Continuing on with our look back at the magical 2008 season, we've reached week ten.  The Dolphins were hosting the Seahawks and hoping to get above .500 for the first time in what seemed like forever. 

Thanks to some big plays from Ted Ginn, Ricky Williams, and Ronnie Brown, the Dolphins did just that.  Enjoy the videos!

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Ronnie is as healthy as ever - and could be in store for a big year. (Photo courtesy of Jeffrey M. Boan)

View full size photo uploaded May 28, 2009

Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown is entering what is unquestionably the most important season of his brief NFL career.  His rookie contract expires following the 2009 season, meaning Brown must prove his worth to this regime if he wants that lucrative long-term contract from the Dolphins.

The Miami Herald reported on Thursday that Brown "looked great in practice and is looking in great shape overall."  Head coach Tony Sparano agrees, saying:

"As far as shape goes, he's outstanding right now. That sounds like a company line, but I mean it. I just watched film a little while ago, and watching the tape, he makes this catch on the sideline today, extends for the ball, and ends up really kind of hyper extending both legs to do this. No sign of any of those hesitations, any of those things that he went through a year ago. In the weight room the guy is super right now, he weighs 230 pounds, he's running better, he is stronger, so all of those things from a progress standpoint I see as positives."

That play that Sparano speaks of above also caught the attention of the Sun-Sentinel's Ethan Skolnick.  Skolnick writes:

Ronnie Brown made a difficult catch down the right sideline. The catch itself wasn't as impressive as the fact that Brown attacked the ball, and then walked away healthy after bouncing off both feet, in a way in which it would have been very easy to jam his surgically-repaired knee.

There was no hesitation, and no damage.

Brown, at 230 pounds, also looks leaner and stronger than he has at this time in past years.

Ronnie now has a full season under his belt since a torn ACL ended his spectacular 2007 campaign.  That year, Ronnie led the league in yards from scrimmage, had a real shot at breaking the NFL single season record of yards from scrimmage, and averaged 5.1 yards per carry.  He was well on his way towards proving what many Dolphin fans have believed since his rookie season - that Ronnie is as talented a back as there is in the league.

Ronnie spoke out on Thursday following practice, saying that he believes his name belongs in the conversation when discussing the league's top running backs.  Said Brown:

''I definitely do. You've got to have confidence on this level and if I didn't, I wouldn't want to be playing this game. So obviously when their names are brought up I want my name to be in that same group.''

Ronnie knows, though, that you can't just proclaim yourself as deserving to be in that elite group of backs - you have to prove it.  Brown said that his "goal in this league is to be the best I can be and at the same time to be among the elite guys that do what I do."

So how can he do this?  First, he must put together a full 16 game season.  Ironically, the season Brown was recovering from a torn ACL was the only one in his four year career that saw Brown play in all 16 regular season games.  Now fully healthy and in the best shape of his career, Brown must show he's not only a great player on the field but that he is also durable enough to stay on the field.

Brown also must show that he's beyond the mental part of the ACL injury.  He can't hesitate - as he did sometimes last year.  He can't think about each step he takes.  He must trust that his body - his knees in particular - won't fail him.  He needs to find that explosiveness that he displayed in his 2007 performance.  And, as Tony Sparano says, Brown needs to show the ability to create the big play - "being able to get to the second level and finish runs."

Call me a "homer" if you want - and it's no secret that Brown is my favorite current Dolphins outside of Jason Taylor - but I have this gut feeling that tells me Ronnie could be in store for a career year.  It's the same feeling I had prior to the '07 season - and that turned out to be accurate. 

Let's hope "my gut" is right yet again.

Note: Our "Around The AFC East" feature is taking the week off but will be back next Friday.

Today featured OTAs being open to the media.  So we get another chance to see who is lining up where and with what unit.  I'd take everything you hear about performance with a grain of salt.  It is just May, after all, and the players are wearing shorts - not pads.

But here's a roundup of today's events.

SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL REPORT

-Brandon Frye continuesto work as the starting RG.
-Phillip Merling continues to work as a starter at DE.
-Cameron Wake is the second team strong outside linebacker while Jason Taylor works as the weakside outside linebacker.
-Ernest Wilford doing drills with the tight ends.
-Jason Taylor and Joey Porter did work a little together on the field.
-Brandon London is the slot receiver with the 2nd team.
-Vontae Davis being used as 1st team nickel.
-Dolphins working on a lot of Wildcat and spread offense.
-Eric Green "had a good practice."
-Vontae Davis and Sean Smith are working as "boundary corners."
-Pat White still threw some passes too high.

MIAMI HERALD REPORT

-Dolphins worked a lot on "empty backfield" stuff.
-Chad Pennington was his "typical self" - with the exception of one interception.
-Joey Haynos and Patrick Turner had good practices today.
-Jason  Taylor working as a 2nd teamer in the base defense but a starter in "passing situations."
-Keep an eye on Tyrone Culver this season.
-Greg Camarillo seemed to be doing more today than last week as he recovers from knee surgery.

Like I said last week, our new offseason Thursday feature will be "3 Up and 3 Down" - where I look at some topic and give three positives and three negatives.  With today's organized team activity being open to the media, meaning we'll get another chance to hear about the players, I thought it would be a good idea to talk about how the 53 man roster might shape up.

Last year, the Dolphins got big contributions from two undrafted free agents - Davone Bess and Dan Carpenter.  So let's focus on which undrafted free agents could make the biggest splash in 2009.  And that will be followed by three players who were on the 53 man roster last season but whose days might be numbered in Miami.

THREE UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS WHO COULD MAKE AN IMPACT

1. Louis Ellis, NT - Measuring in at 6'2, 320 pounds, Ellis has the physical build and the necessary strength to play the nose in Miami's 3-4 defense.  Undrafted out of Shaw University, a Division II school, Ellis is strong but also has the agility needed to play the position.  However, he's very raw and will need technique work as well as improved conditioning if he wants to become Jason Ferguson's future replacement - a job the Dolphins desperately want to fill by 2010.  Click here to check out a scouting report on Ellis from SI.com.

2. Orion Martin, OLB - Martin was a defensive end at Virginia Tech, but at 6'2, 260 pounds, he's the perfect "DE to OLB" conversion player.  He's strong and has decent speed.  While he tallied 14 sacks and 23.5 tackles for a loss over the past 2 seasons at VT, Martin fits more as a strongside outside linebacker (a la Matt Roth) rather than as a pass rusher.  He's a smart player as well, with a good football IQ.  The key stat with Martin is how unsuccessful teams were in college at throwing in the direction of Martin when Martin was asked to drop back into coverage - completing just 19% of their passes thrown into Martin's area with a 1.15 yards per attempt.

3. J.D. Quinn, G - Quinn is a guy who has a lot of talent but carries some baggage with him into the NFL.  It's been well documented since the Dolphins signed him that Quinn was dismissed from Oklahoma, despite having early success as a Sooner, for accepting money that he didn't earn from a car dealership.  He transferred to Montana to finish his college career.  But it's pretty clear that Quinn has a less than likeable personality (see this video) and has had problems with alcohol.  But you can't deny Quinn's ability to play football and, following the injury to Donald Thomas, Quinn instantly has a chance to make an impression on a new coaching staff.  He'll be a player to watch as this offseason progresses.

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One thing that seemed to create a little bit of a stir today was a nugget dropped by the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson that claims Plaxico Burress had told people that he would love to join the Dolphins if/when his legal problems are taken care of.

This instantly created a debate among Dolphin fans - should they sign him?  But let's put this behind us now.  The Miami Herald is reporting that the Dolphins aren't likely going to have any interest in Burress.  In fact, one team source responded to a phone call about the possibility of the Dolphins having interest in Plaxico by saying, "Is this the reason you're calling me?"

Clearly, the Dolphins don't feel they have a need for a soon-to-be 32 year old receiver with a very long rap sheet.  He could face a couple of years in prison for the gun charges.  In March, Plaxico was written four tickets for various reasons.  And he's had domestic violence issues.

On the field, Plaxico has been injury prone as of late and is only getting older.  His production prior to his leg "injury" last year was down - only totaling 35 catches in 10 games in 2008 and averaging just 45 receiving yards per game.  And we don't even know if Plax - even if he avoids jailtime - will be able to play the first few games of 2009.  After all, Burress might be able to escape the long arms of the law, but he can't avoid the NFL's sheriff, commissioner Roger Goodell.  A lengthy suspension for Plaxico is probably likely.

When you put all that together, it's hard to understand why we even wondered about Miami's interest in Burress.

Here's a sight the Patriots better prepare for - Ronnie Brown running right by them all. (Photo courtesy of Jim Davis / Boston Globe)

View full size photo uploaded May 27, 2009

The Dolphins re-signed CB Will Allen on Tuesday to a deal that will keep the veteran cornerback in Miami through 2011.  But Allen was just one of a number of key free agents the Dolphins will have next offseason.  It's unlikely that the Dolphins could re-sign all of them.  So the question becomes which to re-sign at all?  In particular, which ones should the front office make a priority now before the 2009 season even begins?

Let's discuss some of the key impending 2010 free agents:

Ronnie Brown
Without question, the key decision that this front office will have to make at some point is whether or not to give Brown the long-term deal that he is probably hoping for.  Brown, who is 27, is now fully recovered from his 2007 ACL tear and says he feels better than he ever has.  Before his injury in '07, Brown was having his best career season and perhaps was the best running back in the NFL - leading the NFL in yards from scrimmage and having a real shot at breaking the NFL record for yards from scrimmage in a single season.  Last year, Brown bounced back from his ACL injury to reach his first career Pro Bowl.  But he admittedly wasn't 100% yet.  Now the Dolphins must decide if they should extend Ronnie's contract now - or at all.

Making things even more difficult is the impending CBA negotiations.  As it stands now, with no new CBA, the 2010 season is an uncapped year.  One of the changes that occurs during such a year is that it would take six accrued NFL season to reach unrestricted free agency - meaning Ronnie would only be a restricted free agent.  The Dolphins could put the highest tender offer on Brown and make any team that signs him surrender two 1st round picks.

Of course, if the front office decides to take the "want and see" approach, there could be a new CBA agreed upon prior to the start of the new "league year" next offseason - which would male Brown an unrestricted free agent.  So banking on an uncapped year is a very risky proposition.

Regardless of all that CBA talk, though, the question I'm posing now is if the Dolphins should sign Brown to an extension prior to the '09 season.  Those in favor would argue that signing Brown now locks up our "franchise running back."   So if Brown has a career year, the Dolphins wouldn't have to give in to his increased demands next offseason.  And we also know how hard it is to find a good running back.  Remember all those seasons during the Marino era and the "post-Marino, pre-Ricky" era?

Those in favor of waiting on extending Brown - or not extending Ronnie at all - would tell you that running backs are easily found.  They'd tell you that Brown will be 28 in December and doesn't have too many years left as a first string tailback.  And they'd tell you Brown will be too expensive and eat up too much cap space.

So how much would it cost to luck up Brown?  That's obviously a key part of all this.  I think that two recent running back deals take center stage here.  Last offseason, Michael Turner signed a 6 year, $34.5 million deal that included $15 million in guarantees.  This offseason, Maurice Jones-Drew signed a 5 year, $31 million deal that included $17.5 million guaranteed.  If Will Allen is worth over $5 million per year over the next 3 years, isn't Brown worth just as much - if not more?

In my opinion, I'd lock him up right now to a 5 year extension - paying him $30 million and keeping him in Miami for the foreseeable future.  He's this team's #1 offensive weapon and I strongly believe he's in for a big 2009 season - one that would probably increase his value if he reached the open market.  Let's get Ronnie locked up now!

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View full size photo uploaded May 26, 2009

The Dolphins have a number of players whose contracts expire following the 2009 season - which we will examine tomorrow.  But the Dolphins reduced that number today by signing CB Will Allen to a contract extension that will keep him in Miami through the 2011 season.

The deal, according to the Twitter account of Drew Rosenhaus, will pay Allen $16.2 million over the next three seasons, including $10 million in guaranteed money.

In a statement, Rosenhaus says:

"We're happy to get a deal done that makes sense for both sides. Will is excited because he was going into a free-agent year, but wanted to remain a Miami Dolphin. Now he'll remain with a franchise we feel is going places."

This is a great move, in my opinion.  Allen is a constant professional and is very well respected by "football people."  I think that us fans sometimes overlook his contributions, but he really is a very solid player week in and week out.  Now he'll be able to mentor Miami's two rookies - Vontae Davis and Sean Smith - for their first few seasons.

And, all of a sudden, the Dolphins' secondary could be set for the foreseeable future.

(Hat tip to Brian81371)

I hope everyone had a terrific holiday weekend.  And I hope you all did take a step back for a moment to remember what the Memorial Day holiday is all about - which is summed up pretty well right here.

Here is what you might have missed from this past weekend while you were out celebrating the holiday.

RANDY STARKS ARRESTED
Of course, the big story this weekend was some bad news for the Miami Dolphins.  Defensive lineman Randy Starks was arrested in South Beach.  Reports indicate that Starks was driving a freight-liner with 13 passengers in it - one of which was a woman sitting on his lap - when he hit a police officer while driving slowly.  The officer was reportedly on foot trying to pull over Starks for half a block.  After knocking on the window a second time, the officer was struck by the truck as he approached the driver-side window - as Starks moved "forward and slightly to the left" and pinned the officer between his truck and another vehicle.  Starks was arrested followjng this incident and charged with aggravated battery on a police officer - a felony.

The truck was also found to be using plates that weren't registered to that particular vehicle, prompting an additional misdemeanor charge.

While we shouldn't jump to conclusions until we hear all sides of the story - and neither the Dolphins nor Starks has released any comments about the incident - you can't help but wonder what in the world Starks was thinking.  Who piles 13 passengers into one vehicle?  I mean - in high school, we tried to see how many people we could fit into my little Ford Escort (and, including the trunk, we fit nine).  But we didn't then proceed to drive down a busy road with bumper-to-bumper traffic because - odds were - we'd get caught.  At the very least, it's probably safe to say Starks isn't the sharpest tool in the shed.

But more importantly for us is how the Dolphins handle this situation.  Starks was a valuable member of the Dolphins' defensive line rotation last season and figured to be an even bigger part this year following the release of Vonnie Holliday.  Whether he replaced Holliday as a starting DE or became Miami's top backup defensive end, the Dolphins were counting on Starks to play a big role.  Randy was also often seen on the field as a pass-rushing defensive tackle in passing situations.

So now the Dolphins face a tough decision.  Do you let him slide (assuming he survives the legal process) because he's the most experienced defensive end currently on the roster?  Or do you make an example out of Starks and release him, placing more pressure on guys like Lionel Dotson and Tony McDaniel?  Releasing him would send a message to the guys on the roster - one screw up and you could be gone.  But at what cost?

It'll be interesting to see how this situation plays out.  Perhaps Vonnie Holliday - who remains unsigned - should keep his phone close to him at all times.

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Happy Memorial Day!!

Today is a day to remember all those who lost their lives defending out great country.  So be sure to take a break from your Memorial Day festivities at some point today to remember all of the brave men and women who gave their life defending our freedom.

Now rather than do the usual weekend roundup post today (since many people probably won't be around a compter much), I wanted to ask you all a simple question.  But before I do, allow me to set the mood.

Picture this.  It's February 7, 2010.  Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens is the place.  Super Bowl XLIV is the event.  The game will air on CBS - meaning Dan Marino will likely be in the building as part of the CBS broadcast team.  Jason Taylor - returning to Miami in 2009 after a season away in Washington - is reportedly leaning towards retirement following this game...hoping for the most unbelievable storybook ending to a career you can imagine - a Super Bowl Championship in front of his hometown fans in Miami at Dolphin Stadium.

My question is this: What would you give for the Miami Dolphins to reach and win Super Bowl XLIV, which is being played in their own stadium?

Think about it and let us know your answer below.

And enjoy your Memorial Day holiday - be safe and have a good time!

Saturday means one thing here during the offseason - it's video time!  You'll remember way back in February, I was doing a "video time" recap of the '08 season - that was until we focused our attention on videos of draft picks and free agents.  We left off with Ted Ginn's brilliant week eight performance against the Bills. 

So we will turn our attention now to week nine against Denver.  Let me set the scene.  The Broncos had just scored a touchdown to cut Miami's lead to 19-17.  There is 11:10 remaining in the game and the Dolphins have the ball at their own 20 to begin the drive.  Mile High was rocking as Bronco fans were rowdy and on their feet.

Like many of you probably were, I was just waiting for the Dolphins to collapse - just as many "post-Marino" Dolphin teams had in the past in these situations.  But this team was different.

Enjoy the video - divided into two parts due to length - which can be found after the jump...

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