Category — Miami Dolphins

Despite initial reports stating Bill Parcells will be joining the Atlanta Falcons franchise to aid in finding a head coach, the latest from ESPN is that he will instead be on his way to Miami in a similar capacity. The deal with Atlanta fell through when Parcells noted that the Dolphins were interested in him.

“We gave it our best shot, and it didn’t work out. We will continue down the same overall path, proceeding with plans to hire a general manager and a head coach. We will identify and consider every strongly viable candidate for these positions, with the goal of hiring the best,” Atlanta’s Arthur Blank said, according to a statement.

According to Yahoo! Sports, the Miami Dolphins are going to throw John Beck into the starting lineup, following the team’s bye on November 4.

Backup quarterback Cleo Lemon is expected to make his third start of the season Sunday against the New York Giants in London. However, rookie John Beck could be the starter on Nov. 11 when the 0-7 Dolphins play host to the Buffalo Bills, two sources said this week.

If it’s true, it’s about time. I have no problem with Cleo Lemon — aside from his awful numbers this season — but Beck is (presumably) the team’s quarterback of the future. The Dolphins’ season is clearly lost, so why not play the rookie and get him some game time experience before next season?

Here’s a rumor, one with no foundation whatsoever — other than the fact it makes some sense: Bill Parcells could be in Miami’s plans for the future. Not as a head coach, however; rather as the team’s GM.

“It makes a lot of sense that the Dolphins would be a job he’d be very interested in if it came open,” a source close to Parcells said Friday. “But only as the GM. I don’t think he’ll ever coach again.”

At least one person thinks it’s logical.

Bashed for taking Ted Ginn Jr. before Brady Quinn, the Miami Dolphins may be able to shut critics up this season. Ginn, already locked as the team’s number three receiver, has reportedly made some great strides during camp and he may surpass Marty Booker on the roster to become the team’s number two wide receiver.

The Miami Herald has even bigger plans in store for Ginn:

And so before this season is done, well before Ginn reaches his 23rd birthday, the Dolphins might have a new, startlingly fast, remarkably prodigious No. 1 receiver on their roster.

Landing such a role in an offense that features Trent Green at quarterback could pay fantasy dividends later this year. Green is Miami’s best quarterback since the Marino era, and, depending on how often Miami uses the passing game this season, he could put up solid numbers.

In a not-too surprising development, Trent Green has been officially named the Dolphin’s starting quarterback for the team’s September 9 opener against Washington Redskins. It effectively ended any suspicion of a quarterback controversy — obviously media fabricated.

The good news is that Green has looked pretty good in preseason, thus far. And his experience and consistency will be a welcome addition to a team that has already shuffled through 10 starting quarterbacks since Dan Marino’s retirement. He should be able to give a boost to an offense that struggled last season.

“We’re starting to put this offense together and the No. 1 thing our offense needs is leadership. Trent brings that,” said head coach Cam Cameron. “We’re at the point now where we can’t wait any longer now to start developing the chemistry in the passing game.”

Miami’s Joey Porter came close to avoiding Commissioner Roger Goodell’s wrath after a Las Vegas scuffle with Cincinnati’s Levi Jones several months ago. And in one respect he did avoid it. But the Commissioner is not one to let something like this go; not after suspending Pacman Jones, someone who was suspended the entire season on the basis of allegations — granted, it was 10 allegations over two years.

So, despite not suspending Porter, the NFL has opted to instead fine him three game checks, more than $140 thousand.

Ouch.

And, unfortunately, the NFL’s timing couldn’t be much worse with the Vick haters already outraged that the NFL has taken the “wait-and-see” approach in the quarterback’s case. It appears the league will take no action against Vick, though it is plausible the Falcons will send Vick home on a paid absence while he deals with his allegations.

With news headlines dominated by a certain recently indicted quarterback, it’s refreshing to see another in search of a team willing to give him a fresh start.

That quarterback of course is Daunte Culpepper, previously released by the Miami Dolphins, who has spent some time contacting interested teams and working out. The most recent of these is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, though they already have a pair of highly paid quarterbacks on their roster — Chris Simms and Jeff Garcia — making it doubtful he’ll end up there.

But, then again, with Jon Gruden (a.k.a. Chucky) still steering the ship, you never know what will happen.

Other teams rumored to be interested in the 30 year old quarterback include the Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons.

This isn’t the way Miami planned it.

Chris Chambers, widely considered a disappointment last season, was expecting to experience a fantasy rebirth in 2007 with the help of newly acquired quarterback Trent Green. Unfortunately, the former Wisconsin wide receiver has recently been arrested — it’s his first offense — on charges of driving while impaired, reckless driving and speeding.

Because it is his first offense, however, he probably won’t be severely punished. That said, you can expect him to be suspended one regular season game, either by the league or the team.

Chambers is the second Dolphin arrested in the last three weeks. Defensive tackle Fred Evans was arrested on June 23 and released shortly thereafter.

Three notable quarterbacks have found themselves wearing different uniforms for the first time in years. Through trades, these quarterbacks have been shown the door by their teams.

While one wanted to say goodbye (Trent Green), another had his starting role eliminated and he’ll be starting back at square one, fighting for a starting spot with his new team (David Carr, featured in picture). But the latter’s departure opened the door for a third quarterback, Matt Schaub, who will, for the first time, be in a starting role that is his to lose.

Two of those players have been given a starting spot; the third has the potential to start at some point in the season, whether or not injury befalls the starter.

The question to ask at this point is, which, if any, do you I draft? Where do they fall among other starters?

With those two questions in mind, let’s see which of the three you should draft and which you should pass on.

Every year one team comes from out of nowhere to shock NFL fans. They weren’t necessarily predicted to do well before the season. In most cases, in fact, those who do predict a team’s unprecedented success are chastised by “wiser” fans who think it impossible.

This year will be no different. We will see a team rise from the grave and shock us. They might not win the Super Bowl, but they will make the playoffs and potentially a serious run at the Lombardi trophy. It was the Saints last year and the Bears in 2005.

Who will it be in 2007? My top three picks are below: