One of the most common questions I get from fans is a request to explain why the Dolphins have shown zero interest in WR Braylon Edwards even though the free agent is very productive and reuniting him with former Michigan teammate and quarterback Chad Henne seems logical.
My sense is the Dolphins don't feel like Edwards is worth the trouble when you balance that versus his potential contribution.
On the plus side, you have a legit deep threat receiver. The guy averaged a whopping 17.1 yards per catch for the New York Jets last season. He also scored seven TDs in 16 games which is more than solid.
But the combination of his initial high asking price, the fact he's a party animal, his borderline criminal behavior that includes drunk driving arrests and probation violations and alleged role in a bar room fight earlier this week, make him a major, major, major risk.
The Dolphins obviously want no part of that risk even though now it seems the price for acquiring Edwards is dropping based on a very soft market for the player. He will probably end up signing a one-year contract with someone who will limit their liability by hoping Edwards finally understands he's another bar fight from having practically every team turn their backs on him. A motivated (read scared straight) Edwards might work for someone for a short span of time.
Not the Dolphins. They seem content with Brandon Marshall and Brian Hartline as their starting receivers with Davone Bess in the slot. I guess we have a possibility Marlon Moore or Roberto Wallace take a significant step in their second seasons and challenge for playing time.
There's also a chance rookie Clyde Gates comes along really fast (his specialty) and cracks the rotation.
But the greater likelihood is definitely Hartline opposite Marshall. And Hartline apparently is very happy with that.
"I'm never satisfied," Hartline told me this afternoon. "Talk about competition, we always have competition. If I'm not competing against somebody else, I'm competing against myself. Although I did take some steps last year, I didn't finish up where I wanted to finish because of the [finger] injury. With that being said, I think it still ended up being a pretty good second year. I want to act like I finished the year out and then take a step on top of that. I want to be a guy that makes plays for the team and the team knows it can come to me."
I asked Hartline what he did this offseason to get better.
"I tried to put on a little more weight," he answered. "We play a grown-man game so I'm trying to bring a little more of the punch of blocking and really just prepare mentally. It's a mental game and you need to know your routes and where you're at."
Look, the Dolphins are making personnel decisions every day now. They have obviously weighed their options and believe Hartline's price and other variables will serve them better than Edwards. That is the name of the personnel game.
Just as the Dolphins weighed their options here, we'll weigh their decisions versus what could have been when the season is over and we'll see whether they were correct or not.
I would like an update on the Orton situation. Also, I'll take a double cheeseburger and a shake. I am on a diet you know.
Posted by: RexRyan(Sucks) | August 03, 2011 at 06:11 PM
Leche...
Posted by: finsupremo | August 03, 2011 at 06:14 PM
Dear Mr. Ross: Groucho Marx just called. He would like his face back please. Thank you.
Posted by: RexRyan(Sucks) | August 03, 2011 at 06:18 PM
first
Posted by: Etan Skullnic | August 03, 2011 at 06:21 PM
The update on the Orton situation is.... GRAVEYARD DEAD!
Why so many are so eager to trade yet another draft pick for yet another mediocre Jay Fiedler type (at BEST)... is beyond me. Haven't they been paying attention for the last 12 years?
Orton sucks! Even with a weak sister AFC West schedule... Orton sucks!
Posted by: twyger | August 03, 2011 at 06:21 PM
So whom should the Eagles go after: Edwards or Moss?
Posted by: LAPhinsPhan | August 03, 2011 at 06:22 PM
RexRyanPoser....update on Orton is as final as Milli Vanilli making a comeback...Broncos are on the record for saying Orton is the Starting Qb, so game of poker is now officially over...let the Brett Favre rumors begin....
Posted by: PhinFanInOly | August 03, 2011 at 06:23 PM
Denver announced today that Orton is their starter this year.
Trade is really dead.
Posted by: finsfan72 | August 03, 2011 at 06:24 PM
Well there goes Sparano and Ireland's chance of returning next season. Thanks Orton
Posted by: d-dense | August 03, 2011 at 06:29 PM
Ross is not stupid. If Ireland and Sparano were not doing a great job why did he extend their contracts, huh? Answer me that. They took over 1-15, remember? You expect a Super Bowl in 3 years? They are doing their jobs very well. We need consistency not changing the FO every three years, thata never works.
This blog doesn't have many fans, just cry babies.
Posted by: mc | August 03, 2011 at 06:31 PM
Just so you know, we are making a comeback.
Posted by: MillyVanilly | August 03, 2011 at 06:32 PM
matt flynn ?
Posted by: Damien | August 03, 2011 at 06:34 PM
I have given up on the Henne experiment. He appears to be a cement head. You can not win in the NFL without at least very good QB play. And do not give me the bull about Doug Williams and Trent Dilfer. The game is much different now than it was then. If you can't pass, you can't win. Period. The problem can be traced back to that circus midget Saban. If that dope had signed Drew Brees (who wanted to come here bad) instead of Dante Hasenpfefer, we would be sitting pretty right now.
Posted by: RexRyan(Sucks) | August 03, 2011 at 06:39 PM
MATT FLYNN!!!
MATT FLYNN!!!
Posted by: John | August 03, 2011 at 06:41 PM
Even though I do not like Hartline, the team needs a quality RT more than a WR.
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 03, 2011 at 06:41 PM
Braylon Edwards would give Miami another receiver who can stretch the field. He has a great connection with Henne and can make the difficult catch. He is a better receiver than Hartline and can take a hit. Marshall is no angel either, and we took him! We would close the gap with the Jets and Pats too.
Posted by: Wunschie | August 03, 2011 at 06:42 PM
Milly...no you are not...lip syncing only happens now at brittany spears concerts...and Green Bay wants a 1st Round pick for Flynn...dont see FO forking that up for a back up if they wouldnt do it for a starter...I think Matt Moore is their guy at this point...i do NOT see any surprise pick ups that are Big Impact players at this point...only Acorns from here on out...
Posted by: PhinFanInOly | August 03, 2011 at 06:44 PM
Blah Blah Blah. More of the same inactivity. They are done. I said at the time that R Bush was the big splash. I wasn't completely serious then. Now I am. How sad.
Posted by: jrljr2 | August 03, 2011 at 06:44 PM
Jets will pick him up then they will have the best widout tandom in the league.
Posted by: Aj | August 03, 2011 at 06:45 PM
Green Bay supposedly wants a 3-4th rounder for Flynn
Posted by: John | August 03, 2011 at 06:47 PM
I also said Ross will pocket whatever cap space was left. Exactly right. Hear that ITC?
Posted by: jrljr2 | August 03, 2011 at 06:48 PM
NEXT YEAR !
Posted by: Aj | August 03, 2011 at 06:49 PM
Yeah AJ, with Sanchez throwing the ball. He takes more risks than Henne. Thats all I will give him.
Posted by: fluflu | August 03, 2011 at 06:49 PM
No Blog has really reported what happened in 11-11's in today's practice except Omar Kelly that said it was brutal for the offence. Are they putting the clamps on the reporters ala Bill Parcells?
Posted by: oscar canosa | August 03, 2011 at 06:49 PM
PhinFaninOly: Those accusations of lip syncing at Brittany's concerts are way over blown, as is her waist line. Thank you.
Posted by: The B. Spears' concert audio guy | August 03, 2011 at 06:51 PM
glad they are gone after season, bout time. they destroyed this franchise
Posted by: dusty bottoms | August 03, 2011 at 06:52 PM
ESPN is reporting that Morono is upset because fans are taunting Chad aka I will probably never be ready for prime time Henne. The fans are skeptical of the product being put out on the field. I for one do not blame them. Henne is piss poor...His competition Moore is little more than a third string quarterback....The Eagles Make Waves With Their Signings...PATS are not scared to take chances on potential problematic players...Phins are stuck in neutral taking former Dallas Cowboys Retread...Can't wait until this current administration of clowns are gone.....Bye Morono....Bye Ireland...Do not let the door hit you on the way out...
Posted by: Disgruntled Dolfan | August 03, 2011 at 06:52 PM
Pat Devlin is a starter for us, just not this year.
Posted by: oscar canosa | August 03, 2011 at 06:52 PM
Acorns - YEAH!!
If I eat another acorn, I'm going to be sick...
Posted by: finsfan72 | August 03, 2011 at 06:53 PM
Aj your jets can eat it. We don't need Edwards yeah it was 17.1 but the rushing allowed for the 2ndary to be wide open allowing him to do so. Hartline will improve and so will Henne plus we have Bess, Marshall and Kevin Boss. GO DOLPHINS!!!
Posted by: The King | August 03, 2011 at 06:53 PM
Would someone please tell Mr. Ross to give me back my nose and glasses? Thank you.
Posted by: Groucho Marx | August 03, 2011 at 06:53 PM
Disgruntled. Sorry to tell you that they will both be back. They are carrying out Ross' plans to a T.
Posted by: jrljr2 | August 03, 2011 at 06:54 PM
This team is on a very visible collision course with a sub par season. Right the ship before it's too late. Not rocket science.
Posted by: dishpan | August 03, 2011 at 06:54 PM
Listen, Sporano loves to talk about bringing in players he is comfortable with. Why not bring in a player that your struggling QB is comfortable with??? I'm sorry, but the Dolphin argument makes no sense. So if some team will bring him in for a one year, lowball deal, why not the Dolphins??? Plaxico went for one year, 3.3 million. Sometimes you have to bring in this type of player. I completely disagree with the Fins on this one. Bring in Edwards for Henne's sake
Posted by: bobbyd12 | August 03, 2011 at 06:54 PM
Ross is a LIAR, he thinks we're fools. What a mess!
Posted by: finsfan72 | August 03, 2011 at 06:57 PM
anyone heard from Poizon? where is he?
Posted by: Fake Poizon | August 03, 2011 at 06:57 PM
The king Iam a dolphins fan
Posted by: Aj | August 03, 2011 at 07:00 PM
Brittany Coach...we dont care if you make her boobs bigger, just not the waist line...work on that for us...it will be more entertaining if she has a wardrobe malfunction at halftime as a new minority owner of the Dolphins.....
Posted by: PhinFanInOly | August 03, 2011 at 07:00 PM
Mr. Ross is not a liar!! You merely misinterpreted his statements.
Posted by: Pinnochio | August 03, 2011 at 07:00 PM
Okay it looks like we won't get Orton but we need somebody else besides MOOre, who is out there and who is available , this is serious if we just go with CHad and Moore we have no shot at the playoffs and we do have a good D, and some good skill players just no QB
Posted by: scott from delaware | August 03, 2011 at 07:03 PM
We have told him repeatedly to let us buy him out. It makes sense, we are light years ahead of him in resources but he don't want to. Bad, very bad.
Posted by: oscar canosa | August 03, 2011 at 07:04 PM
PhinFanOly: Will do. I'll work on inflating her meat bags and try and get her to lay off the Krispy Kremes. In addition, perhaps I can look into having her mouth shaped permanently like the outline of a german helmut.
Posted by: B. Spears' Concert Audio Guy | August 03, 2011 at 07:05 PM
I'd rather see Wallace, Moore & Gates develope. And I'm guessing the photo of Vernon Carey in his article wasn't taken yesterday or today.
Posted by: Turd Ferguson | August 03, 2011 at 07:06 PM
Ireland is not looking to smart now that Denver won't trade Orton, good job Jeff
Posted by: scott from delaware | August 03, 2011 at 07:06 PM
What will it take to get the Bengals to give up the rights to Carson Palmer? How much would it be worth to give the offense instant credibility? If it is next years first round pick then give it to them. I don't think I can stand another unproductive Henne year. I used to be a believer but not any more. Henne MUST be replaced!
Posted by: WestTNFinFan | August 03, 2011 at 07:06 PM
Bobby,
Bringing in guys that may challenge Sparano's locker room (BM aside) is just not what the bifecta does.
Their formula includes steering clear of guys who could possibly be a locker room problem even if they are more talented football players.
Now, I dont agree with this approach but clearly that is how the trifecta/bifecta does things.
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 03, 2011 at 07:06 PM
The moves (and non-moves) that this team makes even make me look good.
Posted by: RexRyan's Bowel Movement | August 03, 2011 at 07:09 PM
I don't think it's overly pessimistic to see the situation as dire. If the goal is to improve, then by all accounts we're in trouble because Henne is underperforming this early in the process. Not rocket science.
Posted by: dishpan | August 03, 2011 at 07:09 PM
JEFF IRELAND MANGES THE DOLPHINS AS A HOMELESS CONDUCT A GARGE SALE ON HIS PUSHING CART .
Posted by: ALoco | August 03, 2011 at 07:10 PM
What keeps Edwards from signing with Miami is the fact he didn't play for Dallas first....
Posted by: Turd Ferguson | August 03, 2011 at 07:10 PM
disgruntled
how pissed/ecstatic would u have been if we had signed haynesworth and chad?
dusty - if "they" is ts and ji - we went 1-15 BEFORE they came and were pretty piss poor even before that
sure we need a franchise qb - where r u gonna get one from, unless u go back to the long/ryan thing they haven't exactly wiffed big time on missing a franchise qb- ok they might've been bolder and traded up but who is the gut even with hindsight they should've picked, their biggest failures have been ol's
if by some miracle(according to u)
we go 10-6 this season I hope u will stop calling this fo out for trashing the franchise - its not been great for ages
the fo is still as responsible for the d as the o and the d looks reasonable (but its only practice, in the same way u shouldn't underestimate whatthe offense may do from camp nor should u overestinate the d)
i understand the frustration, they will be gone if they fail this season, imo they have not failed yet
Posted by: the wolf, icu, starvation coma, | August 03, 2011 at 07:11 PM
WIN VS NE@ HOME
WIN VS HOUSTON@HOME
LOSS @ SD
WIN @ CLE
LOSS@NJ
ON OCT 23 THE DENVE AND KYLE ORTON @HOME..... A WIN
@ NYG ...A WIN
@ KC .... LOSS
WAS@ MIAMI A WIN
BUFFALO @MIAMI.....A WIN
AT DALLAS................LOSS
OAK @ MIAMI............. WIN
PHI@ MIAMI............... LOSS
MIAMIM@ BUFFALO........ WIN
@ NE.............................. LOSS
NJ@MIAMI...................... WIN
10-6.......PLAYOFFS
Posted by: ALoco | August 03, 2011 at 07:11 PM
WestTNFinFan,
early round draft picks is how you build a winning team. Giving them up in panic moves is just not a good idea.
Plus with the new collective bargaining agreement the value of early picks is intensified.
Given the new agreement, trading a 1st round pick for an expensive contract is a sure fire way to destroy your salary cap.
Posted by: Oregon Dolphin fan | August 03, 2011 at 07:11 PM
Turd Ferguson: Are you and I distant cousins by chance?
Posted by: RexRyan's Bowel Movement | August 03, 2011 at 07:13 PM
THE TAKE OUT FOOD WAS GOOD BUT THE FRYING SPRING ROLL IS UNDER RATED .
Posted by: ALoco | August 03, 2011 at 07:14 PM
RECIEVER IS NOT A POSSITION OF NEED. wE NEED A SAFTY,GUARD & QB MAYBE A TE. WE HAVE A PRETTY SOLID TEAM. IT SHOULD B A INERESTING YR. CANT WAIT. P.S. HENNE IS BETTER THAN SANCHISE & WE DONT HEAR THE JETS CRYING 4 A NEW QB. GIVE THE KID SOME TIME 2 GROW. GO PHINS!! JETS SUCK!!!
Posted by: MIKG | August 03, 2011 at 07:15 PM
ALoco: What is up with your last 2 posts? You really should not drink the bong water.
Posted by: RexRyan's Bowel Movement | August 03, 2011 at 07:16 PM
Found the Dan Hyde article on Farve interesting. He does make some good points.
Posted by: cocoajoe | August 03, 2011 at 07:16 PM
LV said it was 4-12, ALoco.
Posted by: oscar canosa | August 03, 2011 at 07:17 PM
RRBM, we'd have to be 2nd cousins.....get it. The old deucer.
Posted by: Turd Ferguson | August 03, 2011 at 07:17 PM