September

Sept. 4, 2008   

Dolphins' Bell next in line for extension

The Dolphins were busy this offseason, bringing aboard a host of players they see as cornerstones for the future. Now, with just days before the regular season kicks off, they’re already in “extension” mode. The team extended RB Ricky Williams by one year a few days ago, and we hear they’re now in the process of getting SS Yeremiah Bell a lengthier deal. Bell signed a one-year deal during free agency, but team officials view him as a potential Pro Bowl player and want to lock him into a longer-term contract. The irony is that Bell and Williams have been anything but reliable players throughout their respective careers. Williams’ drug use has been well chronicled, and Bell missed almost all of last year with a torn Achilles tendon. Word out of South Florida is that LB Channing Crowder could be next in line to receive a deal, although that’s merely speculation at this point.

August

Aug. 29, 2008   

Roth's new OLB position a boon for sack-starved Dolphins

Dolphins DE Matt Roth has been a disappointment since being selected in the second round of the 2005 draft. He has collected just 7½ sacks and has started just nine games in his three NFL seasons. But in the 3-4 system that the new coaching staff has instituted in Miami, Roth has been switched to outside linebacker, which the Dolphins hope will maximize Roth's talent and aid a team which notched just 30 sacks a season ago. Although the drafting of DEs Kendall Langford and Phillip Merling also played a part in moving Roth from a DE spot, the thought was that Roth's pass-rushing proficiency would be put to better use if he's used as a situational pass rusher on the outside, not grinding it out on an every-down basis in the trenches. At 275 pounds, he lacks the requisite bulk to mix it up as a 3-4 end.

Aug. 21, 2008   

Dolphins' new No. 1 RB Williams 'clearly best player on team'

Ricky Williams

Don’t read much into the comments by ESPN’s Chris Mortensen on “Monday Night Countdown” that the Dolphins could be looking to trade RB Ronnie Brown. The way we hear it, it was purely speculation, and coach Tony Sparano was adamant at his Aug. 20 press conference that he will not do such a thing. Even if they were unhappy with Brown, whose preseason numbers have certainly been uninspiring in his first action since tearing his ACL in Week Seven last season, his trade value couldn’t be any lower than it is right now. However, what we do hear is that the roles of Brown and Ricky Williams have changed, at least temporarily. Initially, it was believed that Williams was going to be the complement to Brown as soon as Brown was fully healthy. Now, it appears that Brown will play the role of reliever to Williams, regardless of his knee health. The coaches have been so thoroughly impressed with Williams — one team source called him “clearly the best player on the team” — that only slippage on his part will revert the RB hierarchy to Brown being on top. Williams is set to become a free agent after the season, so expect the club to lock him up before he hits the market if he continues performing in such a fashion.

Aug. 15, 2008   

Chads hanging well in Miami

The Dolphins’ QB situation is crystallizing more every day. Word out of Miami is that it’s pretty clear that the coaches are intent on starting Chad Pennington this season and that rookie Chad Henne is being groomed as the quarterback of the future. Pennington and Henne are getting the bulk of the reps in training camp, and the coaches clearly have lost faith in second-year man John Beck. We also hear that although they believed that Pennington was a better option for ’08 than anyone else, the guidance they believe he’ll provide for Henne was also a contributing factor in his acquisition. Pennington is viewed as one of the more cerebral quarterbacks in the league, as well as being an outstanding communicator. What bears monitoring throughout the season is how well Henne develops. Although Pennington inked a two-year deal, Henne could conceivably grab the reins as early as next season if the coaches believe he has made the necessary progress.

Aug. 9, 2008   

Pennington's arrival in Miami bad news for Beck

Just as Brett Favre’s arrival in New York spelled the end of Chad Pennington’s tenure in the Big Apple, Pennington’s recent signing with the Dolphins is likely to end second-year QB John Beck’s brief stay in Miami. “They’re going to give John two more weeks to show what he can do, but if he continues his awful play, he’s out of here,” a team insider told PFW. “He’s been terrible throughout camp, and there’s no way four quarterbacks are going to make the final roster. He’s not one of (executive VP of football operations Bill) Parcells’ guys, and they have no loyalty to him.” In addition to Pennington and Beck, the Dolphins also have free-agent acquisition Josh McCown and rookie Chad Henne at the position. While Pennington is all but guaranteed the starting job, the reported two-year, $11.5 million contract he signed is anything but guaranteed. According to the insider, those figures are significantly inflated, meaning he’ll approach the $11.5 million only if he meets a multitude of performance-based escalators.

July

July 30, 2008   

McCown widening gap in race to become Dolphins' starting QB

Word out of Miami is that Josh McCown has taken a considerable lead in the race to become the Dolphins’ starting quarterback. Sources close to the club say he has impressed coach Tony Sparano with the ease with which he’s picked up the nuances of the offensive system, which they credit to McCown’s experience playing in many different systems. “He has this air of confidence to him,” one source told PFW. “He’s just this relaxed, happy kid who feels comfortable with where he’s at.” Additionally, he’s been terrific throwing on the run, specifically on rollouts, which the Fins are expecting to utilize often. John Beck’s disastrous start to camp has also aided McCown. Terrific in terms of his work ethic and participation in the offseason program, Beck has been unable to transfer that to camp. He lacks velocity on his throws and, unlike McCown, has been unable to hit anyone when he’s on the move.

July 19, 2008   

Sparano won't be overextending his authority

New Dolphins coach Tony Sparano has a definitive plan for the way his team will be run and organized. But that doesn’t mean he’s going to be stepping on the toes of his assistants when it comes to the X’s and O’s. According to a source close to the club, Sparano isn’t going to be meddling in either the offensive play-calling of coordinator Dan Henning or the defensive play-calling of coordinator Paul Pasqualoni. The defense, in fact, will be almost co-coordinated by assistant head coach/secondary Todd Bowles, whom some see as the defensive coordinator-in-waiting. The one area where Sparano will be asserting a good deal of his authority is on the offensive line. While trying to oversee but not interfere with the operation of the entire team, the former OL coach has admitted that he naturally gravitates toward the big guys in the trenches.

July 12, 2008   

Dolphins counting on tight ends to pave the way

When the Dolphins hired former Cowboys offensive line coach Tony Sparano as head coach, it was understood that the offense was going to take on a run-first, grind-it-out-on-the-ground persona. But with pressing issues along the offensive line — specifically, at guard — our sources in Miami tell us that the team is going to rely on twin-TE alignments. In fact, one source we talked to said that two tight ends might end up being the default offensive formation. The new front office and coaching staff made targeting tight ends a key this offseason, and newcomers Anthony Fasano and Sean Ryan are two additions to a deep TE corps — joining holdovers David Martin and Justin Peelle — that will be asked to be blockers first, receivers second.

June

June 25, 2008   

Dolphins looking to shake up WR personnel

The Dolphins need a receiver. Or two. The way we hear it, there’s little chance the team will go into the season sporting the meager WR corps it currently has. Not only does this mean the Dolphins are going to add a pass catcher or two, but also that one or two of the current receivers is going to be shown the door. A club insider tells us that the two most likely candidates to get axed are David Kircus and Greg Camarillo. Kircus would appear to have the upper hand on maintaining a roster spot due to his toughness and special-teams value, but a pending trial for assault complicates matters. As for players to be brought in, the insider tells us that disgruntled WR Terry Glenn is a distinct possibility to come to Miami if he’s released by the Cowboys. Glenn and Dolphins boss Bill Parcells have a mutual respect despite some rocky times, and reuniting in South Florida is a logical scenario.

June 6, 2008   

Porter to generate more of a pass rush out of 3-4 looks

Joey Porter’s strength is getting to the quarterback. That’s what he was best at during his Pro Bowl years with the Steelers, and that’s primarily why the Dolphins signed him to a lucrative free-agent deal last offseason. Coming off a disappointing 2007 season in which he registered only 5½ sacks, Porter’s ability to capitalize on his pass-rushing proclivity will hinge largely on how often Miami goes with a 3-4 defensive alignment as opposed to a 4-3. “In the three-man line, the ‘Sam’ linebacker has got to be able to play the run, but he can be a pass rusher, as well,” coach Tony Sparano said. Translation: Porter will have far more opportunities to rush the passer out of 3-4 sets, which is the scheme the Dolphins hope to employ a majority of the time.

May

May 29, 2008   

Dolphins' RB outlook hinges as much on Williams as on Brown

Ricky Williams can only blame himself for the downward spiral his career — and to a certain extent, his life — has taken over the past several years, but he may have lucked into the ideal situation to resuscitate it. With Ronnie Brown in the thick of rehab after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament, Williams has been temporarily thrust into the No. 1 RB job and will likely enter training camp with such a designation. The way we hear it, his performance in camp will bear significant weight in determining just how quickly Brown returns to action, at which time Williams would be demoted to the second unit. If Williams earns the coaches’ trust with his play and attitude, Brown might be asked to sit out the early portion of the season to further ensure proper recuperation, whereas missteps made by the mercurial Williams will signify the need to get Brown onto the field quickly. Although it’s far too early to draw definitive conclusions, the early returns from the team’s offseason program are favorable for a seemingly changed and dedicated Williams.

May 21, 2008   

Dolphins part ways with '07 training-camp revelations

So much for Dolphins coach Tony Sparano inheriting a host of talented youngsters left over from Cam Cameron’s first and only draft class. During 2007 training camp, rookie OG Drew Mormino and rookie OLB Abraham Wright were two of the most pleasant surprises, with Mormino in the mix for a starting job and Wright looking as if he’d become a solid pass-rush specialist. Although neither player ended up doing anything during the season, their futures in Miami seemed to be bright. Apparently, the Dolphins’ new regime didn’t harbor the same optimism for them, as each player has recently been cut. Not that the Fins were pleased about severing ties with Mormino. He simply didn’t pass his physical after spending ’07 on injured reserve with a separated shoulder, and his absence puts the team in a considerable bind at guard. Mormino was in line to start, and Miami was forced to scramble to find a suitable starting option opposite Justin Smiley, inking lightly regarded ex-Texans OG-C Steve McKinney to fill the void.

May 16, 2008   

Former Cowboys to make immediate splash in Miami

It didn’t take long after the hiring of executive VP of football operations Bill Parcells, GM Jeff Ireland and coach Tony Sparano for the Dolphins to start overhauling their roster. With the trio all coming over from Dallas, many of the personnel changes included replacing incumbents with Cowboys players the new regime knows well. The way we hear it, the coaches’ and front office’s comfort with the former Cowboys will give them a decided upper-hand in position battles in training camp. Although it’s far from a guarantee, one source close to the club said that three ex-Cowboys — TE Anthony Fasano, ILB Akin Ayodele and NT Jason Ferguson — are odds-on favorites to win starting gigs, and that CB Nate Jones and S Keith Davis are squarely in the mix. Parcells has long been known to favor guys he's familiar with, and that preference has trickled down to his coaches.

May 2, 2008   

Trade of Booker highlights Dolphins' emphasis on physicality

The Dolphins shocked many when they decided to trade RB Lorenzo Booker to the Eagles for a fourth-rounder over draft weekend. Although he didn't produce much in his rookie season, Booker was showered with compliments from the new regime, as his superb quickness and speed were seen as tools they could exploit in numerous ways. “I don't think he really fit our system that we're trying to put in place here,” GM Jeff Ireland explained after the first day of the draft. While Ireland wouldn't explicitly say what the “system” they're implementing is, it's pretty clear from the makeup of the coaching staff and the second-day selections of thumping RBs Jalen Parmele and Lex Hilliard that the Dolphins are adamant about forging ahead with a power running game. Although the rail-thin Booker has exceptional open-field ability — a good fit in the Eagles' spread offense — his slight build was ultimately seen as a liability for the hard-nosed brand of football the Dolphins are implementing. The physical nature of the club is not just an offensive issue. Six of the Dolphins' nine draft picks are offensive or defensive linemen, with Parmele, Hilliard and QB Chad Henne representing the three draftees not operating in the trenches.

April

April 23, 2008   

Dolphins' top executives, coaches molding eventual replacements

It's no secret that the Dolphins are building for the future, as they've spent the offseason purging the roster of their aging veterans and replacing them with promising youngsters. But the way we hear it, they're taking a slightly different approach with their front office and coaching staff. Sixty-six-year-old executive V.P. of football operations Bill Parcells, who has signed on for the next four years, isn't looking to stay on board after his contract expires, and is using this time to groom GM Jeff Ireland to take over the operations when he leaves. Likewise, 65-year-old offensive coordinator Dan Henning, a coaching veteran of 28 NFL seasons, is viewed as a temporary solution who will eventually pass the torch to either WR coach Karl Dorrell or QB coach David Lee. Defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni, 58, is a bit younger but is just babysitting the position until assistant head coach/secondary Todd Bowles is ready to take over. As one team insider put it, “It's all one big mentoring program.”

April 11, 2008   

Huizenga determined to have No. 1 pick signed before draft

“It’s going to come down to an episode of Let’s Make a Deal.” That’s how one team insider described the Dolphins’ mindset for selecting the No. 1 overall draft pick. The team has reportedly already started preliminary negotiations with Michigan OT Jake Long and Ohio State DE-OLB Vernon Gholston, and is expected to stage a similar talk with Virginia DE-OLB Chris Long, as well. According to the insider, owner Wayne Huizenga is adamant that the Fins sign their pick prior to the draft. RB Ronnie Brown’s rookie holdout in 2005 irked Huizenga, and he wants to avoid a similar mess this season. NFL bylaws stipulate that only the team holding the No. 1 overall selection can sign a contract with a prospect prior to the draft. However, this isn’t to say all three of the aforementioned players are on a level playing field. Word is that Jake Long is the primary object of the team’s affection, and he holds more leverage than the other two. The Dolphins are needy at a host of positions, but nowhere is the situation more dire than on the offensive line.

April 4, 2008   

Dolphins' front office, coaching staff won't be affected by Ross

With real-estate mogul Stephen Ross set to take over as the primary owner of the Dolphins after being unanimously confirmed at the league meetings, don’t expect major changes to be made in the way the operation runs. Ross is a lifelong Dolphins fan, but we hear that he doesn’t want to meddle with the new regime — specifically, executive VP of football operations Bill Parcells, GM Jeff Ireland and head coach Tony Sparano. Current owner Wayne Huizenga will remain as controlling officer for the coming season, but Ross is expected to assume the role as soon as 2009. “Everyone should feel secure in their jobs,” a team source said. “He’s not coming in here to make sweeping changes or anything.” One thing that Ross does come equipped with is a deep set of pockets. Worth $4.5 billion, according to Forbes magazine as of September 2007, Ross will be the second-wealthiest owner in the league, trailing only the Seahawks’ Paul Allen, who’s valued at $16.8 billion. What does this mean? Not much, for now. But should the 2010 season commence as an uncapped year, which will happen if the owners opt out of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement in November and fail to come to terms with the players' union on a new CBA, the Dolphins could be attracting boatloads of elite talent.

March

March 26, 2008   

O-line deficiencies loom large in Miami

Of all the Dolphins' areas of concern, the state of the offensive line looms as perhaps the biggest. Outside of adding former 49ers OG Justin Smiley, the Fins have done nothing to upgrade what was a shoddy unit in 2007. And while failing to make additions, they cut starting ORT L.J. Shelton and top reserve OT Anthony Alabi, as well as declining to re-sign OGs Rex Hadnot and Chris Liwienski. Consequently, gaping holes remain at guard and tackle, although the absence of a suitable right tackle is the most significant deficiency. All of this would appear to bode well for Michigan OT Jake Long as No. 1 overall pick. However, as one team source reminded us, the draft is so rich in top offensive tackle prospects that the Fins could likely grab one with one of their two second-round picks, especially considering that new head coach Tony Sparano doesn’t need supreme talents to mold into a stout line.

March 19, 2008   

Dolphins cautiously optimistic about new receivers

The Dolphins have made more noise with their defensive additions this offseason, but word out of Miami is that the upgrades they’ve made to their WR corps may be just as important. After cutting disappointing veteran Marty Booker, second-year pro Ted Ginn Jr. was the only wide receiver left on the roster whom the coaches felt comfortable trotting out as part of the starting lineup. Since then, the Fins have added a pair of pass catchers with considerable promise. In ex-Jaguar Ernest Wilford, the Fins have obtained a physical, 6-4, 218-pound possession receiver who can keep the chains moving and be a factor in the red zone. Tab Perry is far more of a wild card, but an intriguing one. Injuries have limited the 26-year-old to just four games over the last two seasons in Cincinnati, but the hope is that with a healthy return, he’ll make good on the prognostications that as a 6-foot-3 speedster, he has the tools to become a dangerous weapon.

March 12, 2008   

Dolphins making 'special' roster additions

Charlie Anderson and Reggie Torbor are listed as linebackers, David Kircus is listed as a wide receiver and Boomer Grigsby is listed as a fullback. But as far as the Dolphins are concerned, their value on special teams is just as, if not more, important than what they bring to their primary position. Despite having a breakaway threat as a punt and kick returner in Ted Ginn Jr. and seeing a standout season PK Jay Feely, the Dolphins' overall special-teams play was among the worst in the league in 2007. Their problems both returning and covering kickoffs were particularly disastrous, as they ranked 32nd in kickoff-return differential. The Fins are banking on the belief that these additions will help rectify a glaring concern. Of the aforementioned players, only Torbor can be penciled in for a starting job on offense or defense, but the player who has the coaches particularly excited is Grigsby. A fan favorite in his previous stint in Kansas City for his kamikaze playing style, he figures as a prototypical wedge breaker — a niche position where high-speed collisions are the norm — on the coverage unit. The Dolphins also took a measure to improve their kickoff unit on Tuesday by signing PK Dave Rayner, who has a considerably stonger leg off the tee than Feely.

March 5, 2008   

Contrary to statements, Parcells looking to unload Taylor

Jason Taylor wants out of Miami, and Bill Parcells isn’t telling the truth. That’s what one team insider told us regarding the saga in Miami. Since being hired to facilitate the Dolphins’ football operations in December, Parcells has been conspicuously quiet in the public forum. So, when he commented recently that Taylor will either be in Miami next season or retire, a few eyebrows were raised. But according to a source, Parcells was simply trying to delay a second wave of criticisms that he is purging the team of its longtime nucleus, criticisms that started when he released venerable but injury-prone MLB Zach Thomas last month. In fairness, feelings on the cut were mixed, as many applauded Parcells’ efforts to put together a younger club. Trading Taylor appears to be the next step. And with his desire to be part of a winning franchise, Taylor is believed to be happy with that situation. Just don’t expect him to voice his wish to leave. Taylor, like Thomas, is beloved in Miami and wouldn’t risk his good standing among the Dolphins faithful by publicly stating his longing to be on a championship-level team. Unlike Thomas, however, Taylor has at least a few very good seasons left in the tank, and we’re now hearing that he could be traded for a pair of draft picks, with second- and fourth-round selections appearing to be a plausible exchange.

February

Feb. 29, 2008   

Rogers holds key to Dolphins' defensive plans

The Dolphins' ability to make a transition back to a 3-4 defense may hinge on one name: Shaun Rogers. The Lions have been looking to unload the massive defensive tackle due to his perceived lack of effort, but that hasn't scared off the numerous suitors who wish to bring him aboard. Rogers tips the scales at around 340 pounds, which is prototypical size for a two-gapping nose tackle. Upping his value is the fact that the free-agent pool and the draft class are mostly devoid of upper-tier nose tackles. But that being said, the Dolphins won't overpay for him. Rogers comes with some character baggage, a trait that stands in opposition to Bill Parcells' mantra. The Lions are believed to be asking for a second-round pick, and we hear it's unlikely Miami will unload the first pick of the second round — 32nd overall — to nab him. However, Miami also owns the Chargers' second-round selection, courtesy of the Chris Chambers trade, and that is a more realistic option to part with. If they are unable to land Rogers, it appears that the Fins will be forced to operate out of more four-man fronts in 2008, a situation they hope to avoid.

Feb. 20, 2008   

Keyshawn Johnson could reunite with Parcells in Miami

Could Keyshawn Johnson be suiting up for the Dolphins next season? The short answer is yes. The longer answer is that it could happen, but it would require considerable concessions from both Johnson and the Fins’ front office to make it happen. At age 35, Johnson has reportedly kept himself in top shape and wants another chance to finish his career on his terms, instead of having been unceremoniously canned by the Panthers. According to a report in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Miami hasn’t extended an offer yet, although we hear it would be Johnson’s for the taking if he told executive vice president of football operations Bill Parcells that he’s committed to returning. Parcells coached Johnson with the Jets and the Cowboys and later worked with him as a studio analyst with ESPN, establishing a close relationship with the former No. 1 overall draft pick. However, Parcells’ decision to sever ties with popular MLB Zach Thomas could make it difficult to justify a decision to bring Johnson aboard. Thomas was shepherded out of town in part because of an effort to make the team younger, and Johnson’s a year older than him. But because Thomas’ hefty price tag also played a part in his release, Parcells would have to make sure he didn’t offer Johnson a contract that could be construed as being above market value or leave himself open to attacks of having played favorites.

Feb. 13, 2008   

Cuts of O-linemen highlight Dolphins' need on offensive line

The purging has begun in Miami. On Monday, the Dolphins took the biggest step in reshaping their roster since V.P. of football operations Bill Parcells came aboard late last season, cutting nine players. Four of them — QB Trent Green, WR Marty Booker, ORT L.J. Shelton and NT Keith Traylor — were starters. While Green’s departure raised some eyebrows, none of the moves was too surprising. But the cutting of Shelton and his No. 1 backup, Anthony Alabi, now leaves the Fins with a considerable void on the offensive line. Add in the fact that both starting guards (Rex Hadnot and Chris Liwienski) are free agents, and the offensive line is suddenly as big a need as the Dolphins' much-maligned defensive line. They would like to bring Hadnot back but won’t overextend themselves to do so. According to team insiders, Parcells, after a thorough evaluation of the roster, is a big proponent of only four players on the roster: C Samson Satele, RB Ronnie Brown, WR Ted Ginn Jr. and P Brandon Fields. Although every position needs substantial improvement in Parcells’ eyes, the offensive line will receive as much of an overhaul as any position. Because of new head coach Tony Sparano’s kinship with Cowboys free-agent OLT Flozell Adams from his days as Dallas’ OL coach, expect Adams to be heavily courted by the Fins. If he does come aboard, Adams would likely be inserted at left tackle, and Vernon Carey would flip over to the right side. Although not mentioned by Parcells, Carey was one of the few players to garner praise in Miami in 2007.

Feb. 6, 2008   

Henning expected to bring power mentality to Dolphins’ offense

The Dolphins took a big step in shaping the direction of the team when they hired longtime NFL veteran Dan Henning to be offensive coordinator. Miami will be the 65-year-old Henning’s 11th stop in the league, including multiple tenures with the Dolphins and Jets. Don’t be misled by the fact that Henning has been a QB and WR coach throughout parts of his career. His offenses — from Washington to San Diego to Carolina, among others — have been typified by big, physical offensive lines paving the way for thumping running backs. The Dolphins’ offense wasn’t exactly gimmicky under the one-year stewardship of Cam Cameron, but it included the running backs in the passing game more than almost any other offense in the league. Between Henning’s appointment as offensive coordinator and former Cowboys OL coach Tony Sparano as head coach, it’s obvious that the Dolphins are looking to develop an identity as a power team that won’t rush to institute the spread formations in vogue throughout the NFL.