Dolphins Trade Rumors

"The Patriots recorded signals of the Dolphins' offensive signals during a game in 2001, a league source confirmed Friday, although it is uncertain whether the taping will result in further sanctions against New England or coach Bill Belichick. ESPN.com reported Friday that one of the tapes submitted by former Patriots video employee Matt Walsh included the offensive signals. Previously, it was believed the Patriots had taped only opposing teams' defensive signals."

"The Dolphins hope one of the undrafted rookies can step forward as a slot receiver, a part-time role that can take advantage of the focus defenses will put on Ginn and Wilford. It is a search that could extend beyond training camp and beyond Miami's roster when other teams cut some of their receivers. The Dolphins could be looking at those discards as ways to upgrade their receiving corps. That is how dire the problem appears right now."

"Jason Taylor and Bill Parcells are at odds, and that should be hard to believe because these men need each other -- Taylor needing a genius football man to bring him a championship and Parcells needing a savant pass-rusher to bring him a championship defense."

"Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland begrudgingly admitted he had discussions with Jacksonville last week revolving around six-time Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Taylor."

"This is H. Wayne Huizenga's mess to fix now. No one else can do the job. Jason Taylor remains a Dolphin, and the great post-NFL Draft mystery is this: Why?"

"Despite a flurry of rumors and even inaccurate media reports, the Dolphins in fact did not trade Jason Taylor on Saturday. The Dolphins didn't even field calls for Taylor, according to general manager Jeff Ireland."

"Not long after the 6-foot-7, 312-pound Long calmly held up a Dolphins jersey with a No. 1 on it and shook the hand of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in New York's Radio City Music Hall, reports began circulating on the Internet that Taylor had been traded to the Tampa Bay Bucs for three draft picks (a second, fourth and a sixth). However, the rumor was shot down by Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland in his first-day draft wrapup late Saturday night in team headquarters."

"A trade was in the works, according to Internet buzz, sending J.T. to the Bucs in exchange for three unspecified draft picks, and one South Florida newspaper went so far as to report the deal as near-fact on its Web site. False start, as it turned out, because the Bucs made a trade with Jacksonville instead."

"Hopefully, it ends today, for all concerned, this increasingly ugly faceoff between Bill Parcells and Jason Taylor. One plots a good beginning, the other a happy ending. One is from Mars, the other from Hollywood."

"The Dolphins can't get stubborn on the Jason Taylor Affair at this point. It's too late for such nonsense, and would be counter-productive to what they hope to do."

"Would it be outlandish to dream of a scenario in which the Pats could pry Jason Taylor away from Miami? Would Bill Parcells even consider handing Taylor over to a rival?"

"First, the Dolphins looked like a smart, disciplined, professional organization for the first time in some time, finalizing negotiations with Jake Long so the first overall pick could report to camp on time. Wednesday brought another positive development: Despite Bill Parcells' public protestations to the contrary, multiple sources confirmed what has been logically assumed for weeks. They confirmed that the Dolphins are indeed shopping defensive end Jason Taylor, in search of another first-round selection."

"A day after signing Michigan's Jake Long, the Dolphins have turned their attention to acquiring another first-round pick, according to two NFL executives. And it appears they are shopping star defensive end Jason Taylor to do it. The goal is to corral another player at the top of their draft board, one the organization fears might not be around when they select again at No. 32, which is the first pick of the second round."

"What will the Dolphins do about cha-cha dancing Jason Taylor? What can Bill Parcells do to make sure the team he is building in Miami unearths a star quarterback just as the team he built in Dallas did when it found Tony Romo?"

"With the first pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins will select . . . Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long. The Dolphins have scheduled a news conference for 1:45 p.m. Tuesday to announce an agreement of terms with offensive tackle Jake Long, who will become the first selection of this year's NFL Draft on Saturday."

"The Dolphins don't have to make the No. 1 pick until 10 minutes after the NFL Draft begins Saturday, but it appears that they won't have to wait that long to get the player they want - Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long. Negotiations between the Dolphins and Long's agent, Tom Condon, have reached the point that a contract could be announced any day, an NFL source told The Palm Beach Post on Monday."

"The Miami Dolphins are in serious contract negotiations with representatives for Jake Long as a possible precursor to using the top overall selection in the NFL draft Saturday on the Michigan tackle, sources familiar with the deliberations said yesterday."

"The countdown toward draft day continues. And so, too, do the negotiations between the Dolphins and the agent representing Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long, who remains the primary target to become the team's No. 1 overall pick Saturday."

"Right to the end, Bill Parcells billows smoke, plays with minds and works this draft the only way it can be worked when you have the top pick in a year no one gets top billing. Monday brought the latest trick, and maybe the last hope, as MSNBC.com was the first to report the Dolphins being "close" to finalizing a deal with offensive tackle Jake Long."

"Oh, what a stunning development. Another report involving Jason Taylor's alleged desire to get out of Miami. What you're thinking, with news circulating that the Dolphins are near an agreement with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long to make him the No. 1 pick Saturday in the NFL Draft, is that Taylor isn't going anywhere."

"A looming Dolphins issue: With so many needs elsewhere, should they invest the first pick of the second round on a quarterback? Or should they instead wait to take one much later or sign Chris Simms if Tampa Bay cuts him, as some expect?"

"Auburn defensive tackle Patrick Sims, a graduate of Dillard High School, spent the last two days visiting with the Dolphins, according to a source. Sims, a projected late first-round or early second-round choice in the NFL draft, falls into a group of defensive tackles behind Glenn Dorsey of LSU and Sedrick Ellis of Southern California."

"As of Monday night, the Dolphins had not initiated contract talks with Chris Long -- which is consistent with Peter King's si.com report that they are negotiating only with Jake Long and have given him a deadline to accept. Owner Wayne Huizenga won't discuss the No. 1 pick, but has such confidence in Bill Parcells that he's not conceding next season as strictly a rebuilding one: ''A lot will depend on the draft,'' he said. ``Bill's doing a good job.''"

"Although the Dolphins want to get younger, ESPN analyst and retired receiver Keyshawn Johnson, still mulling a comeback, said by phone, ''I'm pretty sure if I wanted to come to Miami, Bill Parcells would say OK.'' "

"Former UCF running back Kevin Smith, who plans to work out for the Dolphins today, is holding onto a few secrets he is not sharing.The player who led the NCAA in rushing with 2,567 yards and scored 29 touchdowns last season has had a couple of private workouts with NFL teams, but he's been sworn to secrecy about their identities."If I could tell you I would, but I don't want to mess up their promises to me by breaking my promise to them," said Smith, a Miami native who left those private sessions confident he'll be taken in the first three rounds of this month's NFL draft."

"Since the Dolphins seem to be stuck with the No. 1 pick in this month's NFL Draft, they want to take advantage of it. Bill Parcells and Co. aren't wasting any time. Looking to prevent a holdout and to control spending, the Dolphins have begun contract negotiations with Michigan left tackle Jake Long and agent Tom Condon, who met with the team in South Florida this week, an NFL source said Wednesday. The team with the top pick can negotiate a contract with a player before they draft him."

"Apparently content to keep the No. 1 overall pick, the Dolphins have begun discussing contract parameters with at least two players on their short list of candidates to become the draft's top selection. Official contract negotiations with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long, and Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston were started this week, according to a source. Coincidentally, Long and Gholston are represented by the same agency, CAA, but have different agents."

"Dolphins coach Tony Sparano had a confession to make about defensive end Jason Taylor, and it was about time he broke two months of public silence to get it off his chest Tuesday. So what gives? Does Sparano wants to see his team trade its only major star for some much-desired draft picks? Or is Sparano tired of Taylor's offseason devotion to his passion for Dancing with the Stars? Guess again... Even the Jaguars -- who appear at this point to be the team with the most interest in Taylor -- are believed to be willing to give up only a third-round pick."

"Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga indicated Monday that teams do not appear interested in trading for Miami's No. 1 overall draft pick and that he has no issue with paying a huge signing bonus to a player taken in that slot. But, ``it's important not to make a mistake [because] it could screw up your whole program.''"

"The Dolphins apparently aren't finished adding depth to the secondary. On Friday the Dolphins hosted former Falcons starting safety Chris Crocker, and a source confirmed he's been offered a one-year contract he'll likely accept. The NFL Network reported the deal is worth $1.15 million, with $300,000 of it guaranteed."

"Bill Parcells emerged from his beloved bunker the other day to return a phone call and provide an amusing answer to the biggest question in the NFL these days. "Okay Bill, what are you doing with the first pick?""

"Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor, the subject of offseason trade rumors, said he wants to remain with the Dolphins and expects that to happen."

"Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor denied a recent Internet report that suggested he and the Dolphins had amicably "agreed to part ways." "

"The Dallas-to-Miami express could be getting another passenger. The Dolphins will be bringing in former Cowboys cornerback Nathan Jones for a visit today, according to multiple sources. "

"The Dallas to Miami express could be getting another passenger. The Dolphins have expressed interest in bringing in former Cowboys cornerback Nathan Jones for a visit according to multiple sources."

"Say the Falcons crave Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, and why wouldn't they in the meltdown that started in the dog days of Michael Vick? Parcells could dangle the top pick and Ricky, too, in exchange for a swap in the draft order and a bonus second-round pick... And don't tell me that Jerry Jones wouldn't be willing to rethink his stated opposition to trading the 22nd and 28th picks in the first round for a guaranteed hit on McFadden. "

"A week before his national television debut on Dancing with the Stars, Jason Taylor is doing a delicate and artful dance with Bill Parcells and the Dolphins. Taylor, the Dolphins' best and highest-profile player, would like out of Miami, according to two sources. "

"Despite the need to add an offensive tackle and guard with starter pedigree, the Dolphins have expressed little to no interest in re-signing Rex Hadnot, a four-year starter, and haven't hosted many offensive linemen on visits. But this could be the week they look to address that need."

" Dallas Cowboys unrestricted free agent strong safety Keith Davis will visit Miami today as he seeks more playing time."

"Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan and Michigan tackle Jake Long share the same representation, and the Dolphins so far have inquired far more about Ryan, although we are cautioned not to draw any conclusions. The Dolphins requested a private interview with Ryan after BC's March 18 Pro Day."

"The Dolphins have been coy about their plans for Ricky Williams. Do they want the eccentric running back? Will they trade him? Football operations boss Bill Parcells, General Manager Jeff Ireland and coach Tony Sparano all have been asked about Williams. All have been noncommittal publicly."

"Although the Dolphins have already added two defensive tackles since the start of free agency last week, they met with former Giants defensive tackle William Joseph on Friday."

"According to a source, former Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tab Perry and former Kansas City Chiefs fullback Boomer Grigsby visited with the Dolphins on Tuesday, and if they pass their physicals both are expected to receive offers based on special-teams play."

"The cold truth - and there's precious little of any other kind in the NFL - is that Taylor doesn't fit Miami czar Bill Parcells' restructuring model. Taylor will be a 34-year-old defensive end next September, which makes him too old; he'll carry a $7.5 million salary, which makes him too expensive."

"The Dolphins already have signed two linebackers — Reggie Torbor and Charlie Anderson — during the first week of free agency. But considering the emphasis on the position in a 3-4 scheme, it's likely they'll pursue a few more. One might be Pace's former backup in Arizona, Darryl Blackstock, a restricted free agent the financially strapped Cardinals chose not to tender."

"But Parcells, the Dolphins' executive vice president in charge of everything, had to mix business with pleasure Sunday as he extinguished the flames of controversy rising out of a story that said defensive end Jason Taylor and the Dolphins have agreed to part ways."

"It seems the only time Bill Parcells, the Dolphins' vice president of football operations, speaks publicly these days it's to say he's not interested in trading Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Taylor."

"Bill Parcells says Jason Taylor isn't going anywhere. An Internet report that the Miami Dolphins want to trade Taylor before April's NFL Draft is "totally untrue," Parcells told The Palm Beach Post on Sunday."

"Taylor and the Dolphins reportedly have agreed to amicably part ways at some point between now and the NFL Draft on April 26, Yahoo! Sports reported Saturday night on its website. There is no animosity between the two sides, according to the report."

"If the Internet report is true -- and it comes from the same credible writer, Jason Cole, who first reported the possible marriage of Bill Parcells and the Dolphins -- then today's fan of the Dolphins has to feel conflicted. Jason Taylor is leaving?"