NFL Nation: Jake Grove
Each Thursday leading up to the NFL draft (April 28-30), the ESPN.com NFL blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today's topic: biggest team needs.
Buffalo Bills
Where would you like to start?
Offense? How about left tackle, right tackle, tight end and -- if there's a great one still on the draft board -- quarterback?
Defense? How about the line, outside linebacker, inside linebacker, cornerback and safety?
Special teams? OK, the Bills are fine there.
But kicker, punter and running back are about the only positions the Bills can draft third overall and not help themselves.
The most pressing needs, however, are tackle and outside linebacker. The Bills haven't drafted an offensive tackle earlier than the fifth round since taking Mike Williams in the first round in 2002, and their line play shows that. They have tried to coach up late draft picks (Demetrius Bell, Ed Wang) and rummaged through free agency (Cornell Green, Mansfield Wrotto, Jonathan Scott, Jamon Meredith) rather than acquire that prized blindside protector.
The Bills were so desperate at outside linebacker they plucked the injury-ravaged Shawne Merriman off waivers last year and then, even though he got hurt again minutes into his first workout, gave him a contract extension.
They can't bank on Merriman to anchor their pass rush. Yet even if he can contribute, they'll need more help. The Bills recorded 27 sacks last year. Only three teams had fewer.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins probably will need a running back. They could stand to upgrade at quarterback if they can.
But they definitely need interior offensive linemen.
They recently re-signed left guard Richie Incognito to an extension, but they still have problems at center and right guard. Although they have two solid book-end tackles in Pro perennial Bowl left tackle Jake Long and veteran Vernon Carey, they've been a mess in between for the past three years.
The Dolphins need to upgrade their power running game. Despite having a capable and healthy backfield tandem in Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams last season, the Dolphins ranked 21st in rushing yards, 29th in yards per carry and 29th in rushing touchdowns.
A stud running back certainly can help, and the Dolphins might have little choice but to take one with their 15th selection. Brown's and Williams' contracts are up. That's why so many draft analysts project the Dolphins will take Alabama running back Mark Ingram and then address the O-line later.
New England Patriots
Funny how things work for the Patriots when it comes to draft picks. The reigning AFC East champs might have the fewest needs but have the most draft picks at their disposal.
The Patriots went 14-2 last season and own two draft choices in each of the first three rounds. So the Patriots have the flexibility to go any number of directions.
The most obvious need is outside linebacker. The Patriots' entire outside linebacking corps mustered 13.5 sacks last year. Dolphins outside linebacker Cameron Wake generated 14 sacks all by himself.
Offensive line is another concern because there are so many question marks. Right guard Stephen Neal retired. Left guard Logan Mankins is upset. Left tackle Matt Light isn't signed. Nick Kaczur is coming off serious back surgery. The timing is right to bring in some fresh O-line blood.
The Patriots had one of the NFL's most entertaining backfields last year, with BenJarvus Green-Ellis rushing for over 1,000 yards and Danny Woodhead making the Jets look foolish for cutting him. But each running back has his limitations, and the Patriots could be on the lookout for an all-purpose back adept at catching a pass and converting a third-and-short.
New York Jets
The Jets are in a weird spot. They finished the season as a team with talent at virtually every position.
But they have a crowded group of free agents and couldn't bring themselves to sign any (aside from giving inside linebacker David Harris the franchise tag) until a new collective bargaining agreement was in place. The Jets want to know what the new salary cap is before moving forward.
That leaves a lot of loose ends for the Jets heading into the draft. Will they need a receiver to replace Santonio Holmes or Braylon Edwards? A cornerback to replace Antonio Cromartie?
The needs we can bank on are outside linebacker and safety.
The Jets must generate a better pass rush and still need to recover from the Vernon Gholston pick that set them back. Outside linebacker Bryan Thomas is competent, but no star. He led the Jets with just six sacks. Calvin Pace had 5.5 sacks. The recently released Jason Taylor added five.
Safety is an area of emphasis because they could have stood to upgrade even before Brodney Pool, Eric Smith and James Ihedigbo became free agents. Jim Leonhard is a Rex Ryan favorite but recovering from a broken shin.
DAVIE, Fla. -- The Miami Dolphins might be the best NFL team people don't notice.
They're often overlooked in the AFC East. The New England Patriots have at least tied for the division's best record in nine straight seasons, and the big-talking New York Jets, coming off an appearance in the conference title game, are a fashionable Super Bowl pick.
Miami shouldn't be discounted.
Head coach Tony Sparano, who dropped 55 pounds in the offseason, wants his players to be hungry. The theme of training camp is "Feed the Wolf," a slogan he put on T-shirts in response to the Dolphins sliding from 11-5 and a division championship to a losing record last year.
"I had a meeting with the group and kind of got into them a little bit during practice about 7-9 not being good enough and how this football team shouldn’t be fat," Sparano explained. "They should be starving.
"One of the things that we talk about is feeding the wolf with little successes every day. ... We feed the wolf when we do something good, and that's what our guys understand. Small successes will lead to bigger successes down the way."
So when it comes to the AFC East race, dare we call Miami a sheep in wolf's silk-screened clothing?
THREE HOT ISSUES
Steve Mitchell/US PresswireThe Dolphins hope the addition of Brandon Marshall can improve the passing game.Last year, the Dolphins ranked fourth in run offense and 20th in pass offense. Henne threw the fewest touchdown passes of any quarterback with at least 400 attempts. Just five of those touchdowns went to wide receivers.
Marshall's arrival can change that dramatically. While the Dolphins will continue to rely on their ground game, Henne now has a go-to target on third-and-critical or in the red zone. Marshall's amazing talents are on display every day at camp. He has sensational hands, outleaps helpless defenders and can snatch any ball remotely in his area.
Don't expect Marshall to extend his streak to four seasons of at least 100 receptions, but his presence gives Henne the kind of target who opens up all sorts of possibilities the Dolphins haven't had in years.
2. Will unproven outside linebackers provide enough of a pass rush with Joey Porter and Jason Taylor out the door? The Dolphins' 44 sacks last season tied for third in the NFL. But four of their top six contributors, totaling 28 sacks, either are no longer on the team (Porter and Taylor), playing a new position (Randy Starks) or out for year (Phillip Merling).
The Dolphins are counting on Cameron Wake and rookie Koa Misi, a pair of tantalizing-but-unverified pass-rushers, to handle most of the workload. Starks has the most sacks of any returning player with seven. But he has been moved to nose tackle, a position where Pro Bowlers record one or two sacks a year.
Wake's 5.5 sacks were next on the list. By the looks of his performances in camp, he'll be a force on passing downs even if he can't stop the run as effectively as the Dolphins would prefer. Misi, a second-round draft choice, has handled first-team reps with aplomb.
Doug Murray/Icon SMIFree agent Richie Incognito is one of the players battling for a starting spot on the offensive line.The Dolphins have had trouble settling on a center. Two years ago, they signed free agent Jake Grove and traded away Samson Satele. Now Grove is alternating first-team reps with Joe Berger for a spot that's up for grabs.
At guard, incumbent Donald Thomas, third-round draft choice John Jerry and free-agent signee Richie Incognito are fighting -- in Incognito's case, literally -- for jobs.
Sparano, an O-line aficionado at his core, wants his center and guards to be more than maulers in the run game. They must be better pass protectors.
"People think the left tackle's the only guy that [pass blocks on an island]," Sparano said. "But that's not true when you're turning the protection away from one of them. So to identify who can really handle those one-on-one battles is going to be important for us. That to me is what has to get better."
BIGGEST SURPRISE
Ikaika Alama-Francis wasn't good enough to stick with the 0-16 Detroit Lions. He was their second-round draft choice in 2007, but they cut the young defensive end after two seasons. He was on the street for two months before the Dolphins signed him in November. Alama-Francis was a healthy scratch for all six games he was on the roster and an afterthought heading into the offseason.
But with three workouts left until the Dolphins broke for the summer, they switched him to outside linebacker. Alama-Francis weighed 290 when he joined the Dolphins in November. He's an explosive 275 now.
"He looks like a linebacker out there, moving around right now," Sparano said. "He's a handful in the rush. He sets the edge of the defense pretty well, strong guy and very, very smart. I like what he's done."
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
Quarterback Pat White hasn't shown any obvious signs of development to contradict the general belief Miami wasted a second-round draft pick on him last year. White missed the first day of training camp because of unexplained personal reasons. One report, quoting a family member, suggested White wouldn't play this year. He arrived the next day, but he hasn't shown much.
White has gotten limited reps, buried behind Henne, Chad Pennington and Tyler Thigpen. When given the opportunity, White's passes are scattershot, albeit more accurate than last year.
Merling would have been the easy choice here had he made it to training camp. Before he could get there, he was charged with felony assault of his pregnant girlfriend and suffered a season-ending Achilles injury.
Steve Mitchell/US PresswirePatrick Turner has had his ups and downs during training camp.- You can't comprehend the size of some players until you see them in person. Marshall and Karlos Dansby are two of those guys. We can lose perspective when we're inundated with athlete heights and weights that are often fudged, but Marshall (6-4, 230) and Dansby (6-4, 250) are monstrous for their positions.
- Starks' transition from defensive end to nose tackle has been interesting. He's small for the job at 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, but his speed and athleticism have created problems for the Dolphins' O-line.
- Second-year receiver Patrick Turner is having an erratic summer. When I first laid eyes on him at rookie camp in 2009, I immediately was struck with how great his hands were. Turner made catching a football seem so effortless. He has been plagued by drops throughout this training camp, and when he does make a catch his teammates sound overly encouraging -- "Way to go, Pat!" -- to keep his confidence up. Turner was inactive for 14 games last year because he has no special-teams value. If the Dolphins can't trust him as a receiver, he'll have a hard time getting on the field.
- Free safety Chris Clemons, a fifth-round draft choice last year, has looked like he belongs. The position was viewed as a question mark when the Dolphins axed Gibril Wilson, but Clemons has had some bright moments.
- I'd be shocked if any star has signed more autographs in training camp than Marshall. After every open session, he slowly walks along the fence and puts his signature on every piece of memorabilia or scrap of paper thrust in front of him. Maybe he's doing his penance for past misdeeds, but Dolfans have no reason but to love him so far.
- Tough break for running back Kory Sheets, who suffered a season-ending right Achilles injury while returning a kickoff Wednesday. He had a nice shot to make the roster and made one of the most eye-popping plays I saw during my stay. On Monday night, he exploded through the offensive line and got into the second level with such speed, his teammates reflexively screamed "Whooooo!"
- Veteran cornerback Will Allen, rebounding from a knee injury, has been the team's nickelback. The Dolphins want sophomores Vontae Davis and Sean Smith to stay on the field. Although Allen would be a quality contributor, his contract could put him on the bubble. He has two years left on his contract with base salaries that total $10.7 million.
- Two years ago, Greg Camarillo was the Dolphins' best receiver. Now he looks like the fourth receiver behind Marshall, Brian Hartline and Davone Bess. That's a nice problem for Miami to have.
- Like the Buffalo Bills, the Dolphins aren't fooling around with extra legs in camp. They know Dan Carpenter will be their kicker and Brandon Fields will be their punter and aren't bothering to push them.
- Just talking out loud here because I realize frustrating receiver Ted Ginn had to go, but what if the Dolphins still had his speed to stretch the field with Marshall? That would have been a challenge for opposing defenses.
The Miami Dolphins received one. The Buffalo Bills and New York Jets didn't get any.
The picks were revealed Monday night at the NFL owners meetings at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes.
Compensatory picks are awarded to clubs based on a secret formula more guarded than Colonel Sanders' recipe. We know the formula involves the number of free agents gained and lost the previous offseason and how well those players performed the ensuing season. We think the formula factors in the players' salaries, playing time and awards.
New England lost five qualifying free agents (running back LaMont Jordan, fullback Heath Evans, receiver Jabar Gaffney, linebacker Larry Izzo and long-snapper Lonie Paxton) and signed only one (safety Brandon McGowan).
The NFL compensated the Patriots with one sixth-round pick and three seventh-round picks. The selections are Nos. 205, 247, 248 and 250.
Miami lost two qualifying free agents (cornerback Andre Goodman and safety Renaldo Hill) and signed two (center Jake Grove and center Joe Berger).
The Dolphins were given a seventh-round pick, No. 252.
Neal, Mangold offer inside pass protection
On Wednesday, we took a gander at Elsayed's research on the ultimate pass-protectors. The AFC East featured three of 2009's best tackles in a metric called "pass blocking productivity" of every offensive lineman.
Al Messerschmidt/Getty ImagesPotential free-agent-to-be Stephen Neal was ranked as the fourth-best guard at pass-protecting.Elsayed also applied that equation to the interior linemen. AFC East grunts excelled there, too.
Buffalo Bills
Geoff Hangartner came in last at center, but he was flanked by rookie guards in 2009. ProFootballFocus.com had Hangartner down for three sacks, four QB hits and 17 pressures.
Those rookies, Andy Levitre and Eric Wood, graded well.
Levitre was in the middle of the left guard pack. He allowed two sacks, nine QB hits and 11 pressures. Wood was farther down the list among right guards. In 10 games he gave up three sacks, two QB hits and a dozen pressures.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins had two centers in the top nine. Usual starter Jake Grove was ninth (zero sacks, one QB hit, seven pressures), while injury replacement Joe Berger was fifth (zero sack, one QB hit, four pressures).
Justin Smiley was ninth among left guards with three sacks, five QB hits and eight pressures. Nate Garner was second in limited action on the right side. He was blamed for only one sack, two QB hits and two pressures.
New England Patriots
Stephen Neal ranked fourth among all guards. ProFootballFocus.com charged him with two sacks, one QB hit and seven pressures.
Logan Mankins ranked 13th among all guards and sixth among left guards. Mankins yielded two sacks, three QB hits and 13 pressures.
Dan Koppen, however, was in the lower third at center, ranking eighth from the bottom. He allowed zero sacks, but had eight QB hits and 10 pressures.
New York Jets
Perennial Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca was way down the list. A dozen left guards had a worse PBP rating, but only two yielded more sacks than Faneca did. He was charged with six sacks, two QB hits and 15 pressures.
Brandon Moore was ninth among all guards and sixth on the right side with one sack, two QB hits and eight pressures.
Pro Bowl center Nick Mangold ranked fourth at his position. He gave up one sack, two QB hits and five pressures.
Elsayed was kind enough to share the spreadsheet he used to track these stats, and with a few clicks of the mouse I was able to merge all of the positions and sort them by PBP rating. Obviously, centers and guards were the most efficient because they're not victimized by pass-rushers as much.
Mangold ranked highest among all AFC East O-linemen at sixth overall. Berger was seventh and Garner ninth. Neal was 12th, Grove was 15th and Moore was 27th.
Bills left tackle Demetrius Bell ranked last among all NFL offensive linemen in PBP rating.
Polite refuses to live up to his name
Al Messerschmidt/Getty ImagesLousaka Polite's jarring blocks helped spring Ricky Williams for his big night.Williams is 32 years old, but he recorded two 100-yard rushing games in a span of five days. Highly impressive.
But let's stop for a moment and acknowledge the performance of Dolphins fullback Lousaka Polite, who delivered several skeleton-rattling blocks to open lanes for Williams.
With the Dolphins' offensive line crumbling before them -- right tackle Vernon Carey, center Jake Grove, starting left guard Nate Garner and reserve Joe Berger all came off the field at some point, and usual left guard Justin Smiley played hurt -- Polite was the best hole-puncher on the field.
ESPN Stats & Information tracked every play and found 18 of Williams' 22 rushing attempts came out of a backfield set. He gained 107 of his yards, averaging 5.9 yards a pop, with Polite blocking for him.
Polite, a highly effective option in short-yardage situations, likely will be called upon to carry the ball more with Ronnie Brown out for the year with a broken foot. Polite had four attempts for 11 yards Thursday night, but he also fumbled for the first time in his career.
But do yourself a favor the next time you watch the Dolphins. Watch how he plays when he doesn't have the ball.
Dolphins still swimming in playoff pool
The Miami Dolphins stayed in the playoff race Thursday night with a gritty performance to beat the Carolina Panthers 24-17 in Bank of America Stadium.
The season sure looked bleak for the Dolphins two months ago. They started 0-3. Quarterback and team MVP Chad Pennington was gone to a season-ending shoulder injury.
Yet here the Dolphins are at .500 and with a great shot at a winning record for the first time this year. So what that Pennington's injury threw second-year quarterback Chad Henne into the maw and Ronnie Brown's season-ending foot fracture left the workload to 32-year-old Ricky Williams?
After banking two victories in a four-day span, the Dolphins will enjoy a weekend off and some extra time to prepare for the reeling Buffalo Bills in Week 12.
The Dolphins have won three of their past four games and still are smarting from narrow losses to elite opposition. They failed to close out games against Indianapolis Colts (late fourth-quarter lead) and New Orleans Saints (up by 21 points late in first half).
In there, the Dolphins can extract plenty of reasons to be confident for the homestretch.
The problem, though, is that there are so many competitive AFC clubs this year. The way it looks at the moment, the only team that will advance from the AFC East will be the team that wins it. The wild-card race appears stacked.
Still, the Dolphins are legitimate wild-card contenders if they can somehow cope with injuries.
As mentioned in the Rapid Reaction post, the already tattered Dolphins have gotten even more frayed. Center Jake Grove and nose tackle Jason Ferguson were the biggest injuries. Their offensive line depth was tested.
"The injuries were tremendous," Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said. "It affected special teams. We had three centers out there. We had guys playing positions they didn't practice.
"They just kept grinding out there."
Ferguson's loss could be mammoth. The Panthers dominated the Dolphins' run defense all night, rolling up 182 yards. Down the stretch, the Dolphins will face the likes of Chris Johnson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Marshawn Lynch and Rashard Mendenhall.
It won't be easy, but the Dolphins are pretty good at doing things the hard way.
Rapid Reaction: Fins 24, Panthers 17
In previewing Thursday night's game against the Carolina Panthers, I noted the Miami Dolphins would have to dig deep to win without star running back Ronnie Brown.
Little did we know they would have to dredge the depths of their roster to pull it off.
The raggedy Dolphins found a way to defeat the Panthers 24-17 in Bank of America Stadium. The Dolphins have fought back to .500 after a 0-3 start and remain in the playoff picture.
Aside from getting shredded by the Panthers' ground game and a harrowing finish, the Dolphins were convincing in light of significant personnel problems.
The Dolphins had only three days to concoct a game plan sans Brown, their leading rusher and Wildcat triggerman. Ricky Williams responded with a three-score game. He ran for 119 yards and two touchdowns and caught two passes for 19 yards and a touchdown.
Chad Henne completed 17 of 29 pass attempts for 172 yards and no interceptions. Joey Porter recorded his first multi-sack game of the year.
Even more remarkable than winning without Brown, however, was the Dolphins' ability to survive a series of injuries throughout the game.
Center Jake Grove was hurt 70 seconds into the third quarter. Grove's replacement, Joe Berger, got hurt with about 10 minutes left in the game. Nate Garner, who started the game at left guard for Justin Smiley, became the third center. He went down with a leg injury with about five minutes left.
Got all that?
The biggest injury, however, was on defense. Nose tackle Jason Ferguson suffered a knee injury on the final play of the third quarter. He was carted to the locker room and didn't return.
Williams mysteriously didn't finish the game. Lex Hilliard took the critical carries when Miami tried to kill the clock in the waning moments. Williams appeared fine on the sideline, but was spotted having a serious talk with the team's training staff after his third touchdown. We'll update if there's an issue.
Those injuries could resonate for the rest of the season, but for now -- playing on Thursday gives the Dolphins a weekend off -- they can feel good about staying in the playoff hunt.
Dolphins offense surges before halftime
The display is surprising given Brown's absence and the fact the Dolphins had only three days to devise a strategy that didn't include their most dynamic player.
Although center Jake Grove nearly short-circuited the drive with a pair of penalties, the Dolphins went 81 yards on nine plays for a touchdown with 3:57 left in the half.
The series was dotted by big plays. Chad Henne found Brian Hartline for 36 yards. On the next play, Ricky Williams ripped off a 17-yard run and closed it out with a 14-yard catch and run on third down.
The drive also marked the first NFL touches for Lex Hilliard, and he was remarkable. His first NFL carry went for 13 yards, but a Grove holding penalty erased it. But Hilliard contributed maybe the biggest play of the drive when he burst up the middle for 18 yards to convert a third-and-16.
Williams scored his second touchdown out of a Wildcat play. The Dolphins removed Henne from the game and inserted an extra blocker to help Williams make a 1-yard leap to the pylon just before the intermission.
Miami entered the game ranked fourth in run offense, but has leaned on the pass more than usual. Henne has attempted 18 passes, but running backs Williams, Lex Hilliard and Lousaka Polite have rushed a combined 11 times.
 |
|
| Doug Benc/Getty Images | |
| Outside of a few isolated verbal outbursts from Joey Porter and Channing Crowder, the Dolphins have had a quiet offseason. |
Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham
The Miami Dolphins haven't made sensational copy.
While the rest of the AFC East has generated tantalizing storylines throughout the summer, the Dolphins have been comparatively humdrum.
No zing. No flash. No scandal. No major injuries. No Joey Porter proclamations.
The Buffalo Bills have Terrell Owens and recently took a machete to their offense. The New York Jets traded up to draft a glamour quarterback. Their head coach talks smack. The New England Patriots are making headlines with major transactions.
What has been the Dolphins' sexiest story? The vagueness over what's wrong with outside linebacker Matt Roth? Not exactly prime material for a "Dateline" episode.
"I think boring is good," Miami coach Tony Sparano said early in training camp.
Sparano, football operations boss Bill Parcells and general manager Jeff Ireland used to work amid the drama that swirls around the Dallas Cowboys. Jerry Jones was their boss.
In South Florida, the Dolphins' leadership triumvirate has replicated another Big D: Dullsville.
"Where you may call it dull, we just call it business as usual," Ireland said by phone Tuesday afternoon. "It is by design."
The Dolphins have been masterful at avoiding turmoil. New owner Stephen Ross is infatuated with selling off pieces of his team to celebrities, but the football department has been pleased to maintain a low-wattage profile.
"We're not trying to make a splash," Ireland said. "We're just doing what we do, and trying to get better from a day-to-day basis and flip over rocks. If it makes a splash, it makes a splash, but we couldn't care less if it does or not."
Boys-will-be-boys stuff has occurred off the field, yet nothing that could be labeled turmoil.
High tranquility and minimal disorder are substantial reasons why the Dolphins are the NFL's most overlooked defending division champs.
"We know that the target's on our backs whether we're in the papers making a splash or not," Ireland said.
They've been out of sight, out of mind since their stunning turnaround campaign -- the greatest single-season reversal in league history -- ended with a thud in the playoffs.
A couple of June eruptions threatened to roil the Dolphins. Porter, agitated the Patriots already were being trumpeted as favorites, spoke up about a perceived lack of respect. Jabber-jaw linebacker Channing Crowder got into an entertaining verbal joust with Jets coach Rex Ryan. Orations lasted a few days before Ireland stopped it.
Miami's front office expects its players to maintain a certain level of decorum. We haven't heard many colorful comments from Porter or Crowder since then.
The Dolphins got rid of outspoken kicker Jay Feely last year because they could save a couple bucks with Dan Carpenter, an undrafted rookie who knew to keep his mouth shut.
Economical sound bites are part of Parcells' one-voice philosophy that makes sure one man speaks for the team. It's a belief also practiced by Parcells coaching descendants such as Bill Belichick, Tom Coughlin, Eric Mangini and now Sparano.
"The players on the team need to understand where the message is coming from," Ireland said. "You'd like for your team to be able to think the way you think and operate the way the leadership operates.
"This head coach is about eliminating distractions. Therefore, I'm assuming he wants his players to eliminate those distractions from their own lives."
The Dolphins prohibit their players from using Twitter.
Meanwhile, Chad Ochocinco leads the league in tweets. The Jets hired a social-networking associate to help players manage their Twitter and Facebook accounts. T.O. can't figure out why his VH-1 reality show tanked.
Even the tight-lipped Patriots have had a more colorful offseason than the Dolphins because of Tom Brady's return from reconstructive knee surgery and the notable roster moves Belichick has made.
Miami's biggest offseason acquisitions were run-blocking center Jake Grove, safety Gibril Wilson and pass-rusher Jason Taylor, a homecoming muted by lowered expectations. Taylor is coming off a disappointing season for the Washington Redskins and wasn't expected to be an every-down player when he signed a one-year contract.
The Dolphins declined to enter the market for a veteran receiver or cornerback, choosing instead to address those needs in the draft.
"The opportunity to develop younger players, and the price tag that comes along with them, they're usually the best bang for the buck," Ireland said.
Miami's front office wasn't interested in reuniting with Owens when the Cowboys cut him. At the NFL owners' meeting in March, Sparano praised Owens' game-changing skills and work ethic. But when asked twice why the Dolphins didn't pursue him, Sparano responded each time with a laugh, a shake of his head and a "No comment."
"Some teams operate certain ways," Ireland said. "Some teams operate where every signing they have, there's a press conference involved. That's not our deal.
"We felt like the moves that we made in the offseason helped this football team. There were certain aspects we knew we needed to get better. We hope that makes a splash on the football field. That's all we're looking for."
 | |
| Steve Mitchell/US Presswire | |
| Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano wants his team to stay hungry. |
Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham
DAVIE, Fla. -- As long as Tom Brady stays healthy and Bill Belichick is in charge, the New England Patriots will be considered a Super Bowl contender.
Stands to reason they also are prohibitive favorites to take the AFC East crown.
| |||||||
But don't expect Dolphins coach Tony Sparano to cause a ruckus over a perceived oversight. He's quietly embracing it. Sparano doesn't want his team to act as if it has accomplished anything.
"What I don't want to do is to think we are good by any stretch of the imagination," Sparano said this past week during a break at training camp. "I think that we need to make sure this team stays hungry and continues to want to do the hunting out there."
Key Questions
Who will emerge as Chad Pennington's top target?
Analysts listed receiver as an area of grave need. The Dolphins' front office obviously didn't agree. They didn't sign any free-agent help and waited until the second day of the draft to select any receivers.
Miami wide receivers caught only five touchdown passes last year and managed only 11 receptions of 25 yards or more. The top three averaged 11.9 yards per catch.
Greg Camarillo was Pennington's obvious go-to guy last year, grabbing 55 passes through the first 11 games. But a torn knee ligament sidelined him for the final five games and puts a dubious spin on his projected role.
Davone Bess, who possesses a similar skill-set to Camarillo's, had 54 receptions last year. Ted Ginn finished with a team-high 56 catches for 790 yards, uninspiring numbers for the ninth overall pick of the 2007 draft.
Seven of tight end Anthony Fasano's 34 receptions were touchdowns.
But when the Dolphins need to convert a critical third-and-8 play, whom will defenses worry about?
Third-round draft picks Patrick Turner and Brian Hartline have had decent camps so far. Turner is tall and catches anything he gets his hands on, while Hartline is more of a possession receiver. Maybe one of them can emerge, but it's too soon to count on either of them.
Can a rookie win the starting right cornerback job?
 | |
| Joel Auerbach/US Presswire | |
| Dolphins cornerback Vontae Davis is expected to compete for the starting spot. |
Both were expected to compete with veteran free agent Eric Green for the starting spot opposite Will Allen. But a week into training camp, Smith was taking Green's first-team reps.
Earning a coach's trust is difficult for a rookie, especially at a position as pressure-drenched as cornerback. Smith has been convincing.
He's 6-foot-4, and the Dolphins drafted him to compete with the likes of Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Andre Johnson and the other big receivers they'll face this year. But to overtake a higher draft pick and a veteran so early in camp is an encouraging development.
Will new center Jake Grove and new assistant Dave DeGuglielmo transform the offensive line's personality?
Dolphins football operations boss Bill Parcells and Sparano didn't like what they saw out of their offensive line last year. One of the first offseason moves was to fire veteran O-line coach Mike Maser and hire DeGuglielmo, a New York Giants assistant.
One of their chief personnel priorities -- maybe the biggest -- was to find a run-blocking center.
The Dolphins wanted better success between the tackles. It didn't help that both of their opening-day starting guards were lost along the way. But they identified the main problem was second-year center Samson Satele, who started all 32 games of his career.
They signed Grove, an Oakland Raiders free agent, and then traded Satele to the Raiders for a sixth-round draft pick and a swap of fourth-round picks.
Newcomer to watch
|
Sure, Taylor still can be an impact pass-rusher. But he will be playing a new role and a different position from the one where he amassed almost all of his 120.5 career sacks.
Porter is the weakside outside linebacker. Taylor, a fixture all those years with his hand on the ground as Miami's right defensive end, will be the strongside outside linebacker. That means Taylor usually will line up on the left side in a two-point stance.
The Dolphins brought him back to be more of a situational pass-rusher, not to play every down. He should split snaps with incumbent Matt Roth (a run-stopper with limited coverage skills) and Cameron Wake (a Canadian Football League phenom who recorded 39 sacks in two seasons).
A mysterious situation has kept Roth sidelined through the first two weeks of camp. His agent claimed he had a groin injury. The Dolphins claimed he was ill and out of shape. Either way, that has allowed Taylor to get more reps so far.
Market watch
|
"Teddy is going into his third year, and I think it's time for him to really show what he was drafted here to do," Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland said prior to the draft.
Observation deck
Ronnie Brown, who got off to a slow start in training camp last year because he was coming off knee surgery and a wrist injury, has looked sharp. His quickness and maneuverability stands out next to the other backs, including Ricky Williams, who doesn't look as explosive as he did a year ago. ... Williams is 32 years old and starting to show it. ... Rookie quarterback Pat White better be able to contribute from the Wildcat formation because he has been lousy as a quarterback. What makes White a threat is his ability to pass and run out of the formation, but his arm has been scattershot since he arrived. Defenses should force him to throw it. ... Kickers always have been expendable on a Parcells team. The Dolphins unearthed a gem last year with undrafted rookie Dan Carpenter, allowing them to save money by cutting Jay Feely. But Carpenter might have lost his footing. The club signed free agent Connor Barth to push him. Carpenter hasn't responded as well to the competition as the front office hoped. ... Rookie receivers Turner and Hartline, both third-round draft choices, have looked impressive. Turner is a tall target with soft hands who could turn into a third-down and red zone weapon. ... Sparano seems to be gaining confidence in third-year defensive tackle Paul Soliai, a fourth-round draft pick in 2007. Soliai is listed at 6-foot-4, 355 pounds. He twice was suspended for one game last year for weight issues. "A year ago I questioned how important this whole thing was maybe to Paul. ... From a professional standpoint, I think this guy is starting to get it. He is starting to figure out that this isn't only a hobby," Sparano said.
Buffalo Bills
Training camp site: St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, N.Y.
Campfires: All eyes will be on Terrell Owens, but he's not the most significant storyline at St. John Fisher. The Bills' offensive line is a jumbled unit and needs to emerge from camp with proficiency. None of the projected starting five will play the same position as last year. Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters is gone. Right tackle Langston Walker is flipping over to the other side. Right guard Brad Butler is replacing Walker. Geoff Hangartner is the new center. Rookies are expected to play guard.
 | |
| AP Photo/David Duprey | |
| All eyes will be on Terrell Owens during the Bills' training camp. |
A lot of parts must come together, but if they do, then the Bills' offense could be dangerous. They're adopting a no-huddle approach that will be fun to watch with a cast that includes Owens, Lee Evans and Marshawn Lynch. The Bills have been installing the offense for months, but the coaching staff's confidence in it will be dictated by how well Trent Edwards commands the no-huddle in camp and preseason games.
On defense, Buffalo's success may hinge on the defensive line. Pro Bowl defensive end Aaron Schobel is coming off a foot injury that rendered him essentially useless last year. The Bills drafted Penn State pass-rusher Aaron Maybin 11th overall. They also are hoping to get some production finally out of fourth-year defensive tackle John McCargo, who the Bills traded up to draft in the first round but so far has been a slug.
Camp will be a downer if ... the offensive line suffers an injury that prevents chemistry from forming. The main question about the Bills' front five is not that it's incapable. While there are doubts about Walker and Butler, many believe first-day draft picks Eric Wood and Andy Levitre have bright futures, and all of them can play multiple positions.
But nobody can dispute the value of cohesion and consistency along the offensive line. The sooner they learn to play their positions at a high level together, the less harassed Edwards will be. Any preseason volatility here would be harmful.
| |||||||
Camp will be a success if ... the defensive front shows signs it can be a positive influence. Buffalo defensive linemen recorded 12.5 sacks last year. Right end Ryan Denney led the way with four. Buffalo ranked 22nd in rushing yards allowed per game and 21st in yards per carry.
Buffalo is the only AFC East team that runs a 4-3 defense. If the Bills don't stop the run and can't sack quarterbacks, what's the point?
Project to monitor: Some Bills fans are enamored with the possibilities of sophomore tackle Demetrius Bell, a seventh-round draft pick from Northwestern State who didn't play a game last year. Bell has a good frame (6-foot-5, 307 pounds) and is the son of former NBA star Karl Malone.
Bell is viewed as a potential discovery in the making, the second coming of Peters, who the Bills signed as a rookie free-agent tight end and converted into a Pro Bowl left tackle. Bell spent the offseason getting reps as the second-team left tackle.
Miami Dolphins
Training camp site: team facility in Davie, Fla.
Campfires: Dolfans are eager to see how old friend Jason Taylor fits into defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni's 3-4 scheme, and a substantial factor is whether Cameron Wake will resemble the player who dominated in Canada the past two years. Joey Porter, the reigning AFC sack leader, will remain on the right side. That leaves Taylor (who has played almost his entire c
areer on the right side), Wake and incumbent Matt Roth to divvy up the snaps at left outside linebacker. That battle will be interesting to monitor.
 | |
| Jamie Mullen/US Presswire | |
| Jason Taylor (99) returns to Miami after spending last season with the Washington Redskins. |
Second-round draft pick Pat White has generated plenty of excitement for what he could provide the Wildcat offense. Training camp will be the West Virginia quarterback's proving ground. He looked raggedy as a passer in minicamp. Chad Henne certainly will remain the No. 2 quarterback behind Chad Pennington, but White's value will be as a threat to throw out of the trendy direct-snap offense.
One of the Dolphins' big areas of need heading into the offseason was at receiver. They don't have a clear-cut, go-to target. Rather than obtain one, they tweaked. They drafted Southern California's Patrick Turner as a third-down and red zone option and Ohio State's Brian Hartline as another possession receiver. Ted Ginn is entering his third year and needs to show he was worth the ninth overall pick Miami used to draft him.
Camp will be a downer if ... Taylor's homecoming doesn't pan out. Despite fan enthusiasm for his return after a bitter, one-year exile, there are no guarantees. Taylor probably won't hold down an every-down role. He will be playing on the side opposite of his career success.
Acid reflux will be a common ailment for Dolfans if injury-prone center Jake Grove can't stay healthy. Grove, a free agent from the Oakland Raiders, was the Dolphins' top offseason acquisition after the staff identified stout blocking at center as their greatest need. It's the only major offensive upgrade the Dolphins made, but he has missed 26 games since he was drafted in 2004.
Camp will be a success if ... one of the rookie corners steps into the starting role on the right side. The Dolphins drafted Vontae Davis in the first round and Sean Smith in the second.
It takes a while for rookie cornerbacks to gain the coaches' trust, but the Dolphins lost last year's starter, Andre' Goodman, to free agency. They signed Eric Green, but he lost his starting job with the Arizona Cardinals last year. What a boon it would be if Davis or Smith show he's ready right away.
Newcomer to watch: Even his new teammates are keen on finding out whether Wake is the real deal. He dominated Canadian Football League offensive linemen, piling up 39 sacks in two seasons.
But he hasn't worn full pads in the NFL. The former Penn State captain went undrafted. The New York Giants signed him in 2005 but cut him before training camp began. Many Dolphins players have been impressed with Wake's raw athleticism but haven't been able to definitively state what they think of his chances until they see him in full-contact situations.
New England Patriots
Training camp site: Gillette Stadium complex in Foxborough, Mass.
Campfires: Tom Brady's left knee not only is the top story of Patriots camp, but perhaps the NFL preseason, too. How Brady responds from having two ligaments reattached will determine whether the Patriots return to their familiar status as Super Bowl contenders. He looked impressive during minicamp, but what everybody wants to see is Brady against a live pass rush. One of his biggest assets is his pocket presence. We'll see if oncoming defenders affect him.
 | |
| AP Photo/Stephan Savoia | |
| Tom Brady has looked solid during offseason workouts as he recovers from knee surgery. |
Vince Wilfork's contract situation could be a problem. The Patriots drafted Boston College defensive tackle Ron Brace, but he's no Wilfork, the behemoth who anchors Bill Belichick's 3-4 defense. Wilfork is entering the final year of his contract and wants security. He skipped offseason workouts and his displeasure could impact his participation in training camp.
A couple of intriguing positions to watch will be outside linebacker and running back. The Patriots didn't bring in anybody to replace respected veteran Mike Vrabel, a Pro Bowler two seasons ago. Pierre Woods, Shawn Crable and Tully Banta-Cain don't make quarterbacks quake in their cleats, but maybe somebody will emerge. In the offensive backfield, Laurence Maroney is coming off a shoulder injury and, entering his fourth season, needs to produce. The Patriots also signed free agent Fred Taylor.
Camp will be a downer if ... Brady suffers a setback in his recovery. The Patriots won 11 games with unheralded reserve Matt Cassel last year, but does second-year backup Kevin O'Connell (without offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, no less) engender enough confidence to withstand Brady tweaking his
knee?
If Brady encounters some turbulence, it's foreseeable the Patriots still could pull through as they did last year. But any Brady struggles will make Patriot Nation squirm.
Camp will be a success if ... somebody emerges as Vrabel's replacement and the Patriots come away pleased with their cornerbacks. New England's defense has some uncertainties, but finding reliable help at these spots will be huge.
The Patriots emerged from last year's camp unstable at cornerback. They cut Fernando Bryant just before the season and signed Deltha O'Neal, who was lackluster. This offseason they welcomed veterans Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden and second-rounder Darius Butler. They traded right-side starter Ellis Hobbs.
Tough cuts to come? The Patriots will have some decisions to make at running back. Maroney is a first-round pick entering just his fourth season. They identified Taylor as somebody they needed. Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk are old dependables. BenJarvus Green-Ellis showed he could play in the NFL when given the chance. It will be interesting to see how this position sorts out.
New York Jets
Training camp site: State University of New York in Cortland, N.Y.
Campfires: As much as rookie coach Rex Ryan's revamped defense will shape the Jets' season, quarterback battles always steal the headlines. When one of the candidates is the highest-paid player in franchise history and the highest-drafted quarterback since Joe Namath, you know it will be a molten topic. The Jets traded up to draft Mark Sanchez fifth overall. He's getting paid $28 million in guarantees. Unless he flops or veteran Kellen Clemens is brilliant, the rookie should start.
 | |
| Rich Kane/Icon SMI | |
| Vernon Gholston had a disappointing rookie season. |
The Jets, however, likely will go as far as their defense takes them. It's difficult to tell how an aggressive, blitz-oriented defense is coming together when nobody's wearing pads or hitting. Training camp conditions will be the first real sense we'll get about how Ryan's methods will translate from Baltimore.
Ryan's defense will be aided substantially if he can get pass-rusher Vernon Gholston to contribute. Last year's sixth overall pick from Ohio State had an undetectable rookie campaign. The Jets need to get some kind of return on their investment, but the urgency is greater with outside linebacker Calvin Pace's four-game suspension at the start of the season. Gholston's opportunity couldn't be more obvious. He must have a terrific camp.
Camp will be a downer if ... Ryan's much-ballyhooed defense doesn't hum by the end of preseason. With all of the bluster, the signings of Bart Scott and Jim Leonhard and the Lito Sheppard trade, the Jets better be good on defense.
Purely from an entertainment perspective, camp will be a bummer if Ryan doesn't keep yapping like he did during OTAs and minicamp.
Camp will be a success if ... either Sanchez or Gholston emerges as a credible player. They don't have to be Pro Bowlers, but if one or the other demonstrates a level of competence to build from, then fans -- and general manager Mike Tannenbaum -- can breathe a little easier about the immediate future.
Sanchez, of course, is who the Jets need to come into his own more than any other player. They have the most invested in him. He might be the franchise's front man for the next decade. But if Sanchez sputters in camp and Gholston's game materializes, organizational confidence still would be buoyed.
Catch and release: The Jets haven't made the move fans hoped. They haven't landed an experienced receiver to play with Jerricho Cotchery. They lost Laveranues Coles but have opted to find a starter among last year's reserves and by turning over the bottom of the roster.
Chansi Stuckey and speedster David Clowney look like the best bets to emerge from this crew. Brad Smith and Wallace Wright also could end up with bigger roles, but the auditions will last right up until the regular season begins.
Trey Wingo, Darren Woodson and Tim Hasselbeck preview the AFC East.
|
|
A look at the key loss and his replacement for each team in the division:
Buffalo Bills
Who's out: Jason Peters, left tackle (Philadelphia Eagles)
Who's in: Langston Walker, left tackle
Outlook: The Bills couldn't cope with the prospect of another prolonged Peters holdout, so they traded away the headache -- even though he's one of the best in the business -- for some draft picks.
| |||||||
The Bills opted not to draft any tackles or sign any through free agency. Instead, they are slopping Walker from the right side and shifting right guard Brad Butler to right tackle.
Walker will be a drop-off from Peters. Scouts are skeptical the 6-foot-8 Walker will be mobile enough to handle some of the best pass-rushers in the game. The Bills will face several who finished among the top 10 in sacks last year.
|
|
Who's out: Samson Satele, center (Oakland Raiders)
Who's in: Jake Grove, center
Outlook: The Dolphins' biggest problem on the offensive line last year was their center. They didn't think Satele, who has been a starter since he stepped foot in the league, was physical enough against top 3-4 nose tackles.
The Dolphins have to deal with the Patriots' Vince Wilfork and the Jets' Kris Jenkins twice a year. Marcus Stroud is no slouch in Buffalo's 4-3 setup.
Miami targeted Grove in free agency because he grades highly in run blocking and plays with a mean streak. Dolphins defenders say they notice a much more aggressive tone in the trenches since Grove arrived. He has been injury prone, but if he stays healthy he'll improve the run game.
|
|
Who's out: Mike Vrabel, outside linebacker (Kansas City Chiefs)
Who's in: Pierre Woods, outside linebacker
Outlook: The most noticeable void on New England's depth chart is the one left by Vrabel's trade to Kansas City. His numbers regressed from his Pro Bowl season in 2007, but he still was a player opponents worried about.
The Patriots still could bring in another veteran before the season begins, but for now it looks like Woods will be the replacement. Woods seems to have Bill Belichick's trust, starting three games last year when Adalius Thomas went down.
Woods, an undrafted fourth-year pro, is decent against the run but hasn't demonstrated pass-rushing skills in a game yet. Barring any developments before training camp, it looks like the job is his to lose.
|
|
Who's out: Ty Law, right cornerback (free agent)
Who's in: Lito Sheppard, right cornerback
Outlook: The Jets plucked Law off the street in November when they decided rookie Dwight Lowery wasn't good enough to man the position opposite lockdown left cornerback Darrelle Revis. They didn't re-sign Law after the 2008 season and acquired Sheppard from the Eagles.
Sheppard is a playmaker because he attacks the ball. If he comes up with it, look out; he can go the distance. His coverage skills, however, are suspect. He couldn't retain his starting job in Philly, but the belief is that with Revis on the other side, the Jets can roll help to Sheppard's side.
DAVIE, Fla. -- What's the best thing about the Miami Dolphins to new center Jake Grove?
 | |
| Kevin Terrell/Getty Images | |
| Center Jake Grove says he's looking forward to a fresh start with the Dolphins. |
They're not the Oakland Raiders.
"I'm excited for a fresh start here," Grove replied when I asked him how much difference there was between the clubs.
Grove then paused and thought before adding, "I would just say the offensive minds that we have here, the coordinator and the coaches and the ability Chad Pennington has to run the offense, that's what I'm most excited about."
In Grove's five seasons with the Raiders, they went through four head coaches and three offensive coordinators.
Quarterbacks? Oh, Grove saw a few of those in his time there. Rich Gannon, Kerry Collins, Marques Tuiasosopo, Aaron Brooks, Andrew Walter, Daunte Culpepper, Josh McCown and JaMarcus Russell all started.
"There's just so much turnover in Oakland," Grove said. "The stability that I feel here, I'm real excited about that."
Grove was Miami's top offseason acquisition. Football operations boss Bill Parcells and head coach Tony Sparano considered their previous center, Samson Satele, a liability in the run game and not physical enough against 3-4 nose tackles.
Football analyst KC Joyner graded Satele at a pedestrian 79.5 percent success rate on point-of-attack run blocks last year. It was the worst rate of any Dolphins regular. Joyner determined Grove's success rate was 90.6 percent.
"I like his aggressiveness," running back Ricky Williams told the Palm Beach Post reporter Edgar Thompson. "He jumps those nose guards. It's nice because that's where everything starts."
The Dolphins loved what they saw of Grove on film. Although he didn't play against them, AFC West teams played their AFC East counterparts last year. He did well against 3-4 defenses.
The Raiders ran for 153 yards in a victory over the New York Jets. The Raiders were down 21-0 in the first quarter to the New England Patriots but still rushed for 116 yards in a loss.
"I think he is a tough, physical competitor," Sparano said. "He displays outstanding first-step quickness and the ability to play at the second level very, very well. With centers I think that is an important quality to have, playing at the second level and being able to get their hat on some of these mike linebackers in this league."
Grove has missed 26 games since he was a second-round draft pick in 2004. Early in his second season he suffered a right knee injury. He underwent surgery, but the knee kept troubling him. He opted for microfracture surgery after starting two games in 2007.
But the Dolphins gave Grove a five-year, $29 million contract. He knows that's a lot to live up to.
"When I was a younger guy in Oakland," said Grove, "I always said 'It doesn't matter what guys get paid. This guy could be making $100 million. He could be making $200,000. Anybody can make you look bad. Anybody can beat you on any play.'
"It doesn't matter what people think about you in this league. You have to bring it every single day."
I asked Grove if it was flattering to be courted by Parcells and Sparano, a couple of grunts who treasure offensive linemen like car aficionados behold Corvettes.
"Funny you should word the use flattery," Grove deadpanned on a 90-degree Sunday afternoon. "After the first warm-up of the first practice when I was out here in this heat I was, like, 'Man, this honeymoon is over. It's time to work.'"
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
|
DANA POINT, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders' acquisition of center Samson Satele from Miami was the culmination of two weeks of negotiation, a source close to the situation said.
The Satele trade cost Oakland a sixth-round pick and the two sides will swap picks in an undisclosed round. The cost is fairly meager for Oakland as it picks up its starting center. The third-year pro will replace Jake Grove who ironically signed with Miami to replace Satele. Satele, who was a second-round pick in 2007, started every game for Miami in his two seasons there.
The word in Miami was the Dolphins were uncomfortable with how Satele stacked up against the bigger defensive tackles in the AFC East. Satele will have to deal with some formidable defensive tackles in the AFC West beginning with the massive Jamal Williams in San Diego. Kansas City's Glenn Dorsey is also very big and stout.
Still, Oakland has long targeted Satele and now they got him in a very reasonable trade. Satele has long been a favorite of Oakland coach Tom Cable and those in Oakland believe he will be a perfect fit for the Raiders as they try to upgrade their offensive line.
DANA POINT, Calif. -- The Miami Dolphins will receive a sixth-round pick from the Oakland Raiders and the clubs will flop picks in another round as part of the deal for center Samson Satele, an NFL source informs ESPN.com.
|
The source could not confirm which round will be flopped, but the Raiders don't own a fifth-round choice.
The trade first was reported Sunday night.
Satele was a second-round draft pick (a choice acquired in the trade that sent Wes Welker to the New England Patriots) who started all 32 games of his pro career for the Dolphins.
But Satele fell out of favor with football operations boss Bill Parcells and line-oriented head coach Tony Sparano. They didn't like how Satele held up physically against 3-4 nose tackles. Satele is listed at 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds.
Two of Miami's divisional foes -- the Patriots and New York Jets -- operate 3-4 defenses and have behemoth nose tackles in Vince Wilfork and Kris Jenkins, respectively.
Satele became expendable when the Dolphins signed Raiders free agent Jake Grove to a five-year deal worth almost $30 million.
