List of special eligibility players for 2010 draft

I think despite all the conversation we have on this forum about trades and free agents of one sort or another, we all agree the way the Dolphins will mostly try to dig out of their 7-9 hole through the draft.

So the deeper the draft, the better it is for Miami. Well, today the NFL released it's list of draft-eligible underclassmen or players with special eligibility for the draft and the good news is it is 53 players long. That's the longest list -- tied with 2008 -- since 2001.

Tell me which players interest you.

No, not Eric Berry. He'll be gone before the Dolphins select at No. 12.

By the way, the practices for the East-West Shrine game in Orlando began on Monday and Bill Parcells was present checking out the talent for himself. But that's not the interesting part. Fact is, Parcells attended the practices for the Orange Bowl teams here in South Florida, too. He wants to see the talent up close and personal.

The intriguing thing to me is that Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall, a native of Central Florida was also at the practice. OK, math lesson of 2 + 2 hopefully =ing a beast WR for Miami.

As you know, Marshall was not on great terms with the Broncos when the season ended. He was, in fact, inactive the final game of the season for reasons the coaching staff determined. So the talk is Marshall may be available when the league year begins in March.

What if Marshall approached Parcells? What if Parcells approached Marshall? If it was going to happen, this would have been the perfect venue. Furthermore, with their interview of former Denver defensive coordinator Mike Nolan coming up, one would assume the Dolphins will be able to get the inside dope on Marshall if they are so inclined.

Obviously, it's up to them to be inclined. But if they are, opportunities are opening to them for gaining information on Marshall -- including talking directly to the player. Coincidently and unofficially, of course. 

By the way, be sure to catch up on today's non-news at the Herald website -- The Dolphins announced the hiring of Bill Sheridan as their inside linebacker coach. It only took them a week or so to announce it.

Player	Pos.	College
Basped, Kevin	DE	Nevada
Benn, Arrelious	WR	Illinois
Berry, Eric	DB	Tennessee
Best, Jahvid	RB	California
Bowman, Navorro	LB	Penn State
Bradford, Sam	QB	Oklahoma
Briscoe, Dezmon	WR	Kansas
Brown, Antonio	WR	Central Michigan
Bryant, Dez	WR	Oklahoma State
Bulaga, Bryan	T	Iowa
Burnett, Morgan	DB	Georgia Tech
Campbell, Bruce	T	Maryland
Clausen, Jimmy	QB	Notre Dame
Curran, Rennie	LB	Georgia
Davis, Anthony	T	Rutgers
Dunlap, Carlos	DE	Florida
Dwyer, Jonathan	RB	Georgia Tech
Franks, Dominique	DB	Oklahoma
Geathers, Clifton	DE	South Carolina
Gibson, Thaddeus	DE	Ohio State
Gresham, Jermaine	TE	Oklahoma
Griffen, Everson	DE	Southern California
Gronkowski, Rob	TE	Arizona
Haden, Joe	DB	Florida
Hernandez, Aaron	TE	Florida
Jackson, Kareem	DB	Alabama
Jones, Chad	DB	Louisiana State
Jones, Reshad	DB	Georgia
Joseph, Linval	DT	East Carolina
Marshall, Darius	RB	Marshall
Mathews, Ryan	RB	Fresno State
McClain, Rolando	LB	Alabama
McCoy, Gerald	DT	Oklahoma
McKnight, Joe	RB	Southern California
McNeal, Shawnbrey	RB	Southern Methodist
Mitchell, Carlton	WR	South Florida
Moore, Joshua	DB	Kansas State
Morgan, Derrick	DE	Georgia Tech
Norton, Jerell	DB	Arkansas
Pierre-Paul, Jason	DE	South Florida
Pouncey, Maurkice	C	Florida
Price, Brian	DT	UCLA
Rogan, Dennis	DB	Tennessee
Snead, Jevan	QB	Mississippi
Spievey, Amari	DB	Iowa
Tate, Golden	WR	Notre Dame
Thomas, Demaryius	WR	Georgia Tech
Thomas, Earl	DB	Texas
Warren, Donovan	DB	Michigan
Williams, Damian	WR	Southern California
Williams, Mike	WR	Syracuse
Worilds, Jason	DE	Virginia Tech
Wright, Major	DB	Florida

Comments

[Mark in Toronto]

Dolphins4Life, I like the Vikes chances of winning it all too. however, their weak link is their secondary - that's got to be a concern going against the Saints. But if Jared makes the mess that he made last Sunday - the secondary won't have to cover that long. Don't like the Saints OL against the Vikes front 7.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Marcus , i've Talked about about Micah Johnson alot. He would be a steal in the 3rd round. Everson griffen at 275 pounds will be a DE in the 4-3. He's not a fit for the dolphins at olb .

[Jeremy in the Canadian Cowtown]

Here`s a scenario mor you all.
Denver picks with the #11 pick Rolando McClain.
Des Bryant is still avalable, and the Jets call.. They`re offering to swap firsts and their second round pick.
Do you do the deal or not?

[Michael]

I'm all for giving players second chances, but I don't understand the fascination everyone has with players who are disruptions with the teams that are now looking to unload them. Unfortunately, we have become so impatient to win now, we're willing to easily dispose of draft picks for players lacking character. I would love McClain, but although it's still early, almost every mock draft has him going to the Broncos at the 11th pick. Our only hope is for Denver to find some sucker to give up what will probably amount to a couple of high draft picks, and pray they take a receiver. Other than that, I'm for taking the highest rated player, or even better, trading down and stocking up on picks in very deep draft this year.

Mike in Houston

[Mark in Toronto]

NJ, Griffen can slim down to 265 and be an OLB no problem not like he needs to lose 30, 40 pounds. merriman was a beast of an OLB at 265 until he got hurt. matt roth also weighs 265. That's pretty much the top end one can be though.

Cuban, love your chances this weekend. Straight up???? Jets fans are suckers!!!

[Jncrdn]

I Luke gyliard from cinncy , also Thomas from tech would also be nice

[Mitch (in NC)]

If Marshall can be had with a 2nd+ other picks or players, PULL THE TRIGGER. The guy is a friggin beast and the perfect target for Henne.

[Mark in Toronto]

Jeremy, I wouldn't trade down to the Jets position. that will be the 28th pick at worst thanks to the rule changes. That's WAAAAAY too far down.

[Marcus]

NJ, give me your ideal 3 round mock for Miami...

[Dolphins4life]

Marcus yup there are some mocks' that have him in first. Just checked, I don't think he has that kind of value, but we shall see.

[sammo]

miami has way too many needs on defense to waste multiple picks on marshall. as much as we all want a gamebreaking wr our offense is good enough to win games as is if miami's defense can allow 10 less points a game. tenn never goes to ot and beats miami. texans or steelers don't beat miami either.ten less points a game allowed and miami is in the playoffs. i agree a tight end that can stretch the field needs to be added either by draft or free agency.

[bobbyd12]

Listen, everyone is clamoring to sign Nolan as our DC, and then in the same breath turn around and want to give up our first pick for Marshall??? I would like to hear that interview, yes Mr. Nolan our defense has holes but we are gonna bring in a WR with that pick, please come coach our Defense...Mr. Nolan then says "thanks but NO"

[Dolphins4life]

Marcus all that changes in the next four months and we still have the combine. I would say most of the first ten draft picks are projected more or less right but like I said wait till the combine, some team (Raiders) will fall in love with someones measurables.
Happens every year.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

LMAO @ Dolphins4life, do you have any idea what you're talking about ??? . Hardy missed what 3 games this year and 2 year before . They only play 11 games in college. That's the equivilant of missing 4 or 5 games in a 16 game schedule in the nfl. He alaways injured. I also asked you if you watched the KC game last year and the final 2 games this year with crowder out. These non-running football teams ran all over miami without crowder. This is a man who was averaging 100 tackles a year before this injury-riddled year. Please get a clue my friend but then again you also think T Mays will get drafted ahead of E.BERRY. :)

[Jeremy in the Canadian Cowtown]

I say trade ted Ginn and a third for Marshall. Both teams get rid of a problem that way.

[bobbyd12]

Cuban, I already have the Jumbo Kolada on order with La Carreta waiting ur imminent arrival

[Marcus]

What do you think of the Lamar Houston from Texas? Caused plenty of Havoc in the Championship game... He is 6-2 300 which is a good start for a healthy nose, could put on 10 -15 more pounds. Some may say he is too small but he is the same size that Jay Ratliff was when he came out.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Mark . some have griffen listed at 282, believe me it not easy to just shed the pounds. You going to draft a guy HOPING he can shed the pound and MAYBE be able to play olb. LOL !: Griffen is a DE !!!

[Bootang25]

I for one am intrigued by Jahvid Best, in the sense we could sort of use him as the Saints use Reggie Bush. He is a player who is a mismatch regardless who is covering him. If he could be had in the 3rd, I think it could be a steal.

[Bootang25]

And I'm a defensive minded guy remember. He just had many uses.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Marcus , assuming McClain is gone . 1st round - Earl thomas-s. 2nd round - jerry hughes-olb. 3rd round -micah johnson-ilb. AND AWAY WE GO !!! :)

[InFINcible]

My fear is the pats trade Moss and one of their many #2's to the Broncos for Marshall...Bellichik always finds a way to pull stuff like that off.

I say we spend every pick on a LB and we're bound to hit on at least 1.

GO Fins!!

[Marcus]

Report: Mike Nolan has signed with Miami.

[Marcus]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/

[Dolphins4life]

NJPHINFAN

Crowder is among the worst players at his positon. There were two players in front of him and one was Ayodele. Your telling me you would start him ahead of havin a hypothetical unit: Hardy and Taylor/Wake at OLB and Mclain and Dansby at ILB. lol Uhh OK.

[Michael]

Nolan on board...next order of business.

Mike in Houston

[Marcus]

Ok... NJ, here are two scenerios....

1. McClain is there
2. McClain is gone and we trade down to 20 and pick up another second

Give me your 1, 2 , and 3... And then 1, 2, 2, 3...

[Mark in Toronto]

NJ, just because you are saying he can only be a DE doesn't mean he can only be a DE. I've heard several legit mock sites saying he could be an OLB. And you know well you can't just look at weight in isolation. You have to look at body type. Now, he's 275 -280 on a 6'3 or 6-4 frame. That isn't that much wiehgt to shed. 10 to 15 lbs. Not saying it's likely, I'm saying it's possible. For cripes sake, i train pretty hard and my weight fluctuates 5 pounds to either side on any given day. And I'm only 6'0. As long as he is athletic enough, it can happen. Just because you type LOL or put a happy face at the end of your post doesn't mean yours is the only right answer.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

AGAIN, Griffen will be a DE !!!

[bobbyd12]

New blog up about Nolan signing! B

[Mark in Toronto]

I am also not saying that Griffen is the best fit for Miami and I wouldn't take him but it doesn't mean that he can't play the position.

I've gone on record many times saying Derrick Morgan is my #1 pick, McClain 1 a. Earl Thomas then jason-pierre paul.

[Dolphins4life]

Mark in Toronto

Yup agree with you the Vikes secondary will need help from their pass rush agains the Saints but man they have a very good pass rush and have a great run D. Lets see what happens.'=
Also agree with you on Everson Griffin has the speed and and his weight isnt a issue.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Channing Crowder is certainly NOT one of the worst at his position. That is a false statement. He had a bad and injury riddled year . again did you watch the KC game last year and the final 2 games this year, If you did , you wouldn't be making inaccurate statements like that.

[Randy S.]

Damn this is exciting!!! I wish we were still playing, but the time leading up to the draft is AWESOME! Hopefully we can score Nolan as DC and get him a starting ILB, OLB, and NT in the draft to work with. Throw in a FA WR and another ILB/OLB, and OL depth and we'll be doing fine. We can wait another year for TE, Safety, and RB. Fasano and/or Haynos are very servicable. Culver or Clemons should be able to replace Gerbil. Bell is a very good SS and should be good for two more years. Ronnie, Ricky, Cobbs, Tyrannosaurus Lex, and Sheets can hold down the RB position for another year or two.

Even though I hate them more than any other team...except the Steelers....we have to congratulate the FN Jets on their run. I hope they get c*ckpunched this weekend, but they are playing great defense. Luckily, their lack of draft picks last year and this year will hurt them bigtime in a season or two. Just in time for the Dolphins to start their dynasty.....I hope. woohoo!!

[Marcus]

If McClain is there...

1. McClain
2. Golden Tate/ D. Thomas
3. Rob Gronkowski TE Arizona
4. Micah Johnson (He is recovering from MCL/ACL I believe, he should slip)

If McClain is not there...

1. Golden Tate WR Notre Dame
2. Brandon Graham OLB Michigan
2. Lamar Houston DT Texas
3. Rob Gronkowski TE Arizona
4. Micah Johnson MLB Kentucky(He is recovering from MCL/ACL I believe, he should slip)

[The Bra1n]

Parcels + Marshall = tampering

I think he knows better than to approach a player under contract at a college practice.

Rd 1 McClain
Rd 2 Cody

[Scarecrow]

IF I were GM.....

Get rid of G. Wilson, Torbor, Porter,

Through Free Agency : Sign a number 1 WR, NT (if available and Fergie cannot go one more year) IF possible Dansby (could solve lots of problems and save a draft pick.

Rd. 1) CJ Spiller- Ricky is done after next season. Ronnie gets hurt every couple years. Have you ever watched the dolphins run screen passes? We are absolutley horrible at it while other teams destroy us at will on it a la Houston, Tennessee, Buffalo. He can line up in the slot or quick sweeps out of shot gun. Key word is DYNAMIC adds another dimension to the offense. WE would still have power backs like Polite, Cobbs and Hilliard.
Rd. 2 and 3 either a nasty FS, OLB, or TE.
OLBs would include the kid from Clemson SAPP or HArdy from Ole Miss. TEs include A. Hernandandez from UF or R. Gronkowski from Arizona (missed entire season but was best TE in country as a sophmore check him out, could get him as a steal)
Rest of Draft NTs. LB depth,

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Glad you're not the GM !!!

[Scarecrow]

Scarecrow Cont.....

If Trifecta decides to draft a WR..either take Dez Bryant in first round and draft the RB McCluster from Ole Miss if he is draft eligible. Watch this kids highlights, he tore up the SEC in some games, fast as can be and can catch out of the back field. We underestimate how being able to correctly run a damn screen pass can take pressure of the best pass rushing defenses in the league. If Bryant isn't available in 1st round and regime still wants a wr in round 2 or 3, go with the kid from Georgia Tech D.Thomas, this kid has hands, size and deceptive speed, watch his highlight film and runs away from Db's after he makes the catch. He is underrated as can be, he looks like Anquan out there and keep in mind he has good stats with an option qb throwing him the rock. most of the time he was the only WR as well.

[perspective]

The only way to sign a player like B. Marshall would be no bonus up front. If player doesn't play, he gets no pay. His fake injury = no pay. Any problems on or off the field give the team the right to cancel his contract with no further financial responsibility.

[Bsingeton]

Peirre Paul I belive would be a nice fit here in Miami. The dude is a beast on the line. I've watched him play in south Florida since the season began and he just tears offensive lines up. That's my opinion. Thanks Mando.

[Mr.Hall]

Ohio State produces very good, smart defensive player, I think Ginn is more of the exception
than the rule when it comes to OSU players, When he returned the openning kickoff for a TD in the national championship & didn't return for the rest of game, his toughness should have been quested by Miami's Scout's, I thought he would be better player then he has turned out to be, he didn't look like he played scare in college.

[Captcrunch]

I don't follow college football except the Canes,however E Carolina DT Joe Linval seems to be a good prospect. 322 lb 6'6" Coaches USA All Conference 1st Team. Coming out as Junior. I saw one game and besides being large he can move like a much lighter player.

[shane]

yeah and we also got a nice player in Brian Hartline from ohio state. Indiana fan must be a hossier fan lol.

[HP in PA]

Anyone that thinks we can get Marshall for a third rounder is crazy. Throwing in Ginn is not realistic. You have to look at from Denver's point of view. IF you go to their blogs, they all think they can get a 1st and 3rd for him. I think the reality lies somewhere in between. I think best case scenerio is trading our 2nd round pick and one of our young DL. Langford, Merling or Dotson. With the switch to the 3-4, that is one area Denver is still hurting and we have some depth. The staff is telling us how great Dotson looks, either trade him or give him a shot. Remember, NE has three second rounders and we give one up in a heartbeat to get Marshall, we have to give a better offer than them.

[Frank]

Linebackkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkker

R.McClain
S.Kindle
Spikes

[Po White Trash]

Mike Nolan! Our New DC, I'll buy that fer a Dollar!

Could be lots worse.

[Po White Trash]

Oh Yeah,

F*CK THE JETS!

Colts gonna take em down!

[Po White Trash]

NJ,

What ya think about the new DC?

[Air breather]

C. J Spilger is the real deal. Brandon Marshall could be a deal. That big nose tackle, Torrence ? is a necessity.

[CK]

I was at Shrine practice all day yesterday and all day today. Marshall was only at practice yesterday for a brief amount of time with an entourage of his boys and a big fat video camera on him. He wasn't there to see Parcells and they never bumped into one another. A ton of current and former UCF players were there, this is their old haunt. Joe Flacco was there both days walking around carrying a clipboard. Was he there to secretly meet with Parcells about joining Miami's scouting staff? Here's a tip. If you're going to tamper, don't do it in a town and at a time when hundreds of NFL personnel are crawling all around the area and any single one of them could spot you at a meeting at any given moment. Especially when a good percentage of those NFL personnel happen to be the GM of the Broncos (whom I just bumped into at a Hooters today, about 7 miles from the practice field...which should put in perspective for you how hard it is to go anywhere and not see relevant personnel) and his scouting staff. It's a theory that sounds nice, but I don't see it holding any water.

[Jrljr2]

I totally agree will Air Breather. I know the Dolphins have a ton of needs but Spiller is a great player. He has game breaking ability that the Fins lack at any position. When you can get game breakers, you get them. Regardless of needs, you always draft the best players.

[tar]

With the 12th pick, we need to take the highest rated defensive player. Position don't matter, we need everything. Gotta hit on someone who can contribute week 1. I am sick of this developement and special teams crap.

[mrmrjohnson]

Marshall is intriging. There's just not a lot of WRs in the draft or free agency that would be able to really help the Dolphins in 2010.

How about that victory by Brown in Massachusetts? There's still hope in America!

[Ginnwhite305]

With the 12 pick in the 2010 nfl draft the miami dolphins select rolando mcclain linebacker alabama......... That is if hes still there.

[Chief]

trade up for SUH if he falls to #5 or 6. then you have no need for a stud ILB. We *DO* however need an edge rusher.

[dreday]

Now Ohio State only produces great players? Have yall forgotten about GHOLSTON? He was the Jets 1st round pick last year. At least Ginn scored a touchdowns in his first two years Gholston can't get on the field.

[dreday]

Tay Cody? You guys have got to be kidding. When has Tay Cody ever done anything besides block that kick against UT. Just because he has NT size doesn't mean he can play. He has major weight issues so what do you think will happen when he's making good money? Remember Andre Smith from Alabama Cincy's 1st round pick this year he had the same problems but al least he dominated his position.

[dreday]

I don't think Tay Cody would be an upgrade over Paul Solia. Soliai is 6'4 355 lbs, Cody is 6'5 365 lbs. What's the difference?

[Dolphan0421]

Marshal and golden Tate!!! Miami would be beasts