With the owner’s meeting taking place in Orlando over the last few days, there has been a lot of football talk lately but not much happening, and when it comes to the Dolphins, the front office has proven that not much of what they said should be taken too seriously, as more than once this season they have said one thing one week and turned around and done the opposite the next (remember Stephen Ross saying he expected Gibril Wilson to be great next season and the team cutting him a week later?).
This morning, Tony Sparano spoke after the AFC coaches’ breakfast and the one thing he made clear was that there would not be a QB controversy in Miami; Henne is our starter and Pennington is our #3 and they both know that. Although he didn’t mention who is expected to be #2 or #4, I think it’d be fair to assume that Thigpen is our #2 and White is our #4 considering he did acknowledge that Thigpen can do a lot of the same things athletically that White can, thus making him a wildcat candidate if that’s still in their plans as I expect it to be.
Sparano was also asked among other things about Jason Taylor’s future with the Dolphins’ and he said he would not comment, he also said he enjoyed having him on the team and coaching him. A lot of people out there are assuming that because he spoke of Taylor in the past tense the Dolphins are not interested in Taylor at all; I personally think that his refusal to comment is more meaningful. If there is one thing this team has not wasted any time doing this season is getting rid of the people they don’t want and I feel if they weren’t interested the team would’ve been made clear by now. I think Taylor wants to play for the Dolphins and I think the Dolphins need Taylor, so I don’t think that’s the issue, the issue is, in my opinion, whether or not they can reach an agreement that would make both parties happy, and that’s probably still being debated, which is why no decision has been made.
Regarding free agency, Sparano said that the team is interested in looking at older players who are available this year, as opposed to the young talent they usually go after. This has people excited about the rumor that has been going around about the team being in talks with Darren Sharper as was first reported in rotoworld.com. Sharper would be a good veteran to bring in to fill what is definitely one of the most pressing needs for the team this season, and would be a good mentor to Chris Clemons so I hope that these rumors are founded.
Sparano was also questioned about the team’s decision to ban Justin Smiley from conditioning, and although he did state that his history of injuries had to do with the decision, there were also other factors that were taken into consideration. When it comes to the Smiley situation, I’d like to think that a trade had been worked out prior to this decision being made although that doesn’t seem to be the case. There is something about the way the situation is being handled that doesn’t seem right to me, especially from the business side of things; wouldn’t this move decrease his trade value? This is just something that doesn’t seem to fit in with the way Parcells handles business, so I think there is more going on with this issue than what we know thus far, but only time will tell.
As far as fans calling for the team to bring in Brandon Marshall or even Terrell Owens, Sparano said neither of these guys fits in with their scheme. So I see TO not being the ideal WR, but Brandon Marshall, one of the top 5 WR in the NFL doesn’t fit in? It just doesn’t make any sense to me. I like Dez Bryant, I think if he’s available at 12 we should draft him if we’re not picking up a WR in free agency, but when you consider that #12 pick could also buy you Brandon Marshall, I just don’t understand the thought process. This team has not one, but two quarterbacks with a great arm that they can exploit (bleacherreport.com ranked the all 32 teams in the NFL by their QB and backup QB and had us tied at 5), but no wide receiver to target or open up the field so that the other receivers that we have, that are also great can be even better. Considering the NFL has turned into a passing league, I think this is a deal we are going to wish we made.
In some other news that I didn’t get to cover, I am happy to say that we have chosen to resign all three exclusive rights free agents. WR Davone Bess, TE Joey Haynos and K Dan Carpenter, have all signed one year contracts, I couldn’t get the exact amounts on their contracts but because they were exclusive free agents it is expected their compensation would be comparable to that of their previous contracts.
I am also very pleased with the Richie Incognito signing, sure he was voted dirtiest player in the game in a survey last year, but I think his attitude is something that the team will be able to handle. I also believe that he will help improve Jake Long's game even more. Incognito is aggressive and I believe he will bring leadership and help the offense push a little harder and a little stronger and that's always an advantage.
Finally, Jets’ owner, Casey Johnson, has said that he would like to play the Patriots or the Dolphins in this year’s Monday Night season opener and I for one would love to get the chance to be the first team to beat them. Not only will it be a great start to the season for us Dolphins’ but it will also save us from having to hear those obnoxious Jets fans going on and on for weeks about how they made it to the Championship game… I see another sweep in our future!