The Pro Bowl. Eh.
I watched a little bit of it but really just couldn't get into it. Whether it's played before the Super Bowl or after it is meaningless to me. The game is a joke. However, it's amazing that while the game is pretty much an after thought to many, the number of times a player is elected to the Pro Bowl becomes a key stat when talking about a player's Hall of Fame credentials.
Ironic, no?
Anyways, here's some of the headlines from this past weekend.
Jason Taylor doesn't seem sure of his future
This time last offseason, many Dolphin fans were wondering if Jason Taylor would return to Miami after his one season in Washington. Now we're waiting to see if Taylor returns to Miami after coming back home in 2009 and putting together a very solid season at the age of 35.
On Friday, Jason told the media that he's confident in his ability - as long as he's used the right way:
"I can play. I know I can play. It’s a matter of being in the right position and utilizing my talents in the right way."
If you read into what he says, it's easy to put two and two together and realize that Taylor probably wasn't too happy with how he was used in 2009, particularly late in the season when Taylor wasn't on the field as much in passing situations.
So is a return to Miami a possibility? I don't see why not. And Jason, being the veteran he is, knows how this game works:
"It's a business, and we'll see where it takes us. If they don't find who they want, and [other] teams don't find who they want, that's when your phone starts ringing."
Putting it all together, I think it's fair to say that if the Dolphins want Taylor in 2010, they can easily get him back. It will cost for than the $800,000 salary they paid him in '09. But that's fine. Taylor's veteran leadership was reportedly very vital to this team last year. And, though it may be a bit of an assumption, I get the feeling that Taylor might have been a key part of preventing any Joey Porter nonsense from really contaminating this team.
And that brings me to Porter. His roster bonus is due in early March. And I think that we'll have a better idea of this front office's plans for Taylor by the time the first week of March rolls around. If the Dolphins get rid of Porter, I'd expect to see this team make a string play to bring JT back. After all, he'd be more likely then to get snaps at his more natural weakside outside linebacker spot. There's also no need to create more holes to fill by getting rid of both linebackers. But if Porter remains with the Dolphins, I don't know if there's room for another aging veteran.
And given the choice between Porter and Taylor, I'd take Taylor any day of the week - and twice on Sundays.
By the way, Taylor and Porter - along with Zach Thomas - all were named to the NFL's All-Decade Team. Congrats to all three on the honor.
Rolle wants to roll down to Miami
Isn't it amazing how all of a sudden players want to play for the Dolphins? Two years ago, it was impossible to find a player who would want to join this mess of a franchise. But things changed in a hurry. Thanks to a new front office that has created a winning culture (and, of course, the weather, night life, and absence of a state income tax), players want to come here.
The latest to proclaim his interest is Cardinals free safety Antrel Rolle. Rolle is still under contract with the Cards, but is owed about $12 million in 2010. If the Cardinals are unable to negotiate a long-term deal with Rolle, I'd expect the Pro Bowl safety to be released. And he's made it clear that Miami is on the top of his list:
"That would be nice. You know what I mean. I would love to take some of the burden off of mom and dad seeing as they travel to every game. Miami is home for me. I haven't played here in five years, but hey, we can make it happen."
Rolle played high school and college ball in Miami - attending South Dade High and, of course, The U. He still maintains an offseason residence in Hollywood as well.
And Rolle is so interested in returning to this city that he's even aware of Miami's safety situation - also known as how terrible Gibril Wilson played last year.
"I'm more than aware," Rolle told the Miami Herald.
So is Rolle the answer at free safety? He's no sure thing. But he'd be an upgrade over Wilson, that much I can tell you. He's getting better every year at free safety. And, if nothing else, he at least creates turnovers. That's more than we can say about Wilson - who was dreadful in coverage last season.
Rex Ryan is still a douche
That about sums it up. How else can you explain Ryan's decision to give the middle finger to a group of Dolphin fans on Saturday night at an MMA event in Miami? The photo can be seen here, courtesy of the Miami Herald.
The story, in a nutshell, also comes courtesy of the Herald. This is what the person who took the picture said in an e-mail to Armando Salguero:
"As he walked by, my friends said, 'Dolphins rule, Jets suck!' He turned around and said, 'Go f--k yourself!' There were others screaming things at him, which is why he flicked everybody off. That's when I snapped the pic."
Ryan also said during a television interview that also aired live over the public address system that, "I just want to tell everyone in Miami, hey, we're coming to beat you twice next year."
That's large talk from a man who is yet to beat the Dolphins in two games as a head coach. But hey - whatever helps that shithead sleep at night.