Sometimes it is better to just let you guys drive the bus.
So rather than write about stuff I think you want to know about, this afternoon you simply tell me what you want to know. It's called an interactive live blog chat.
If I know the answer, I'll give it to you. If I don't know the answer, I'll try to get it for you. Unlike question-and-answer forums on other websites, I'm not going to feed you so much bovine manure as to fake my way through answers.
So I will be here at 1 p.m. today and we can talk, debate, banter, even argue if you wish. I'll stay until all the questions are answered. Maybe I'll have some questions for you, too.
If you can't be here between 1-whenever, leave your question or comment beforehand and I'll get to those first.
All I ask is you don't ask me whom the Dolphins are going to pick in the draft -- as in the name of the dudes. The answer to that question right now is I don't know.
Hey Mando,
Being the Dolphins invested a 2nd round pick in Pat White, my fear is that he'll be standing on the sidelines in a Miami uniform again next year. My bigger fear is Ted Ginn will be right next to him. Can't we get like a #5 or 6 round pick for Ginn on return value?
And about your comment earlier that the team was very down this year, it didn't seem like that from the reports I read about White yucking it up and all the domino games going on.
Jeff F.
Posted by: Jeff F, Long Island, NY | January 06, 2010 at 02:38 PM
Luis, I am doing a column for Sunday on rating the Dolphins players 1-53.
One guess who is No. 1?
Posted by: Armando Salguero | January 06, 2010 at 02:38 PM
Armando,
Why do you believe the Dolphins continued to use the Wildpat throughtout the season. If Ronnie is back in full strength next season, do you believe we will continue to see Henne pulled out in the middle of drives for the sake of the wildcat?
Posted by: bubbaallred | January 06, 2010 at 02:38 PM
PriceMaster, Parcells didn't draft Keyshawn. Parcells was still with NE during the draft. After he was overruled and the Pats selected Glenn, he left the Pats and signed with the Jets, who had just selected Keyshawn #1.
That's the only time a Parcells team has drafted a WR in the 1st, and it resulted in his quitting the team. It's certainly not impossible, but I'd say a WR in the 1st is not likely.
Posted by: Jay in Raleigh | January 06, 2010 at 02:40 PM
what do you think we would have to give for boldin?Antrelle rolle has said he would like to play here.I know anything is an upgrade on gerbil but would we pay big bucks for an actual playmaking fs?
Posted by: jj | January 06, 2010 at 02:40 PM
So I dont get called "retarded" for my question I will broaden me first question I asked. Instead of asking if Miami would trade up for a particular player, I will ask:
Do you see Miami moving up (any # of spots) in the draft if they like a particular player that much or will they just sit and wait to see what falls to them at the #12 spot?
Just not 100% sure if this is a Parcells tpye of thing to do. I know he doesn't like giving up draft picks and moving up would more than likely do that, but you just never know...
Posted by: Indiana Dolfan | January 06, 2010 at 02:40 PM
Mando,
Facing quality teams this past season revealed more holes than anyone thought (front office too?). And with the 6 year rule for UFAs, I don't see fixing many things in 2010. What's your thinking?
Posted by: cocoajoe | January 06, 2010 at 02:41 PM
Indiana Dolphin: I don't think you can get from No. 12 to No. 1 or No. 2 by just giving up a second round pick.
Also, the Dolphins have a ton of needs. A ton. They want MORE draft picks, not fewer.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | January 06, 2010 at 02:41 PM
One more Armando-
There's been some blogtalk on the issue of Sean Smith not taking his job seriously enough(twitter, gaming, postloss attitude, etc.) Do you see this as an issue? Any wind on if the coaches are addressing it?
Posted by: bubbaallred | January 06, 2010 at 02:41 PM
what do you think we would have to give for boldin?Antrelle rolle has said he would like to play here.I know anything is an upgrade on gerbil but would we pay big bucks for an actual playmaking fs?
Posted by: jj | January 06, 2010 at 02:42 PM
look how many points this team gave up this year...this draft will be all about defense....and it really needs to be....the offense was able to put up plenty of points as is and will improve next year with henne, bess, hartline, maybe a free agent or two, and the o-line playing together for another year.
Posted by: severinno | January 06, 2010 at 02:42 PM
Shore up the D with our 1st 3 picks and then trade for a receiver.I'm tellin ya,we are closer to taking over the AFC East than most of you realize.The Patsies are on their way down to averageville and the Jets already live there.The Bills are nestled comfortably in the basement.The Dolphins are packing their stuff and movin on up.
Posted by: beerndrums | January 06, 2010 at 02:42 PM
bubbaallred - Isn't he allowed to interact with friends online via Twitter or any other networking site. He does have a life other than football...
Posted by: Indiana Dolfan | January 06, 2010 at 02:43 PM
cocoajoe:
The season also showed some holes are plugged. The OL is taken care of. The CBs are taken care of. The starting QB for 2010 is taken care of.
The holes, obviously are FS, WR, NT and LB, not in any particular order. The team will obviously be able to fill a couple of those at least.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | January 06, 2010 at 02:44 PM
Personally,the only player i'd like to see the Dolphins move up for in the draft,would be for Rolando McClain. The guy looks phenomonal and could be the cornerstone of this defense for years to come.
Posted by: Mark | January 06, 2010 at 02:44 PM
Personally,the only player i'd like to see the Dolphins move up for in the draft,would be for Rolando McClain. The guy looks phenomonal and could be the cornerstone of this defense for years to come.
Posted by: Mark | January 06, 2010 at 02:44 PM
Armando - My guess on who is #1...
Jake Long...he's our only pro bowler!
Another guess would of been the Pro Bowl "snubbed" Lousaka Polite
Am I correct?
Posted by: Indiana Dolfan | January 06, 2010 at 02:45 PM
I agree with beerndrums. GO DOLPHINS !!!
Posted by: Phinatic | January 06, 2010 at 02:45 PM
bubbaallred:
I think I had something to do with the immaturity because I mentioned him thinking about going to the mall too much.
Look, he's a young kid. He wants to get better. The coaching staff will be on his butt to work harder in the offseason.
I believe he'll come back next year far better than this year, if he applies himself. And if he doesn't, the starting corners next year will be Vontae and Will Allen.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | January 06, 2010 at 02:46 PM
Mando any word upstairs about Chad P? Will he be brought back as the #2 qb with the Pat White fiasco?
Posted by: D-dense | January 06, 2010 at 02:47 PM
agreed beerndrums
Posted by: severinno | January 06, 2010 at 02:47 PM
Mando - what about Ronnie and Ricky?
Posted by: Jason | January 06, 2010 at 02:47 PM
Move white to reciever, problem solved. He'd probably be a good slot reciever and unlike Ginn... He doesn't seem afraid of contact.
Posted by: Phinatic | January 06, 2010 at 02:48 PM
Mando,
Bobby April on the Miami Dolphin's radar?
Posted by: 565 | January 06, 2010 at 02:48 PM
Armando, What do you think about our Running Backs?
Ronnie is great when healthy
Ricky is really good, but getting older
Cobbs and Hilliard.. are they the next starters or just great 3rd down/situational backs.. can they become starters?
The running back corp doesn't seem as stable in the long term as one would like (unless they plan on keeping ronnie into his next contract, but they still have the injury issues with him)..
Posted by: LipsinToronto | January 06, 2010 at 02:49 PM
Jeff, I was talking about Monday. Players I talked to were disappointed. I talked to the owner and he was disappointed. I talked to Sparano and he was disappointed.
As to White, he'll get more chances next year.
But I truly believe the Dolphins will draft another QB this year. It might not be early, but I do know Parcells like Sam Bradford. He'll probably be gone too early to matter to Miami, but if he falls to the third round ... you never know.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | January 06, 2010 at 02:49 PM
Armando,
I think the dolphins should use their first three picks on defense.
Do you agree?
Posted by: Larry | January 06, 2010 at 02:49 PM
mando!
can pat white start preparing to be a wide receiver??????? judging by what i've seen, he will never be a qb. thigpen is a much better option qb
Posted by: severinno | January 06, 2010 at 02:49 PM
Pennington was not signed passed this year. He likely will not want to be a #2 QB. Either he will go to another team or he will retire and enjoy time with his family or maybe even go into coaching...
Miami will not sign him as a backup, they have Thigpen and White...
Posted by: Indiana Dolfan | January 06, 2010 at 02:50 PM
How comfortable do you think the staff is with trading a 2nd rounder for Boldin?
Posted by: Mike | January 06, 2010 at 02:50 PM
BC, there will be a competition at CB. The best two will start. My guess is it would be Allen and Davis.
One thing I see is Allen playing the nickel while Davis and Smith play CB in passing downs. Nate Jones would be odd man out.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | January 06, 2010 at 02:51 PM
phinatic....lol...you are right, but pw probably should be more afraid of contact.....glad he is ok though
Posted by: severinno | January 06, 2010 at 02:51 PM
Boldin is getting older, out of his prime almost and becoming to get out of his prime...
Posted by: Indiana Dolfan | January 06, 2010 at 02:51 PM
Polite, Long, Bell...Same as my captain list...
Posted by: Marc | January 06, 2010 at 02:52 PM
Mando,
You can add me to the list of people you've talked to that are disappointed.
It aint easy up here in Jets Country.
Jeff F.
Posted by: Jeff F, Long Island, NY | January 06, 2010 at 02:52 PM
Can U Imagine white in open space..... Hmmmmmmmm. Could be a dangerous weapon because the guy can make people miss.
Posted by: Phinatic | January 06, 2010 at 02:53 PM
Every team makes blunders in the draft,it's a matter of not making too many of them.When the Dolphins get to the top and prove we can stay there,then we'll get all of the elite players calling us to come play for us at a discount.....like the Patsies have done.We just have to get there first,and we are close.
Posted by: beerndrums | January 06, 2010 at 02:53 PM
I think we can all agree the Dolphins probably will not pick WR first unless Bryant falls to them after running a 4.2 at the combine, and catching everything at his workout including passes thrown 12 yards over his head, and joining the boy scouts, and having a major religious experience that Bill Parcells himself witnessed.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | January 06, 2010 at 02:54 PM
Armando,
What do you think the Dolphins will do regarding the TE position this year? I see that you don't think it's a need but clearly, there is room for an upgrade there.
Posted by: Big Dawgg | January 06, 2010 at 02:54 PM
what do you think we would have to give for boldin?Antrelle rolle has said he would like to play here.I know anything is an upgrade on gerbil but would we pay big bucks for an actual playmaking fs?
Posted by: jj | January 06, 2010 at 02:54 PM
Armando,
Why do you believe the Dolphins continued to use the Wildpat throughtout the season. If Ronnie is back in full strength next season, do you believe we will continue to see Henne pulled out in the middle of drives for the sake of the wildcat?
Posted by: bubbaallred | January 06, 2010 at 02:55 PM
no mando..... lol....even then he won't draft dez bryant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Posted by: severinno | January 06, 2010 at 02:55 PM
Pat White used to be a receiver,so he's way better than Ginn.
Posted by: beerndrums | January 06, 2010 at 02:58 PM
OL is NOT set (Smiley, Grove, and Thomas are injury prone), Carey has regressed...We AREN'T close...Who on our DL scares anyone? Starks occassionally? What about LB's? any? ONE safety (Bell), and one DB (Davis). Not a single playmaker at WR. Hartline is the closest thing to that. Cam and Bess are good possession receivers. No play making TE.
Basically we have Ronnie Brown, Polite, Bell, Long. I'll even add Vontae to the list
Posted by: Marc | January 06, 2010 at 02:58 PM
Jeff from L.I. , you're not the only one. I live 10-15 min from giants stadium.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 06, 2010 at 02:58 PM
Jrljr2:
If you look at a couple of my answers I agree LB -- both inside and out -- get addressed this offseason.
The fact, people is, Miami gave up almost 400 points this season. That's about 80 points more than last year.
They gave up 37 pass plays of 25 yards or more.
For all the frustration of not being able to throw the football, the Dolphins almost sucked on defense. That needs to be addressed.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | January 06, 2010 at 02:58 PM
I think Henne's 300 yard games proved he can shoulder the workload and when a healthy Ronnie Brown and Cobbs come back I think the Wildcat will be needed much less.
Posted by: Jeff F, Long Island, NY | January 06, 2010 at 02:59 PM
NJ PHIN FAN,
I used to live in NJ and work in Giants Stadium.
Posted by: Jeff F, Long Island, NY | January 06, 2010 at 03:00 PM
Marc , I agree 100%. I said it before . THE OL IS NOT SET !!!! There's some ? marks.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 06, 2010 at 03:00 PM
Do you think they'll keep 4 RBs on the active roster again? Obviously came in handy this year with all of the injuries. I was just thinking if that cut into another position too much? Maybe our game-changing LB that we don't have yet?!
Posted by: BC | January 06, 2010 at 03:00 PM
How can the O-Line be set when Sparano plays musical chairs with them every week?
Posted by: Jeff F, Long Island, NY | January 06, 2010 at 03:01 PM
Jeff , where in joisey ?
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 06, 2010 at 03:02 PM
Mando will they look at adding a Braylon Edwards or Steve Breaston former teammates of Heene's at MICH.
Posted by: matt | January 06, 2010 at 03:02 PM
Big Dawgg:
I don't think TE is a priority but I do agree it is a need. I think they'll have Fasano and Haynos back. They'll hope for progress from Nalbone and Sperry.
And they'll possibly draft someone along the line. I know Parcells looked at the Graham kid from The U. He's 6-8 and was a basketball player. He can move. I think he'll be pretty darn good someday and he'll probably be a later-round pick.
Obviously there are better prospects out there, but I'm just saying as a later-round guy.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | January 06, 2010 at 03:02 PM
o-line is never an area that is set....but it is far from the most pressing need....DEFENSE PEOPLE!!!!!!! 400 POINTS GIVEN UP!!!!!!!
Posted by: severinno | January 06, 2010 at 03:03 PM
OL is set. Perhaps some back end turnover but no more big signings. The musical chairs was due to injuries, rookie wall (Thomas playing in his first full season) and the emergence of Nate Garner.
I agree with the rotation there. Got our backups some experience and proved they can play when called upon.
Posted by: Big Dawgg | January 06, 2010 at 03:05 PM
OK, I'll ask a legit question Mandy. Do you think we have anyone from the practice squad that might compete for a spot next year? That Billingsly kid has hung around a while. Folson was activated the last game...
Also, I think Ogulsby might be a planned successor to Will Allen, and or Nate Jones...
Posted by: Marc | January 06, 2010 at 03:05 PM
Mike,
I don't think this staff is comfortable in trading ANY draft picks, much less a second-rounder.
Think about this: Miami has had four second round picks the past two years. All of those guys played a lot this year, and two of them started. White was the one that played least.
So to give up a second-round pick is like giving up a young, cheap, starter for a WR like Boldin who will be, what, 30 years old? Hmmm.
That's why it's a long shot.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | January 06, 2010 at 03:05 PM
Would people stop blaming Pasqualoni as the sole reason Miami's defense was bad? They had 4 players that are supposed to be in their primes (26-30) years old and therefore supposed to be the heart of their defense - Starks, Ayodele, Wilson, and Crowder. 2 of these guys are most certainly to be replaced. They do have some promising young players though and the defense needs more ammunition.
The Jets by comparison have 7 players in their physical prime and 2 players yet to enter their primes that are excellent at their positions in David Harris and Darelle Revis.
Pasqualoni just didn't have the horses.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 06, 2010 at 02:27 PM
As I said in my post to Mando (thanks for the answer btw) talent is an issue on D but you are dead wrong not to lay off a big piece of the blame on Pasqualoni. If you still don't agree, please enlighten us on why the D resembled Jeckle and Hyde in almost every freaking game. Were they talented in the first half but not the 4th quarter? Were they dogsh1t in the first half but really talented in the second half of the last 3 or 4 games? That kind of inconsistency screams poor coaching. I agree we lack talent, but our defensive in game coaching was not good or we would not see such a disparity from one half to another.
Posted by: finfan | January 06, 2010 at 03:07 PM
Armando,
Which guys do you think we'll resign or extend contracts on? I'm thinking Lou Polite should get his due...
Posted by: Big Dawgg | January 06, 2010 at 03:07 PM