Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor is still enjoying a final respite before the Dolphins open training camp and practice Aug. 2. It will be the first camp for Taylor under the current triumvirate of Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano.
But according to collegue David Quinones, Taylor already recognizes the current hierarchy is better than previous ones he's played for.
``Obviously," Taylor said during a break at Zo's Summer Groove Classic golf outing Thursday, "[Bill] Parcells and [GM Jeff] Ireland and their front office is a big step up from what was here in the past."
Ya think?
The current Dolphins management team, headed by Parcells, is the sixth Taylor will play under while with the Dolphins.
Taylor was drafted by Jimmy Johnson, then survived played years during which the team's personnel side was headed by Dave Wannstedt, Rick Spielman, Nick Saban, and Randy Mueller.
All of those previous personnel regimes had their good moments (plural) and bad, except of course, for Wannstedt who had perhaps one good personnel moment (Adewale Ogunleye) but probably not two.
But if Taylor ranks Parcells already atop those six regimes, where do the others rank?
I would say Jimmy Johnson was second, Randy Mueller was third, Nick Saban was fourth, Wannstedt was fifth and Spielman was sixth.
Why?
Well, Johnson couldn't find offensive help to save his life (or his career), but he remade the Dolphins defense into a unit that represented the organization well for much of a decade with players such as Patrick Surtain, Taylor, Zach Thomas, Sam Madison, and others.
Mueller got one shot in 2007 and seemingly fired blanks as the team went 1-15. But was it his fault Joey Porter was terrible that year or was the OLB used poorly? You saw what Porter did last year under the right system. Porter was Mueller's signing.
A lot of folks, including me, ripped Mueller for not drafting Brady Quinn and going with Ted Ginn Jr. Except neither player has exactly turned into a star and Ginn seems closer to making an NFL mark than Quinn. The jury is still out on that as well as the John Beck selection. No, Beck couldn't make it in Miami, but what if he turns it around in Baltimore or somewhere else?
Saban blew it on Jason Allen and Manny Wright and took seemingly forever to insert Yeremiah Bell into the starting lineup. He also blew it by trading for Daunte Culpepper instead of signing Drew Brees. That last failure set the franchise back at least two seasons. It's the reason the Dolphins had to draft multiple corners this year and spent 2006, 2007 and the offseason of 2008 looking for a QB.
But Saban connected on Ronnie Brown and Will Allen and Renaldo Hill and Andre' Goodman and Matt Roth and others.
Wannstedt? He drafted Todd Wade so that worked out initially. And he signed Ogunleye as an undrafted free agent. Of course, he had some dismal decisions with Jamar Fletcher and Eddie Moore and a ton of others.
Wannstedt's personnel failures were so great that owner Wayne Huizenga stripped the coach of final say over those decisions and handed them to Spielman. And Spielman repaid the promotion by demonstrating terrible judgment.
He gave up a second-round pick for A.J. Feeley. He traded away a third-round pick for Lamar Gordon, who was injured in his first game with Miami and was placed on injured reserve, never to play for the Dolphins again. He traded Ogunleye, a blue-chip defensive end, for Marty Booker, a possession wide receiver. And don't even get me started on the draft day fiasco in which Spielman traded away a fourth-round draft pick to Minnesota to move up one spot and then bypassed Vince Wilfork to pick Vernon Carey.
Yes, Carey is a good player. But Wilfork is Pro Bowl quality.
Trying to remember a wise move that Spielman made on the Dolphins' behalf ... The Rex Hadnot draft choice is best I can come up with, which ain't saying much.
Anyway, you give me your rankings of the six personnel departments. Let me guess, Parcells will be the consensus No. 1. So give me the rest.
And give me the best and worst moves by each regime.
[RADIO NOTE: I'll be on the radio Friday morning 6-10 a.m. on 790 The Ticket. You can listen live on the web at www.790theticket.com. I'll give you the new numbers to call the show on air. Also, remember to sign up to follow me at twitter.com/armandosalguero]
cuban menace/gopats/carlito. Yeah right numbnuts. don't forget aloco too. How about a new one like idiotic social parasite!
Posted by: napd | July 10, 2009 at 04:32 PM
NAPD, you sound like you have paranoid. Its ok, you don't has to listen to the voices in your head, everybody is not out to get you, calmate.
Posted by: carlito from golfito | July 10, 2009 at 04:38 PM
I don't know this aloco, but he sound like he know how to fix toilet real nice.
Posted by: carlito from golfito | July 10, 2009 at 04:39 PM
NAPD is the Cleo Lemon of this blog
Posted by: carlito from golfito | July 10, 2009 at 04:45 PM
You cant top.
Jamar Fletcher over Chad johnson
Eddie Moore over Anquan Boldin
WHEN YOUR BIGGEST NEED WAS WR
Posted by: luis | July 10, 2009 at 04:52 PM
2nd Rounder for third string QB
3rd rounder for third string runner.
Well that`Spielman and Wanny TOGETHER
Posted by: luis | July 10, 2009 at 04:54 PM
Jamar Fletcher over Drew Bress, i guess Dave must still in live qith Jay.
Posted by: luis | July 10, 2009 at 04:54 PM
Uncle sam you are so full of bull it is sad
Posted by: a loco | July 10, 2009 at 05:12 PM
agree a loco , sam is a sick dude, you will never come across one like him ever.
carlito red neck plumber who wishes every one is a plumber like him , working weekends in the basement and over charge the poor old ladys in florida.
Posted by: yeees | July 10, 2009 at 05:19 PM
Wow ! Look at gopats talking to himself as aloco and yeessss. How sad and pathetic. What a social parasite.
Posted by: napd | July 10, 2009 at 05:26 PM
NAPD, you are not Cleo Lemon of this blog. You are Eddie Moore or Yatil Greene of this blog because you come with lots of hype, but contribute nothing.
Posted by: carlito from golfito | July 10, 2009 at 05:30 PM
napd is a beautiful bus boy
Posted by: yeees | July 10, 2009 at 05:30 PM
i agree with you Carlito my hero. napd is a donkey
Posted by: Aloco | July 10, 2009 at 05:32 PM
Anyone else can tell me if they know NAPD short for
National
Association of
Pedophile
Donkeys
?
Posted by: carlito from golfito | July 10, 2009 at 05:42 PM
what's a matter carlito/aloco or gopats/cuban menace. strike a nerve !. You scum of the earth.
Posted by: napd | July 10, 2009 at 05:42 PM
scum of azzzzzz
Posted by: carlito from golfito | July 10, 2009 at 05:44 PM
why you so angry scum of azzzzzzz?
Posted by: carlito from golfito | July 10, 2009 at 05:44 PM
i love people but not this sick man who hates the world and come here to beautiful people like carlito and nj phin and take it out on them
Posted by: Aloco | July 10, 2009 at 05:51 PM
Carlito from golfito,
I will hurt you so bas you Costa Rican pizz ant
Posted by: napd | July 10, 2009 at 05:51 PM
Uncle Sam,
I know I can take you on fool
Posted by: a loco | July 10, 2009 at 05:52 PM
The cuban will be on the blog from 7 to 8 tonite, so have the Qs ready boys....
Posted by: cuban menace | July 10, 2009 at 05:53 PM
NAPD, you hurt nothing. You think it sound tuff to challenge someone for fight on internet? Sad, lonely little scum of azzzz.
Posted by: carlito from golfito | July 10, 2009 at 05:59 PM
cuban, i have question and can't wait ,would you take now ?
Posted by: Aloco | July 10, 2009 at 06:00 PM
how can we tame sam?
Posted by: C.M | July 10, 2009 at 06:06 PM
Gopats/aloco , who asked you for a fight haitian monkey boy ? Now get of this blog you alien jackazz.
Posted by: napd | July 10, 2009 at 06:22 PM
napd is a donkey in love
Posted by: J.C | July 10, 2009 at 06:28 PM
Uncle Sam is too smart to be tamed by aloco/gopats and menace. Just my thought
Posted by: Carlito | July 10, 2009 at 06:28 PM
WHEN WE SAY TAMING this guy , i mean just give him a toy for his az to trick him
Posted by: C.M | July 10, 2009 at 06:31 PM
ok kids, i have to go , sam stay cool and keep it up my boy until your master in love afc east shows up sick man.
Posted by: Aloco | July 10, 2009 at 06:34 PM
OK kids, the menace is a little early, what are we discussing??
Posted by: cuban menace | July 10, 2009 at 06:42 PM
what the way to get to your heart mr menace ?
Posted by: juile | July 10, 2009 at 06:45 PM
With a scalpel left side and under the 3rd rib, Next question.
Posted by: cuban menace | July 10, 2009 at 06:48 PM
what the way to get to your azzz ?
Posted by: Mr.Beans | July 10, 2009 at 06:49 PM
Beans, The cuban doesnt play for that team..(not that there's anything wrong with that)
Posted by: cuban menace | July 10, 2009 at 06:52 PM
cuban, based on your vast knowledge of this blog , give us your thought on what's going on between AFC and uncle sam .
Posted by: C.M | July 10, 2009 at 07:08 PM
Gopats or Cuban menace. Vast knowledge ? don't make me laugh ! knowledge of monkey boys maybe.
Posted by: sammo | July 10, 2009 at 07:12 PM
CAN'T WE HAVE SOME FUN WITHOU THE SAM THE STALKER SHOWS UP ?
Posted by: C.M | July 10, 2009 at 07:15 PM
is jason tylor going to retire soon or are we going to have flash back next year ?
Posted by: C.M | July 10, 2009 at 07:26 PM
Dear Mr. Olivadotti
"I did, after all, play a key role in putting Jim Kelly into the Hall of Fame."
Your list of helping others goes further then that, theres Jim Kelly, Andre Reed, Thurman Thomas,John Wilkes Booth(I just watched Nation treasure part 2),whoever was on the jets when we played them.
Yes Mr. Olivadotti you have helped many Teams with your Defence just not Dolphin Teams.
Soiled :)
Posted by: SoiledBottom | July 10, 2009 at 08:08 PM
c.m, Dont want to get into a conflict with a black panther and the head of our great government...I'm like Switzerland, I'm neutral on this one..
Posted by: cuban menace | July 10, 2009 at 08:18 PM
menace, do you like belly dancing ?
Posted by: nancy | July 10, 2009 at 08:20 PM
Dear Mr. Salguero
Just a couple of articles ago I mentioned if you dont post new articles your last one gets filled with alot of big talk about things like Azzz and my member is bigger then your member type stuff or Ill beat you up type talk.
Usually it starts around page 3 and goes on till you post new stuff.
Are you not posting new articles so it gives the, Hmmmm how do we word this ? Morons a chance to spout off ?(No offence to those who know what Moron means)
Anyhoo looking forword to your next article
Soiled :)
P.S. Let the slandering begin.
Posted by: SoiledBottom | July 10, 2009 at 08:22 PM
Nancy, never saw any one dance on there belly..
Posted by: cuban menace | July 10, 2009 at 08:25 PM
Agree Mr.Bottoms...
Posted by: cuban menace | July 10, 2009 at 08:26 PM
Dear Mr. Menace
Who are you this fine evening ? Its nice tonight here in Charlotte NC.
Soiled :)
Posted by: SoiledBottom | July 10, 2009 at 08:35 PM
Dear Mr. Menace
How are you this fine evening ? lol
Soiled :)
Posted by: SoiledBottom | July 10, 2009 at 08:37 PM
Iam up in the city so great they named it twice, Hot temps today, I believe global warmings kicken in..
Posted by: cuban menace | July 10, 2009 at 08:40 PM
Dear Mr. Menace
"city so great they named it twice,"
?
Soiled :)
Posted by: SoiledBottom | July 10, 2009 at 08:45 PM
NEW YORK,NEW YORK.....
Posted by: cuban menace | July 10, 2009 at 08:49 PM
Dear Mr. Menace. I believe you were asked WHO are you this fine evening not where. You know what he means " Many me " ,the man with a thousand post names. Including social parasite.
Posted by: RexRyanSucks | July 10, 2009 at 09:19 PM
RexRyanSucks ,again you show us how dumb you are, every one knows that soiled bottom is nathaniel dodsworth and you uncle sam will never fool the good people on this blog .
Posted by: ryan and sister | July 10, 2009 at 09:42 PM
Dear Ryan and Sister
"every one knows that soiled bottom is nathaniel dodsworth"
When Mr. Dodsworth finds out he's really me, boy is he gonna be disapointed.
Soiled :)
Posted by: SoiledBottom | July 10, 2009 at 09:54 PM
Soiled
Why do you like King Kong Bundy so much?
Posted by: The Cuban Assassin | July 10, 2009 at 09:55 PM
Dear Mr. Assassin
I was never a big fan of king kong bundy.
I like Stan the man Staziac(The heart punch)
Haystacks Calhoon was another I remember growin up with or Ivan Koloff or George the animal steele.
With those names Im showin my age(Blush) LOL
Soiled :)
Posted by: SoiledBottom | July 10, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Dear Mr. Assassin
There was Bruno Samartino, Andre the Giant, Sargent Slaughter, The Road Warriors,Capt.Lou Albano, Rowdy Roddy Piper.
Soiled :)
Posted by: SoiledBottom | July 10, 2009 at 10:07 PM
Soiled
I used to watch Kevin Sullivan with the Purple Haze, doing his antics.
Posted by: The Cuban Assassin | July 10, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Iron Sheik, Abdullah the Butcher, Black Jack Mulligan
Posted by: The Cuban Assassin | July 10, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Remember Gordon Solie, Brutus the Barber, Hacksaw Dugan, Big John Stud
Posted by: The Cuban Assassin | July 10, 2009 at 10:16 PM
Dear MR SOILED BOTTOM. " Are you not posting new articles so it gives, Hmmm how do we word this ? MORONS a chance to spout off. And here you are spouting off about past and washed up wrestlers. i guess that makes you a MORON !
Posted by: HYPOCRITE | July 10, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Kendo Nagasaki, Missing Link, JJ Dillon
Posted by: The Cuban Assassin | July 10, 2009 at 10:23 PM