PhinCanuck
Dolfan in Canada
We have had a busy off-season. Many things have happen in the Dolphins Nation. Since our last game against the Colts, multiple things have happened. A Super Bowl was played at Dolphin Stadium, Saban denied three times that he was going to Alabama, but finally decided to go to the Tide. JT contemplated retirement. Huizenga contemplated selling the franchise, just kidding. He stated he was committed to the Dolphins and to winning. He embarked, along with the FO, in a trip that took him to Costa Rica and to 7 other destinations. He brought Cam Cameron to Miami to become the new Miami Dolphins Head Coach. Capers decided to stay as the DC and got paid like a head coach. Cameron brought two new assistants: Terry Robiskie as the wide receivers coach and Brett Maxie as safeties coach. It was decided that Randy Mueller would remain as GM, but he was not extended his contract. However, he has given complete control over personnel decisions.
In February, it was announced that Miami would play a home game against the NYG at Wembley Stadium in London, England. A week later, the Dolphins added Terry Shea as QB coach and Brad Ohrt as strength and conditioning coach. The Phins signed seven free agents early in February, among them former Oakland and San Diego LB Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, WR P.K. Sam (Yes!!) and DT Steve Fifita. The Fins also re-signed DT Vonnie Holliday (March 1st). On the same day, they released offensive linemen Seth McKinney and Bennie Anderson. They also waived WR Eric Kimble. Mueller seemed to have fun making big decisions and the following day he released DE Kevin Carter and G Jeno James. A few days later (March 5th), Mueller made many of us happy, and he decided to release QB Joey Harrington. However, he also pi$$ed a lot of people off because in the same day he also released TE Randy McMichael. As if these moves were not enough, the Dolphins dealt receiver Wes Welker to the New England Patriots for their second- and seventh-round draft picks in April. New England's second-round pick was No. 60 overall (Welcome Home Satele).
In order to replace McMichael, the Dolphins inked TE David Martin from Green Bay. The following day, Cameron and Mueller delighted the Dolfans by agreeing on a five year deal with LB Joey Porter. The Dolphins lost Sammie Morris to the Pats, and Travis Minor and Donnie Jones to the Rams. Miami also welcomed K Jay Feely and re-signed DT Keith Traylor. The Dolphins also signed DT Kevin Vickerson and re-signed FB Kyle Eckel and CB Michael Lehan.
Unfortunately, not all was good news, on March 18th, Dolfan Denny died at age 72. Denny led Miami crowds in cheers and chants in his glittering orange and aqua hat since the Dolphins' first game in 1966, starting in the stands. April came along, a much anticipated month by football fans, especially for Miami fans. Ricky Williams applied for reinstatement. Also, the dreams and thoughts of many in the Phins Nation turned to a QB who played football in South Bend, Indiana. On April 20th, the Dolphins released RB coach Bobby Williams from their coaching staff. Three days later, the Dolphins signed WR Az-Zahir Hakim and G Chris Liwienski and re-signed LS John Denney. Mueller also got a pick for K Olindo Mare and sent him to New Orleans. Before the draft, Miami signed C Johnathan Ingram and RB Ray Perkins. On April 25th, the Dolphins re-signed LB Donnie Spragan and brought in Bobby Jackson as the RB coach. On April 28th, Christmas Day. With the 9th overall pick, the Dolphins selected WR / KR / PR Ted Ginn Jr. from Ohio State University. But they did not select Brady Quinn. Many fans let Coach Cam who disappointed they were: They Booed! (I booed at them). Miami also drafted QB John Beck, BYU, C Samson Satele, Hawaii, RB Lorenzo Booker, FSU, DT Paul Soliai, Utah, FB Reagan Mauia, Hawaii, C / G Andrew Mormino, Central Michigan, LB Kelvin Smith, Syracuse, P Brandon Fields, MSU, and DE Abraham Wright, Colorado.
On April 30th, two Dolphins players had surgery, DT Keith Traylor and OT Anthony Alabi both underwent arthroscopic procedures. In May, Ted Ginn Jr. changed his jersey number from #11 to #19 to honour his dad, P.K. Sam has been leaving his mark in NFL Europa, Jason Taylor and Renaldo Hill were honoured by the team, Andre Goodman had surgery in his shoulder (again), Mueller unretired #12 to honour Governor Crist (He called Griese in NC, it’s all good). We have also picked CB Derrick Johnson from waivers, and signed the sons of Hall of Fame athletes. The HOFAs: WR James Lofton and NBA legend Moses Malone. The college free agents: S David Lofton and WR Michael Malone. Last but not least, the team signed S Yeremiah Bell to a 1 year deal.
In the midst of all that has happened, many things still have not happened. Culpepper has not left, Green has not been traded (although the trade is imminent since March), Lemon has not signed his tendered contract and Ricky has not smoked weed for many years. It is funny because while he has stated this to Terrell Davis and all his fans, the NFL has stated otherwise. I am not sure if I should report this incident as something that happened or did not happen. However, what will not happen is seeing Ricky playing for the Dolphins again.
So many things have happened in the off-season, some big additions, and some great losses. What do you think are the greatest improvements and the greatest setbacks for this off-season? How many other things besides training camp, can we look forward to? How would you rate the off-season so far?
In February, it was announced that Miami would play a home game against the NYG at Wembley Stadium in London, England. A week later, the Dolphins added Terry Shea as QB coach and Brad Ohrt as strength and conditioning coach. The Phins signed seven free agents early in February, among them former Oakland and San Diego LB Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, WR P.K. Sam (Yes!!) and DT Steve Fifita. The Fins also re-signed DT Vonnie Holliday (March 1st). On the same day, they released offensive linemen Seth McKinney and Bennie Anderson. They also waived WR Eric Kimble. Mueller seemed to have fun making big decisions and the following day he released DE Kevin Carter and G Jeno James. A few days later (March 5th), Mueller made many of us happy, and he decided to release QB Joey Harrington. However, he also pi$$ed a lot of people off because in the same day he also released TE Randy McMichael. As if these moves were not enough, the Dolphins dealt receiver Wes Welker to the New England Patriots for their second- and seventh-round draft picks in April. New England's second-round pick was No. 60 overall (Welcome Home Satele).
In order to replace McMichael, the Dolphins inked TE David Martin from Green Bay. The following day, Cameron and Mueller delighted the Dolfans by agreeing on a five year deal with LB Joey Porter. The Dolphins lost Sammie Morris to the Pats, and Travis Minor and Donnie Jones to the Rams. Miami also welcomed K Jay Feely and re-signed DT Keith Traylor. The Dolphins also signed DT Kevin Vickerson and re-signed FB Kyle Eckel and CB Michael Lehan.
Unfortunately, not all was good news, on March 18th, Dolfan Denny died at age 72. Denny led Miami crowds in cheers and chants in his glittering orange and aqua hat since the Dolphins' first game in 1966, starting in the stands. April came along, a much anticipated month by football fans, especially for Miami fans. Ricky Williams applied for reinstatement. Also, the dreams and thoughts of many in the Phins Nation turned to a QB who played football in South Bend, Indiana. On April 20th, the Dolphins released RB coach Bobby Williams from their coaching staff. Three days later, the Dolphins signed WR Az-Zahir Hakim and G Chris Liwienski and re-signed LS John Denney. Mueller also got a pick for K Olindo Mare and sent him to New Orleans. Before the draft, Miami signed C Johnathan Ingram and RB Ray Perkins. On April 25th, the Dolphins re-signed LB Donnie Spragan and brought in Bobby Jackson as the RB coach. On April 28th, Christmas Day. With the 9th overall pick, the Dolphins selected WR / KR / PR Ted Ginn Jr. from Ohio State University. But they did not select Brady Quinn. Many fans let Coach Cam who disappointed they were: They Booed! (I booed at them). Miami also drafted QB John Beck, BYU, C Samson Satele, Hawaii, RB Lorenzo Booker, FSU, DT Paul Soliai, Utah, FB Reagan Mauia, Hawaii, C / G Andrew Mormino, Central Michigan, LB Kelvin Smith, Syracuse, P Brandon Fields, MSU, and DE Abraham Wright, Colorado.
On April 30th, two Dolphins players had surgery, DT Keith Traylor and OT Anthony Alabi both underwent arthroscopic procedures. In May, Ted Ginn Jr. changed his jersey number from #11 to #19 to honour his dad, P.K. Sam has been leaving his mark in NFL Europa, Jason Taylor and Renaldo Hill were honoured by the team, Andre Goodman had surgery in his shoulder (again), Mueller unretired #12 to honour Governor Crist (He called Griese in NC, it’s all good). We have also picked CB Derrick Johnson from waivers, and signed the sons of Hall of Fame athletes. The HOFAs: WR James Lofton and NBA legend Moses Malone. The college free agents: S David Lofton and WR Michael Malone. Last but not least, the team signed S Yeremiah Bell to a 1 year deal.
In the midst of all that has happened, many things still have not happened. Culpepper has not left, Green has not been traded (although the trade is imminent since March), Lemon has not signed his tendered contract and Ricky has not smoked weed for many years. It is funny because while he has stated this to Terrell Davis and all his fans, the NFL has stated otherwise. I am not sure if I should report this incident as something that happened or did not happen. However, what will not happen is seeing Ricky playing for the Dolphins again.
So many things have happened in the off-season, some big additions, and some great losses. What do you think are the greatest improvements and the greatest setbacks for this off-season? How many other things besides training camp, can we look forward to? How would you rate the off-season so far?
