January

Jan. 8, 2009   

Peterson-Dolphins speculation not going away any time soon

Carl Peterson ended days of speculation that he would take a post with the Dolphins, saying on Wednesday that he needed time off to rest after leading the Chiefs for the past 20 years. Earlier, he had been spotted with Dolphins owner-in-waiting Stephen Ross at Dolphin Stadium for the wild-card game vs. the Ravens. Peterson claimed he was at the game merely as a friend of Ross’, as their relationship dates back many years when Peterson operated the Ross-owned Philadelphia Stars of the USFL.

Yet, we hear it would be foolish to think the team’s front-office setup will maintain the status quo indefinitely. Peterson has intimated that he’d welcome a return to the league, and reuniting with his friend Ross would be a natural move. Of course, doing so would appear to undermine Dolphins executive VP of football operations Bill Parcells. Ross says he wishes Parcells to remain in his post, and Parcells said he won’t exercise a clause in his contract that allows him to leave the team and collect the balance of his four-year contract if a change in ownership is made before the 2010 season. Given the strong personalities of Parcells and Peterson, the idea of their potential coexistence is a recipe for disaster and has little chance of coming to fruition.

According to a source close to the situation, Parcells’ loyalty to GM Jeff Ireland — who, coincidentally, was first hired as a scout in Kansas City by Peterson — coach Tony Sparano and many of the other coaches he brought to Miami is the primary reason he’s declining to exercise the gem of an out clause in his contract. “Those are his boys, and this (the Dolphins) is his legacy,” the source said. “He doesn’t want to hang them out to dry.”

Nevertheless, Parcells understands the Peterson connection, and we hear it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see Parcells’ agent, Jimmy Sexton, convince Ross to extend the exercisability of the escape clause an additional year. That would allow Parcells to see Ross in action and decide whether he’s onboard with the method by which Ross manages the team. Ross, meanwhile, would have little leverage in rejecting the extension, seeing as how Parcells could threaten to leave right now, in which case the new owner would be crucified in the court of public opinion for running out of town the man who made the Fins winners again.

Jan. 1, 2009   

Dolphins' coaching stability could be victim of assistants' success

When executive VP of football operations Bill Parcells hired Tony Sparano to resurrect the floundering Fish, he was putting his faith in one of his top aides during his days in Dallas, despite the fact that few people outside “Big D” had much of an idea who Sparano was. The subsequent staff that Sparano assembled looked to be a hodgepodge of either similarly obscure coaches or retreads who had sullied their names after faltering in high-profile posts throughout the NFL and college landscapes.

Fast-forward to the present, and Sparano — a leading Coach of the Year candidate — and his assembled staff have made names for themselves. So much so, in fact, that Sparano may find himself needing to find some replacements at a few spots — if not now, then within the next couple of seasons.

The No. 1 Dolphins assistant on the radar of clubs looking for a new skipper is DB coach Todd Bowles, who has crafted a solid secondary out of a cast of players once deemed afterthoughts. André Goodman has quietly emerged as a major force over the second half of the season, particularly in Week 17, when he picked off a pair of Brett Favre passes. Bowles is a candidate for the Lions’ opening, and even if he doesn’t earn that spot, his name is likely to be batted around for other openings.

What makes this troubling for Sparano is the fact that Bowles, who came with Sparano to Miami from Dallas, is being groomed as defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni’s eventual successor. Unless Dolphins owner-in-waiting Stephen Ross sweetens a contract offer enough to convince Bowles to stay, Bowles won’t be taking up permanent residence in Miami.

A similar situation could be in the works on the offensive side, where WR coach Karl Dorrell has helped restore his standing in the football community after his forgettable tenure as UCLA’s head coach. A good schemer and tactical coach whose drab persona didn’t translate well to the college game, Dorrell was believed to have been in line to take over for offensive coordinator Dan Henning. But the combination of Henning’s increased likelihood of sticking around a few more years and Dorrell’s burgeoning reputation could tempt Dorrell to jump ship.

QB coach David Lee, who brought the Wildcat formation into prominence in the NFL from his days at Arkansas, is another potential coordinator either at the NFL or collegiate level.

December

Dec. 24, 2008   

Dolphins winning the veteran way in young man's game

The sense of purpose that Tony Sparano infused the Dolphins with since he took over last offseason has been unmistakable. Much of the credit for the team’s revival goes to a player personnel overhaul that called for the release of aging stalwarts in favor of a younger, more vibrant roster. The irony in all this is that Miami primarily is winning this season with many of the holdovers from its 1-15 club, in addition to first-year Dolphins who are on the downside of their career. In other words, the idea that youth has reinvigorated the team is stretching the truth. Although players such as Jake Long and Davone Bess have shown promise, the club’s last two draft classes have thus far been devoid of a signature star. Miami may have “arrived” ahead of schedule, but the age of many in its nucleus ensures that team brass must be proactive again this offseason to maintain their stunning success.

Dec. 19, 2008   

Pennington throws Dolphins for loop, to club's delight

Updated at 10:00 a.m. EST Monday, Dec. 22

Chad Pennington

The Dolphins didn’t really expect Chad Pennington to play this well. Hopeful, certainly, but optimism rarely manifests into reality so fortuitously. When Miami signed Pennington upon his release from the Jets, it inked him to a two-year deal teeming with incentives it figured he’d be hard-pressed to meet. Furthermore, there was more than a fleeting notion that he wouldn’t be around to see the second half of the agreement. The thought process was this: Let Pennington assume the offensive reins, give the team in transition some veteran stability as rookie Chad Henne learns the ropes, and turn the offense over to Henne toward the end of the season.

A savvy veteran with the poise, intelligence and leadership abilities coaches crave in QBs, Pennington was an ideal candidate to mentor the rookie out of Michigan.

Things haven’t gone according to script, and the Dolphins are just fine with that. The word we’re hearing out of Davie, Fla., is that Pennington won’t have any need to acquaint himself with the QB openings throughout the league this offseason because he’s earned another year in the starter’s saddle.

Although there’s no doubt that Henne’s superior arm strength would open up a few extra offensive avenues, the coaches have come to accept the fact that the few things they need to cut back on with Pennington are more than compensated for by the fact that his presence has been a necessary boon for a youthful offense. His top two receivers, Ted Ginn Jr. and Davone Bess, have a combined three years of NFL experience, as do his blind-side protector and center, Jake Long and Samson Satele, respectively.

Additionally, it’s becoming increasingly likely that Henne won’t need to adapt to a new offensive system whenever he does take over as starter. The prevailing sentiment was that offensive coordinator Dan Henning, a longtime veteran of the coaching ranks and close friend of Bill Parcells, accepted his position last offseason with the intention of turning it over to a younger coach after helping to put Miami on a winning path. But the tremendous success he’s enjoyed in his first year with the team has those close to the club convinced that he’ll stick around for longer than initially anticipated.

Dec. 11, 2008   

The Dolphins' Bess bet at receiver

Updated at 9:45 a.m. EST Monday, Dec. 15

To the casual observer, WR Davone Bess’ emergence as a critical component of the offense came out of nowhere. An undrafted rookie out of Hawaii, Bess has come on like gangbusters the past four weeks, catching 23 passes for 270 yards with Greg Camarillo lost for the season to a torn ACL. Those close to the team, however, view Bess’ rise to prominence as the natural evolution of a player who showed tremendous potential from his first days in the offseason program, when his polish had him looking like the best receiver the Dolphins had. The idea that Bess has surpassed all others in the WR corps, including the more-publicized Ted Ginn Jr., is a view that we hear is accepted as truth to those inside the organization. Certainly, his new-found role as the No. 1 wideout also has been aided by Ginn’s slow development. Ginn’s lack of toughness has been particularly disappointing.

Dec. 5, 2008   

Smiley's broken leg has Fins frowning

Justin Smiley

Throughout most of the season, the Dolphins have avoided injuries as deftly and fortuitously as almost any team in the league. But the recent loss of OLG Justin Smiley is a big one. “A horrible blow,” in the words of one team source. Smiley’s broken fibula and possible ligament damage suffered in a Week 13 win at St. Louis are likely to sideline the fifth-year veteran and first-year Dolphin for the rest of the season, something Miami can ill afford. “There’s no doubt about it, he was the team’s best offensive lineman,” the source continued.

It’s more than just Smiley’s consistency in opening up holes for Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams and his keeping Chad Pennington upright that will be missed. It’s also the way he has served as a mentor to top draft pick Jake Long, whose overall solid play has been marred by more than a couple of blunders. Additionally, second-year C Samson Satele is in the throes of a sophomore slump. While quick on his feet, Satele’s small size for a center has proven a liability against the mammoth 3-4 nose tackles scattered throughout the AFC.

The way we hear it, the “Wildcat” formation, which has had mixed results, had been instituted partially as a means of minimizing some of the offensive line’s deficiencies. Rather than being escorted through a defined window that is not always open on a standard running play, the Fins’ backs are granted greater latitude to pick and choose where to run to out of the NFL’s in-vogue formation. But there may not be a schematic advantage out there that can mask the problems that Smiley’s void creates. Lightly regarded C-OG Andy Alleman gets the first crack at the opening, almost by default. Simply put, Miami lacks any other guard who would even be an option. The only other healthy guard on the roster is rookie Shawn Murphy, and despite his advanced age courtesy of missionary work during college, he has shown nothing that demonstrates he’d be a serviceable replacement.

Regardless of how Alleman performs, there are some who believe he’s just keeping the spot warm until Al Johnson, who was ironically signed just days before Smiley went down, is good to go. Although undersized, Johnson is not only well-versed in Tony Sparano’s system from his days in Dallas, but he has earned the coach’s praise for being among the smartest players the O-line guru has ever worked with.

November

Nov. 26, 2008   

Crowder hurts chances for contract extension with Week 12 ejection

Word is Channing Crowder’s scuffle with Matt Light in the Patriots’ Week 12 victory might have sealed the inside linebacker’s fate in Miami. Midway through the fourth quarter, Crowder and Light were both ejected from the game for trading blows, an event that a Patriots source tells us stemmed from Crowder making disparaging comments about Light’s wife throughout the game. Regardless of the fight’s derivation, coach Tony Sparano was deeply troubled by his team’s late-game meltdown, including Crowder’s indiscretion. Crowder is due to become a free agent after the season, and has been under the watchful eye of his coaches and team management to see whether he fits the paradigm Miami’s trying to foster. “When you get on that big stage and you get under that big light, you learn a lot,” Sparano said. “You learn a little bit more about what you have to do and … that picture is starting to un-muddy for me.”

Nov. 20, 2008   

Ferguson not long-term answer at Dolphins' NT spot

Updated at 9:50 a.m. CST Monday, Nov. 24

NT Jason Ferguson has been a difference maker in the Dolphins’ run defense this season, despite making just 13 tackles and being slowed down by a chest injury he sustained in Week Seven. Weighing just 305 pounds, he has done an admirable job holding his ground as a two-gapping presence in the middle of their evolving 3-4 defense. At the same time, however, we hear that Ferguson, who turns 34 on Nov. 28, is not the future anchor of this defense. The Dolphins’ regime knew when they brought him on board in Miami following their stint with him in Dallas that Ferguson was merely a temporary solution to the issues confronting them at the position. The problem is that there might not be better options going forward. Massive second-year NT Paul Soliai doesn’t appear to be a solid choice as a starter, and quality nose tackles are generally hard to come by in the draft.

Nov. 14, 2008   

Dolphins' injury avoidance looms large in surprising campaign

Updated at 9:20 a.m. CST Monday, Nov. 17

Entering the season, the prevailing sentiment around the league was that a postseason berth for the Dolphins would likely require them catching some lucky breaks. Heading into Week 12, they find themselves squarely in the postseason mix at least partially due to one particular break — injury avoidance. With the exception of losing starting OG Donald Thomas in Week One, the Fins haven’t suffered any significant injuries and have routinely been filing near-empty injury reports. Yet, attributing their enviable health status to dumb luck may be selling the Dolphins short. “These coaches have ingrained it in their players that they can’t show any signs of weakness,” one source close to the club said. “If they’re complaining of pain or limping around the locker room, they know they can get cut, so they suck it up and play. They’ve toughed it out, and the results are showing on the scoreboard.”

Nov. 6, 2008   

No. 1 draftee Long steadily progressing for rising Dolphins

Since inking No. 1 overall draft pick Jake Long to a five-year, $57.75 million contract back in April, the Dolphins have seen steady improvement from their mammoth investment. Although the consensus around the league is that the Broncos’ Ryan Clady has been the cream of the crop for rookie offensive tackles, we hear that the club has not had any regrets about opting for the player who has protected Chad Pennington’s blind side since the QB's arrival in South Florida. According to a source close to the club, offensive coordinator Dan Henning, one of the more straight-shooting coaches in the NFL, raves about Long more than any other player. Officially, Long has given up 2½ sacks and has been flagged for two holding calls, and he has been instrumental in the success of the ground game out of the “Wildcat” formation. Long’s thrived in his role in the unbalanced formation, where his sheer mass and strength have proven to be particularly advantageous.

October

Oct. 31, 2008   

Ginn bursting onto scene in Miami

Updated at 9:20 a.m. CST Monday, Nov. 3

Following WR Ted Ginn Jr.’s breakout game against the Bills in Week Eight, much of the chatter around South Florida focused on his seven-catch, 175-yard outing serving as a springboard to greatness. Not so fast, club sources say. However inspiring his effort, we hear that offensive coordinator Dan Henning is firmly committed to the Dolphins remaining a ground-oriented team. Ginn’s performance was largely credited to the Bills trotting out injured CB Terrence McGee to cover him, as well as Henning’s belief that a somewhat sputtering rushing attack needed more help from the passing game to keep the defense honest. In Week Nine, Ginn caught three passes for 38 yards. That said, Ginn’s Week Eight outing solidified the club’s notion that the 2007 first-rounder has dynamite potential. Ginn’s work ethic and desire to absorb as much coaching as possible have won over team brass.

Oct. 24, 2008   

Dolphins in need of major upgrades at WR and DB spots

Updated at 9:30 a.m. EDT Monday Oct. 27

Following the Dolphins’ back-to-back victories in Weeks Three and Five, the talk in South Florida centered around how Miami’s current roster was comprised of the core players the club needed to make a playoff push, if not in 2008, then certainly in ’09. But after losing two of their next three, the discourse has taken on a different tone. Specifically, the contention now is that for the Dolphins to be truly competitive on a weekly basis, serious personnel upgrades are needed at receiver and in the secondary.

As a source close to the club said, the notion that the Dolphins are neediest for help on the outside shouldn’t be surprising. “When (executive VP of football operations Bill) Parcells got here, his whole mantra has been about building from the inside out. Stacking the lines was the first order of business.” Hence, the club’s decision to spend three of its first four draft picks on offensive and defensive linemen, and placing a priority on signing beefy linemen such as DLs Jason Ferguson and Randy Starks and OG Justin Smiley.

For as pleased as they’ve been with the grunt work on the line, a WR corps headlined by Greg Camarillo isn’t going to get the job done. “They love Camarillo’s toughness, but it’s obvious they’re going to be looking for a true No. 1 receiver in the offseason,” the source said. He went on to say that unheralded youngsters Davone Bess and Brandon London have staked legitimate claims to roster spots for next year, but more touted veterans such as Derek Hagan and Ernest Wilford could be conceding their spots on the team in favor of pass catchers offering more promise.

The problems confronting the Dolphins at the spots opposite the receivers are even more pressing. The way we hear it, CB Will Allen and S Yeremiah Bell are the only defensive backs showing the coaching staff much of anything, and Allen’s lack of production in the interception department — he has three since arriving in Miami from the Giants three years ago, including one last week vs. the Bills — has disappointed a coaching staff that stresses the importance of creating turnovers. One other player the Dolphins haven’t given up hope on is former first-round pick Jason Allen, who’s back at cornerback after shifting back and forth between corner and safety throughout his three-year career.

Oct. 17, 2008   

Dolphins LB Porter rebounding in dramatic fashion

Updated at 9:55 a.m. EDT Monday. Oct. 20

What a difference a year makes. At the midway point in 2007, Dolphins OLB Joey Porter was a lost player on a lost team. He was playing so poorly in the team’s 4-3 system that PFW wrote 10 weeks into the season that inking the free agent to a five-year, $32 million contract was “not only the worst signing of the year, it could go down in the books as one of the worst free-agent signings ever.” Yet, with a third of the 2008 season in the books, Porter has emerged as not just the emotional leader of a revived defense, but the team’s defensive MVP and the player most responsible for the Dolphins’ significantly improved pass rush. Porter has racked up 8½ sacks, and he has been a completely different player now that he’s back playing his natural weak-side OLB spot in a 3-4 scheme. In Week Seven’s loss to the Ravens, Porter had four tackles and two sacks.

Oct. 10, 2008   

Architect of 'Wildcat' explains derivation of Dolphins' new system

Ronnie Brown

Creative play-calling is one thing. Running a completely foreign alignment is another thing altogether. In the NFL, there’s a tacit understanding amongst coaches that operating a quality offense requires balance. But the Dolphins have turned conventional wisdom on its head by utilizing the “Wildcat” upward of a dozen times a game. As Gus Malzahn told PFW, “You have to give the Dolphins’ coaching staff a lot of credit. They’re incredibly courageous for running it. And for them to be successful with it is very impressive.”

Although he’s most revered for his work with the spread offense, Malzahn is the original architect of the “Wildcat” from his days as the coach at Springdale (Ark.) High School, where he won three state titles before signing on to coordinate the offense at the University of Arkansas. “When I first got (to Arkansas), we saw we had three tremendous players in (RBs) Darren McFadden, Felix Jones and (FB) Peyton Hillis,” Malzahn said. “Our goal was to get those guys onto the field at once, so we played around with things, and we just kind of went from there.”

In essence, the “Wildcat” is an offshoot of the single wing. It calls for two running backs to be on the field at once, with one lining up as a quarterback would in the shotgun. Furthermore, it calls for an unbalanced, reshuffled line, often with two natural tackles playing on the weak side. Malzahn’s successor at Arkansas in 2007, David Lee, continued to feature the alignment prominently and brought it with him to the Dolphins after accepting a post as QB coach. In Miami, Ronnie Brown has played the part of McFadden, and Ricky Williams has operated as Jones.

“There’s a lot of teams that run out of the spread,” Malzahn said. “But defenses have learned how to adjust for that. When you have two great running backs to account for out of a tightly wound and an unbalanced formation, it messes with traditional defensive structures.”

However, Malzahn did admit that the “Wildcat,” like any new offense, has a shelf life of maximum effectiveness.

“Football’s a game of trends,” Malzahn said. “There are times when certain things get hot, and everyone wants to try it out. You get better at it, you see it develop, but after a while, you need to change things up as defenses learn to adjust.”

Oct. 3, 2008   

Dolphins curiously stagnant in extension talks for emerging linebacker

Updated at 9:22 a.m. EDT Monday, Oct. 6

Things have been surprisingly quiet on the contract front for ILB Channing Crowder. The fourth-year veteran is in the final season of his rookie deal, prompting some to wonder why the Dolphins are taking such a passive approach to locking him up long term.

According to a source close to the linebacker, Crowder’s representatives were engaged in preliminary talks with Miami’s front-office executives back in August, but the club hasn’t kept up the communication. It’s a curious tactic, considering how proactive it has been in working out extensions for more red-flagged players — specifically, troubled RB Ricky Williams and injury-risk S Yeremiah Bell, whom we hear they’re currently negotiating with.

“It’s baffling,” the source said. “You would think they’d want to lock down one of the best players on their defense, especially given how young (24) he is. Every day they wait, his price tag goes up. Every day they wait, the leverage shifts more to Channing. And there’s no way they’d franchise him.”

Crowder missed five games a season ago with a right knee injury, the only games he has missed in his career. This season, Crowder — Miami’s second-leading tackler — has helped transform the league’s worst run defense in ’07 into a solid unit against the run. The Dolphins limited the Chargers to 60 rushing yards in Week Five. However, Miami’s current silence doesn’t necessarily suggest that there’s no chance Crowder suits up for the Fins in ’09. A club observer we talked to before the season told us that it wouldn’t be surprising if team decision makers wait until they see more of a body of work from Crowder before deciding whether he’s the type of player they want to keep around. While the 6-2, 250-pounder fits the description of the big, young box defender the Dolphins want to outfit their 3-4 defense with, the new Miami regime doesn’t yet have a complete reading on the holdover players.

Although his play in coverage is spotty, Crowder could well be offered an extension at some point during the season if he continues to be stout vs. the run. However, the source cautioned that if the linebacker’s clout within the league continues to grow and the Dolphins hold off offering a new deal until late, he may opt to wait until free agency begins to see what kind of deals he’d attract from other clubs.

September

Sept. 26, 2008   

Dolphins' rookie D-linemen proving talent trumps experience

The future is now for the young Dolphins defensive line. The manner in which they bottled up New England stands as the latest evidence that the players that were brought in to anchor the defensive line for the future have jumped the learning curve. Spearheading the effort has been DE Kendall Langford, a Hampton product who ranks among the early leaders for defensive rookie of the year. Considering most considered him a developmental player, his ascension to the top of the depth chart has been a pleasant surprise in Miami. Flanking him at D-end is fellow rookie Phillip Merling, who has been showing why he was considered by many to be the best 3-4 end in this class. One of the keys to their development, sources say, is their responsibility to merely hold their ground as Miami’s linebackers rush the passer, thereby making any additional pass rush from the ends themselves as merely gravy.

Sept. 18, 2008   

Pennington's struggles open door for Henne to start

Updated at 9:00 a.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 22

Chad Pennington’s strong outing against the Patriots likely saved his starting job. Before his 17-of-20 performance, we were hearing that the nine-year vet had been losing the confidence of the coaches in favor of promising rookie Chad Henne. Henne was drafted in the second round out of Michigan back in April to be the future of the franchise, and he deftly directed the offense on an 89-yard, 18-play touchdown drive on his only series in the Week Two loss to the Cardinals. “He made some throws that Pennington couldn’t dream of completing,” one source said. Furthermore, numerous players remarked how Henne's confident demeanor in the huddle reminds them nothing of a rookie, as he shows poise beyond his years. Heading into the bye week, Pennington can breathe a bit easier, but make no mistake — Henne could get the nod if Pennington reverts to his Week 1-2 form.

Sept. 13, 2008   

RB Williams' new contract with Dolphins not without strings attached

The way we hear it, Ricky Williams’ latest maverick decision could potentially put him in a precarious bind with the Dolphins. On the surface, the one-year extension Williams recently signed to keep him in Miami through 2009 is a positive, but there’s an underbelly that could theoretically bite him. For starters, the deal — valued at roughly $3.3 million — is rich in escalators that will be difficult to reach with Ronnie Brown sharing carries behind a shaky offensive line. But the bigger issue is that Williams inked the contract without getting an assurance from Dolphins’ brass that he’ll be absolved of an $8.1 million debt he currently owes stemming from his “retirement” from football three years ago.

Williams has since stated that he believed it was understood when he signed his new deal that all debts were cancelled, but that notion was not verified by the team to the public, or apparently to Williams. Still, a source close to the club tells PFW that it’s unlikely the Dolphins would try and collect on the cash unless Williams runs afoul of the law or gets suspended by the league again for more deviant behavior. So how did Williams’ representation allow him to ink a deal without any kind of guarantee of debt clearance? Simple. Because neither agent Leigh Steinberg — who has technically let his certification expire — nor any of his associates were present. “It’s just Ricky being Ricky,” the source said. “He just trusts (executive vice president of football operations Bill) Parcells so much that (Parcells will) take care of him.”

While Parcells and Williams have undeniably formed one of the strongest (yet oddest) bonds in South Florida, Parcells hasn’t given the royal treatment to all those who were responsible for the running game struggling to pick up yardage in the season’s early going. Following the Week One loss to the Jets, the Dolphins severed ties with FB Boomer Grigsby, who was brought in to be the tough-guy lead blocker needed to operate Tony Sparano’s offense. Whether the fact that Grigsby publicly voiced frustration over the lack of thumping, inside running plays near the goal line played a part in his dismissal is unclear, although it wouldn’t be too surprising given the tight ship Miami’s new regime is running.

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.