Things I think I think, before training camp

[DolFan619]

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2008/07/things-i-think.html

Things I think I think, before training camp

Jeff Ireland has already admitted he's trying to upgrade the receiver position, which not only lacks proven depth and experience, but leadership. That's why I say the Dolphins should go after recently released Chargers receiver Eric Parker.

It's sad to say, but everyone else's trash needs to be rummaged because it could turn into Dolphins treasure. or at least a player that helps them get through the season. What's the harm of giving Parker, who has caught 187 passes and returned 105 punts in his six year career, a four week tryout. I'm going to take a flyer and say he's better than rookie receiver John Dunlap, who no one signed after the draft.

However, the Dolphins might be patient and wait till the first and second round of cuts to address the limited depth at receiver. There will be plenty of receivers cut, and some of them will be pretty good. For instance, the Giants have an arsenal of good ones and my UM sources tell me New York's been trying to trade Sinorice Moss all summer, and might end up cutting him if they don't find a bidder.

Moss' problem is he doesn't contribute on special teams, but he's a decent stretch the field receiver, and the Dolphins need someone to run 9-routes besides Ted Ginn Jr.

Moss is just an example, but I'm confident there will be PLENTY of decent - if not good - receivers on the waiver wire because teams usually don't keep more than six. And most keep five on the 53-man roster and two on the practice squad. Most teams are going to think twice about releasing their young (and recently drafted receivers) with hopes of putting them on the practice squad because they realize the Dolphins will snatch them up. That means plenty of marginal veteran types will be available....

Since I mentioned Ireland, he was on Dolphins all-access last night and said he was in church when the Redskins called him pursuing Jason Taylor. Parcells was on the golf course, so no one took their call. He said they were lucky about that because it afforded them an opportunity to learn how desperate Washington was, and had time to reassess the situation, which influenced their asking price.

Say what you want about what they got in return from Washington, and the Giants-Saints deal that got botched because of Taylor's unwillingness to rework his contract, but a second and sixth round pick for a 34-year old defensive end pondering retirement is a GREAT return. If you'll look, most of the perennial playoff teams are built off players drafted in the second-throughout-fourth round.

And as for Taylor bluffing about retiring after this season, I've always felt he was just saying that to regain leverage, and that his stance would chance the minute he's moved, and have written that....

Ireland also said he's "optimistic" Chad Henne and Phillip Merling will be signed before camp opens on Saturday. I'm glad he is because I'm not. The hold up on Henne is likely playing time escalators, and triggers. It's puzzling why Merling's deal isn't done considering Jimmy Sexton, his agent, also represents Bill Parcells and Ireland. You'd think that dialog would go smooth. I'm assuming their held up on the length of the contract because deals for second-round picks usually aren't that complicated.

Just so you know, I'm told Miami likes to put in a lot of workout and roster bonuses in their deals. They aren't into a lot of up front money, and that's smart, but very difficult to get done if a club doesn't have PLENTY of leverage.

Showing up a day or two late won't be detrimental to either player, but it certainly won't help considering both have a very realistic chance to win a starting spot....

Ireland also said Tuesday's workout of Rutgers offensive tackle Pedro Sosa likely won't result in him being signed. Ireland said he needs more time. I didn't really see how they were going to get that done anyway because the Dolphins need to cut one player for every player signed from this point out to meet the 80 player maximum.

[fyo]

All he needed was a "10" in front of that title and it'd be a full Peter King ripoff. (10 things I think I think).