Sun-Sentinel

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Manny Wright and Marcus Vick waived; College free agents signed

LB Bobby Iwuchukwu, WR Marcus Vick, and DT Manny Wright were waived today. I can't say that I'm surprised. I hoped Manny would have gotten his act together and turned his potential into results, but a guy can only get so many chances before ties need to be cut. I'm all for giving players a second chance to prove themselves, and Manny got his. The only problem is that he wasted that chance by showing up to the first minicamp significantly overweight. With the addition of DT Paul Soliai in the draft and promising youngsters Fred Evans and Rodrique Wright, there simply wasn't enough room for an underachieving and troubled player like Manny.

As for Vick, he did a commendable job of staying out of trouble while in Miami, but he never showed the speed or route-running ability necessary to succeed at WR. The addition of Ted Ginn as a return man made Vick even more expendable.

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As is usual, the team signed a handful of undrafted college free agents. They are:
* G Tala Esera, Hawaii
* G Stephen Parker, Arkansas
* T Julius Wilson, U.A.B.
* LB Edmond Miles, Iowa
* CB Tuff Harris, Montana
* DE Mkristo Bruce, Washington State
* CB Geoffrey Pope, Howard
* WR Gabe Hatchett, Southern Oregon
* WR Michael Malone, Sam Houston State
* T Marion Dukes, Clemson
* DT Marquay Love, Houston

Syracuse CB Terrell Lemon was given a tryout offer for this weekend's minicamp.

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* DT Keith Traylor (ankle) and T Anthony Alabi (knee) recently had arthroscopic surgery to clear out debris and will miss this weekend's minicamp.

* During the minicamp, Cam Cameron will move Vernon Carey to LT and L.J. Shelton to RT. Chris Liwienski and Joe Toledo will see time at RG, and I would assume Rex Hadnot will remain at center while Samson Satele and Drew Mormino see time at LG.

I liked the idea of keeping Carey at RT, but with Alabi sidelined, it makes sense to see whether Carey can finally man the left side. If he can, that will clear up a lot of questions.