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Ireland “optimistic” 2nd-rounders will sign soon, Huizenga a top-10 owner

By Edgar Thompson | Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 10:40 PM

With players due to report in two days for training camp, GM Jeff Ireland said he feels good about the team’s chances to sign second-round picks Phillip Merling and Chad Henne.

Ireland said he’s spoken several times with each player’s agent as they iron out contract details.

“We’re closer than we were last week when we spoke,” Ireland said tonight during an interview on 560 WQAM. “I’m still optimistic we’ll get those guys done before training camp starts.”

Once here, both hope to end up in the mix sooner rather than later.

Henne reportedly is going to get a shot at starting quarterback, even though he looks to be a good bit behind Josh McCown and John Beck. Defensive end is a position with many questions marks, but Merling needs to continue to get back to full speed following sports hernia surgery this past winter.

In other words, missing any training camp wouldn’t make much sense.

Ireland also discussed the evolution of the Jason Taylor trade. Nothing new, really, other than when the Redskins first called they couldn’t get Ireland or Bill Parcells on the phone.

Ireland was at church and Parcells on the golf course.

Once they checked their messages and spoke with Tony Sparano, it didn’t take long to decide to take the deal for a pair of draft picks.

“Our background is building through the draft,” Ireland said.

The man who makes building the Dolphins possible, Managing General Partner Wayne Huizenga, continues to receive high praise, despite last season’s 1-15 finish and six straight seasons out of the playoffs.

Michael Silver of Yahoo Sports ranked Huizenga and new co-owner Stephen Ross No. 9 out of the league’s 32 owners.

Silver, who has covered the NFL for years, including a lengthy stint at Sports Illustrated, noted that Huizenga “wasn’t complacent in the face of misery.” Huizenga fleeced Atlanta owner Arthur Blank for the services of Parcells and brought in fellow billionaire Ross to keep the Dolphins running at a high level once Huizenga, 70, steps down.

It became clear last season that it was short-sighted to look at the Dolphins’ lack of success and blame Huizenga. Even during the lowest point in franchise history, ex-Dolphins players and NFL people had only good things to say about Huizenga’s willingness to do what it takes to build a winner.

Strong ownership and the decision-making of Parcells are solid building blocks for a franchise that hit rock bottom a season ago.

C'mon Jeff, sign them!!!!!!

What is Michael Silver smoking?

Uncle Wayne should not be in the top ten of anything. A couple of weeks ago, someone here at TDMMC did some research and found out that over the years, Wayne doesn't pay to get the players needed to win and they had proof of it. I wish I could find the link because it was right on the money.

Ricky Williams was a steal based on the ridiculous contract that he let Master P handle when he first came into the league.

And stealing Parcells from Atlanta? I think it's a no brainer that Parcells took the Dolphins job. Ron Wolf is your next door neighbor so you can always go around the corner and consult with him and Jupiter is just a 45 minute drive from Davie, Florida. Parcells probably has a chaffuer or rides the Tri-Rail. Less stress than taking an airplane in and out each week and we know now that Parcells hates flying.

Wayne is gonna cash out like a fat rat which is okay but his legacy will be that of an owner who could never understand the total business module of pro football. After all the high rankings in Forbes Magazine and being named Businessman of the World several times, he can't manage the dynamics of a pro football team.

Uncle Wayne has spent money on facilities while the product on the field has suffered. He's good at facilities management and improvement but an average owner.


Joe Robbie did more with less.

If you add in what he did to the Marlins, I'd say he's a below average owner.



As for Henne and Merling, I wonder why Wayne didn't make the similar threat he made last season?  Hmmmmmmmmm