The Boston Herald did good work in peeling back some layers of Ryan Mallett's personality while visiting with the family of the lightning rod third-round draft pick.
Unfortunately, the newsy portion of this interesting look at Mallett makes the former Arkansas quarterback look like something of an oaf because it includes an account of what Mallett told his family when the Miami Dolphins failed to pick him in the second round of the draft.
Before [New England Patriots coach Bill] Belichick called, the Herald writes, Mallett was almost a Dolphin, as the team informed the family they were interested in trading for him.
“They took another guy,” Jim Mallett said told the paper. “Ryan said, ‘Payback.’ He remembers it all.”
Payback? Really?
Let me count the ways this is simply stupid:
No. 1: As I have reported to you, the Dolphins did indeed attempt to trade up to take Mallett. A club source told me "we tried to get our hands on him" but that the Dolphins simply didn't have enough ammunition they were willing to give to get that high in the third round.
So already, we have a problem. If the Dolphins did indeed phone the Mallett clan to announce they planned to trade up for the QB (a fact I have not been able to verify), then Mallett must have assumed they were trying to do that in the second round. I doubt they told him they were trying to pick him in the second round because they clearly had Daniel Thomas as their target in that round and picked him then. Had they been targetting Mallett, they could have had Mallett because he was available.
So perhaps the team just told Mallett they would try to trade up for him, and he assumed it was in the second round, not realizing the team meant in the third round. Obviously, no one else had Mallett pegged as their second-rounder. Obviously, the Dolphins wanted him in the third round because they tried to get to him in that round. Obviously, we have a failure to communicate here.
And that makes me thankful Mallett is not expected to learn Miami's playbook and be the starting quarterback this year since he and the club can't get their signals straight on something so simple as a phone call.
No. 2: Mallett must have a great, long, elephantine memory. He's going to need it because with Tom Brady as New England's starting quarterback now, Mallett may have to wait a looong time to remember that "payback" pledge. He's likely to be a 30-year-old first-year starting quarterback if things go well for Brady so I assume Mallett will find a way to keep his Spring 2011 payback promise prominent in his mind until the Fall of 2017.
Ridiculous.
No. 3: Does this kid have zero foresight? Does he not recognize the NFL is an odd fraternity? By promising to collect "payback" on the Dolphins, he has possibly closed the door to any future with the Dolphins. What happens if he's a free agent in five years? What happens if the Dolphins were to reconsider things and want to trade for him next year? What were to happen if Jeff Ireland got a job running another NFL team and needed a quarterback when Mallett's available? Mallett's comments might turn off Ireland and thus close off a possible avenue of escape from duty as Brady's caddy. Think, kid, think!
No. 5: Ryan Mallett's desire for payback meet Bill Belichick's intolerance of individualism. Bill Belichick's intolerance of individualism, meet your newest project, Ryan Mallett's desire for payback. Patriot lobotomy on the horizon.
No. 5: One of the reasons NFL teams did not invest a first round pick or a second round pick in Mallett is his disposition. I reported to you the Dolphins were not absolutely sold on his personality in order to pick him higher than the third round. Well, if the adversity of not getting selected where he expected set Mallett off, what might the adversity of getting his nose knocked off his face during a game do when his team needs him back in the lineup for a possible fourth-quarter comeback? Vowing revenge for a draft slight is one thing. Brady did that. But Brady didn't speak of it for years, until he had already established himself and it became lore rather than news on profootballtalk.
Mallett brought this perceived slight to light less than a week after the draft ended and before he's ever taken a snap. It makes him look petty, particularly since he won't be able to do very much about it unless Brady gets hurt.
There's nothing about this vow of "payback" that makes Ryan Mallett look heroic. And if he doesn't get that, perhaps he should add that to the reasons he was a third-round pick rather than the first-rounder his natural football gifts suggest he would otherwise have been.
greg z,
Maybe if the Dolphins fans gave their team better support they won't quit quite as easily. Ever hear of the 12th man?...I don't believe it exists in Miami. The fanbase is blase at best. Jets have been BRUTAL for years but their fans stick with them through thick and thin. It would be nice to see more of that in Miami. In Miami, we've got a fanbase who is divided on Henne, divided on Sparano and divided on Ireland. the fanbase can't even get behind our drafts. EVERYTHING gets criticized. I'm sure it's just a complete coincidence that we were 1-7 at home last year.
Posted by: Craig M | May 05, 2011 at 02:28 PM
Rich Taylor.... You are not a Dolphins fan if you hope Mallet kicks our ass.
Posted by: beerndrums | May 05, 2011 at 02:30 PM
The fans have nothing to do with producing a good playoff team Craig M.
Posted by: DM | May 05, 2011 at 02:33 PM
If Henne does end up not working out here I will cheer for him to do well whereever he ends up. Doesn't mean I will cheer for him when he plays the 'Phins but I would love to see this guy do well in the league. I see what the 'Phins say when they drafted him and that's yet to be tapped here in Miami. If it doesn't work out for him here I hope he has great success in the NFL. It might show some of the clowns in this fanbase that you don't give up on a QB after two years in the league.
Posted by: Craig M | May 05, 2011 at 02:33 PM
DM,
'Nothing' to do with it? So you don't believe in the 12th man or that win on the road in the NFL is one of the hardest things to do?
Interesting...I imagine a great deal of the Miami fanbase feel the same way...that they can't influence a game. That by getting real loud, they can throw the QB off or cause him to take timeouts at inopportune times. You're probably right....better off for eveybody to just sit on their hands and blame the players and FO.
Posted by: Craig M | May 05, 2011 at 02:36 PM
I've said it before....you're either part of the problem or part of the solution. We all know what choice the fans in Pittsburgh and Green Bay have made.
Posted by: Craig M | May 05, 2011 at 02:38 PM
did you ever take a look at terry bradshaw's numbers? they really suck.
Posted by: dm1dolphan | May 05, 2011 at 02:39 PM
take a look at bradshaw's numbers over his career. that is the ulimate in giving your qb time to develop. do you think steelers fans are glad the team gave bradshaw time to develop and didn't give up on him? can't wait for some of the answers.
Posted by: dm1dolphan | May 05, 2011 at 02:42 PM
Craig M,
If this regime would produce a team that can go 10 and 6 or 11 and 5 maybe you have a point. But what excitment do you see with this team. Didnt Sparano says he wants to do smash mouth football 60's style. Oh yea lets all get excited!!
Posted by: DM | May 05, 2011 at 02:42 PM
The number "8," a bowl of cherry gelatin, and Wilma Flintstone are erecting a pyramid in front of my house.
Posted by: the tornado of corn | May 05, 2011 at 02:43 PM
that was a beautiful haiku
Posted by: dm1dolphan | May 05, 2011 at 02:45 PM
ALL WAYS THE SAME FROM THE GANG OF DEFEAT THEY DO NOT WORK AND COLECT THERE WELFARE CHECKS SITTING ON THERE FAT BUTS EATING CHEATOS WHILE I AM WORK WORK WORK EEY DAY TO PAY FOR THEM BUT AT LEAST WHEN I EAT OUT IT IS I GOOD ITALAN OR CHINA RESTARANT NOT WENDYS LIKE THEM. ((ALSO)) I WILL SHOP AT STOP AND SHOP FOR THE GROCERYS THEY ARE AT 7/11
Posted by: ALoco | May 05, 2011 at 02:50 PM
i would like so much for ryan mallet to wrap his legs around me. he reminds me so much of my man crush eminem. i'll knight him baby.
Posted by: elton john | May 05, 2011 at 02:52 PM
MALLETT WILL NOW BE AROUND ALL THE SMART BOSTON PEOPLE HERE NOT THE STUPID RED NECKS IN ARNKASAS SO HE WILL BECOME SMART NOW AND NOT STUPID LIKE HE HAS BEEN
Posted by: ALoco | May 05, 2011 at 02:54 PM
now what the heck is wrong with eating cheetos. you can't even have a snack without someone getting all jacked up about it.
Posted by: dm1dolphan | May 05, 2011 at 02:54 PM
ALRET.... LAST 2 POSTS ARE FAKE ALoco...i like reading him ...KEEP GOING FAKE ALoco .i am out .
Posted by: ALoco | May 05, 2011 at 02:55 PM
yeah, dere's gotta be a couple to tree smart ones up dere.
Posted by: dm1dolphan | May 05, 2011 at 02:55 PM
does that mean the elton john post is fake?
Posted by: dm1dolphan | May 05, 2011 at 02:57 PM
RED NECKS LOVE TO EAT CHEETOS AND PORK TAIL .
Posted by: ALoco | May 05, 2011 at 02:57 PM
DM,
Seems me that smashmouth approach works nicely for the Ravens, Jets and Steelers....third pretty consistent teams the last few years. Take a look at their passing numbers and tell me they are 'high-flying, attacking offences'....come on....I dare you!
The Steelers under Cowher were a smashmouth team and some of those teams had pretty mediocre seasons. I don't remember seeing their fanbase jumping off the wagon...Steelers fans are some of the most voisterous and loyal fans in the game. Would be nice to see a sampling of that in Miami.
Posted by: Craig M | May 05, 2011 at 03:04 PM
Its going to be hard to payback the phins when wake will be keeping him on the ground. Then misi will break this kid neck, arm or leg. There that should shut him up.
Posted by: TRICKY | May 05, 2011 at 03:06 PM
I WOULD RATHER TAKE THOMAS WHO MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE BEST RB IF HE WENT TO ALABAMA.
HE WAS STILL A TOP 5 BACK IN THIS CLASS.
POUNCEY WAS THE FIRST RATED GUARD AND CENTER LINEMAN.
GATES WAS THE SEVENTH BUT THE FASTEST WIDEOUT.
CLAY WAS THE BEST H-BACK AND SECOND FASTEST OF ALL TIGHT ENDS.
YOU ALL CAN BE MAD BUT WE WANTED SPEED AND GOT THEM.
I WILL STILL TRADE THEM ALL FOR JULIO JONES BUT I'M HAPPY WITH THEM.
Posted by: JUSTIN CREDIBLE | May 05, 2011 at 03:08 PM
Great article Mando - my thoughts exactly. What an idiot.
Posted by: Brandon | May 05, 2011 at 03:10 PM
MALLET = A WHITE JAMARCUS RUSSEL
Posted by: JUSTIN CREDIBLE | May 05, 2011 at 03:13 PM
I'll worry about Ryan Mallett taking his revenge when he actually takes snaps as a QB in the NFL. Until then, he can deliver a ten hour speech every day on his supposed wrongs - it doesn't matter worth a damn. Just like Rex Ryan's annual superbowl promise.
Posted by: nickzi | May 05, 2011 at 03:16 PM
There nothing wrong with the fanbase. If you go to any team blogs fans are always ocmplaining about something. I think for the most parts we have a great fan base but like any other fans we want whats best for out team. By the way the Ravens have Flacco, Steelers Rothelisburgurlar and the Jets. Well you have a point with the Wets. Sanchez sucks! Dolphins Henne! Get my point. Those QB have a passing attack!
Posted by: DM | May 05, 2011 at 03:28 PM
I say we give up our whole draft next year for the number 1 pick to get Luck. Yea Yea call me crazy!
Posted by: DM | May 05, 2011 at 03:30 PM
This isn't newsworthy. Moreover, who cares?
Mallett won't start, barring injury, for a very long time and might be traded before he gets the chance. I guess nobody here ever said anything stupid when they were young?
Whatever Ireland tried or didn't try to do is of no consequence now. We have the guys we picked, for better or worse. We weren't going to take a QB, whatever Ireland said, because it made no sense from this front office's point of view - which is win now because our jobs are on the line, not develop a QB for the future.
They've done what they needed to to get Henne the supporting cast he needs to succeed, barring a couple of players they could pick up in FA. If they don't get a QB to replace or compete with him, then it is his with which to excel or fail. Really, it was the most logical path they could take given what they have in house and what their immediate goals are. Jury's out on whether they chose the right players, but in terms of positions of need, they picked as well as you could expect.
Not that it wouldn't have been exciting to get a young QB with a hot arm - certainly that would have ignited some hope!
Now if only the NFL doesn't succumb to the quagmire that is the court system. Egads, I don't want to be watching the UFL for my football hit.
Posted by: Jimmy Jam | May 05, 2011 at 03:33 PM
DM:
YEAH YOUR CRAZY
Posted by: JUSTIN CREDIBLE | May 05, 2011 at 03:51 PM
Dear Mr. Salguero
“Ryan said, ‘Payback.’ He remembers it all.”
I'm actually kinda scared, you know else wanted payback....... Sissy Spacek in the movie Carrie.
Do you think Ryan Mallet's payback will be anything like that ?
The more I think about this the more I think about levels of revenge.
Will Ryan Mallet be General Maximus Decimus Meridius to Jeff Irelands Emperor Commodus or more like Friday the 13th Ryan Mallet's Jason Voorhee's to Jeff Ireland's Jamie Lee Curtis.
Anyway you slice this...things dont look to good for Jeff Ireland
Soiled :)
Posted by: SoiledBottom | May 05, 2011 at 03:51 PM
Who cares ?
Posted by: WileyDolphin | May 05, 2011 at 03:52 PM
ALoco, has no one ever informed you that typing in all caps makes you seem a lil dim in the dome?
Posted by: ray | May 05, 2011 at 03:52 PM
What are some of the better pastries and muffins of the world?
Posted by: I Speak Monkey | May 05, 2011 at 04:10 PM
If I was brady I'd be worried. Mallett is in payback business. Think nancy kerrigan.
Posted by: BoulderPhinFan | May 05, 2011 at 04:14 PM
Terrelle Pryor QB Ohio State University 2012
Posted by: beerphin | May 05, 2011 at 04:19 PM
I don't know what Bellycheat was thinking.
I feel sorry for him and Brady though.
Can you imagine having a dumb a s s wanna be wigster over your shoulder all day every day?
Mallet: Yo yo YO, Coach Dawg! B-Brady been schooling the Mallet!
Feel me?
Whazzup, WHAZZUP? When I gits sta show the Skills Dawg?
The Mallets fin ta drop the Hammer baby!
Feel me?
Posted by: odinseye | May 05, 2011 at 04:25 PM
He'll be wearing Brady's jockstrap around his neck for 4 years while he signs autographs at Walmart.
Posted by: redsky | May 05, 2011 at 04:30 PM
Ryan Mallett is as dumb as a bag of rocks.
I understand how some fans actually relate to that but they probably also think Sarah Palin is an intellectual titan.
Posted by: pat | May 05, 2011 at 04:30 PM
WHAT????
A WHITE BuoY cant gits no LOVE?
When I gits ta play Dawg?
Posted by: odinseye | May 05, 2011 at 04:30 PM
pat,
saying that ryan mallet is as dumb as a bag of rocks is an insult to a bag of rocks.
Posted by: dm1dolphan | May 05, 2011 at 04:35 PM
Dawg, nobody draft me in the first Dawg?
Ya'll be on sum bullshyt, for real!
Dats Aaiight, dats Aaiight, here come the second round.
Not again! Damn Dawg, zup wit deese people?
Mom! Dad! They did it again(Wah!). The third round too. I swear to goodness(crying like a white boy now), if I ever get the chance, I'll get those MOTHER Fu_k-ERS!
Just you watch Mommy, I'll get them GOOD!
It's PAYBACK TIME!!!!
Posted by: odinseye | May 05, 2011 at 04:40 PM
You guys are all overexaggerating he's not that dumb he went to Arkansas to play football! Some of you couldnt get into BCC.
Posted by: DM | May 05, 2011 at 04:41 PM
Dawg, nobody draft me in the first Dawg?
Ya'll be on sum bullshyt, for real!
Dats Aaiight, dats Aaiight, here come the second round.
Not again! D A M N Dawg, zup wit deese people?
Third rounds Aaiight, it's Aaaiight!
Mom! Dad! They did it again(Wah!). The third round too. I swear to goodness(crying like a white boy now), if I ever get the chance, I'll get those MOTHER Fu_k-ERS!
Just you watch Mommy, I'll get them GOOD!
It's PAYBACK TIME!!!!
Posted by: odinseye | May 05, 2011 at 04:42 PM
Dear Mr. Salguero
If you can read this...your not Ryan Mallett
Dang it...hope I dont end up on the list
Soiled :)
Posted by: SoiledBottom | May 05, 2011 at 04:42 PM
The Hallmark Channel is showing "The Waltons." I forgot the episode where the entire family is attacked and eaten by wolves.
Posted by: Devo | May 05, 2011 at 04:49 PM
Dear Mr. Bottoms,
Surely you jest.
I wouldn't want to wind up on your list.
The fact that you "suddenly" and "mysteriously" show up after recent celebrations in NY and DC wasn't lost on me.
PS: Are Middle Eastern Chicks Hot(Wink, wink)?
Posted by: odinseye | May 05, 2011 at 04:53 PM
Odin funny! Is his name mallet or mullet?
Posted by: redsky | May 05, 2011 at 04:53 PM
Devo, wasn't that the series finale? It was my favorite....
Posted by: redsky | May 05, 2011 at 04:55 PM
Mr. Devo
"The Hallmark Channel is showing "The Waltons." I forgot the episode where the entire family is attacked and eaten by wolves."
That was the series finally.
Little known fact - Ryan Mallett was a hugh fan of The Waltons....Those Wolf's made Ryans list.
Soiled :)
Posted by: SoiledBottom | May 05, 2011 at 04:58 PM
wolves can eat waltons? i thought they could only eat fin victories?
that's what i wanna eat
Posted by: the wolf, icu, starvation coma | May 05, 2011 at 04:58 PM
Dear Mr. Odinseye
After 2 years of service on the unemployment line I was finally released of my obligations.
Currently I am freelancing for spare change on a very prosperous intersection in Charlotte NC.
Soiled :)
Posted by: SoiledBottom | May 05, 2011 at 05:07 PM
It's Mullet Time!
Dernt
........Dern Dern
...................Dernt
...........................Dernt Dernt
Der Dernt!
Can't touch Dis........................
Posted by: odinseye | May 05, 2011 at 05:07 PM
Dear Mr. Bottoms,
Cover story, I get it(wink, wink).
Ahem,.......yeah, sitting in the park with a guitar and a hat beats the heck out of hanging around out in front of the Home Depot with a hammer and a MALLET!
Posted by: odinseye | May 05, 2011 at 05:14 PM
Mando criticizes Henne for not shwing emotion then criticizes Mallett for being disappointed that the most QB hungry team in this league which interviewed him 4 times passed on him TWICE!
Can't have it both ways Mando.
We are the real losers here. We passed up on this golden arm twice to select a guard and JJ Johnson part deux.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | May 05, 2011 at 05:17 PM
Check it out! On September the 12th in front of the world (Monday Night Primetime), Mallet may just get his chance! First quarter, Brady goes down and they put in Mallet, but...BOOM! Here comes Wake and Mallet falls like a hammer! Get it? Hammer...Mallet! Hahaha! The kids even named after a tool! He was Henne's back-up! Which meant that he wasn't as good as Chad. Thankfully, we don't have to look at a QB who has already proven himself to be worse than what we've already got! WHO CARES, what he, or his father, have to say about him not getting drafted by Miami?... Anyone?... No one?... Bueller?
Posted by: Tracy474 | May 05, 2011 at 05:23 PM
redsky--It was supposed to be the final episode but the high ratings convinced CBS to return with the "Ghost Waltons" the next season. John Boy's spirit existed in strangers radios, where his voice would creep them out during dinnertime.
Posted by: Devo | May 05, 2011 at 05:23 PM
Dear Mr. Salguero
Recently I revealed that I am Freelancing for spare change on a very prosperous intersection here in Charlotte NC.
Well on the same intersection but cattycorner to me is another free lance business man that has been trying to muscle me out of my territory.
Well that got me to thinking about a business enterprise. Say if we were come to fistacuffs and it were Filmed then sold on the internet.
Nevermind about my above paragraphs...I just been informed that BUM fights is illegal.
Soiled :)
Posted by: SoiledBottom | May 05, 2011 at 05:31 PM
news........
YOUR DADDY TOM BRADY HAVE SIGNED A CONTRACT FOR UNER UROMR THE SPORT COMPANY FOR 6.8 MILLION A YEAR FOR 3 YEARS == 20.5 MILLION IN TOTAL .........
THAT'S 1567 TIMES HENNE SALARY .......
Posted by: ALoco | May 05, 2011 at 05:32 PM
UNDER ARMOUR
Posted by: ALoco | May 05, 2011 at 05:33 PM
WELCOME BACK TO MY DEAR FAVORITE BLOGGER MR SOILED .
Posted by: ALoco | May 05, 2011 at 05:34 PM