The joke that is the pre-draft press conference

Around the NFL as many as a dozen general managers and personnel department vice presidents will conduct mandatory pre-draft press conferences next week, most of them on April 21. Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland is similarly scheduled to have his presser on the 21st.

I encourage Ireland to lie if he must.

You did not misread because I did not mistype.

I encourage Ireland to lie ... if he must.

The truth of the matter is those pre-draft pressers are a hoax, a farce, an exercise in futility for journalists trying to get meaty and truthful answers to questions as fundamental as, "What are your team's most signficant needs?" or "Who are you going to select?"

Yes, we as journalists have to ask.

And, no, the GMs and VPs are not really going to tell us.

So it devolves into many words signifying nothing. The true reason the pressers happen at all is that the NFL mandates them. The NFL, you see, likes publicity.

The intriguing thing is that while most general managers and journalists understand this to be a dance in which the truth gets trampled, some folks are simply more open than others. Some folks are just salt and light. They cannot bring themselves to obfuscation. Or they let stuff slip.

Seeing the new Denver Broncos front office do things this offseason, I nominate John Elway as a candidate for being candid in his upcoming pre-draft presser. Having attended a couple of Ireland's meets with the media, I nominate him as someone who will offer nothing or perhaps even throw out a nugget of misdirection.

If I'm a fan, I'm hoping my team falls in the latter category rather than the former.

The truth is teams monitor each other. They watch each other's pre-draft visits and meetings. They read each other's press clippings. They do all they can do to get a handle on what the opposition is about to do on draft day.

And these pressers are a window through which teams peek.

So the really good teams offer a view of a dark room or no view at all. They do, not because they like to fib or have no morals. They do it for the sake of their own competitive advantage.

Overblown, you say?

Look, teams have eyes on each other and sometimes even the most casual misstep affects careers and drafts. I present to you the 2008 draft.

The Dolphins needed and wanted to add a running back later in the process. Bill Parcells had long been a proponent of sending a coach or scout to work out and check on his targetted player two days before the draft -- as a last-minute guard against surprises.

Except in April of 2008, for one reason or another, the Dolphins sent out running back coach James Saxon to work out Richmond's Tim Hightower one day earlier. The Dolphins liked Hightower and intended to pick him. The problem is the Arizona Cardinals picked Hightower instead.

Arizona's running back coach at the time, Maurice Carthon, played for Parcells and worked for Parcells. He knew that Parcells typically sent his RB coach to his targetted running back a couple of days before the draft. When he read media reports that Hightower worked out for Saxon, he turned the information over to Arizona's personnel department. The fact the Dolphins had met with Hightower one day earlier had allowed the visit to be in the press in time for Arizona to use the info.

The Cardinals swooped ahead of Miami and plucked Hightower.

I talked to Parcells last week. He told me the story. He was still somewhat irked about losing on out on a good player because of the circumstances simply because the information got out.

Parcells invented the Iron Curtain in the NFL. Bill Belichick, his former trusted assistant, perfected it. The Patriots say little when it comes to injury, depth chart, or draft information. In fact, I know of stories in which they openly used to mock former New York Jets coach Herm Edwards for having such an open approach with the media.

The Pats believed they could find out plenty about their New York competition just by reading newspaper accounts about them.

And so, yes, sometimes the open approach which the media hopes for during the coming pre-draft pressers can on occasion hurt a team.

I don't want the Dolphins hurt. If Jeff Ireland says something, I'll report it. That's my job. If he says the Dolphins are looking for a quarterback in the first round and Ryan Mallett is their guy, you'll hear it here first. (By the way, I don't think you better get used to the idea of Mallett being draft at No. 15)

But root for him to reveal anything significant? To hope he says something that could help Miami's opponents?

Go ahead, Jeff, lie if you must. You get an annual free pass for this one.  

Comments

[Bill]

Draft = new season = new hope. We BEAT the Super Bowl champs AND the Super Bowl runner-up last year (stupid refs stole it from us). WE'RE NOT THAT FAR AWAY!! GO FINS!

[Billy Fox]

First

[DyingBreed]

Armando,

On this I agree with you a full 110%!

I also agree if he says something significant, you have no choice but to report it. It's not like you would be leaking anything because other teams would be already aware anyway.

Exactly as in the Henne case when Henne already had mentioned to "unfriendly press" he had been talking to Daboll and seen his offensive play book at a time when it was illegal to do so.

You took a lot of heat for that one, including from me, but after giving your very sensible explanation I fully understood.

[9/11 was an inside job]

I hope we can get a QB...trade down to the early & mid 20s in the first round, pick up a second rounder; 1st rnd pick Mallet, 2nd rnd pick RB, TE, WR or G/C.

NJphinfan, you still confident in Henne and Penne over Sanchez and Ryan? Idiot!

9/11 was an inside job

World Trade Center 1, 2 & 7 were brought down by controlled demoliton.

checkout wtc7.net & watch the collapse videos. Learn the truth.

[DyingBreed]

Its impossible to divulge a secret that's no longer a secret anymore! LOL.............

[morphin]

Jeff we have the need for speed!

[DyingBreed]

If Mallet's still sitting there at #15 we may have to pull the trigger then. According to all reports out there Mallet has had great workouts for every team performing for. Thinking you can pass at #15 and he'll still be there past #20 could turnout to be very wishful thinking.

If you think he's good enough to draft at #20 or later, then he's good enough to take at #15. You may never get a 2nd chance to make a good first impression. LOL............

[Damned Facts]

World Trade Center 1, 2 & 7 were brought down by controlled demoliton.

checkout wtc7.net & watch the collapse videos. Learn the truth.

Posted by: 9/11 was an inside job | April 13, 2011 at 02:10 PM

----------------------------------

Yes, we know, and it was a missile that hit the Pentagon that day while all the passengers on that disappeared jet were whisked away to some unknown island.

And every single person involved in this massive conspiracy has somehow kept quiet the past 11 years. Amazing.

You know, all these lies about the Easter Bunny not being real need to be investigated as well.

[Damned Facts]

Also, Obama was born in a small Kenyan village and is concurrently a devout Muslim AND a dedicated Marxist!

I'll be voting for Michelle Bachmann. At least she knows the American Revolution actually started in New Hampshire!

[DyingBreed]

It totally sucks Henne seems to be so awful with his deep ball accuracy. Then it could be nearly no brainer to do Mark Ingram @ #15.

That guy just runs so well in tight spaces once he's at the second level of the defense. That's when you really see his great elusiveness.

[DyingBreed]

What scares me most about a female president isnt the fact that she's female. If a military crisis occurs when its "that time of the month" I have great fear nukes will fly! LOL..........

[ericatl]

Yes and jeff Ireland is well trained at answering questions for 15 min and never say anything. Its almost as bad as interviewing a player. by the way why do the keep doing that!!! players are terrible interviews anyway because most are dumb as rocks

[Dave Wannstedt's mustache]

Armando is pattern also present in the sports columnist business? Do you constantly monitor the Sun-Sentinel for signs of upcoming scoops. Does the SS occasionally throw out red herring blog posts to keep you off their tail.

The people want to know!

[DyingBreed]

Yeah, if a female president lets nukes fly during "that time of the month". it'll be a mess not even Kotex can clean up! LOL..........

[Damned Facts]

Michelle is also big on the proven fact that the Earth is only 6000 years old.

I certainly don;t want MY kids learning any of that "science" junk like those Commie kids in China!

[FINSARMEGEDDON]

Now they are saying Ingram has an arthritic knee. Anyone still on the band wagon?????

[Frank Moore]

Are you going to be attending this presser? Are you looking for questions to ask?

Things like "name three players you don't expect to be on the board when you make your selection?", "who's the highest rated kicker on your board?", "do you draft players in the 7th round based on the number of times they were 'Digged'?"

I think we can have some fun with this.

[odinseye]

Walter:

10/1/10: Mallett's team is winning and he's putting up good stats, but if you take a closer look his accuracy is highly inconsistent, he has poor mechanics, and he struggles with mobility and has a hard time eluding pass rushers. Mallett is a bit of a statue in the pocket and doesn't create throwing lanes outside the tackle box when his receivers struggle to get open. We're not buying the hype anymore, and neither should you.

[fin4life]

Damned Facts 2:18/2:20,

ABSOLUTELY LMFAO !!!!!

[odinseye]

Walter:

10/1/10: Stanzi won't "wow" you with his physical tools, but he is an intelligent quarterback with terrific accuracy and a high football I.Q. He knows how to manage a game and he understands the intracacies of passing the football. Stanzi projets as a potential starter to the next level, and he isn't expected to win a job in his rookie season. He lacks some upside, but he has some tools a team can work with. Stanzi has completed 67 percent of his passes for a 10 YPA, nine touchdowns and one interception. Keep in mind the only challenging defense he has faced is Arizona.

[fin4life]

Also Damned Facts,

It is a well known fact that Michelle Obama was actually born Mike LaVaugn Robinson before sex re-assignment surgery, the Presidential daughters were adoptd in some East African Village, which was subsequently torched to hide this nafarious secret !!

[fin4life]

DB/Trey

Really enjoyed the trip down memory lane, thanks that was cool !!

[odinseye]

Walter:

2/28/11: Ryan Mallett looked spectacular in the passing drills, which shouldn't be a surprise. As I tweeted (@walterfootball), "No one should be surprised Ryan Mallett looked great today. He's like a hot chick w/ STDs. Looks great, but better to stay away."

-I chuckled a little at this one, but SERIOUSLY? This is what online journalism has become?

I long for the days of Howard Cosell(never thought I'd say that), when the NFL was represented by men like Knoll, Landry and most of all, Don Shula!

[fin4life]

odin @2:57

Couldn`t agree more on that note my friend !! Good afternoon to ya !

[greg z.]

i'd gladly give our 1st round pick for kevin kolb. he's better than all the rookie QB's coming out. besides ireland will waste the 1st pick anyways. i'd take greg mcelroy also in the mid rounds for accuracy and football smarts. saban loves him and mcelroy has always won on every level. trade henne for a 5th or 6th if possible.

[ALoco]

ODIN,

I LONG FOR THE DAYS OF MEN WRITING,SEARCHING AND BREAK THE NEWS.INSTED WE HAVE NOW THE MIDGETS COPYING,STEALING, AND TWEETING THE CRAP .

[fin4life]

Hey Aloco,

I agree it seems these days any idiot has a website putting up alot of worthless crap when there not out right coping somebody elses story, look how many sites copied Mando`s interview with Parcells yesterday.

[Gerardo]

All Jeff Ireland does is lie!

[klndry]

What surprise would you mean? We need a player at nearly every position. Either as backup or starter. What could Ireland possibly say that would be considered letting the cat out of the bag?

Ireland is going to pick the best player available for a position the Phins require. Very simple Dr Watson. No need for misdirection.

[odinseye]

Wow!

All the updated Mocks I've looked at today have Dalton AND Ponder going before Mallet(Early/mid 2nd) .

One had Martez Wilson-ILB-going to Baltimore at 58! Talking about him being an eventual replacement for 36 year old Ray Lewis.

I think they'll both go as mid-1st rounders.

Talk about an over-hyped glorified crap shoot!

As much as I would absolutely LOVE to be in Ireland's shoes right now, I don't envy him in the least.

[TXFinFan]

If available at 15 Take Mallet. If we don't we will wish we did for many years to come.

[ALoco]

FIN/ODIN,............ AS ODIN SAID IT'S CRAP SHOOT ,MOST FANS FALL FOR BUT NOT ODIN OR FIN .........

[KillerFin]

WE NEED A RB!!! Trade down get our #2 back & if ingram is still there take him!!! WE DO NOT NEED ANOTHER QB THAT WILL SIT THE BENCH @ #1 PICK!!!

[ALoco]

ODIN,

DB IS GOING TO A WEEDING TODAY,I THINK HE'S LOOKING TO RENT A SUIT SIZE 54 .

[Craig M]

Amazing to me that so many Dolfans, who sit on the sidelines, and watch College football on their HD TVs, while they listen and read to what is being said about the prospects, know so much more than all the so-called 'experts' when it comes to Mallett. Many Dolfans want Mallett taken at 15, while in about 20 mocks done by 'experts' I've seen, Mallett has only gone in the first round a couple of times. What makes Dolfans so much smarter than these experts? To you guys, I say, 'you have no right to criticize the regime when they are wrong with their picks because your commiting a bigger one taking Mallett at 15'. Remember that next time you have something bad to say about Ireland and company.

[odinseye]

All these mock drafts have the Dolphins making questionable picks.

If this is a reflection of what they think Ireland will do, they must be thinking Ireland is EXTREMELY ignorant!

I got a little vote of confidence from Walter Football. They got Ozzie Newsome picking 4 of the guys I had on my mock I posted yesterday.

Before anybody says anything, I know it doesn't mean a thing. The guy at Walter's may not know anything more than I do. But, I'll bet Ozzie does!

[fin4life]

I hope you really thought your mock thru odin because come Sunday I`ve got a doozy for you !! Hey Aloco maybe we should put up a website, I can do pieces on the were are they now, odin can do an around the league and you can just rip on everybody !!

[Craig M]

Odin,

I like Walter Football too. I followed it pretty closely during the season. To be honest, he struggled at times with his picking of games last year. You and I probably would have beat him head to head.

[NY "G"]

This is OFF topic but I need to vent...

Miami Dolphins players prep for financial impact news clip...by David Neal

It said > This off season, Marshall, who made approximately $10 million in 2010 and is scheduled to make the same in 2011, planned to buy a new car to replace the Jaguar he has been driving since 2005 through a partnership with Jaguar.

This is an April fools joke article isn't it?

Boo Ho are WE fans supposed to feel sorry for Branden and all the rest of these players. Boo Ho, poor Branden cant replace his 2005 Jaguar.

Get real David... These maggot NFL players are just like all the rest of the bleeding heart liberal Democrats. They want to print a propaganda article to portray how WE FANS should feel sorry for them. These players don't feel one bit sorry for US as WE have to pay an arm and a leg and soon to be torso for tickets, apparel, hats, etc.

Please leave all the BS Union crap in the garbage dump. The Unions got exactly what they wanted which was a lockout.

I hope the season is cancelled for the next 3 years as that's how long it's going to take for ROSS to be taken over and for Soprano and Ireland to be fired.

As a life long fan i am NOT looking forward to any season until these useless HC and GM are fired.

The end.

[ALoco]

ODIN/FIN/GRAIG M.... DO YOU GUYS HAVE A SUIT SIZE 54 FOR DB TO BARROW FOR GOING TO A WEEDING TONIGHT ?

[cocoajoe]

These little games of subterfuge are idiotic. Other teams know what you need...they have game film and this $hit doesn't fool them.

To me, it's wasted time and effort. Spend your time studying film instead of dreaming up some crap that doesn't fool a high school coach.

[ALoco]

NY G ,

RICH TASTE COMES BY BEEING RICH ,THE REAL CALSS WHEN YOU HAVE NO MONEY AND HAVE A RICH TASTE .

EXAMPLE........ SOLIAI HAS 12 MILLION CONTRACT ,IS HE GOING TO BE ALL OF THE SUDDEN GETTING THIS RICH TASTE ALL OF THE SUDDEN OR PUT MOST OF THE MONEY IN 5 YEAR CD ?

[ALoco]

LIKE A GUY WHO WORKS FOR 7 DOLLARS AN HOUR AND GOES TO WHOLE FOODS TO BUY FRESH CILEAN SEA BASS FOR DINNER .

[ALoco]

SOLIAI WILL NOT GO TO WHOLE FOODS EVER ...HE WILL BE AT YOU BURGER KING .

[odinseye]

Ireland's in a conundrum.

Does he stay the course with an eye on the future? Maybe use a high pick on a questionable QB class?

Does he go after some play makers that can contribute immediately? Maybe try an avoid another 7-9 season?

With our missing 2nd rounder it's almost an either or proposition. Either way cut it, SUCKS TO BE YOU Jeffy!!!!

[cocoajoe]

I say roll the dice on Mallett. Don't make no diff who's running the ball if you got 8 in the box.

[Harold Who Enjoys Wearing Women's Clothes]

DRAFT A PINEAPPLE AND A ROBOT SQUIRREL!!

[cocoajoe]

Yes Odin, it's a problem for Ireland. Does he believe Ross...he said he's in for the long (my words) haul. But one more losing season?

We've already seen that Sparano will be the fall guy as is usually the case. What I wonder is, what Ross sees in Ireland and if he's in the same boat.

[odinseye]

I say we draft TE Cameron Jordan and WR Edmund Gates.

Everytime we see 8 in the box we spread Marshall, Bess, Gates and Jordan.

Throw the ball around like were out in the school yard.

Don't forget about Kendall Hunter out in the flat!

Seriously, Daboll's going to seem like a breath of fresh air after 3 years of Henning.

That's the REAL reason we kept getting 8 in the box. Look at his style of offense, look at the playcalling. It INVITES defenders into the box!

[DyingBreed]

cocoajoe,

Exactly! Seems not many here realize at least half our 2010 run game issues were the defense had nearly zero fear of Henne beating them deep because of proven deepball inaccuracies.

So all they had to do was place 8 in the box to limit the run game, then put most thier pass defenders in the intermediate areas of the field to crowd that area out. Or just blitz hell out of Henne on passing downs.

[DyingBreed]

Being 30th out of 32 teams in scoring hugely suggest nearly zero deepball ability. You can have a nonexistent running game and still finish far better than 30th in points scored.

[ALoco]

THERE'S 2 REASONS I LOVE ODIN'S POSTS TO DB AND 0X80 WHO I BOTH RESPECT ;;;;

1-HE TELLS YOU WITHOUT ANY DOUBTS WHAT HE THINKS AND WHAT FINS SHOULD DO .

2- NEVER HEDGES,AFTER ALL IT'S FOOTBALL.NOT AS 0X80 OR DB .

[cocoajoe]

Dying, they (last yr) were daring us to beat them with the pass. Let me take that back. They KNEW we couldn't beat them with a pass. Bring everybody up and not worry about a dump off.

I suspect the new OC will be better (how can he be worse?) but you HAVE to make the D think you can hurt them with a pass.

[DyingBreed]

ALoco,

If you were shopping for groceries and made a list of everything you needed. Then while in the store suddenly remembered that you forgot to add milk to your grocer list.

"Would you not buy the milk because it is was errantly omitted from your grocer list?"

That's all I do here, if something was ommited or undiscovered which may earlier errantly effected my prior thinking. Then I readjust.

We have to readjust in life all of the time. Readjusting isnt flip flopping. Flip flopping is never having the ability to choose either when given multiple choices. Once I make a new choice I stay with until a seemingly better one comes along, not back to the previous one.

[DyingBreed]

There's a HUGE difference between "flip flopping" and "readjusting" based on better info.

Some here would never readjust thier course even if knowing they're lost simply because according to them its fli flopping! LOL.........

[fin4life]

If your Chad Henne your going to let it rip this year, think about it. He is in the final year of his rookie deal, sink or swim time. If he plays conservatively again and once again falters he will go the way side of what if former high round picks holding clip boards around the league. He knows that better than anybody, I for one am curious to see how he fights his way out of the corner he`s painted in.

I can even digest the thought of him throwing 20 picks, if it means he`s matriculating the ball down field and backing the Safties up, forcing the MLB`s to respect the soft zone 10 yards behind them ect... You don`t have to be P.Manning to go in with a let it rip mentality. He just needs to make up his mind and put it up and may the chips fall were they may, I really expect to see this sense of urgency out of him next season.

[DyingBreed]

cocoajoe,

That's why some here entirely blame the oline as horrible. Unquestionably it isnt a great oline but its a good one. But when the defense has zero respect you can beat them deep, good olines will at times look absolutely morbid.

We desperately need a qb with deepball skill and accuracy. Its to difficult to expect our recievers to break tackles on 7-15yds downfield and take it too the house.

[ALoco]

DYING BREED,

I SALUTE YOUR EFFORT ON THE MILK THING ...

WHEN YOU FORGET BUYING MILK ,YOU GO BACK AND BUY MILK....IN FOOTBALL ,HOW YOU KNOW WHAT YOU R SHOPPING FOR, THINKING YOU NEED WILL WORK ?
BUT BUYING MILK ,WILL SURE WORK .

PS... I DIDN'T SAY FLIP FLOPPING,I SAID HEDGING .

[ALoco]

AT DB WEDDING THERYLL BE SERVING SQUARREL AT A STICK,DB,DO YOU FARMERS ALSO LIKE POSSUM?

[ALoco]

DB,

DON'T FALL FOR THE FAKE ALoco @ 5;36