Marcus Vick In Trouble Again

Some people you just can't save. After a short career at VT mired by run-ins with the law, Marcus Vick seemingly blew a future in the NFL before the Dolphins gave him a shot as a WR. I actually thought he did pretty well for himself, but things didn't work out. It was unfortunate, but he did his job while he was a Dolphin.

However, Vick has continued following his brother's footsteps by getting himself into trouble. Any chance he had of returning the NFL probably got washed away now with the news of his recent arrest. Marcus was caught driving drunk and evading officers who tried to pull him over. It's just a sad story because both of the Vick brothers had immense physical talents, but could never pull things together in the head.

NFL teams will forever think they can take a chance on a bad apple and hope he turns the corner. Look at what's happening for the Rangers and Milton Bradley. He's been tearing it up. However, for every success story like that, there is a catastrophe laying in wait. Often times it is the success stories themselves that end up falling apart. Bradley has been on his best behavior, but the recent incident where he almost stormed up a flight of steps to confront an announcer who was less than flattering to Bradley shows that he hasn't fixed all his issues quite just yet.

It goes to show some people never change. Then again, some do. Ricky Williams has been given umpteen chances, but he finally seems like he's got it. You really are rolling the dice when you take chances on guys like that, because it is the ultimate boom or bust scenario.

Tom Brady Clobbered

I figure since things haven't been too great for us South Florida sports fans I figured I would bring up some good memories of a recent game that made us all smile. Music sucks, but whatever.

Pats Taped Dolphins

Apparently, some time between 2000 and 2002, the New England Patriots videotaped games of the Miami Dolphins for future access in stealing our signals. They also taped 4 other teams in 5 other games. This revelation comes from Matt Walsh, who's saga continues now with more evidence that the Patriots are bigtime cheaters.

Granted, they are likely not the only team to have been doing this. Regardless it should be interesting to see what kinds of punishments they will face for this if the NFL finds them guilty of cheating. I personally don't know what they were doing taping the Dolphins, when Wannstedt's offense was run left, run right, run backwards, and his defense was straight up cover 2 man.

Hopefully they'll get more than a slap on the wrist. It would be fun to see some real chaos in the NFL, with a Super Bowl title stripped from those damn Patsies.

TO Loves Porn?

Apparently Terrell Owens loves porn? He appeared on a recent photo on the Bangbros website. It got cropped out from the main site, but I do have a copy of the photo here.

That's definitely him. Looks like the dude recognizes him and it's hard to miss the Dallas receiver in the background.

Wondering About the Wonderlic

Every year the Wonderlic scores come out some time between the Combine the NFL Draft. A huge deal is made from the results of this test, and there are several issues I have a problem with.

First off, does it really matter? One observation I made is that many times you see QBs and OLs at the top of the board, with WRs and DBs do really poorly. Does that mean the former group is a better group of NFL players? Not necessarily. The latter group of players might not do as well (I don't have statistical evidence so you'll have to just believe me), but include some of the most dynamic athletes the sports has ever seen.

In fact, it sometimes appears that the most gifted athletes don't do so well on the exam. Vince Young famously scored a 6 on the test, yet he has been a winner (albeit a below average passer) at the next level. Frank Gore did poorly as well due to a learning disability, and he is a superb NFL back. Our own local hero Dan Marino scored in the low double-digits I believe. He turned out alright.

Casting that argument aside, let's pretend that the score actually is worth a damn. A 20 is the average person's intelligence. I've seen sample Wonderlic tests. How anybody scores below a 30 is beyond my comprehension. We're talking simple questions like how many months have 31 days in them. Sure, stuff like that might trip you up once or twice, or even cause you to rethink your answers and not finish the timed exam.

Regardless, nobody should do worse than a 20, especially "educated student-athletes". Kenny Phillips scored a 16. Doesn't make the U look too great. Andre Caldwell got like a 12, that's a quality UF education right there. I totally understand where many of these athletes are coming from in terms of K-12 education, but if they can't answer simple problem solving questions, what exactly are they doing in an accredited university?

That's not to say they don't deserve the higher education. On the contrary, more inner city kids need a chance at a degree. But what it does do is reveal what a farce NCAA football is when they create all these rules and regulations based on what the NCAA deems as "student athletes". These kids are not students. They are mercenaries for hire. Most of them wouldn't be able to get into a university on their own merit and are there for the sole purpose of making that school money while improving their personal draft stocks. The shameful scores on the Wonderlic test illustrate this clearly to me.

What I'd like to see is some sort of change. Either toss the Wonderlic out the window because it really doesn't translate on the field (Frank Gore can't finish a test without extra time but he can read a playbook and a defense just fine) or own up to the fact your "student athletes" are really just semi-pro players.

Accepting the latter would be encouraging, because these kids deserve more than an education as compensation. Clearly many of these guys aren't learning anything. Read up on Michigan, who clearly paves an easy path for football players in the classroom because it is literally impossible to be a football player and a student at the Div 1-A level. Even if they do acquire some knowledge at the college level, many players earn degrees that are effectively useless in the workforce (basket weaving), expecting to make their fortune in the NFL and putting all their eggs in one basket. Or they leave school early, don't succeed at the next level and can't afford to come back to finish their degree.

In any case, something is funky with the system. It's a bit of a tangent considering this piece was on the Wonderlic exam, but the pieces fit.

Pope to Vikings

One of the last players from the Wannstedt era last season was Derrick Pope. An undersized OLB from Alabama, I immediately liked the pick and loved the kid's enthusiasm. Him an Tony Bua really got after people. However, Pope never really amounted to anything more than a serviceable backup. There was absolutely no chance he was going to be on this roster because he doesn't fit Parcells' scheme.

Fortunately for Derrick, the Vikings saw some value in him and signed him to a 1 year deal. Good luck to him.

Rex Hadnot Signs With Browns

People usually referred to Hadnot as our best offensive lineman. I considered him a steal coming out of Houston when he was drafted, but I never grew to like him as a player while he was here. I don't see why people speak so highly of him.

Now it appears that evaluators around the league agree with me. Hadnot had been looking for a monster deal and to leave Miami, but instead settled for a two-year 7 million dollar deal in Cleveland. Only about half of that money is guaranteed.

Rex was a serviceable starter, but Justin Smiley is head and shoulders better than Hadnot. We won't miss him too much.

Trent Green Returns to St. Louis

Thankfully we won't be seeing the return of Trent Green in Miami. I suspected we weren't interested, but I can't shake the feeling that our front office always has a tendency to panic and make dumb signings when it comes to QB.

Green has signed with the Rams for 3 years and 9 million dollars. Seems like a lot for a guy who might not ever play again, but then again the Rams don't have the most stable QB situation in the league. Marc Bulger looked terrible last season when he wasn't hurt, so signing Green is a nice security blanket.

Jesse Chatman to Jets

As expected, Jesse Chatman priced himself out of a job with the Miami Dolphins. With Ronnie Brown looking to return to full health soon, a healthy Ricky Williams, and 2nd year player Lorenzo Booker on the roster, Chatman was expendable.

This makes for an interesting situation regarding Darren McFadden. I'm not entirely sure Chatman is "the guy" now in New York. But I wonder how this affects the Jets' desire to draft the Arkansas back. Their interest in McFadden in turn affects our leverage for the #1 pick if we are still shopping the pick.

Marcus Thomas Arrested

Yet another Gator in the news. Denver Broncos DT Marcus Thomas was arrested in Jacksonville for possession of cocaine. Thomas had been in trouble back in Gainesville for possession of marijuana. As punishment, he was suspended by Urban Meyer against St Mary's School for the Blind and Deaf and Grambling A&M Tech before being reinstated against LSU.

But I'll stop hating on UF to give you my two cents on a far bigger issue. The NFL has way too many players getting in trouble and putting themselves in these kinds of situations. I know they have that rookie symposium that lasts a couple of days, but it isn't enough to help these young men deal with their fame and their fortune.

Many of these players come from broken homes or impoverished parts of their hometowns. They may have gone to school, but they haven't been educated. We all know athletes get pampered at major universities. Combine an uneducated mind with a lot of money and temptation, and you get situations where guys throw their lives away because they don't know any better.

I wish the NFL would have people in every NFL city assigned to rookie players for 2 or 3 seasons. Check up on them once every two weeks. See how they're doing. Make sure they are on the right path. All you would need is one or two guys per city. It wouldn't prevent all the mistakes that are being made, but it would help many of these young men to have a mentor. Somebody who can show these players how to detach themselves from bad friends and to stay away from trouble.

Calvin Pace to the Jets

Thank God. I would have liked Pace's size on this defense except that a player with one good season under his belt was asking for 20 million dollars in guaranteed money. The Dolphins were smart enough not to give it to him. The Jets were not.

Pace will make 42 million over 6 years, 20-22 of which are guaranteed. I don't know why they pulled the trigger on such a huge deal for a guy who was nonexistant his first few seasons in the league before posting solid numbers last year for the Cardinals.

More NFL News

With the trades of Shaun Rogers and Kris Jenkins being completed, all that was left on the DT market was Marcus Stroud. Unfortunately, the former Jaguar is now a Bill.

The asking price was the same 3rd and 5th round picks needed to trade for Rogers and Jenkins. Now Buffalo has yet another solid player on defense, as if their unheralded defense didn't give Miami fits as it was.

Miami didn't really lose out on their end because I never got the impression they were at all interested. In fact, with the trade for Jason Ferguson and the signing of Randy Starks, I'd say the Dolphins are pretty much done acquiring defensive tackles this offseason.

One guy we might have gone after but didn't have a realistic shot at getting was Bernard Berrian. It's clear this offense is lacking weapons, even after signing Ernest Wilford. Berrian is now a Viking, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Minnesota handed him a $42 million deal with $16 million in guarantees. That's grossly overpaying for a guy who has been solid but not spectacular his entire career.

Players That Got Away

I discussed players that might be decent pickups if we could trade for them, but in the case of Shaun Rogers, the other team was asking for too much. Well Rogers is gone, having been traded to Cincinnati for a 3rd and 5th round pick. It's about time they worked on their front 7 anyway.

Another option I suggested was going after Kris Jenkins. He too, is gone, having been traded to the Jets for the same 3rd and 5th round picks that Rogers was worth. He also signed a 5 year, 35 millions dollar deal with New York. That's doubly bad luck for Miami, cause Jenkins can be a force in the middle and now we have to face him twice a year.

Additionally, we might be losing a chance to trade our draft pick to the Cowboys if they do go after Tatum Bell, as this report suggests. If they get Bell, then they have no need for McFadden.

Latest NFL News, Including Vilma

God I love PFT.

Anyway, Vilma is now supposedly heading to the Saints. I don't know what happened to the Lions, but PFT reports New Orleans is the new favorite.

Next, forget about signing Flozell Adams from the Cowboys. There was the Parcells link there, but Dallas has signed the OT to a 6 year deal.

Tough loss for the Dolphins, but now that the Chargers have cut Shane Olivea, he might be a good option as well.

If we are interested in Panthers DT Kris Jenkins, then we'll have to compete with the Jets.

Fins Interested in Rogers

A month ago I wrote suggesting the Dolphins take a look at unwanted DT/NT Shaun Rogers of the Detroit Lions. Apparently, somebody in the front office agrees with me.

The Dolphins are actively interested in trading for the troubled DT to fill that gaping hole in their roster. However, I am not in favor of what the Lions are asking for. They want a 2nd round pick, or a 3rd and a veteran player.

This team is not in the position to be trading picks away unless they are getting superstars in return. I'd trade a 2nd for Chad Johnson, but not for Shaun Rogers. Shaun is a very good player, but only when he wants to be. His character issues raise a red flag as well, so I'm not entirely sure their asking price is fair.

What we could do is potentially trade a veteran for him straight up. I wonder if they would be interested in Jason Taylor or Joey Porter. Particularly the former. I would rather send him to a legitimate contender, but a Taylor for Rogers trade is about as far as I'd ever go to get Rogers. It would hurt to lose JT, but he should leave anyway and go as far away from this mess as he can.

Another thing that should hurt the Lions is the fact they have no leverage. Marcus Stroud of the Jaguars is also for sale, as is Panthers DT Kris Jenkins. Both are very good players at their position, and I don't see any drop off in talent when comparing them to Rogers. Jenkins may be a bit past his prime, but Stroud certainly would be a force on this defense.

Some NFL News and Notes

You might have seen the recent cuts made by NFL teams and come up with a wishlist of potential FAs for the Dolphins to pursue. Here's a summary of some of the moves I've considered to be notable:

• Jonathan Vilma is in Detroit and passed a physical. He'll likely be a Lion sometime soon. Tough luck for the Dolphins, but if we are really going to run a 3-4, then he wouldn't fit in down here.
• Javon Walker might get cut soon and he would be an interesting addition to the Dolphins.
• Ty Law was cut by the Chiefs. He's a good cornerback but I would prefer the Fins stay young. However, you can't fill in every need through just one draft, so maybe a short term deal wouldn't be a bad idea.
• Olindo Mare got cut by the Saints after they decided to keep Gramatica. Apparently Mare refused to take a paycut. Bad idea, Olindo.
• Anyone who was actually in favor of trading for Derek Anderson might not get their wish, as he is getting some serious offers from the Browns to stay in Cleveland.
• Kevin Carter got cut by the Bucs, but don't expect a reunion with his former team.
• Flozell Adams remains without a contract offer from the Cowboys. If he doesn't go back to Dallas, we would be the frontrunners to sign him in the FA period.
• Booger McFarland got cut by the Colts. I don't know what happened to this guy's career, but if we can't find another option he might be a decent acquisition. He might not be big enough to be a NT though.
• David Carr was cut, but don't expect him to be in Miami next season. Byron Leftwich might also be available as a backup.

Lions Favorites to Land Vilma?

PFT is reporting that the Lions are the favorites for Jonathan Vilma's services. The Jets have allowed Vilma to shop himself anywhere other than to the Patriots. When I heard that, I hoped Miami could find a way to bring him home. It would be unfortunate if he ended up in Detroit. I find it hard to root for the Lions just because they might have one of my favorite players.

And if you were hoping to sign Asante Samuel, then we might be out of luck there too. PFT says New Orleans is the probable destination for the corner.

Dolphins Interested in Williamson and Hall?

The Herald reported today that the Dolphins have been talking with the agents for WR Troy Williamson and CB DeAngelo Hall about potentially trading for those players.

My advice to Parcells: don't go anywhere near Williamson. The big red flag on him coming out of South Carolina was his inexperience at the position. In his 3 years in the NFL has has proven jack squat and hasn't been the deep threat anyone had hoped for. I would offer a 7th for butterfingers, and nothing more.

As for Hall, I sincerely doubt the Big Tuna will look his way. DeAngelo is a decent player but is probably the most overrated DB in the NFL aside from Dallas safety Roy Williams. He consistently makes the Pro Bowl on name recognition alone. And he will want a $10 million a year deal after the upcoming season to boot.

Trading for him would be an expensive risk because his salary demands might result in him being a one-year rental for the Dolphins. What I would seriously consider would be to trade our #1 pick down to #3 to Atlanta in exchange for the rights to Hall. It's unlikely anyone will really give Atlanta much more value for an overpriced malcontent.

Cowboys Sign Zach Thomas

Whew. At least he won't be a Patriot.

Thomas returning to Texas was probably the best fit for him aside from the Patriots. He gets a chance to play at home on an excellent football team and has an opportunity to win that coveted ring. It will be very weird to see him in a Cowboys uniform though.

Not sure how much of an impact he will have though. He didn't play much last year and is getting older and who knows if those concussions will return. The bright side is that he will be playing on an infinitely better team so he has teammates to help him make plays.

Good luck to Zach in Dallas. I will be rooting for the Cowboys next season to do well.

Today's 2nd Sign That the Apocalypse is Upon Us

I think Dolphins fans better brace themselves for the shock of seeing Zach Thomas put on a Patriots uniform at a press conference sometime in the near future. NFL.com is reporting that Thomas received a contract offer from New England after today's visit. Zach presumably completed New England's physical, clearing him to play.

Technically, Zach still has visits to New Orleans and Dallas to go to. Also, about a half dozen other teams have called with interest in the former Dolphins LB. However, I would find it hard to believe that he would turn down a fair salary from the best team in pro football. The Giants may have won the Super Bowl, but the Patriots remain the elite franchise in the sport.

Watching him play against us two times a year will be a bitter pill to swallow. We've already seen it with guys like Wes Welker, Junior Seau, and even Heath Evans, who gained over 100 yards against us in one appearance. But Zach meant more to this franchise than any player since Dan Marino. Seeing him play for the enemy is not something many people in South Florida will be happy about.

Frankly, I want him to succeed. Another Patriots championship isn't a problem with me unless they are going undefeated. I know this Dolphins team will be terrible. I expect them to finish last in the AFC East, so losing Thomas to New England doesn't really have an effect on the short-term success of this team. I hate the Patsies as a fan, but the rational human being in me knows it's the best fit for Zach and he will have a chance to get what he has earned through 12 seasons in the NFL.