It seems that even when the Miami Dolphins aren’t making news, they’re in the news.  Monday, we told you about the recent meetings between Chad Henne/Brian Daboll and the Dolphins players practices that are set to start at the end of the month.  We then told you about Armando Salguero’s assertion that the Dolphins had violated the CBA agreement by allowing Daboll to meet with Henne to discuss the new offense.  Armando’s assertion turned out to be wrong as the NFL doesn’t seem too interested in punishing the Dolphins.  In fact, it appears many teams QBs have been meeting with their Offensive Coordinators.  Now that we have that all cleared up, we’d like to praise Chad Henne for taking a leadership role on the team…Hopefully it translates onto the field.

Dolphins should sign Jason Taylor

Reports surfaced yesterday that the New York Jets have cut Jason Taylor. Let us be clear, we’re not suggesting that the Dolphins can use Taylor on the field next year.  Taylor is unsure if any other teams will be interested in his services for the 2011 season (if there is a 2011 season).  If JT is ready to hang it up, we think the Miami Dolphins should offer him a 1 day contract so that he can retire as a Dolphin.  JT spent a majority of his career in Miami and deserves to end his career as a Dolphin.  Some say he is a borderline Hall of Famer.  That’s a debate for the NFL HOF voters.  He WILL most likely have his name forever inscribed into the Dolphins Ring of Honor at Sun Life Stadium.  If JT is calling it a career, we would like to thank him for his time with the Dolphins and express what a pleasure it was to watch him play.

Judges ruling could effect CBA Negotiations

Until Tuesday, the NFL Owners looked poised to Lockout the players.  They probably still will.  However, their position of power was weakened a bit on Tuesday.  Yesterday, a federal judge ruled that the NFL could not collect (and keep) the $4 billion in TV contract revenue for the 2011 season if no games are played.  The Owners were surely a lot more comfortable locking out the players if they knew they had $4 billion to fall back on.  The NFLPA gains a little bit of leverage with this ruling.  Hopefully both sides can come to an agreement soon so we can all get on with our football lives!

Please remember that until the CBA is done, the NFL Fan Strike will continue.  Supporters of the Fan Strike are continuing their boycott of all NFL Licensed Products until the CBA issues are resolved.  The Fan Strike is a way for the fans to have their voices heard by the NFL.

Stephen Ross Speaks

Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross, speaking at a golf event, said that it will be ‘business as usual’ for the Dolphins in the event of a Lockout.  Some teams are cutting their employees salaries if there is a lockout.  At this point, it doesn’t seem as though the Dolphins will be.  Ross seems to think that the labor issues will be resolved sooner or later as all parties involved do not want the issues to effect the upcoming season.

Draft Spotlight

NFLMocks.com takes a look at the Dolphins and gives us their thoughts on who the Dolphins might select in the NFL Draft in April. Interestingly, they don’t have the Dolphins selecting a QB or a RB in the first round….They have the Dolphins selecting an offensive lineman, Gabe Carimi from Wisconsin.  While drafting offensive lineman aren’t the sexiest picks, it’s clear that the Dolphins need to do a bit of rebuilding to their line.  This is just one of the many opinions about the draft (and there will be sure to be many more before April 28th!).  The truth is, no one will know who the Dolphins are targeting until The Commish makes the announcement on Draft Day.

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For what was expected to be an uneventful offseason day in Miami, the Dolphins sure did manage to make some headlines!  Earlier today, we filled you in on recent meetings between Dolphins QB Chad Henne and Offensive Coordinator Brian Daboll.  Henne spoke with reporters and told them of the offseason meetings that he has been having with Daboll to learn the Dolphins new offensive system.  Henne also spoke about the players organizing practices in the event that the NFL Owners Lockout the players.

This sounded like a well conceived plan that the Dolphins had laid out.  However, shortly after the reports began to surface, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reported that the meetings are in violation of the NFL CBA rules.  Armando’s story can be found on his blog here.  Mando’s report certainly created a flurry of tweets and criticism.  There was even some jabs on twitter between The Herald and Palm Beach Post beat reporters…and it’s continuing.

We are not CBA experts, but according to the ‘no meetings and no playbook distribution’ statements in the CBA, it sounds like the Dolphins could be in the wrong here.  But, we’ll wait to see what the NFL has to say.  We reached out to a number of NFL ‘insiders’, but none of have replied at this time.  As soon as we hear further, we will certainly let you know.

It does make you think; 1. Did the Miami Dolphins know this was a rules violation? 2. Did Chad Henne discuss something he shouldn’t have?  3. If it is a rules violation, will the Dolphins be punished?  And if so how?  A coaches fine?  Draft pick forfeiture?  A lot of questions at this point, but no real answers yet.  We should know more later today, as this story continues to grow.

[UPDATE: 3:30pm EST 3/1/11] - NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said that the league will likely not take action against the Dolphins for the meetings between Brian Daboll and Chad Henne.  Apparently a number of other teams have had QB/Coach meetings and it isn’t at the top of the NFL’s list of concerns at this time.

For the latest, please check back at PhinNation.com later today and follow us on Twitter @phinnation

In a very interesting story, Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post discusses the Dolphins’ contingency plans for the NFL Lockout. Volin says that Chad Henne has been working with new Dolphins Offensive Coordinator to learn the team’s new offense. You’re probably saying to yourself  “of course, he should be!”  But, Henne is not only learning the offense for himself, he’s learning it so that he can teach the Dolphins other offensive players during a Lockout. Yes, the same Chad Henne that struggled in 2010 will be leading the Dolphins offense practices this offseason if there’s a Lockout.

Another interesting note from Volin is that the Dolphins players plan to start offseason practices in late March on their own, if there’s a Lockout. Remember, players can’t work at team facilities or with their coaches during a Lockout.  So it is critical that the players begin preparations for the 2011 season when they normally would.  We wondered if this would happen and we hope many of the Dolphins players take part.  I really hope the media is out at the Dolphins Player Practices, because it will be interesting to see who steps up to lead when no Dolphins’ coaches are around.

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If you had been in a coma since July 2010 and woke up last Thursday to see that Paul Soliai was tagged as the Dolphins Franchise player, would you be surprised?  What if you just slept the normal 8 hours from Wednesday night into Thursday morning?  The answer to both questions is probably YES.  We were surprised that Soliai received the Franchise Player designation by the Miami Dolphins on Thursday.  What the tag does is that it ensures the Dolphins will not be in the market for a Nose Tackle this offseason.  Here are our thoughts on the Pros/Cons of the Dolphins Franchising Soliai:

Pros

- Run Stopping Force – Soliai entered 2011 as the Dolphins NT backup to Randy Starks.  However, he wasn’t a backup for long.  He quickly stepped in after Jared Odrick’s injury, which forced Starks to move back to defensive end.

- Soliai started almost the entire year that saw the Dolphins rush defense improve from 18th in 2009 to 7th in 2010.

- It’s only a 1 year agreement, which means he’ll be motivated to prove he deserves a long term deal.

- It give the Dolphins depth on the D-line.  Think about it, the Dolphins will have Soliai at NT with Starks backing him up.  At DE, the Dolphins will have Jared Odrick, Randy Starks, Kendall Langford, Tony McDaniel, and Phillip Merling battling for the 2 starting spots.  And the guys that don’t win the starting spots will provide good depth rotation.

- Consistency. Resigning Soliai means the D-line will likely remain similar to what it was in 2010, which is important, especially with the labor issues facing the NFL. If there are less mini camps and practices, having players that know the Dolphins defensive system will be an advantage to the team.

Cons

- It’s $12.4 million!

- Soliai will make more than any other Dolphins player in 2011.  Is he really their best player?  Most valuable player?  Most irreplaceable player?  The answer may be yes to one of those questions.  But, if you were Jake Long and just finished your THIRD Pro Bowl season, wouldn’t you be a little annoyed that Soliai is getting paid more than you? Brandon Marshall anyone?!

-  Is Paul really worth all of that money for 1 good season, which were preceded by 3 average or below average seasons?  The only thing that keeps us from getting too angry about this is that it is only for one season.  The Dolphins can work with Soliai on a longer term deal during or after the 2011 campaign (hopefully after so he stays motivated all year).

- Motivation.  Paul has had weight issues, motivational issues, and has spent time in the coaches doghouse.  Is giving him a ton of money really going to keep him motivated to play hard?  Again, it’s only 1 season, so he still has to prove himself to the Dolphins in 2011.  We’re more concerned about how Paul will react after the Dolphins give him a long term contract.  Will he return to his unmotivated habits?  Or will he become the best NT in football?

Thanks for reading!  Please follow us on Twitter @phinnation for the latest Dolphins news

The lack of a new collective bargaining agreement has not dampened the excitement surrounding the NFL Draft Combine.  The NFL stars of tomorrow were on display this weekend in Indianapolis.  The Miami Dolphins have their full contingent of scouts in Indy, along with General Manager Jeff Ireland.  As we’ve mentioned before, this is a critical draft for the Dolphins front office.  They may have received contract extensions this offseason, but they now the pressure is on to win in 2011.  Another 7-9 season and Mr. Ross will be on a plane again next offseason chasing coaches.  So with that, let’s take a look at some of the players that stood out during the Combine this weekend.  These are some of the players the Dolphins are looking at closely and could very well draft in late April.

Cam Newton – QB Auburn

Leading up to the Combine, Newton was criticized for claiming that he is more than a football player.  He said that he was an “icon and an entertainer”.  He debunked this misnomer by saying that he was simply answering a direct question about sponsorships.  Newton was impressive with the measurables at the combine, with a 4.58, 40-yard dash.  He was inaccurate, somewhat during the throwing drills, but there is more than enough tape on him to quell those concerns.  Some of the inaccuracy could be from his unfamiliarity with the receivers he was throwing to.  Newton will have a Pro Day on March 8th with his receivers.  But for the Dolphins to be interested, they will have to be sure to conduct a full character background check.  Newton’s talents are vast, but it’s his off the field issues that could cause teams to red flag him.  Newton, like Ryan Mallett have concerns, which Omar Kelly looks at here.

Interestingly, Adam Schefter of ESPN tweeted that the Dolphins were one of the teams to hold a personal interview with Newton.  Maybe the Dolphins are just doing their due diligence…maybe they don’t think there’s a chance he’ll be there at the #15 pick.  But, they could also think he is the real deal.  Could they disregard their “picks are gold” mentality and move up to get a player they see as a franchise QB?

Ryan Mallett – QB Arkansas

Watching some of the throwing drills, we realized that this kid has an amazing arm.  But, like Newton, he has character concerns.  Rumors of failed drug tests have been circulating throughout the Combine.  In our opinion, Mallett doesn’t have the upside that Newton has.  But, that doesn’t mean he can’t be a very good quarterback in the NFL.  If the Dolphins were to draft Mallett, they could likely get him in the 20′s of round 1.  It’s possible they could trade back in the 1st round, pick up a 2nd round pick from a team in the 20′s, and draft Mallett.  However, that entire scenario is based on Mallett’s character issues checking out with the Dolphins.

Mark Ingram – RB Alabama

Mike Mayock said that he has Mark Ingram as the only running back with a first round grade in this draft.  With Ronnie and Ricky both possibly leaving the Dolphins via free agency, many mock drafts have Miami taking Ingram with the #15 pick. He has drawn comparisons to Emmitt Smith by many ‘experts’, but those comparisons are certainly premature.  He showed good explosiveness at the Combine and certainly has the build of a running back that can carry the load of an offense.  Matching Ingram with a speedy change of pace back could be an option for the Dolphins.  However, we will go on record as saying he will NOT be the Dolphins pick at #15.  There are just too many other options in free agency and the draft at the RB position.

Julio Jones – WR Alabama

Julio Jones made himself some money this weekend at the Combine.  No, he didn’t sign any endorsement deals, but he put up some great numbers in the WR drills Sunday.  Jones stands at 6’4″, 220 lbs.  He ran a 4.39, 40-yard dash.  He also had an amazing 11’3″ broad jump.  The athleticism is there.  Before the Combine he was mocked to be taken between picks 12-20  of the first round.  He may have moved himself into the top 10 after his showing on Sunday.  Yes, it was THAT impressive.  The Dolphins could look to add Jones if they think he can add speed at the WR position and compliment Brandon Marshall.  Doubtful, but an intriguing thought to have Jones, Marshall, and Bess on the field at the same time.

Christian Ponder – QB Florida State

I didn’t get a chance to see Ponder throw much at the Combine, but the reports indicate that he had one of the best performances of ANY of the QBs.  Ponder is a QB that has above average intelligence and good accuracy.  What will cause him to slide is his arm strength, but he may have tempered any immediate fears of that with his performance this weekend.  It appears he duplicated his solid Senior Bowl week, at the Combine.  Ponder could be a 2nd/3rd round QB that the Dolphins take a long, hard look at.  If his shoulder is healed, he could be a steal in this draft.

We love this time of the NFL year….The Combine…The Draft Buzz…Free Agency…well, Free Agency will have to wait until the CBA is done…But the NFL offseason is in full swing and we’ll be here to keep you posted on everything you need to know about the Dolphins offseason news!

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @phinnation for the latest Dolphins news

The Miami Dolphins and other NFL teams may be in stuck in limbo until a new CBA is reached. However there are still some interesting things going on that will impact the Dolphins in 2011.  Yesterday we learned that Cam Newton will be working out fully at the NFL Combine and Brian Cox (#51) will be joining the coaching staff.  Today we’ll also share some interesting posts that we found on other great Dolphins blogs.

Cam Newton to fully workout at Combine

There was a lot of speculation that Cam Newton might opt out of throwing at the NFL Combine, especially after his impressive workout last week.  Many thought he could only hurt his status. However, yesterday Newton confirmed that he would participate fully at the NFL Combine this weekend.  Many teams interested in Newton wanted to see him participate fully and from his end, a good enough showing could vault him higher in the Draft.  Until recently, many mock drafts had Newton dropping to #15 and being selected by the Dolphins.  However, his stock has risen and he now seems to be a top 10 pick.   Newton is a player that I personally like.  Yes, he has a lot of baggage off the field, but he could be the type of quarterback the Dolphins have been looking to find for years.  He has good accuracy, particularly on the deep ball, and his size allows him to buy extra time in the pocket (think Big Ben).  He still has a long way to go to make people forget about his off the field issues, but the talent is certainly there.

Brian Cox is Back!

Yes, THAT Brian Cox.  Fans in Buffalo surely remember him!  I liked Brian as a player, although his intensity and aggression often got him into trouble.  He’s been brought to Miami as the Pass Rush Coach.  As Omar mentioned on Twitter yesterday, he will likely be asked to add some fire and aggression to the front 7.  Welcome back Brian!!

D-Line Grades

Matty at ThePhinsider.com takes a look at the Dolphins defensive line and grades each player.  PhinNation.com agrees with the assessments.  The biggest questions for 2011 are whether or not Paul Soliai and Tony McDaniel are back on the defensive line for the Dolphins.  Both are free agents…Or will be whenever the CBA is agreed to. Matty makes a great point, saying that getting Jared Odrick back will be like getting an extra 1st round pick for 2011.  Our prediction: Soliai is resigned and McDaniel is not.

New Dolphins Song?

Hat tip to Paul at the DolphinShout.com for pointing this one out.  We’ll warn you, there is some obscene language, so watch/listen at your own risk.  I could see the Steelers taking ownership of the Black and Yellow song….Even Lil Wayne turning it into a song about the Packers…But this may be stretching it a little too far!

We just saw the above headline and asked the same things that many of you are asking right now…1. Why? and 2. Should/Would the Miami Dolphins be interested? It appears that when Plaxico Burress is released from prison in early June, he would like to escape New York and head to a warmer climate, ideally near his home in Miami. This information is based on a report from the Daily News, citing ‘someone familiar with Burress’ thinking’ (possibly his agent?).

whereistheoutrage.net

We’re passing this news along, not because we think he’ll end up with the Miami Dolphins, but the prospect might not be AS CRAZY as you might think.  The topic will also likely bring about some good discussion, which we value at PhinNation.com.

Why Miami?

Plaxico is just about done serving his 2.5 years in prison and he wants to put this entire situation behind him.  He won’t be able to do that in New York with the Giants or the Jets for that matter.  New York has more media members than the Jaguars have fans (sorry Jacksonville!).  He is also a free agent, which means he can pick which destination he sees as the best fit for him.  He owns a home near Miami, so it’s logical for him to think the Dolphins would be a good fit for him.  Reports suggest that he has lost some weight while in prison, but has been working out 4 times a week to get into football shape.

Should/Would the Dolphins be interested?

This is the key question to this story.  Plaxico can WANT to sign on with the Dolphins, making for a shorter commute to his home.  BUT, should/would the Dolphins be interested?  The Dolphins won’t say anything publicly about Burress until they announce that they’ve signed him.  That’s their approach with most free agents. It sounds like a number of teams are interested in bringing Plaxico in, IF HE’S IN SHAPE.  He was a very good receiver for the Giants before all of the off the field nonsense that occurred.  In his last 3 FULL years with the Giants he averaged over 1,000 yards and 9 TDs.  BUT (that’s a big BUT) his last full season was in 2007.  How much have his abilities diminished?  Hard to tell, but he is 6’5″ and will likely be back to the 220-225 lbs. weight he was at before his stay in jail.

What this comes down to is a simple equation of risk versus reward.  The Eagles gambled on bringing back Michael Vick.  All Vick did was complete a prison to Pro Bowl season last year.  The Miami Dolphins DO have a history of bringing in talented players with shady pasts.  Remember a few years ago when a certain aging running back re-signed with the Dolphins?  Ricky Williams anyone?  Remember last year when the Dolphins traded away 2 bars of gold 2nd round draft picks for Brandon Marshall?

It’s not entirely crazy to think that the Miami Dolphins would take a flier on Burress, perhaps for a 1 year, incentive laden deal?  Low risk contract, possible high reward performance?  You never know.  Burress could, and we emphasize could, answer some of the red zone issues that have plagued the Dolphins in recent years.  After all, can you imagine a 3 wide set with Brandon Marshall, Plaxico Burress, and Davone Bess?  This all takes into account that Burress still has something left in the tank…Unfortunately, only time will tell if that is the case.

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