Report: Dolphins haven’t talked about Albert trade with Chiefs in 5 days

Apr. 22 News and Notes no comments

The ongoing saga regarding the Dolphins search for a starting left tackle continued into draft week.  Rumors have been flying about a trade that would bring Branden Albert to Miami for a few weeks now.  Earlier today, we learned that the talks between the two teams have stalled because of Albert’s contract demands.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Now, we’ve learned from ProFootballTalk.com that, as of Sunday, the Dolphins haven’t talked to the Chiefs in 5 days.  We also saw an unconfirmed rumor on Twitter that the Chargers might be entering the mix.  The Chargers are looking for offensive line help to protect their franchise QB, Phillip Rivers.  And Albert would essentially do the same thing for the Chargers that it would for the Dolphins.  Trading for Albert would alleviate the Chargers from needing to spend an early draft pick on a left tackle.

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Albert trade talks stalled, as Dolphins aren’t willing to meet contract demands

Apr. 22 Uncategorized 2 comments

The worst kept secret in the NFL right now is that the Dolphins would like to complete a trade for Branden Albert before the start of the draft on Thursday.  The Dolphins would like to cross the need for a left tackle off of their list, before entering the 2013 draft.  However, it appears that trade talks between the Chiefs and Dolphins have stalled due to the contract demands of Albert.

Photo Courtesy of Jeffrey Beall via Wikipedia.org

Photo Courtesy of Jeffrey Beall via Wikipedia.org

According to Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports, the Dolphins are balking at the current contract demands from Albert’s camp.  Albert is said to be asking for upwards of $8-9 million per season, which is too rich for the Dolphins.  Albert was given the franchise tag by the Chiefs, which guarantees him $9.8 million for the 2013 season.  However, if the Dolphins trade a 2nd round pick to the Chiefs, they will want contract certainty beyond the 2013 season.

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Analyzing the cost for the Dolphins to trade up or down in the 2013 Draft

Apr. 21 News and Notes 2 comments

The Miami Dolphins have created some flexibility in this week’s draft, by making moves earlier this offseason, addressing holes that needed to be filled.  The Dolphins currently hold 11 picks in the upcoming draft, but that could change before…or even during the draft.  With sources indicating that the Dolphins are currently negotiating a new contract with Branden Albert, the Dolphins might have 1 less draft pick by the time the draft actually starts.  My belief, is that the Dolphins will end up making a few trades, moving up or down, depending on who is on the board and who they are targeting.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

So that brings us to the question about the cost of moving around in the draft.  How much should each draft pick be worth?  How much would it cost the Dolphins to move up in the first round to draft a left tackle, if the Branden Albert deal doesn’t go through?  We’ll look at a few scenarios to give you an idea of just how costly it might be.  We’ll also look at a few trade down scenarios, as the Dolphins might like a player at 12, but if they can get him at #22, why not trade down?

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Musings: Tavon Austin opinions, strength of schedule, plus trade down scenarios

Apr. 19 Miami Musings 1 comment

There is less than a week before the NFL Draft kicks off.  The Dolphins are finalizing their draft boards, while also continuing to keep discussions open with the Chiefs regarding a potential trade for Branden Albert.  We also learned last night about the Dolphins schedule for the 2013 season, so we know the road that must be traveled, if the team will make its long awaited return to the playoffs.  We’ve been doing some reading from around the Dolphins Blogosphere and wanted to share some of the interesting stories we’ve come across.

Miami Musings

Dolphins Strength of Schedule – ThePhinsider.com

ThePhinsider.com takes us through the Dolphins schedule and finds that the Dolphins have the 7th hardest schedule in the NFL next season.  Based on teams’ records from 2012, the Dolphins will face opponents with a winning percentage of .520, including the World Champion Baltimore Ravens.  As we told you earlier today, the schedule might not be easy, but it also might not be as ferocious as it may seem.

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Analyzing the Dolphins 2013 schedule…..how hard is it?

Apr. 19 News and Notes no comments

On Thursday, the NFL released their schedule for the 2013 season, so the Miami Dolphins now know what their path to a return to the playoffs will look like.  Some have said that the NFL schedule makers did the Dolphins no favors.  In reality, it’s very difficult to know just exactly how difficult (or easy) the Dolphins schedule will be until the rest of the offseason plays out and the season actually begins.  Having written that, let’s take a closer look at the Dolphins schedule.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Below is the Dolphins schedule, courtesy of Dolphins.com:

September 8th, 1:oopm  - @ Cleveland Browns

September 15th, 1:00pm – @ Indianapolis Colts

September 22nd, 4:05pm –  vs. Atlanta Falcons

September 30th, 8:40pm – at New Orleans Saints

October 6th, 1:00pm – vs. Baltimore Ravens

October 20th, 1:00pm – vs. Buffalo Bills

October 27th, 1:00pm – at New England Patriots

October 31st, 8:25pm – vs. Cincinnati Bengals

November 11th, 8:40pm – at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

November 17th, 1:00pm – vs. San Diego Chargers

November 24th, 1:00pm – vs. Carolina Panthers

December  1st, 1:00pm – at New York Jets

December 8th, 1:00pm – at Pittsburgh Steelers

December 15th, 1:00pm – vs. New England Patriots

December 22nd, 1:00pm – at Buffalo Bills

December 29th, 1:00pm – vs. New York Jets

(CLICK HERE, continued on page 2)

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Report: Dolphins to give Branden Albert a physical…but is he worth a 2nd rounder?

Apr. 18 News and Notes 14 comments

The Miami Dolphins are not comfortable with their offensive line right now.  How could they be, considering that 2nd year tackle Jonathan Martin is penciled in at left tackle and journeyman Nate Garner is penciled in a right tackle.  The Dolphins KNOW they need to upgrade their offensive line, otherwise the other, more flashy moves made this offseason, won’t matter one bit.  If Ryan Tannehill is running for his life, he’s not going to have time to find Mike Wallace streaking towards the end zone….or Brian Hartline deep in the opposing secondary.  For this reason, the Dolphins are looking at a variety of options to improve their offensive line.

Photo Courtesy of Jeffrey Beall via Wikipedia.org

Photo Courtesy of Jeffrey Beall via Wikipedia.org

That brings us to the latest development of this Dolphins’ offseason.  Yesterday, news began to swirl about the Dolphins and Chiefs working on a trade for recently ‘franchised’ left tackle, Branden Albert.  League sources have told a variety of reporters that there have been ‘extensive talks’ between the two clubs.  Then, this morning we received word from the National Football Post, that the Dolphins might be giving Albert a physical in the coming days.  John Clayton of ESPN confirmed that the Dolphins are the only team the Chiefs have given permission to, to speak with Albert.  At face value, this sounds like the deal is moving forward.  However, remember that if a trade like this is going to happen, it would probably have to happen before next Thursday/Friday.

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With the 12th pick, the Miami Dolphins select………..

Apr. 16 Opinion 16 comments

That’s right Dolphins fans, it’s time for us to gauge who YOU think the Dolphins should select in the first round of the NFL Draft.  If the Dolphins stay at pick #12, they will have a big decision to make.  Who will Jeff Ireland take?  What position will he address?  We he look for another weapon for Ryan Tannehill?  Will he look to find a pass rushing defensive end to play opposite Cameron Wake?  Will he take a cornerback to pair with Brent Grimes?  Will he look to solidify the offensive line?

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

It will certainly be a big decision that will alter what the Dolphins do with the remainder of their draft picks.  We won’t know what the Dolphins will do with this pick until next Thursday night around 930-10pm.  However, we’re eager to know what the readers of PhinNation want to do with the pick.

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5 bold predictions for the Dolphins 2013 Draft

Apr. 15 Opinion 8 comments

The NFL draft is about 1 week away and the Miami Dolphins are in the process of preparing their draft board.  Personally, the NFL Draft has always been one of my favorite events of the NFL season, comparable at times to an actual game (crazy, I know!).  I used to host Draft parties every season because the 1st-3rd rounds would take place on a Saturday afternoon.  The perfect time to assemble friends, talk sports, and possible engage in some beverage consumption (I’m being politically correct here).  Anyway, the NFL, in it’s infinite wisdom, decided to make the Draft into a Prime Time event.  That meant switching the first few rounds to Thursday and Friday nights.  Here’s the schedule for this year’s Draft:

Thursday, April 25th – 1st round

Friday, April 26th – 2nd & 3rd rounds

Saturday, April 27th – 4th-7th rounds

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Although the Dolphins one pick on Thursday has gotten the most attention, fans calling for everyone from Lane Johnson to Tavon Austin, the core of this Dolphins draft will take place on Friday in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.  The Dolphins first pick, whomever he might be, should be a starter from day 1. A top 12 pick that isn’t a QB, should be an immediate starter.  However, with 4 picks combined between rounds 2-3, the Dolphins have a chance to hit a home run in this draft.  Those picks will be what make or break this draft.  

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Report: Dolphins are not as high on Lane Johnson as once suspected

Apr. 12 News and Notes 8 comments

Yesterday, Jeff Ireland spoke about the Dolphins offensive line and said that Nate Garner was one of their ‘core guys’.  The Dolphins aren’t admitting that they have a glaring need at offensive tackle…..but everyone knows it.  The Dolphins will address either the left tackle or the right tackle position, early in the draft…they have to.  That is, of course, unless they manage to pry Brandon Albert away from the Chiefs for a pick that’s lower than the 2nd rounder they’re said to be asking for him.  But most likely, the Dolphins will need to find a starting tackle in the draft.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Earlier this week, the word on the street (and according to the Palm Beach Post) was that the Dolphins were ‘high’ on Lane Johnson.  Johnson is one of the top 3 let tackle prospects in this draft.  It was believed that to get Johnson, the Dolphins would need to trade up, since he is expected to go within the top 10 picks (and the Dolphins currently sit at #12).

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Jeff Ireland speaks & we translate his pre-draft press conference

Apr. 11 Opinion 10 comments

Earlier today, Miami Dolphins GM, Jeff Ireland held his final pre-draft press conference.  As you would expect, Ireland did not come out and tell the world exactly who he’s interested in the upcoming draft.  He did divulge that he may move up in the draft…. or could move down…or could stay right where he is and use all 11 picks.  He also said that he hasn’t completely decided which player he wants to select with the #12 pick, but he’s narrowed the field down to a few players. No, he didn’t give us anything breaking news worthy, but the key to this type of press conference is to read between the lines.  So, I’ve decided to take the line-reading out for you and translate Jeff Ireland’s comments from today’s presser.  For the full video of the press conference, go to Dolphins.com.

Ireland - Dolphins-com

Ireland: “I think going into the draft or coming out of free agency, at least this part of free agency has helped us from…to have a little bit more idea of just being able to do what we do in the draft.  And hopefully that’s just to pick the best player available that marries a need and not have to reach for anybody.”

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