Weekend Roundup

by Matty I on Apr 7, 2008 12:25 AM EDT in News Comment 20 comments

It was a relatively quiet weekend in terms of Dolphin news. Of course, it was a rather successful weekend for my currently first place St. Louis Cardinals (oh hell yea!!). But here's what you might have missed this weekend while you were out and about as well as a little Jason Taylor trade nugget I'm tossing out your way.

JASON TAYLOR TRADE TALK UPDATE
You'll remember that about a month ago, I posted this story about the Jaguars being very interested in trading for Jason Taylor. Two weeks later, Armando Salguero (among others in the mainstream media) also hopped on the "JT to the Jags" bandwagon. Well, now another source of mine, a reliable one at that, told me over the weekend that he knows for sure that there is another team, along with Jacksonville, that is highly interested in trading for Taylor. The problem? He told me he "wasn't comfortable" telling me who this team was.

So all we're left with is knowing that the Jaguars and a "mystery team" are seriously considering making a move for Jason Taylor. But who might this unknown team actually be? I have no idea. The Vikings were reportedly interested in Taylor a month or so back, so it very well could be them. It also could be the Broncos, who reportedly are seeking help to their pass rush. But there are a couple of other teams that I want to throw out there. The first are the Bengals. After losing Justin Smith, Cincinnati could use a pass rusher like Taylor. And maybe making a move like this would convince Chad Johnson that they are indeed looking to better their team. Another team I want to throw out there are the Browns. They will likely be switching to a 3-4 defense following the addition of Shaun Rodgers and I could see them making a play for Taylor to play opposite of Kamerion Wimbley.

Regardless, the important thing here is that there apparently is another team in play besides the Jaguars for Taylor's services, if the Dolphins do decide to trade him. And that's good news for the Dolphins, as their return in a JT trade will certainly increase with at least two teams seeking his services.

MOSLEY BELIEVES CHRIS LONG WILL BE THE PICK
We all know that nobody really knows who the Dolphins will take #1 overall if they can't trade the pick. However, Matt Mosley does have some strong connections to the current Dolphin regime as he was formerly a beat writer covering the Cowboys. So that's why I will bring up the info that Mosley writes in regards to the Dolphins.

And who does he think the pick is?

I assure you that Sparano is making a strong argument for offensive tackle Jake Long, but Chris Long will be the guy. Bill Parcells loves kids who grew up in football households, and Long certainly fits that description. I'm told that he looked very natural during linebacker drills on his pro day. Honestly, I think the Dolphins would prefer to pass on the pick if they couldn't trade down, but it won't happen. Parcells thinks the money spent at the top of the draft is prohibitive.

Nut surprisingly, he thinks it will be Chris Long. But it's interesting that Mosley feels head coach Tony Sparano is indeed lobbying for the Fins to take Jake Long. But, really, I don't think Sparano's say will count for much in regards to the first pick. I much more inclined to think that Bill Parcells and Jeff Ireland will make the final decision. And, like Mosley, I too think Chris Long will be the pick.

Interesting tidbit, though, that Mosley tosses our way is below:

The good news is that I know pretty much everyone on the Dolphins' coaching staff. The bad news is they're not saying much. One of my favorite guys in the league, head coach Tony Sparano, surfaced for a few minutes at the league meetings, but he refused to announce the first pick.

Just between us, the Dolphins are about to plant a rumor that they're taking Ohio State linebacker Vernon Gholston. One of my pals in the mock drafting industry has already jumped on this rumor, but I'm steering clear for now.

It'll be interesting to see if Mosley's belief of a rumor being planted by the Dolphins does indeed pan out. If, in the next week or so, the media begins to believe that Gholston will be the pick, then I'll be much more inclined to believe that Mosley knows what he's talking about in terms of what Miami plans to do first overall. So keep your eyes and ears peeled for this rumor that may be circulating.

QUICK HITS
Here are a couple of quick nuggets to throw your way which may or may not impact the Dolphins:

-The same source who told me that there is another team involved in the Jason Taylor sweepstakes also tells me that the Fins have a workout planned with Aurburn DE Quentin Groves. Groves is a candidate to play either DE in a 4-3 defense or OLB in a 3-4 defense.

-Speaking of defenses, Matt Mosley does think that the Dolphins will definitely run a 3-4 defense next year and beyond.

-Sports Illustrated's Peter King writes in last week's issue of SI that "Teams hoping to draft Louisville's Brian Brohm early in the second round should rethink their plans. Two teams with late first round picks want to make Brohm the second QB taken." Any ideas who that might be? I'll take a guess and say one of those teams are the 49ers.

Thoughts on any of the above below...

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Comments

I still think it's Dallas

talking to the Fins about a JT plus #1 for their two firsts and a third, plus a pick next year. :)

by LeftCoastFinFan on Apr 7, 2008 12:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i hope not

and I say that because if the Dolphins are looking to trade Taylor, I hope that Long or Gholston are his replacement!

by Matty I on Apr 7, 2008 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hear you, but the BJS may be willing to take the

extra picks to fill other positions this year, and then pick up his replacement in FA or the draft next year. No one says we have to do it all at once. :) Beasides, with the depth at several positions in the draft this year, you could honestly look at it like a choice between getting a starting (and likely pro bowl) DE/OLB, *OR* a starting CB AND OT. I personally see more value this year in the latter choice. IMO.

by LeftCoastFinFan on Apr 7, 2008 1:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But I liked the Shockey-Taylor trade idea

That might make sense if the Giants decide to let him go.

by LeftCoastFinFan on Apr 7, 2008 12:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

what about this

Just throwing an idea out there, not sure how I really feel about it just yet, but here goes..

Tennessee is a team towards the bottom of the first round looking for some help on the DL, specifically DE. I don't know if they would take a vet over a rookie, but it's possible. Anyway, here's my proposal.

We send them:
Jason Taylor
Pick 32

They send us:
Pick 24
Pick 85
Pick 124

Why they do it: They add JT, can still grab a WR at 32, and retain their 2nd round pick. They could even move their number 2 for a 3 and 4 to replenish their picks if needed.

Why we do it: Add two more quality picks in the 3rd and 4th, move up from 32 to 24. You can take C. Long number 1 to replace JT, then grab Cherilus most likely at 24 to fill in at RT. We would still hold pick 57, and then on day 2 we would have two 3's, two 4's two 6's and two 7's.

Like I said I don't know my opinion on the deal just yet I guess it would depend on what needs we plan to fill on day 1 and with what players, but what does everyone else think?

http://canemutiny.blogspot.com A fans view of Miami Hurricanes Football and Basketball

by Little Nicky 21 on Apr 7, 2008 1:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

now that I think about it...

.. I would probably do this deal and still take Jake Long number 1, then grab a Jerod Mayo or Calais Campbell at 24 to play the 3-4 end with his 6-8 self. Then use 57 and our new 3rd rounder to jump back into the 30s and get Reggie Smith.

Haha sorry guys got me in a wheelin n dealin mood now..

http://canemutiny.blogspot.com A fans view of Miami Hurricanes Football and Basketball

by Little Nicky 21 on Apr 7, 2008 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

JT

I would trade JT for a 2nd, 3rd and a next year 1st rounder.

by gophish on Apr 7, 2008 2:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

you guys are drunk man....

sell JT for a low 1st anyday, or even a paired 2nd and 3rd or 4th and we are in business... the guy is friggin 34 years old, he only has one year remaining on his contract so if he doesn't like the team he's traded to he'll be able to walk out... sign a franchise tag you say ? have you ever heard of retirement ? ... jason taylor will be sold for a 2nd and a 4th at best, that's what I foresee

by s55ean on Apr 7, 2008 8:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Quentin Groves...

...is a monster. There's no one great film of him on you-tube but watch the individual plays.

If the Dolphins are looking at Groves I believe they're probably scheming for a trade down/ JT scenario.

I don't believe Groves will slip to the second round, but it could be possible.

The main thing with Groves is that as a second round or late first round selection he has indescribably more value than Chris Long as a no. 1.

As far as JT is concerned, I think that the value would absolutely have to be there. If Jacksonville or the Cowboys want to spend a first round pick on JT then the Dolphins would be crazy not to pull the trigger.

Matty I may be right and Dallas might offer up one of their 1st round selections for JT. That would be a good value for them and really put them at the forefront of the Lombardi race.

If its a second and a fourth or something along those lines I'd say let him stay. Typically an OLB takes time to develop (usually one year) in a 3-4 defense. If they are planning to draft a Chris Long type then they would be best served to retain JT and let Long play down for a year while learning the OLB position.

A trade though, with a first rounder selection for JT... Imagine drafting Jake Long and then Quentin Groves in the first round and then taking a middle linebacker like Curtis Lofton in the second. Wow.

www.thephinisher.com

by The Phinisher on Apr 7, 2008 9:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You mention Matty talking about a straight up

trade with Dallas? You mean cincy? Also, I could go with Groves and J. Long with the first two picks. But I think I would make CB my priority after that.

by LeftCoastFinFan on Apr 7, 2008 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Credit Due

It was you, not Matty. I think you're on to something that could be a real possibility. There seems to be too many rumors about a Dolphins - Dallas trade for it to be only rumor.

I'm with you about a corner too. It's just that Curtis Lofton looks like a star and he won't last long in the second round and I want them to grab another lineman early, additional to the one they draft in the first.

www.thephinisher.com

by The Phinisher on Apr 7, 2008 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No worries... I was just wondering if you meant

cincy, since I have seen that mentioned a couple of times and could also be a fit.

I think the criteria for a team that would trade for JT is limited:

- They would need to be a contender.
Not for JTs sake, but because the expectation is that he only has a couple of years left, and would need to renegotiate a contract next year to keep him. The means a team not looking to go to the SB next year, or the following year would do better to keep the draft pick.

- They would probably have a multiple low firsts or high second rounder.
The MAX any team would likely pay for JT would be a very low 1st and then probably not their ONLY 1st. The LEAST the Fins would probably take would be a mid 2nd. You can get into multiple picks, like a low 2nd and a 4th, but the teams that have low 2nds are generally teams that maximize their draft picks... especially 2nd day picks. I just don't think those teams would want to give up multiple picks.

- They don't have a lot of holes to fill ("one player away").
This goes along with #1 and #2. However, a team like the Pats could be a contender and still have a lot of holes to fill after FA and cap cuts.

So, all the teams with low firsts are contenders, but I doubt any of them would be willing to part with their only 1st rounder.

Dallas has two and might consider giving up the 28th. Dallas also survived FA with their critical pieces in place. But I believe, in spite of any denials, that JJ want's to find a way to move up, and without making this a package deal, he would most likely need both 1sts to do that. If he could find a way to work a deal that gets him JT and McFadden, I think he would pull the trigger.

None of the teams with mid to high 2nds are contenders or one player away.

Cincy? Maybe. They draft high but might be considered a contender and they have a bunch of picks, with the 15th in the 2nd round.

Jax? Again, maybe... they have a low 2nd, which probably wouldn't be enough (2-27), but the have 3 5ths, and maybe the Fins would take a 2nd and a 5th? They also did pretty well in FA, filling most of their holes while losing no critical pieces.

Tenn? This is a possibility. The have the look of contending this year, and did very well in FA. They have filled in most of their holes and will probably use the draft to grab depth and upgrades. They definitely need upgrades, but one of their weakest areas of need is the pass rush. The have a low #1 (24) and probably believe that they could get to the SB within two years.

Who else? Ind? Not enough first day picks. SD? not enough picks period! Pit? maybe, but they didn't do much in FA except lose key players, which tells me that they aren't likely to do anything except use their draft picks.

All in all, I think a bundled trade with Dallas that nets Jerry Jones both McFadden and JT immediately improves Dallas' SB odds.

by LeftCoastFinFan on Apr 7, 2008 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't understand...

why JT is supposedly so hot to get out of Miami. Yes, the team SUCKED under Cam Cam, but don't Parcells and crew inspire more confidence? If I was him, I'd be excited. There are no guarantees in the NFL. A couple of years ago, the Bengals looked like Super Bowl contenders. Last year, not so much. A year ago, the Giants looked pretty average. Now they are world champions. He's young enough to see this team turn around while he's still on the roster. Doesn't the idea of being a Dolphin for his entire career - and the god-like status that goes with it for Miami fans - mean anything? And who are these sources that say he wants out? I'm sure he wasn't happy to see Zach go, but he's smart enough to know that "it's a business."

by New York Fins Fan on Apr 7, 2008 9:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Q

"Quetin Groves will be selected by Miami with the 32nd pick if he is still around and if Miami still has the pick"--MY source

Too young to remember 72...not old enough to forget about ever other year since!

by JGray on Apr 7, 2008 9:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

49ers

Keep hearing they're in LOVE with the idea of Groves with their 1st pick.

Matt

by Matt27 on Apr 7, 2008 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Q

Yeah -hearing them and Pittsburg!

Too young to remember 72...not old enough to forget about ever other year since!

by JGray on Apr 7, 2008 3:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Chris Long/Vernon Ghoulston are smokescreens

its pretty obvious that Jake Long is the pick and that any CL/VG interest/talk are just like you stated...smokescreening. the fact that BP believes that "a HC should be able to shop for his own groceries"...is evidence enough that Tony Sparano has full say into who they are selecting at #1. CL/VG is just an attempt to entice STL into trading up a spot...or one of the top ten teams to trade up and MIA still be able to land a Brandon Albert/Jeff Otah/Ryan Clady and some added picks. Its so crystal clear, its almost funny. lol!

by mred on Apr 7, 2008 5:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs