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Phinsider Exclusive: 5 Good Questions with Greg Cote

I recently got the opportunity to chat with the Miami Herald's Greg Cote, who covers all of Miami's sports teams, including the Miami Dolphins.  He also regularly updates his blog, which I'd highly recommend for you all to check out frequently.  We talked a little Dolphins football, of course.  Here's how it went:

Now that Cam Cameron has gone through one mini-camp as head coach, what are your thoughts on him?  Is he the right guy to turn this team around?

My opinion of Cameron has only begun to form. I liked and still like the hiring; it was time for an offensive coach. He certainly seems better suited to the job than his predecessor in terms of personal and public relations. I liked the Joey Porter signing. I am not as approving of the coach's handling of the Culpepper situation, or his seeming fascination with Trent Green. Seems to me, given the quarterback mess, that Cam needs a good draft to rekindle a sense of momentum.

What do you think of the moves that the front office has made so far?  In particular, the signing of Joey Porter and the releases of several past starters.

I liked the Porter signing a lot. I think, in losing Randy McMichael and Wes Welker, that Miami lost a big chunk of offensive production not yet replaced, which is a concern.

If YOU were GM, what would YOU do in round 1?

I might make a serious effort to package picks to move up high enough in the first round to draft Brady Quinn -- or at least explore the feasability. Otherwise, at No. 9, I'd probably lean to Levi Brown, the Penn State tackle. To me, you target a dire need in the first round; you don't draft someone less needed because he rated a spot higher on your board.

There was recent talk that the Rams would have an interest in Ricky Williams if he gets reinstated.  If he does get reinstated, where do you see Ricky playing?  Will he be Ronnie's back-up here in Miami or will Mueller shop him around?

I'm big on Miami welcoming back Ricky presuming he is reinstated. Doesn't mean you don't listen to trade offers. But Williams and Brown worked very well as a tandem two years ago, and this offense needs all of the weapons it can muster.

What is your take on Miami's current QB situation?  Is Daunte Culpepper done in Miami?  Is Trent Green really the solution?  Is Cleo Lemon good enough to at least be a solid #2 QB?  When all is said and done, what QB do you think will be Miami's starter in week one?

Cameron, to me, is giving up on Culpepper too soon, if a decision to trade or release him already has been made in advance of him presumably being 100 percent healthy by summer. I'd take a healthy Culpepper over an aging Trent Green in a heartbeat. Green would be a stopgap. Miami still would need a QB for the future, whether they trade-up for a shot at Brady or select somebody else in the second round. Lemon, to me, seems like a No. 3 guy. Miami's opening day starter will be Green if I had to guess.

Interesting stuff.  I'd say I agree with his belief that a healthy Culpepper is much better than Trent Green.  The thing I wonder, though, is if he will ever be healthy again.  Now, if the Dolphins were able to get Brady Quinn, then I'd feel a lot better about keeping Culpepper around because we would at least have our QB of the future.  This season could be rough, though, if we didn't land Green and Culpepper was unable to make it back to the field, because we'd suffer through Cleo Lemon as a starter while Quinn took some time to sit and learn.  But like Greg said, I think that, at some point, Green will make it to Miami and all of this DC health talk will be moot.

Again, we'd like to send out another big "thank you" to Greg Cote for taking time out of his busy schedule (NFL Draft, Miami Heat playoffs) to provide us with some insight and opinions!

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I Agree with Greg Cote
I think Cam is giving up on Culpepper a little soon myself. In a picture perfect world we would draft a QB, trade for Trent Green and keep Culpepper in some fashion. Unfortunately I think we can only keep one of the veterans. I'm starting to think the best option for us is to wait out the Trent Green situation until June cuts and see how Culpeppers knee is doing while we begin to groom a QB. That way we can keep our draft picks and give Daunte the benefit of doubt.
Matt

by Matt27 on Apr 25, 2007 2:38 PM EDT reply actions  

Trent Green, last seen here....
http://i.a.cnn.net./si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0704/gallery.canon.tielemans/images/_J3L0829.jpg

They should have kept Harrington. Then, based on Culpepper's recovery, they could have cut Joey, or kept him on until Dante was ready. Meanwhile, they could have comfortably drafted a big OL in the first, and a QB to groom for the future in the second.

No longer possible obviously.

Right now, they are best served by doing nothing until after the draft. Come June 1st, unless he was traded already,, Green is going to be cut. By waiting until then, the team gets another 4-5 weeks or so, to see what happens with Culpepper...keep him, trade him, cut him, whatever. At least you'd have more info, plus a draft.

No matter who is at QB, if they have a chance to get Quinn, I'd get him.

by Natalya on Apr 25, 2007 3:01 PM EDT reply actions  

I like the idea...
...of waiting until June to see how Culpepper comes along, draft a QB on Saturday (hopefully Quinn), and then, once Green is cut, decide if the team would be better with him or Cpep.

Very good points, guys!

by Matty I on Apr 25, 2007 3:06 PM EDT reply actions  

phinatic
i cant comment on your mock draft.. so im posting here...

in fact, there is some earth-shattering news that will affect your mock 4.0. profootballtalk is reporting that adrian peterson reinjured his collarbone in the fiesta bowl and will miss the entire offseason. This means Quinn will go to Cleveland over Peterson according to them. I'm a little bit skeptical of this, but the whole advantage is the immediate impact, and if he cant go this offseason, they may just go with Quinn.

Also, I have to disagree with you on trading up to take Quinn. Rick Speilman is the GM of the vikings lets not forget. He will not take Quinn. They traded up to get Tarvarius Jackson last year, getting Quinn will be way to much invested in the QB position. Even if they do take Quinn ... wouldnt you rather have:

Ginn, Stanton AND a PAIR of OL prospects with #60,#73 or Quinn, Sidney Rice and only 1 possible OL prospect at #73...?

i'll take Stanton/Ginn plus solidifying the left side of the line for the future.

by MarcusVick16 on Apr 26, 2007 3:13 AM EDT reply actions  

I saw that news...
...and I updated my mock accordingly.  Bad break for Fin fans, as I see Quinn gone by our pick.  Look for a round 2 QB to be chosen.

by Matty I on Apr 26, 2007 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions  

oh...
...and i fixed the comment issue so you all can now leave comments on my mock...feel free to mock!

by Matty I on Apr 26, 2007 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions  

A grain of salt...
Is what I take all those reports with. At this time of year, saying this guy or that guy is injured, got busted for drugs, etc - is playing into someone's hand. There were the infamous drug rumors(false at that) back in the 83, which allowed Marino to fall to the dolphins in the draft.

Regardless of AP's status, I think Quinn isn't there at 9, so if Miami wants him, it will probably come via a trade up.

I don't put it past Minnesota to draft Quinn. Jackson was a reach in the 2nd round and is something of a project. I'm not so sure the regime in Minn. is willing to bank on Bollinger & Jackson as their potential starting QB's.

by Natalya on Apr 26, 2007 12:35 PM EDT reply actions  

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