Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

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June 27

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"The Dolphins appeared to be closing in on a deal with rookie safety Chris Clemons, their fifth-round pick out of Clemson. According to Kevin Conner, the agent for Clemons, talks between the two sides are "progressing well." "We don't anticipate any issues," Conner wrote Friday night in a text message. "There are a couple of minor details that need to be finalized." Any deal figures to be similar to the one signed by former Monmouth tight end John Nalbone, taken four picks ahead of Clemons with the Dolphins' earlier fifth-round pick. Nalbone signed a four-year deal worth $1.75 million with a signing bonus of $173,000. Clemons spent much of the recently concluded organized team activities ..."

Dolphins' Vontae Davis says he wasn't arrested

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June 24

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Whether it was a case of mistaken identity or identity fraud or both, no one can say for sure. Dolphins rookie Vontae Davis just wants people to know he was not arrested on June 9 in Champaign, Ill., where he starred at the University of Illinois. A report to that effect surfaced Tuesday morning in The Daily Illini, the campus newspaper. Citing a report filed by Champaign police officer Michael A. Talbott, the newspaper reported Davis had been arrested at 6:47 p.m. and charged with unnecessary vehicular noise and driving without a valid license. The arrest summary, a copy of which is available online at the City of Champaign Web site, lists a Vontae Ottis Davis and a home address of 920 ..."

Andrew Gardner expected to sign today

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June 19

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Andrew Gardner, the Dolphins' sixth-round pick out of Georgia Tech, agreed to terms late Wednesday evening and is expected to sign this afternoon. "All parties are pleased to have the deal done in a timely manner," said former NFL defensive lineman Lester Archambeau, one of Gardner's agents. "Andrew is pleased to have that part of the business taken care of and looks forward to continuing his hard work at getting himself ready to compete in training camp." The deal covers four years and is believed to total approximately $1.65 million, including a signing bonus of about $75,000. The deal includes escalator clauses that would reward Gardner should he become a starter. Gardner, a 6-foot-6, ..."

Pennington not worried about competition

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June 7

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington, who hosted a barbecue for the entire team Thursday, said he's not worried about competition from Chad Henne or having one more year remaining on his contract. "It's a good situation to be in,'' Pennington said Saturday afternoon at the Miami Beach Marina behind Monty's restaurant. "I'm not really concerned about it. To me, it's never really a true competition until it happens on Sunday. "[Practice is] preparation and evaluation. We have to be prepared to play and be ready as players. Coaches have to evaluate and see who they want to play. Competition happens on Sunday.'' Pennington, 32, who won the Don Shula Leadership Award Friday, realizes that last ..."

Who will be Miami Dolphins' No. 1 receiver?

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May 31

Miami Herald

columnist Armando Salguero

"The Dolphins have a No. 1 receiver on the roster, no doubt about it, coach Tony Sparano and some of his players would tell you. They say there is someone on the team who can be Chad Pennington's go-to guy, someone who can lead the offense in receptions and be there when a desperation pass needs reliable hands to finish a big play. The Dolphins insist they are comfortable with that guy. They just don't know that guy's name yet. ''I would say that, yeah, I would say I feel that way, sure,'' Sparano said last week. ``Who that guy is, I am not quite sure of yet. I think there are a couple of contenders out there that I am curious to watch when we get through this whole thing.'' I'm kind of ..."

Miami Dolphins sign draft pick TE John Nalbone

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May 22

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"The Dolphins locked up rookie tight end John Nalbone to a four-year deal worth approximately $1.75 million Thursday, according to his agent Joe Linta. He is the first of the Dolphins' 2009 draft picks to sign. The fifth-round pick out of Monmouth (N.J.) also received a signing bonus of $173,000. The Dolphins have eight unsigned draft picks, headed by first-round choice cornerback Vontae Davis. The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Nalbone should receive plenty of snaps during the next three weeks with backup tight end David Martin recovering from sports hernia surgery. Nalbone, the first player ever drafted from Monmouth, is likely competing for the third tight end spot on the 53-man roster with 6-9 ..."

Is IR system in line for a change?

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May 21

Boston Globe

"When the NFL adopted its system for placing players on season-ending injured reserve, the main issue was stashing. Teams had long been allowed to place players on injured reserve and bring them back later in the season. But some felt that clubs were circumventing the rule by placing players who weren't truly injured on IR, opening a roster spot for someone else. Thus, a competitive advantage was scored. Colts president Bill Polian remembers high-profile coaches and personnel executives, such as Don Shula and Jim Finks, pushing for a change to combat stashing, and it finally came in 1993, when the league made two significant adjustments. At that time, players placed on injured reserve would ..."

FB Polite to stay with Dolphins

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May 16

ESPN.com

"After bouncing around the league as a dependable fullback, living with the fear of being cut, Lousaka Polite has officially found job security with the Miami Dolphins. Polite agreed Saturday to a two-year contract extension worth more than $3 million, according to a source. The new deal will pay him $3.7 million over the next three seasons, the source said. He was scheduled to make $620,000 this year. The 27-year-old Polite is now under contract through the 2011 season. It shouldn't be a surprise that the Dolphins would give him a home. Bill Parcells had him on and off the roster from 2004 to 2006 when he was the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. Parcells runs the front office of the ..."

Dolphins eyeing Jason Taylor

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May 13

Boston Herald

"Jason Taylor's status hasn't changed. He's still an unsigned free agent, lurking as a possible solution to the Patriots' sagging pass rush, and answer for the trade of Mike Vrabel. While not much has come out of the Pats' camp since team owner Robert Kraft made a public push for Taylor to come to Foxboro, there was some news out of Miami. During a radio interview yesterday on WAXY 790 AM, Dolphins coach Tony Sparano admitted the team still was considering the possibility of bringing back the free agent defensive end. "Yeah, we're talking. When I say 'we,' it's myself, Jeff (Ireland, general manager) and Bill (Parcells, head of football operations) have talked about Jason and had several ..."

Minnesota Vikings, cornerback Antoine Winfield reach an impasse

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May 11

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The agent for Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield said in a text message Sunday night that talks of an extension with the Vikings have broken down. "There are no active negotiations and there are no further talks planned," Ashanti Webb said in a text message. Asked how he feels about that, Webb said, "Disappointed. Very disappointed." Webb did not return follow-up messages asking whether he or the Vikings cut off talks and whether Winfield would attend the team's mandatory mini-camp later this month. Fresh off his first trip to the Pro Bowl, Winfield enters the final year of a six-year, $34.8 million contract. Due to make $6 million in 2009, Winfield told the Pioneer Press in an ..."

Big Easy: Super XLVII almost lock

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May 7

New Orleans Times-Picayune

"Give it up, Miami and Phoenix. Throw in the towel, raise the white flag and cry uncle. Whatever slim chance those rival cities had of landing the 2013 Super Bowl will evaporate the minute NFL owners and executives open the FedEx boxes that land on their desks this week containing New Orleans' bid package. The Crescent City already had public sentiment, a rock-solid financial proposal and Saints owner Tom Benson's considerable influence on its side in the bid to land Super Bowl XLVII. Now it will also have the intoxicating power of the city's creative mojo at work. The bid packages the local organizing committee mailed to NFL owners and executives Wednesday befit New Orleans' rich ..."

Former Red Sox executive Michael Dee named CEO of Miami Dolphins

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May 4

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Owner Stephen M. Ross announced that Michael Dee will be the new chief executive officer of the Dolphins and Dolphin Stadium on Sunday. Dee will be responsible for the business development and growth of both entities, including efforts to improve the fan experience at Dolphin Stadium. Dee has worked in Major League Baseball for 14 years, including the past five with the Boston Red Sox as their chief operating officer. "I wanted someone who was a number two in an organization and ready to step up and be a CEO and someone who learned in a great organization," Ross said. "I really believe that the Miami Dolphins organization should be the No. 1 in all of sports, and I think we have the ..."

Former Miami Dolphins QB John Beck to join Ravens

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May 3

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"The Ravens won't have a competition at starting quarterback again this season, but there will be one for the backup job. John Beck has agreed in principle on a one-year contract and will compete with Troy Smith to be the Ravens' No. 2 quarterback, according to an NFL source. Beck will be reunited with Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, who was coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2007, when they drafted the Brigham Young standout in the second round. After Cameron was fired, Beck never clicked with the Bill Parcells regime and was released by the Dolphins on Wednesday, just five days after they drafted West Virginia's Pat White in the second round. It is believed six teams had shown ..."

Cameron Wake's progress with Dolphins affects possible Taylor return

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May 2

Miami Herald

"When the Dolphins say they don't want to bring back former defensive end Jason Taylor and have him be a ''progress stopper,'' it's Cameron Wake's progress they have topmost in their minds. But Wake is not the only player the Dolphins want to see in a role similar to the one Taylor used to play. ''We're going to watch Cameron this week and see what Cameron does,'' Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said. ``I know the Jason thing is out there.'' Dolphins General manager Jeff Ireland and football boss Bill Parcells ''have visited briefly on it and we're going to revisit it at some point here,'' Sparano said. ``One of the things we think we did a nice job of this offseason, and it kind of goes under ..."

Patriots Interested in Taylor

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May 1

Boston Globe

(scroll down)

"The Patriots have reached out once again to free agent defensive end Jason Taylor in an attempt to woo him to New England, according to an NFL source. The club did not draft a pass-rushing outside linebacker last weekend, and Taylor could help fill that void. Patriots owner Robert Kraft has said if Taylor, 34, wants to play in New England, it could happen. The team appears to be stepping up its recruiting efforts, as the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported yesterday that the Patriots have "strong interest" in Taylor, who plans to make a final decision within two weeks."

Miami Dolphins add two new receivers

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April 28

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"The Dolphins drafted two receivers over the weekend and have since added two more college free agent receivers, including New Mexico State's Chris Williams and Tulsa's Brennan Marion, according to sources. Williams, the school's all-time leader in reception yards (3,555) and touchdown catches (32), had 86 catches for 1,271 yards and nine TDs his senior season. He's had 18 games of 100 or more reception yards and was named to the all-WAC first team this year. At 5-foot-8, 163 pounds, Williams seems suited for the slot where Davone Bess roams. Marion, who's 5-11, 187 pounds, tore his right ACL on the last offensive play of his last college game, the Conference USA title matchup against East ..."

Cleveland Browns inquired about Ronnie Brown

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April 25

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Browns expressed slight interest in trading for Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown, and Braylon Edwards' name was involved, but it fell apart when the Browns backed off, according to Michael Lombardi of nationalfootballpost.com. Brown, heading into the last year of his contract at $3.6 million, rushed for 916 yards on 214 carries with eight TDs. A trade for Brown would most likely involve an agreement to extend his contract."

Miami Dolphins-Jason Taylor Reunion Hinges On Draft Plans

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April 23

Miami Herald

"The conversation was brief but effective. When former Dolphins icon Jason Taylor discussed a potential return with his old team this month, Miami's decision makers made their stance clear: Wait until after the NFL Draft, then we'll talk. ''They know how I feel and what I'd like to do,'' Taylor said after that conversation. ``And I know how they feel and what they'd like to do, what they're looking for.'' That's all Taylor wanted to divulge about the talk, but the rest of the details about what Miami is ''looking for'' are actually quite simple. The Dolphins want to improve their pass rush with a young, promising outside linebacker. If they do that, Taylor's return would be unlikely. IN A ..."

Dolphins should be thinking wide receiver

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April 22

Miami Herald

columnist Greg Cote

"An NFL team might count itself lucky when its most obvious weakness and an upcoming draft's bounteous strength are the same. That is, the intersection of Opportunity & Need, and a team is wise to obey the signs and stop there. It means stars have aligned to assure that team of mortaring a major roster hole with major talent -- even if that team is selecting only (using a totally random number), say, 25th. Into the Dolphins' lap such a situation falls in this NFL Draft, and it means the biggest hazard facing them in Saturday's first round is overthinking their selection. Squinting so hard you don't see what's right in front of you. This is the team to pick a wide receiver. This is the time ..."

Best guess here: Miami Dolphins choose defense in first round

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April 19

Miami Herald

columnist Armando Salguero

"In the spring of 1995, the Dolphins desperately needed offensive line help. I ran into Gary Stevens, their offensive coordinator at the time, heading back to his office after taking a routine afternoon smoking break outside the front door of the team's training complex. ''So we can go with one guy who can't run-block or another guy who can't pass-block,'' Stevens complained to himself as he walked. ``Isn't there somebody out there we can find that can do both?'' Ah, decisions, decisions. Seems this time of year is eternally filled with difficult choices for any team preparing for the NFL draft, the Dolphins chief among them. In 1998, the call was to either trade down in the first round ..."

Dolphins should be bold and go after Anquan Boldin

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April 16

Palm Beach Post

columnist Dave George

"OK, South Florida football nuts, this is exactly what you wanted. It's first-and-10 again in the fully refreshed story of the Miami Dolphins, defending AFC East champions. But, wait, that schedule they put out the other day is the toughest in the league. That's sure to set the Fish back a bit in 2009. Better call it first-and-15 instead. There's a small problem, too, with all that exciting speculation about Chad Henne finally getting a chance to play some this season. The kid's got a great arm and the toughness to lead, but who is he going to partner with downfield? Not to be an alarmist, but it's starting to look a little too much like third-and-long around here again, at least in the ..."

Miami Dolphins QB John Beck is now expendable commodity

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April 12

Miami Herald

"How long will John Beck remain with the Dolphins? The question comes up now because, in case you missed it, the last month has suggested Beck's days in Miami are numbered. Only a few weeks ago, the Dolphins traded starting center Samson Satele to the Oakland Raiders, and that meant yet another player drafted by Randy Mueller and Cam Cameron in 2007 failed to meet the needs of new bosses Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano. Of the 10 players drafted by Mueller and Cameron two years ago, only four remain on the roster because that draft was supposed to build a different kind of team and those players didn't necessarily fit the team Parcells and Co. are rebuilding. That didn't make ..."

Potential Miami Dolphins trade bait

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April 12

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Miami Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland made it clear last week that the Dolphins want to acquire more draft picks. But there are only three ways to do add to the nine picks the team already has. The Dolphins can trade down in each round to pick up extra picks. This regime did that last year, swapping third-round selections to pick up extra picks, and will likely explore that option again. The Dolphins can trade future draft picks, which isn't likely considering how much this regime values draft selections. And finally, Bill Parcells and company can trade players. Last year the Dolphins exchanged rookie tailback Lorenzo Booker, for a fourth-rounder in 2008. Cornerback Travis Daniels ..."

Dolphins Appear Lukewarm About Signing Jason Taylor

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April 6

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"The Miami Dolphins haven't ruled out re-signing defensive end Jason Taylor, but the interest level doesn't seem high. General Manager Jeff Ireland said this morning that the front office has discussed adding the six-time Pro Bowler, but Taylor's age, recent injuries and declining play are factors. "You have to look at every possible situation at this time of year," Ireland said. "You have to look at all these things, but with players like Jason, who is going to be 35 in September, you have to look at whether veteran players are progress-stoppers for younger players. We have to look at that." Ireland was referring to Taylor eating up playing time that would otherwise go to returning ..."

Cardinals' Boldin would love to play in Florida

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April 4

Palm Beach Post

"Anquan Boldin is an Arizona Cardinal, whether he likes it or not. If the NFC champs were to trade their disgruntled receiver, he would love to come home to Florida. But that wouldn't necessarily mean playing only for the Dolphins, who could use a big, physical No. 1 receiver such as Boldin. He wouldn't object to playing for Tampa Bay or Jacksonville, either. "If I were traded to one of the teams in my home state, that would be a privilege," said Boldin, who grew up in Pahokee as a Dolphins fan and played at FSU. The Dolphins, however, would be unlikely suitors. They would be reluctant to part with draft picks and to pay him the up-front money he would want in a renegotiated deal. Boldin ..."

Dolphins indifferent to Jason Taylor

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April 4

Palm Beach Post

"The Dolphins' plans for the future apparently won't include a prominent player from their past. General Manager Jeff Ireland didn't shut the door on the potential return of Jason Taylor, but he did make it sound unlikely. "You have to look at every possible situation," Ireland said Friday. "But with players like Jason - he's going to be 35 in September. You have to look at whether veteran players are progress-stoppers for younger players ... Economics has something to do with it. "We're looking at it. I'm not saying we're not. But the interest level, I'm not going to comment on." Taylor played defensive end for Miami for 11 seasons. He is a free agent after playing last year for the ..."

Miami Dolphins in no rush to chase after former star Jason Taylor

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April 4

Miami Herald

"If defensive end Jason Taylor decides he wants to reunite with the Dolphins next season, the first step toward making it happen is simple: Be patient. Although the Dolphins have not reached out to Taylor or his agent to discuss a potential return, the team also isn't shutting the door. Miami expects to wait until after the NFL Draft before deciding whether to pursue him, a source said Friday. Whether Taylor chooses to wait is up to him. But the Dolphins do not want to sign him if they end up drafting a promising outside linebacker -- the position Taylor would play in a 3-4 system. General manager Jeff Ireland said the Dolphins are ''looking at'' the situation, but he didn't want to discuss ..."

No hints on Jason Taylor

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March 30

Boston Herald

"Jason Taylor spoke publicly for the first time last night about his free agent status and about the Patriots. And while the veteran defensive end didn't exactly campaign to join the three-time Super Bowl champions, or profess a fondness for coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady, Taylor also didn't completely extinguish any spark that may exist for a future union. Taylor, who met with the media during his charity auction in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., did his best to keep any preference of a landing spot close to the vest. He did, however, offer some interesting remarks when it came to the Patriots. "As far as the football stuff is concerned, it's not for me to talk about. It's for the ..."

Could Taylor return to Miami?

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March 30

NFL.com

"Free-agent defensive end Jason Taylor is still looking for a new team. How about his former team, the Dolphins, which still seeks a pass rusher? Jim Carrey seemed to have a better chance of landing Lauren Holly in Dumb and Dumber, but Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald is saying that there is a chance. How much of a chance is anybody's guess. But Salguero reports that Taylor and Bill Parcells have an "amicable relationship" despite last year's highly publicized divorce. Taylor drew the ire of the old-school disciplinarian by appearing on Dancing with the Stars and missing the team's offseason workouts last year. Taylor was eventually traded to the Redskins."

Ball in Jason Taylor's court for Miami Dolphins reunion

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March 29

Miami Herald

"We thought the Dolphins and Jason Taylor went their separate, severed ways a year ago, when a rebuilding team traded a veteran player looking to win now. We thought the separation was permanent and irrevocable because there were so many factors guaranteeing these ships would never again pass in the night. But here we are, only a year later, and fate has Taylor and the Dolphins navigating the same waters again. On Monday, as the Dolphins begin their offseason conditioning program at their Davie facility, Taylor will be no more than two miles away at the Grand Oaks golf course, hosting his annual Seminole Tribe of Florida Jason Taylor Celebrity Golf Classic to benefit his foundation. Miami ..."

Miami Dolphins QB Chad Pennington brushes off Henne talk

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March 26

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Chad Pennington was holding court during the first day of the Sony Ericsson Open and after an informal hit with Nadia Petrova, the ninth-ranked player in the world, he shrugged off any talks of the Dolphins grooming Chad Henne to take his place. "I have no reaction to it,'' said Pennington, who flashed a decent forehand but ugly backhand. "It's not news. Coach [Tony] Sparano, Bill Parcells and Jeff Ireland have been up front since day one about my future. My future is now.'' On Tuesday at the owner's meeting in Dana Point, Calif., Sparano told reporters, "You could see the ball jump off his hand,'' referring to the former Michigan quarterback's arm strength. He said that Henne, a ..."

Miami Dolphins Likely to Make Deals for More Picks

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March 23

Miami Herald

"When the Dolphins traded away a seventh-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for defensive lineman Tony McDaniel, a trade general manager Jeff Ireland wanted to make, football czar Bill Parcells made Ireland promise he'd get that pick back somehow. Draft picks are that valuable to the Dolphins, even seventh-rounders. And so people with knowledge of the team's intentions say the Dolphins will get a pick back in the coming days for center Samson Satele. That will bring Miami's total picks in April's draft back to nine. Going into that draft, the Dolphins will definitely try to work the phones and find another pick or three to bring the total to 12. The Dolphins, happy with the 25th ..."

Dolphins Trade Satele

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March 23

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"It looks as though the Dolphins are going to get back the late-round pick that they dealt to the Jaguars this week for defensive tackle Tony McDaniel, as they've traded center Samson Satele to the Raiders for an undisclosed draft pick, according to an NFL source. Satele has been rumored to be on the trading block since Miami signed free agent centers Jake Grove and Joe Berger this offseason. During some series' late in the season the Dolphins shifted the 6-foot-3, 295-pound Satele to right guard as Al Johnson took over at center. Johnson has since departed, but the 6-4, 300-pound Grove, who received a five-year deal worth $29 million, is expected to be the starter."

Miami Dolphins should go after disgruntled Bronco Jay Cutler

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March 18

Miami Herald

"Two words for you, Dolphins and Dolfans: Jay Cutler. The flagship franchise should look into trying to extract the quarterback from his mess in Denver and make him feel welcome in Miami. That's not saying Team Tuna should trade for him at any cost, but if the price is right, I say pull the trigger for one of the strongest young arms and brightest futures in the NFL kingdom. You know that Beyonce song called Upgrade U?The one purloined for that annoying TV commercial made watchable only because it includes Beyonce? That's what I'm singing about here. An upgrade. See, Cutler, right now, is the perfect combination of Miami's Flying Chads, Pennington and Henne, the best of both. He is ..."

Miami Dolphins should look at Jay Cutler

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March 18

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

columnist Dave Hyde

"Josh McDaniels blew it. Jay Cutler wants out of Denver. Now the Miami Dolphins have to answer this right: How much do we trust Chad Henne? And: Would a package of our quarterback of today ( Chad Pennington), tomorrow (Henne) and the 25th pick overall be worth landing Denver's arm of today and tomorrow? This is a weigh station they must stop at and study. Bill Parcells' regime has been consistent and looked consistently smart for not overpaying players and valuing draft picks. But a young and rising quarterback like Cutler would be the exception to this philosophy. It's stunning, almost stupefying, that a new coach like McDaniels would alienate the one player who made the Denver job ..."

Holliday, Taylor on defensive wish list

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March 5

Wisconsin State Journal

"A ho-hum free-agency period for the Green Bay Packers could get a lot more interesting - at least in the eyes of the green-and-gold faithful - if the team explores adding the two players with experience in Dom Capers' 3-4 defensive scheme who became available Monday: Ex-Packers and Miami Dolphins defensive end Vonnie Holliday, and ex-Dolphins and Washington Redskins defensive end Jason Taylor. The Dolphins released Holliday Monday after the 11-year NFL veteran declined to restructure his contract with a $1.5 million roster bonus looming, and the Redskins did the same to Taylor, who refused to allow the club toa clause into Taylor's contract that would have required him to participate in ..."

Former Dolphins DE Vonnie Holliday to visit Lions

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March 4

Detroit Free Press

"Another free agent is scheduled to visit the Lions: former Dolphins defensive end Vonnie Holliday.

Holliday, released by the Dolphins on Monday, is scheduled to visit the Broncos on Thursday and the Lions early next week, the Free Press has confirmed. Other teams are interested as well. The 33-year-old spent the past four years with the Dolphins, after two years with the Chiefs and five with the Packers. He spent a season with each of the Lions' coordinators. Scott Linehan was the Dolphins' offensive coordinator in 2005. Gunther Cunningham was the Chiefs' defensive coordinator in 2004."

CB Goodman might visit Cleveland Browns

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March 1

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Dolphins free agent cornerback Andre Goodman has tentative plans to visit the Browns if he doesn't sign with the Broncos today, his agent Jason Chayut said Sunday. As of Sunday morning, Goodman was still visiting with the Broncos. "There's nothing concrete with the Browns yet,'' he said. "We'll see how it plays out as the day goes on.'' Goodman, an eighth-year pro, also told the Miami Herald that there's a chance he could re-sign with the Dolphins. Goodman, originally a third-round pick of the Lions out of South Carolina in 2002, started all 16 games for the Dolphins last season, making 39 tackles and intercepting a career-high five passes. He'd compete with cornerbacks Eric Wright and ..."

NFL free agent market looking for shoppers

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March 1

Miami Herald

"Waiting for a big Dolphins free agency splash Saturday, or waiting for any big free agency splashes around the NFL, was akin to waiting for Godot. Or, All Quiet on the NFL Front. The biggest news concerning the Dolphins might have been a trade by AFC East rival New England. When the Patriots sent backup quarterback Matt Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel to Kansas City for the Chiefs' second-round NFL Draft pick, they blared to all that they expected a fully healthy Tom Brady in 2009. The Patriots had slapped a franchise tag on Cassel after he grew into the job he inherited once Brady sustained a knee injury in the 2008 season opener. Other than that, the NFL didn't resemble the commodities ..."

Light opening day of free agency

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February 28

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"While highly sought free-agent center Jason Brown was being courted in St. Louis and linebacker Bart Scott was signing with the Jets, the Dolphins decided to bolster their offensive line with a familiar face by signing unheralded Joe Berger to a three-year deal Friday. The Dolphins are also looking into adding depth to their young receiving corps with a couple of former Florida State receivers. On Monday, they will hold a workout for De'Cody Fagg, and they're contemplating a reunion of veteran Jets receiver Laveranues Coles with quarterback Chad Pennington, according to a source. The Dolphins lost the first of their own free agents when the Broncos signed free safety Renaldo Hill to a ..."

Ravens, Brown far apart on deal

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February 26

Baltimore Sun

"Jason Brown seems resigned to leaving the Ravens when free agency begins tomorrow. Talks between Brown and the Ravens have reached a stalemate because the team wants to pay him as a center while the versatile offensive lineman is looking to paid like a guard. The difference could be as much as $2 million per season. Brown started at center last year after two seasons at left guard. "Looking at things that have happened in the past with the Ravens, they have been willing to pay and negotiate more for their defensive players," Brown said today. "That's why Baltimore always has a defensive team. If they don't change their course, they may always be a defensive team. It's tough." The ..."

Is Laveranues Coles heading to Cleveland Browns?

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February 26

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The curious case of Laveranues Coles has some insiders in New York wondering if he's on his way to Miami or Cleveland as a free agent. The Jets' receiver forfeited a guaranteed base salary of $6 million to void the last year of his contract and become a free agent. The thinking in New York is that Coles must have something lined up to give up $6 million. The logical landing spot would be Miami, where Coles' good friend, Chad Pennington, is the starting quarterback. Coles also is a native of Jacksonville, Fla. Miami, of course, will be a lot warmer than Meadowlands, N.J., in December.. How does Cleveland fit into this equation? Coles and current Browns coach Eric Mangini were tight. When ..."

Dolphins reach deal with free-agent safety Wilson

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February 26

Foxsports.com

"The Miami Dolphins didn't wait until Friday's start of the free-agent signing period to address their need at strong safety. FOXSports.com has learned Gibril Wilson has agreed to contract terms with the Dolphins. Further details weren't immediately available. Wilson became available when released by Oakland, an unexpected move considering he was signed to a six-year, $39 million contract in March 2008. Wilson finished last season as Oakland's second-leading tackler with 129. Wilson, 27, spent his first four seasons with the New York Giants and was a starter on the team that defeated New England in Super Bowl XLII. Both of Miami's 2008 starting safeties — Yeremiah Bell and Renaldo Hill — ..."

Crowder: If Dolphins don't re-sign me, 'It's their loss'

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February 23

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder expects to be on the free agent market next week, based on his most recent conversations with general manager Jeff Ireland and vice president of football operations Bill Parcells. "They said, 'Well, we want to see what your market value is, and see where it goes from there,'" Crowder said Friday night at a charity softball game involving NFL players. "So hopefully it does get real, real high and they have to match something high, but we'll see when free agency comes around." NFL free agency begins Feb. 27. The Dolphins on Friday announced they re-signed right tackle Vernon Carey, leaving Crowder, safeties Yeremiah Bell and Renaldo Hill and ..."

Dolphins: Some free agents may be too good to be ignored

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February 22

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Dolphins coach Tony Sparano, General Manager Jeff Ireland and Vice President of Football Operations Bill Parcells have all said that despite last year's 10-win turnaround, the team is still several pieces away from where it needs to be. "Get more players," was the blunt reply by Parcells when asked how he would turn the Dolphins into a consistent powerhouse like the Pittsburgh Steelers. This week, Sparano and Ireland are in Indianapolis evaluating and interviewing potential draft picks, while Parcells keeps close tabs on NFL Network. But Sparano said their first priority is to be ready for free agency, which begins Feb. 27."

Source: Parcells told Huizenga he would walk

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February 11

Miami Herald

"Even as the Dolphins were in the middle of their playoff run in late December and football czar Bill Parcells was asking players to remain focused -- going so far as to manage and trim quarterback Chad Pennington's interview schedule the week before the New York Jets game -- Parcells was also thinking of his future, perhaps with another team. Parcells delivered a message to Wayne Huizenga that set off a flurry of calls and strategy meetings within the Dolphins hierarchy. The message from Parcells? "I will exercise my right to leave once this season is over and the team sale is complete." That jaw-dropping sentence during talks between Parcells and Huizenga, according to a source, led ..."

Tough roster decisions for Miami Dolphins this time

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February 8

Miami Herald

columnist Armando Salguero

"A year ago this week, a new Dolphins administration got out the ax and started lopping off excess fat from a roster that had grown soft and flabby and unable to compete in the NFL. Receiver Marty Booker was terminated. Quarterback Trent Green was terminated. L.J. Shelton, Keith Traylor and Zach Thomas? Terminated. Soon, the same Dolphins administration, namely Big Tuna Bill Parcells and Tuna Helper Jeff Ireland, again will start making significant and, in some instances, surprising subtractions from the roster. The hope is this time the Dolphins use a scalpel instead of an ax. In the coming weeks, the Dolphins will settle the futures of as many as eight players. We are not talking ..."

Sources: Parcells can walk with full pay

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February 6

ESPN.com

"While Bill Parcells says he is committed to the Miami Dolphins as their executive vice president of football operations through the 2009 season, he now has an unrestricted option to walk away from the team with his fully guaranteed salary, league sources said. Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga removed the previously reported 30-day escape clause prior to closing on the sale of the team Jan. 20 to New York real estate billionaire Stephen Ross, the sources said. The clause, which required Parcells to notify the team of his intention to leave within 30 days if ownership was transferred from Huizenga's control, was eliminated from the contract about three weeks prior to the closing of the team's ..."

Dolphins interested in re-signing Vernon Carey

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January 30

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"A source told the Sun Sentinel that the Dolphins are definitely interested in re-signing free-agent tackle Vernon Carey. Free agency doesn't start until Feb. 27, so negotiations will probably heat up during the week of the NFL Scouting Combine (Feb. 24). Carey, along with left guard Justin Smiley, were the most experienced players on a young offensive line that took a bad hit when promising rookie Donald Thomas was lost for the season in the first regular-season game. "The Dolphins want Carey back and they will continue to bolster their offensive line," the source said."

Dolphins Trade Rumors