Lilseb93
This Is My House
The 2009 Offseason for the Miami Dolphins begins....
Well the Dolphins' miracle season came to a heart-breaking end with a
27-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
As exciting as the run was and as hopeful as we all were after a playoff berth, I think it's important for everyone to remember just how great season it was for the Dolphins regardless of how it ended. Coming off a 1-15 year, no one could have (realistically) predicted this and to do what they did in a one-year span is phenomenal. As far as I'm concerned, the season was already a success by midseason and everything after was just a bonus.
Now that the offseason has begun for the Dolphins, I thought it would be a good time to provide some random notes on what's in store for the team this offseason:
I: The New Owner, Stephen Ross
New Miami Dolphins majority owner Stephen Ross won't mess with success: He says Bill Parcells will remain in charge of the football operation.
Ross, a New York real estate billionaire, completed his purchase of 95 percent of the franchise for $1 billion Tuesday, with Wayne Huizenga retaining a 5 percent interest.
Ross then addressed speculation he and Parcells might not be hitting it off. The sale triggered a clause in Parcells' contract allowing him to leave and still receive the $9-12 million remaining on the four-year contract he signed a year ago.
"Parcells is in charge," Ross said in a conference call. "He's staying, and I think we're very fortunate to have someone like Bill Parcells, who I think people have come to recognize as probably the best football mind in America."
Thanks to Parcells, Ross takes over with the franchise's fortunes on the upswing. When the first phase of his purchase was completed last February, the Dolphins were coming off a 1-15 season, worst in team history. Under the new Parcells regime, they improved to 11-6 this season and made the playoffs for the first time since 2001.
Parcells broke his silence Tuesday on the subject of his status. Scouting players practicing for the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., he spoke briefly with several reporters and was asked if he planned to remain as the Dolphins' vice president of football operations.
"What does it look like I'm doing?" he said. "What do your eyes tell you?"
When asked why he wouldn't commit outright to staying, Parcells said experience taught him never to rule anything out. He said if something happened to change his mind, he'd "hate to be called a liar."
But Parcells said he likes Ross and is not seeking a new contract.
"It's not about money," Parcells said. "I've got more than I can spend."
Ross said he's 100 percent certain Parcells will stay for another season.
"I feel very, very comfortable with him, and I think he feels comfortable with me," Ross said. "I think we've developed a good rapport. ... Bill Parcells thinks like a businessman: You don't solve all your problems with money; you solve them with brains."
General manager Jeff Ireland said the sale won't affect the way he, Parcells and coach Tony Sparano go about things.
"It doesn't really change what I do, it doesn't change what Tony does, it doesn't change what Bill does," Ireland said in Mobile. "We've got to win games."
In February 2008, Ross bought 50 percent of the franchise, Dolphin Stadium and surrounding land from Huizenga for $550 million, with an agreement to later become managing general partner.
Ross closed on the purchase of an additional 45 percent Tuesday. That part of the agreement received pre-approval from the NFL in October.
Huizenga, 71, became sole owner of the Dolphins in 1994. A year ago he said it was time for someone else to assume control.
Ross plans to meet Friday with Parcells, Ireland and Sparano, and said he foresees no changes on the football side. He said he found the atmosphere at the Dolphins' recent playoff game electrifying and wants to build on this season's success.
"That is the most important thing, and the thing that drives me _ creating and being part of a winning organization," Ross said. "There is nothing more important than that."
Ross said Bryan Wiedmeier will remain as team president, and negotiations regarding a position on the business side are ongoing with Arlen Kantarian, former U.S. Tennis Association CEO. Ross said he's talking to potential minority partners, but none has agreed to invest yet.
Huizenga bought 15 percent of the Dolphins and 50 percent of the stadium from team founder Joe Robbie's family in 1990. Total cost of those purchases was $168 million.
The Dolphins never reached the Super Bowl under Huizenga's ownership.
"The sale represents a bittersweet moment for me, but the timing is right to complete it," he said in a statement. "I know under Steve's leadership the Dolphins are in outstanding hands. We are still a 5 percent partner in the franchise and the stadium. The Huizenga family and organization will do everything we can to support Steve and the team for the benefit of all of South Florida."
Ross, 68, made his billions as a lawyer and developer and is chairman of Related Companies, an international real estate development company. He has homes in New York and Palm Beach, and he ranked 78th in 2008 on Forbes' list of richest Americans with a net worth of $4.5 billion.
Ross attended Miami Beach High School and the University of Florida, then earned degrees from Michigan and Wayne State law school. He began his career in Detroit as a tax attorney, and the Michigan business school bears his name.
Once a minority partner with the New York Islanders, Ross was part of a group in 1990 that tried to bring baseball to Miami before Huizenga became founding owner of the Florida Marlins. He also made an unsuccessful bid for the New York Jets in 1999.
"When I read the paper, the first section I go to is the sports section," Ross said. "Since I wasn't going to make it as a player, it was a dream to become an owner."
Last year Forbes Magazine valued the Dolphins at $1 billion, with a revenue stream of about $232 million.
II: Dave DeGuglielmo Offensive Line Coach
The Miami Dolphins today named Dave DeGuglielmo as their offensive line coach. DeGuglielmo comes to the Dolphins with 18 years of coaching experience, including spending the previous five in the National Football League.
DeGuglielmo (pronounced Day-Ghoul-Yell-Mo) joined the New York Giants in 2004 as the assistant offensive line/quality control coach and was elevated to his most recent position, assistant offensive line coach, in 2005. During his tenure (2004-08), the Giants consistently ranked in the top ten in the NFL in rushing; in 2008 the team led the league and established a new franchise record with 2,518 rushing yards. A member of the Super Bowl XLII Champion staff, DeGuglielmo also assisted in tutoring 2009 Pro Bowl selections guard Chris Snee and center Shaun O’Hara, the first Giants on the offensive line named to the Pro Bowl since guard Ron Stone in 2001.
Prior to entering the NFL coaching ranks, DeGuglielmo spent 13 seasons at the collegiate level, including the final five at the University of South Carolina (1999-2003). While with the Game****s he helped return the institution back to respectability within the Southeastern Conference, which included two Outback Bowl victories over Ohio State at the conclusion of the 2000 and 2001 seasons. Before joining South Carolina, he spent two seasons as the offensive line coach for the University of Connecticut (1997-98), where the Huskies appeared in the 1998 NCAA 1-AA playoffs, which was the first post-season appearance in school history. Prior to the University of Connecticut, DeGuglielmo spent four seasons (1993-96) at his alma mater Boston University, as the offensive line coach before being named assistant head coach for the Terriers in 1996. DeGuglielmo began his coaching career at Boston College, spending two seasons with the Eagles (1991-92) working with the offensive line.
A native of Lexington, Mass., DeGuglielmo was born in Cambridge, Mass, and was a four-year letter-winning offensive lineman at Boston University (1987-90), while playing both the guard and center positions. A two-time Yankee Conference All-Academic Player and a First Team All-New England selection, he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1990 and a master’s degree in 1991.
III: Long, Langford And Carpenter Named To NFL's All-Rookie Team; Jake Long Makes Pro Bowl In Rookie Season
Offensive tackle Jake Long, defensive end Kendall Langford and placekicker Dan Carpenter were named to the Pro Football Writers All-Rookie team.
Long, the first overall selection in the draft, started all 16 games for the Dolphins at left tackle in 2008.
Langford, the team's third round draft choice (66th overall selection), played in all 16 games with 14 starts in 2008. For the season, he had 31 tackles and two sacks.
Carpenter, who signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted college free agent, scored 103 points, going 21 of 25 on field goal attempts and hitting on all 40 in extra points. During the season he had a stretch where he made 14 straight field goals. His 14 straight field goals is the longest consecutive field goal streak by a rookie in Dolphin history.
Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Jake Long was named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster today. He replaces Buffalo’s Jason Peters, who will not be able to play in the game. Long will join Dolphins teammates, running back Ronnie Brown and linebacker Joey Porter, both of whom originally were selected to the squad. The Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, February 8 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
“It’s a huge honor to be named to the Pro Bowl team,” Long said. “I am excited about the opportunity to join so many other great players in the game, and I’m looking forward to representing my teammates and the Dolphins organization out in Hawaii.”
With Long’s selection, it marks the first time that the top pick in the NFL Draft has been chosen to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season since New Orleans running back George Rogers in 1981. In fact, since the merger of 1970 Long is just the fourth No. 1 overall selection in the draft to make the Pro Bowl in his rookie season, along with Houston Oilers running back Earl Campbell (1978), Detroit running back Billy Sims (1980) and Rogers.
Long started all 16 games at left tackle for the Dolphins this year, as he became just the fifth offensive lineman and fourth tackle in the Dolphins’ 43-year history to start every regular season game, joining LT Richmond Webb (1990), RT Todd Wade (2000), LT Wade Smith (2003) and C Samson Satele (2007). He was part of a line that ranked sixth in the AFC and 10th in the NFL by allowing only 25 sacks. The Dolphins also averaged 4.2 yards per rush attempt and scored 18 touchdowns on the ground behind the line.
Long becomes the first Dolphins offensive lineman selected to the Pro Bowl since center Tim Ruddy in 2000, while he is the first offensive tackle to earn this accolade since Richmond Webb in 1996. In addition, Long is just the fourth Dolphins rookie to be chosen to the Pro Bowl, joining QB Dan Marino (1983), LB John Offerdahl (1986) and Webb (1990).
IV: Free Agents
You can be sure I'll address all this in greater detail later in the offseason, but for now here's a list of Dolphins players with expiring contracts in the 2009 offseason:
Unrestricted free agents (four or more accrued seasons):
SS Yeremiah Bell
OT Vernon Carey
LB Channing Crowder
CB Andre' Goodman
FS Renaldo Hill
C Al Johnson
WR Tab Perry
LB Derek Smith
Restricted free agents (three accrued seasons):
V: 2009 Draft
As the Dolphins' 2008 season comes to a close, we now know where the team will be picking in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft.
With an 11-5 record, the Dolphins were assured to pick between the No. 24 and 27 spots. After the Eagles defeated the New York Giants in the Playoffs, the New England Patriots gets the No. 23 pick because they were the 11-5 team to miss the playoffs. The Atlanta Falcons has the No.24 pick because they had an easier schedule then Miami. Miami gets the 25th pick after losing in the first round of the playoffs.
In total, the Dolphins hold nine picks in the 2009 NFL Draft. They are:
Miami also has two extra seventh-rounders from the Browns and Panthers for Travis Daniels and Josh McCown, respectively. The Dolphins have no sixth-round pick, as it was traded to Dallas in the deal for Jason Ferguson.
VI: Early Free Agents
The Miami Dolphins signed two free agents. The pair includes linebacker Cameron Wake, who played the last two years with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League, where he earned the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award in both 2007 and 2008. The Dolphins also signed safety Ethan Kilmer, who has been with the Cincinnati Bengals the last three seasons.
In his two seasons with the Lions, the 6-3, 240-pound Wake compiled 137 tackles, 39 sacks, three fumble recoveries (1 for a touchdown), eight forced fumbles, five passes defensed and two blocked field goals. He led the league in sacks on both occasions, with 16 in 2007 and 23 last season. In 2007, he also was named the CFL’s Outstanding Rookie. Prior to joining the Lions, he had signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted college free agent in 2005. Wake was a four-year letterman at Penn State (2000, 2002-04) during which time he played in 48 games with 30 starts as both a defensive end and linebacker. As a Nittany Lion he amassed 191 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 24 stops for loss. Born January 30, 1982, Wake attended DeMatha High School in Hyattsville, Md.
The 25-year-old Kilmer was a seventh-round draft choice of the Bengals in 2006. He played in all 16 games in his rookie season and finished second on the squad with 18 special teams tackles, while also recovering a fumble. On defense, he posted four tackles and an interception, which came off a Drew Brees pass at New Orleans on November 19, and that he returned 52 yards for a touchdown. He split the 2007 season on Cincinnati’s 53-man roster and the injured reserve list. He also spent the first five games of 2008 on injured reserve. Kilmer was a two-year letterman at Penn State (2004-05), who began his collegiate career as a walk-on. He played safety in 2004 before moving to wide receiver the following year, when he caught 15 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns, including six receptions for 79 yards and a TD in an Orange Bowl win over Florida State. Born January 31, 1983, Kilmer attended Wyalusing (Pa.) High School.
VII: SENIOR BOWL
Senior Bowl Day 1 Notes
MOBILE, Ala. – Conventional wisdom points to the Senior Bowl as the official start of the new NFL season, and while other teams are still searching for new head coaches or trying to fill out the rest of their coaching staffs, the Dolphins exhibited an aura of stability on Monday as Head Coach Tony Sparano, General Manager Jeff Ireland and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Bill Parcells calmly went about their business.
The three "heads of state" emerged from the morning weigh-in with their poker faces on and made their way over to Ladd-Peebles Stadium in the afternoon to observe the North team's first practice session. Sparano occasionally allowed himself the semblance of a grin whenever one of a number of other NFL coaches, general managers and scouts offered congratulations for the spectacular job he did as a rookie head coach in 2008. He led the Dolphins to an 11-5 record and their first AFC East crown since 2000 a year removed from a 1-15 campaign.
Last year at this time it was Ireland accepting congratulations for landing his first general manager job, while Sparano and Parcells stayed behind in South Florida to finish filling out the rest of the vacancies on Miami's coaching staff and to implement a rigorous offseason training program. With all of those pieces firmly in place, this week can be strictly devoted to evaluating the talent on the North and South squads and to further preparing for the upcoming NFL Draft in April.
Indeed, Sparano, Ireland and Parcells are in their comfort zone now.
ALOHA: Somewhere in the sea of familiar LSU, USC, Alabama, Florida and Texas helmets on the field at Fairhope High School, two green Hawaii helmets could be spotted.
Dolphins fans have grown quite fond of players from the University of Hawaii over the past two years with the success this past season of undrafted rookie wide receiver Davone Bess and the continued growth of second-year center Samson Satele, and those guys have inspired their alma mater and the players looking to follow in their footsteps. Defensive specialist Jake Ingram and defensive lineman David Veikune are the latest Warriors to perform for NFL scouts, coaches and general managers and they have followed pro exploits of Bess and Satele closely.
"When Davone didn't get drafted and just being around him and seeing what kind of guy he was and what kind of athlete he was and how awesome, it blew my mind," said Ingram of Bess, whose 54 receptions were the second most ever by an undrafted rookie in NFL history. "I was so sure that he was going to make a team and he did and I was so proud of him. He was awesome to be around and always real humble and he did Hawaii proud.
"I grew up as a Miami Dolphin fan and when Sam got picked I was so happy for him. And then for Davone to go there and do what he's done, and for good, nice guys like that to come out of Hawaii it is great. Hawaii is hard and for guys to come out of our university and carry themselves well and perform like that makes us proud."
Senior Bowl Report Day 2: Ireland Has Company In The Stands
MOBILE, Ala. – Instead of over 700 miles and one time zone separating Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland, Executive Vice President of Football Operations Bill Parcells and Head Coach Tony Sparano, it was only a matter of inches Tuesday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. And that closeness is sure to pay big dividends as the men in charge of taking Miami's rebuilding project back to the elite level paid close attention to the talent on the field on this second day of practices for the 2009 Under Armour Senior Bowl.
Ireland, in just his second season as an NFL general manager, flew solo in Alabama last year as far as front office representation and had to rely on his assistant director of player personnel, Brian Gaine, and the rest of his scouts. The added pressure of owning the first overall pick in the NFL Draft also weighed on Ireland at the time and he was left to converse by phone with Parcells, who was watching the NFL Network coverage from home in South Florida, and Sparano. He already has noticed a significant difference in what he is able to get done.
"We think a lot alike and it's nice to sit up there next to them and say, 'Hey Bill, look, this is the guy I was telling you about; hey Tony, take a look at that guy,'" Ireland said. "So the more eyes on these guys that you have, it's better. We all like what we do. We all love the personnel side of this thing and it's a lot of fun to be there with these guys. (During the player interview process) we get to all ask the questions that we want to ask. It's very important because Bill has a different sense to it and Tony has a different question and we're all trying to get information from them so it's a very important process."
Even though last year's successful 11-5 season and subsequent playoff berth has placed the Dolphins much further down on the draft board (currently the 25th pick), Ireland emphasized the importance of evaluating all of the players that are going to be available, including what is expected to be a decent amount if underclassmen coming out early. Among those participating this week are projected high first-round picks like Ole Miss offensive lineman Michael Oher, USC linebacker Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews and Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell.
Due to unexpected turns off the field either from a health perspective or other extenuating circumstances, some of those upper tier players end up falling in the draft. There is also the possibility of another team showing enough interest in working out a trade that would allow Miami to move up, which is why Ireland admitted he still evaluates every single player. In fact, the Dolphins were able to pick up defensive end Philip Merling in the second round last year even though he had been projected as a first-rounder, and late round finds like guard Donald Thomas and even undrafted receiver Davone Bess were testament to Ireland's well-respected scouting skills.
"That's what got me here and I can't get away from it," said Ireland, who was the Vice President of College and Pro Scouting for the Dallas Cowboys from 2005-07. "I love the evaluation process of things. I love trying to figure out the draft and figure out free agency and all those things. I'm a general manager but personnel is what got me here and ultimately it's personnel that can get you out of here if you don't know it."
Since Miami's season came to an end a little more than two weeks ago with a 27-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the playoffs, Ireland, Parcells and Sparano ratcheted up their evaluation of the team's needs and have been continuously adding to their game plan as far as how they will approach free agency and the draft. Largely due to their savvy roster moves prior to and during the 2008 season, there is quite a bit of room under the salary cap that should allow for some movement on the free agent market.
The Dolphins also have two second-round picks to play with come April, and judging by the fact they managed to snag a regular contributor on defense with a second-round pick (Merling) and a starter with a third-round pick (defensive end Kendall Langford) last year, the odds are in their favor again in 2009. Throw in the 25th pick in the first round, should Miami stay there, and Ireland and company are optimistic about their ability to shore up whatever holes they see needing to be filled.
"Anything's possible in the draft. You can move up or you can move back," Ireland said. "I think historically when you look back five to seven years in the draft; you'll see that that spot (25th) is a pretty good spot for starters in this league and guys that have had good success, so I think No. 25 is a good spot."
Much has been said about where Miami goes from here, having exceeded all expectations in 2008 by completing the greatest single-season turnaround in NFL history for a 1-15 team. The day after the loss to the Ravens, Sparano indicated how tough it is to make the leap to that next level, which is becoming a consistent playoff and Super Bowl contender like the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers. He talked about getting bigger, stronger and faster so that his team can win the type of playoff game Baltimore won.
As far as Ireland concerned, that project begins now and right here at the Senior Bowl, and then next month at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis before ultimately leading to the draft and the end of the free agency signing period. In essence, everything necessary to accomplish the task at hand is right in Ireland's and Parcells' wheel-house.
"It never changes to me. It never changes. Player acquisition and player development," Ireland said. "You've got to find players and you've got to develop them, and that will never change as long as I'm in the business. I'm just a pawn here and it won't change until the next guy's in the chair. It's player acquisition. It's player development."
Senior Bowl Day 3: Team Robiskie Has High Expectations
MOBILE, Ala. – Among the NFL coaches, general managers and scouts Ohio State wide receiver Brian Robiskie was trying to impress Wednesday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium was a tall, imposing figure with an Atlanta Falcons ski cap on top of his head and the eyes of a well-respected receivers coach trained intently on the field. This particular coach has 26 years in the league's coaching ranks and had a five-year pro career with the Oakland Raiders (1977-79) and Miami Dolphins (1980-81) - and he happens to share the same last name.
Terry Robiskie is Brian's father, which means he's had to take off his scouting hat during this week's Under Armour Senior Bowl when it comes to his son and provide the type of guidance he has grown accustomed to providing throughout Brian's life. It's been a different experience for the older Robiskie, who coached Brian's good friend and former Buckeyes teammate Ted Ginn, Jr. last year during Ginn's rookie year as the Dolphins' receivers coach.
"It's exciting for me. It's different and it's new and it's something obviously I'm not used to," said Terry Robiskie, who held the title of interim head coach of the Cleveland Browns for the last five games of the 2004 season after Butch Davis resigned. "When we drafted Teddy Ginn I told Teddy that I coach every kid that's on my team like I coach my son. In Atlanta with Roddy White I told him the same thing, that I pat them on the back and I hug them, like I do my son, and I kick them in the butt and I cuss them out like I do my son.
"This one's a little bit different because I get to sit in the bleachers and actually watch my son. It's a new experience for me but I'm having a good time with it. It's fun watching him out there and watching him in an NFL environment. It's fun watching him handle the pressure of the general managers and Bill Parcells sitting up there watching him. It's fun for him and I'm having a good time with watching him deal with it."
Some players have to rely on what they hear from former teammates that played in the Senior Bowl and went through the NFL Combine as far as what to expect this week and the coming months leading up to the 2009 NFL Draft. And with the recent success of Ohio State under head coach Jim Tressel on the field and in putting players into the NFL, Brian Robiskie has a wealth of resources to pull from, but none better than the man who raised him.
Last year, the younger Robiskie visited his father in Miami a few times and got a chance to catch up with Ginn and see how he was progressing as an NFL receiver after having performed at a high level for the Buckeyes. Ginn left school after his junior year so he wasn't able to share a Senior Bowl experience with his former teammate, and being that he was a different type of player as a speedster and dangerous kick returner, Brian couldn't relate to his physical development either so he has leaned heavily on his father.
"I think just talking to him up until this week, he's been trying to just fill me win with little things the whole way," Brian Robiskie said. "He's told me what I can expect and what some of the things I should be focused on, so it's just an unbelievable advantage to have him in my family and to have him know the amount of things that he knows and be able to talk to me about them. It's definitely a big blessing for me."
Both Robiskies are looking at this as a chance for a lot of questions to be answered about what the younger one can bring to the table for an NFL team. The interview process should be the least of their concerns as Terry can prepare his son better than just about anybody, and he already has made an impression on the Jacksonville Jaguars' coaches, who are coaching the South team this week.
As a junior in 2007, Brian broke out of Ginn's shadow by catching 55 passes for 935 yards and 11 touchdowns in leading the Buckeyes to a second straight appearance in the BCS national championship game. Last season his numbers slightly dipped (42 receptions, 535 yards, 8 TDs), but he finished with a strong performance in the Fiesta Bowl by catching five passes for 116 yards in a close 24-21 loss to Texas.
"I think him talking to Teddy and hearing about the growing pains of a young NFL receiver can only help Brian," Terry Robiskie said. "Obviously, Teddy can tell him the pain of getting cussed out by his father, so I think all of those things are going to be helpful for him. Teddy's been through that first year of growing and finished up his second year and had a better season this time, and I think he can help get him prepared for what's coming. I think all of that's good for Brian. The good thing about Brian is he's a very, very focused young man and like Teddy he can go out and make plays."
The last time the two Buckeye receivers spoke was before the start of the 2008 NFL season, but Brian watched with pride as the Dolphins bounced back from a 1-15 record the year before to finish 11-5 and win their first AFC East championship since 2000. Ginn finished as Miami's leading receiver with 56 catches for 790 yards and two touchdowns and also ran the ball five times for 73 yards and two touchdowns. He was the leading kickoff returner with 32 returns for 657 yards and ran back seven punts for 54 yards.
Like every current and former Ohio State player, Brian pays close attention to the fortunes of ex-Buckeyes in the NFL and as much as he wants to continue the tradition and make his own mark in the pros, seeing Ginn's improvement from his rookie year provided some added motivation.
"I've definitely been following him and I know he's doing a great job down there and did a lot this year catching the ball and playing a lot more receiver," said Brian, who ended his college career with 128 reception for 1,866 yards and 24 touchdowns. "I was just proud of him and proud of that team with what they were able to do."
Next up for the Robiskies after Saturday's 2009 Senior Bowl will be the combine in Indianapolis, and then the waiting game starts as far as figuring out which NFL team is going to be the one to give the son of a top-notch coach the chance to form his own identity.
VIII: Coach Sparano gets an A+
During his 15-minute interview session with the South Florida media, and later on with the NFL Network, Ireland had his first chance to give his assessment of the job Sparano did in his first season as a head coach. The Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year runner-up and the winner of the NFL Alumni's Coach of the Year made a solid impression on his general manager, and most of what he was praised for had little to do with the number of wins he helped produce.
"I think he was outstanding," said Ireland, who worked with Sparano in Dallas when Sparano was an assistant coach. "My evaluation of Tony is exactly what it would have been regardless of whether or not we won 11 games. He did an outstanding job. The coaching staff did an outstanding job and my hat's off to the players that were here that bought into the way Tony was coaching this team and the way we tried to organize things, so my hat's off to those players because they had to take ownership of what we were trying to sell, and they did, and that's why were successful."
Ireland also credited Sparano's familiarity with him and Parcells and the fact that four of his assistant coaches – defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni, assistant head coach/secondary Todd Bowles, defensive line coach Kacy Rogers and quarterbacks coach David Lee – came from Dallas and knew what to expect for making the transition a smooth one.
IX: HELP FROM THE GREAT WHITE NORTH
(A HINT ABOUT THE DEFENSE)
A day after signing linebacker Cameron Wake, a two-time Candian Football League Most Outstanding Defensive Player award winner, Ireland shed a little light on where he, Parcells and Sparano see Wake fitting into Miami's defense.
"Most likely we'll use Cameron at an outside linebacker position," he said. "Our pro scouts, Brian Gaine and Dwayne Joseph, I give a lot of credit to them. They go up there and they've been going up there for several years and it's part of our program and been part of our program for several years. Cameron's been a guy for the last couple of years who has done a real nice job in the CFL and we see him as a guy that can rush the passer. We just felt like he fits what we're looking for and part of our defense is getting to the quarterback and we've got to have more guys that can do that."
Wake compiled 137 tackles, 39 sacks, three fumble recoveries (one for a touchdown), eight forced fumbles, five passes defensed and two blocked field goals over the past two seasons with the British Columbia Lions and led the league in sacks both years (16 in 2007 and 23 in 2008). Ireland indicated it was a priority to find someone opposite Joey Porter to compliment him as a pass rusher.
Well the Dolphins' miracle season came to a heart-breaking end with a
27-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
As exciting as the run was and as hopeful as we all were after a playoff berth, I think it's important for everyone to remember just how great season it was for the Dolphins regardless of how it ended. Coming off a 1-15 year, no one could have (realistically) predicted this and to do what they did in a one-year span is phenomenal. As far as I'm concerned, the season was already a success by midseason and everything after was just a bonus.
Now that the offseason has begun for the Dolphins, I thought it would be a good time to provide some random notes on what's in store for the team this offseason:
I: The New Owner, Stephen Ross
New Miami Dolphins majority owner Stephen Ross won't mess with success: He says Bill Parcells will remain in charge of the football operation.
Ross, a New York real estate billionaire, completed his purchase of 95 percent of the franchise for $1 billion Tuesday, with Wayne Huizenga retaining a 5 percent interest.
Ross then addressed speculation he and Parcells might not be hitting it off. The sale triggered a clause in Parcells' contract allowing him to leave and still receive the $9-12 million remaining on the four-year contract he signed a year ago.
"Parcells is in charge," Ross said in a conference call. "He's staying, and I think we're very fortunate to have someone like Bill Parcells, who I think people have come to recognize as probably the best football mind in America."
Thanks to Parcells, Ross takes over with the franchise's fortunes on the upswing. When the first phase of his purchase was completed last February, the Dolphins were coming off a 1-15 season, worst in team history. Under the new Parcells regime, they improved to 11-6 this season and made the playoffs for the first time since 2001.
Parcells broke his silence Tuesday on the subject of his status. Scouting players practicing for the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., he spoke briefly with several reporters and was asked if he planned to remain as the Dolphins' vice president of football operations.
"What does it look like I'm doing?" he said. "What do your eyes tell you?"
When asked why he wouldn't commit outright to staying, Parcells said experience taught him never to rule anything out. He said if something happened to change his mind, he'd "hate to be called a liar."
But Parcells said he likes Ross and is not seeking a new contract.
"It's not about money," Parcells said. "I've got more than I can spend."
Ross said he's 100 percent certain Parcells will stay for another season.
"I feel very, very comfortable with him, and I think he feels comfortable with me," Ross said. "I think we've developed a good rapport. ... Bill Parcells thinks like a businessman: You don't solve all your problems with money; you solve them with brains."
General manager Jeff Ireland said the sale won't affect the way he, Parcells and coach Tony Sparano go about things.
"It doesn't really change what I do, it doesn't change what Tony does, it doesn't change what Bill does," Ireland said in Mobile. "We've got to win games."
In February 2008, Ross bought 50 percent of the franchise, Dolphin Stadium and surrounding land from Huizenga for $550 million, with an agreement to later become managing general partner.
Ross closed on the purchase of an additional 45 percent Tuesday. That part of the agreement received pre-approval from the NFL in October.
Huizenga, 71, became sole owner of the Dolphins in 1994. A year ago he said it was time for someone else to assume control.
Ross plans to meet Friday with Parcells, Ireland and Sparano, and said he foresees no changes on the football side. He said he found the atmosphere at the Dolphins' recent playoff game electrifying and wants to build on this season's success.
"That is the most important thing, and the thing that drives me _ creating and being part of a winning organization," Ross said. "There is nothing more important than that."
Ross said Bryan Wiedmeier will remain as team president, and negotiations regarding a position on the business side are ongoing with Arlen Kantarian, former U.S. Tennis Association CEO. Ross said he's talking to potential minority partners, but none has agreed to invest yet.
Huizenga bought 15 percent of the Dolphins and 50 percent of the stadium from team founder Joe Robbie's family in 1990. Total cost of those purchases was $168 million.
The Dolphins never reached the Super Bowl under Huizenga's ownership.
"The sale represents a bittersweet moment for me, but the timing is right to complete it," he said in a statement. "I know under Steve's leadership the Dolphins are in outstanding hands. We are still a 5 percent partner in the franchise and the stadium. The Huizenga family and organization will do everything we can to support Steve and the team for the benefit of all of South Florida."
Ross, 68, made his billions as a lawyer and developer and is chairman of Related Companies, an international real estate development company. He has homes in New York and Palm Beach, and he ranked 78th in 2008 on Forbes' list of richest Americans with a net worth of $4.5 billion.
Ross attended Miami Beach High School and the University of Florida, then earned degrees from Michigan and Wayne State law school. He began his career in Detroit as a tax attorney, and the Michigan business school bears his name.
Once a minority partner with the New York Islanders, Ross was part of a group in 1990 that tried to bring baseball to Miami before Huizenga became founding owner of the Florida Marlins. He also made an unsuccessful bid for the New York Jets in 1999.
"When I read the paper, the first section I go to is the sports section," Ross said. "Since I wasn't going to make it as a player, it was a dream to become an owner."
Last year Forbes Magazine valued the Dolphins at $1 billion, with a revenue stream of about $232 million.
II: Dave DeGuglielmo Offensive Line Coach
The Miami Dolphins today named Dave DeGuglielmo as their offensive line coach. DeGuglielmo comes to the Dolphins with 18 years of coaching experience, including spending the previous five in the National Football League.
DeGuglielmo (pronounced Day-Ghoul-Yell-Mo) joined the New York Giants in 2004 as the assistant offensive line/quality control coach and was elevated to his most recent position, assistant offensive line coach, in 2005. During his tenure (2004-08), the Giants consistently ranked in the top ten in the NFL in rushing; in 2008 the team led the league and established a new franchise record with 2,518 rushing yards. A member of the Super Bowl XLII Champion staff, DeGuglielmo also assisted in tutoring 2009 Pro Bowl selections guard Chris Snee and center Shaun O’Hara, the first Giants on the offensive line named to the Pro Bowl since guard Ron Stone in 2001.
Prior to entering the NFL coaching ranks, DeGuglielmo spent 13 seasons at the collegiate level, including the final five at the University of South Carolina (1999-2003). While with the Game****s he helped return the institution back to respectability within the Southeastern Conference, which included two Outback Bowl victories over Ohio State at the conclusion of the 2000 and 2001 seasons. Before joining South Carolina, he spent two seasons as the offensive line coach for the University of Connecticut (1997-98), where the Huskies appeared in the 1998 NCAA 1-AA playoffs, which was the first post-season appearance in school history. Prior to the University of Connecticut, DeGuglielmo spent four seasons (1993-96) at his alma mater Boston University, as the offensive line coach before being named assistant head coach for the Terriers in 1996. DeGuglielmo began his coaching career at Boston College, spending two seasons with the Eagles (1991-92) working with the offensive line.
A native of Lexington, Mass., DeGuglielmo was born in Cambridge, Mass, and was a four-year letter-winning offensive lineman at Boston University (1987-90), while playing both the guard and center positions. A two-time Yankee Conference All-Academic Player and a First Team All-New England selection, he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1990 and a master’s degree in 1991.
III: Long, Langford And Carpenter Named To NFL's All-Rookie Team; Jake Long Makes Pro Bowl In Rookie Season
Offensive tackle Jake Long, defensive end Kendall Langford and placekicker Dan Carpenter were named to the Pro Football Writers All-Rookie team.
Long, the first overall selection in the draft, started all 16 games for the Dolphins at left tackle in 2008.
Langford, the team's third round draft choice (66th overall selection), played in all 16 games with 14 starts in 2008. For the season, he had 31 tackles and two sacks.
Carpenter, who signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted college free agent, scored 103 points, going 21 of 25 on field goal attempts and hitting on all 40 in extra points. During the season he had a stretch where he made 14 straight field goals. His 14 straight field goals is the longest consecutive field goal streak by a rookie in Dolphin history.
Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Jake Long was named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster today. He replaces Buffalo’s Jason Peters, who will not be able to play in the game. Long will join Dolphins teammates, running back Ronnie Brown and linebacker Joey Porter, both of whom originally were selected to the squad. The Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, February 8 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
“It’s a huge honor to be named to the Pro Bowl team,” Long said. “I am excited about the opportunity to join so many other great players in the game, and I’m looking forward to representing my teammates and the Dolphins organization out in Hawaii.”
With Long’s selection, it marks the first time that the top pick in the NFL Draft has been chosen to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season since New Orleans running back George Rogers in 1981. In fact, since the merger of 1970 Long is just the fourth No. 1 overall selection in the draft to make the Pro Bowl in his rookie season, along with Houston Oilers running back Earl Campbell (1978), Detroit running back Billy Sims (1980) and Rogers.
Long started all 16 games at left tackle for the Dolphins this year, as he became just the fifth offensive lineman and fourth tackle in the Dolphins’ 43-year history to start every regular season game, joining LT Richmond Webb (1990), RT Todd Wade (2000), LT Wade Smith (2003) and C Samson Satele (2007). He was part of a line that ranked sixth in the AFC and 10th in the NFL by allowing only 25 sacks. The Dolphins also averaged 4.2 yards per rush attempt and scored 18 touchdowns on the ground behind the line.
Long becomes the first Dolphins offensive lineman selected to the Pro Bowl since center Tim Ruddy in 2000, while he is the first offensive tackle to earn this accolade since Richmond Webb in 1996. In addition, Long is just the fourth Dolphins rookie to be chosen to the Pro Bowl, joining QB Dan Marino (1983), LB John Offerdahl (1986) and Webb (1990).
IV: Free Agents
You can be sure I'll address all this in greater detail later in the offseason, but for now here's a list of Dolphins players with expiring contracts in the 2009 offseason:
Unrestricted free agents (four or more accrued seasons):
SS Yeremiah Bell
OT Vernon Carey
LB Channing Crowder
CB Andre' Goodman
FS Renaldo Hill
C Al Johnson
WR Tab Perry
LB Derek Smith
Restricted free agents (three accrued seasons):
- None
- TE Aaron Halterman
- WR Brandon London
- LB Quentin Moses
- G Ike Ndukwe
- Unrestricted Free Agents (UFAs) become full free agents when free agency begins on Feb. 27 and can sign with any team at any time after that point. Miami has no rights to them after that date and cannot block any move.
- Restricted Free Agents (RFAs) must be tendered one-year offers by the Dolphins prior to free agency. The amount of the offer corresponds to a set compensation amount, meaning if another team signs a restricted free agent, the original team has the right to match the offer and retain the player. Should the original team choose not to match, they will receive the draft pick compensation determined by their tender offer amount.
- Exclusive-Rights Free Agents (ERFAs) must be tendered one-year offers by the Dolphins prior to free agency.Unlike RFAs however, if tendered they cannot be signed by any team. Essentially, they have NO rights to sign elsewhere and must re-sign with their original team or not play football at all.
- If RFAs and ERFAs are not tendered one-year offers before free agency, they become UFAs and can be signed by anyone.
V: 2009 Draft
As the Dolphins' 2008 season comes to a close, we now know where the team will be picking in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft.
With an 11-5 record, the Dolphins were assured to pick between the No. 24 and 27 spots. After the Eagles defeated the New York Giants in the Playoffs, the New England Patriots gets the No. 23 pick because they were the 11-5 team to miss the playoffs. The Atlanta Falcons has the No.24 pick because they had an easier schedule then Miami. Miami gets the 25th pick after losing in the first round of the playoffs.
In total, the Dolphins hold nine picks in the 2009 NFL Draft. They are:
- First Round
- Second Round (x2)
- Third Round
- Fourth Round
- Fifth Round
- Seventh Round (x3)
Miami also has two extra seventh-rounders from the Browns and Panthers for Travis Daniels and Josh McCown, respectively. The Dolphins have no sixth-round pick, as it was traded to Dallas in the deal for Jason Ferguson.
VI: Early Free Agents
The Miami Dolphins signed two free agents. The pair includes linebacker Cameron Wake, who played the last two years with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League, where he earned the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award in both 2007 and 2008. The Dolphins also signed safety Ethan Kilmer, who has been with the Cincinnati Bengals the last three seasons.
In his two seasons with the Lions, the 6-3, 240-pound Wake compiled 137 tackles, 39 sacks, three fumble recoveries (1 for a touchdown), eight forced fumbles, five passes defensed and two blocked field goals. He led the league in sacks on both occasions, with 16 in 2007 and 23 last season. In 2007, he also was named the CFL’s Outstanding Rookie. Prior to joining the Lions, he had signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted college free agent in 2005. Wake was a four-year letterman at Penn State (2000, 2002-04) during which time he played in 48 games with 30 starts as both a defensive end and linebacker. As a Nittany Lion he amassed 191 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 24 stops for loss. Born January 30, 1982, Wake attended DeMatha High School in Hyattsville, Md.
The 25-year-old Kilmer was a seventh-round draft choice of the Bengals in 2006. He played in all 16 games in his rookie season and finished second on the squad with 18 special teams tackles, while also recovering a fumble. On defense, he posted four tackles and an interception, which came off a Drew Brees pass at New Orleans on November 19, and that he returned 52 yards for a touchdown. He split the 2007 season on Cincinnati’s 53-man roster and the injured reserve list. He also spent the first five games of 2008 on injured reserve. Kilmer was a two-year letterman at Penn State (2004-05), who began his collegiate career as a walk-on. He played safety in 2004 before moving to wide receiver the following year, when he caught 15 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns, including six receptions for 79 yards and a TD in an Orange Bowl win over Florida State. Born January 31, 1983, Kilmer attended Wyalusing (Pa.) High School.
VII: SENIOR BOWL
Senior Bowl Day 1 Notes
MOBILE, Ala. – Conventional wisdom points to the Senior Bowl as the official start of the new NFL season, and while other teams are still searching for new head coaches or trying to fill out the rest of their coaching staffs, the Dolphins exhibited an aura of stability on Monday as Head Coach Tony Sparano, General Manager Jeff Ireland and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Bill Parcells calmly went about their business.
The three "heads of state" emerged from the morning weigh-in with their poker faces on and made their way over to Ladd-Peebles Stadium in the afternoon to observe the North team's first practice session. Sparano occasionally allowed himself the semblance of a grin whenever one of a number of other NFL coaches, general managers and scouts offered congratulations for the spectacular job he did as a rookie head coach in 2008. He led the Dolphins to an 11-5 record and their first AFC East crown since 2000 a year removed from a 1-15 campaign.
Last year at this time it was Ireland accepting congratulations for landing his first general manager job, while Sparano and Parcells stayed behind in South Florida to finish filling out the rest of the vacancies on Miami's coaching staff and to implement a rigorous offseason training program. With all of those pieces firmly in place, this week can be strictly devoted to evaluating the talent on the North and South squads and to further preparing for the upcoming NFL Draft in April.
Indeed, Sparano, Ireland and Parcells are in their comfort zone now.
ALOHA: Somewhere in the sea of familiar LSU, USC, Alabama, Florida and Texas helmets on the field at Fairhope High School, two green Hawaii helmets could be spotted.
Dolphins fans have grown quite fond of players from the University of Hawaii over the past two years with the success this past season of undrafted rookie wide receiver Davone Bess and the continued growth of second-year center Samson Satele, and those guys have inspired their alma mater and the players looking to follow in their footsteps. Defensive specialist Jake Ingram and defensive lineman David Veikune are the latest Warriors to perform for NFL scouts, coaches and general managers and they have followed pro exploits of Bess and Satele closely.
"When Davone didn't get drafted and just being around him and seeing what kind of guy he was and what kind of athlete he was and how awesome, it blew my mind," said Ingram of Bess, whose 54 receptions were the second most ever by an undrafted rookie in NFL history. "I was so sure that he was going to make a team and he did and I was so proud of him. He was awesome to be around and always real humble and he did Hawaii proud.
"I grew up as a Miami Dolphin fan and when Sam got picked I was so happy for him. And then for Davone to go there and do what he's done, and for good, nice guys like that to come out of Hawaii it is great. Hawaii is hard and for guys to come out of our university and carry themselves well and perform like that makes us proud."
Senior Bowl Report Day 2: Ireland Has Company In The Stands
MOBILE, Ala. – Instead of over 700 miles and one time zone separating Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland, Executive Vice President of Football Operations Bill Parcells and Head Coach Tony Sparano, it was only a matter of inches Tuesday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. And that closeness is sure to pay big dividends as the men in charge of taking Miami's rebuilding project back to the elite level paid close attention to the talent on the field on this second day of practices for the 2009 Under Armour Senior Bowl.
Ireland, in just his second season as an NFL general manager, flew solo in Alabama last year as far as front office representation and had to rely on his assistant director of player personnel, Brian Gaine, and the rest of his scouts. The added pressure of owning the first overall pick in the NFL Draft also weighed on Ireland at the time and he was left to converse by phone with Parcells, who was watching the NFL Network coverage from home in South Florida, and Sparano. He already has noticed a significant difference in what he is able to get done.
"We think a lot alike and it's nice to sit up there next to them and say, 'Hey Bill, look, this is the guy I was telling you about; hey Tony, take a look at that guy,'" Ireland said. "So the more eyes on these guys that you have, it's better. We all like what we do. We all love the personnel side of this thing and it's a lot of fun to be there with these guys. (During the player interview process) we get to all ask the questions that we want to ask. It's very important because Bill has a different sense to it and Tony has a different question and we're all trying to get information from them so it's a very important process."
Even though last year's successful 11-5 season and subsequent playoff berth has placed the Dolphins much further down on the draft board (currently the 25th pick), Ireland emphasized the importance of evaluating all of the players that are going to be available, including what is expected to be a decent amount if underclassmen coming out early. Among those participating this week are projected high first-round picks like Ole Miss offensive lineman Michael Oher, USC linebacker Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews and Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell.
Due to unexpected turns off the field either from a health perspective or other extenuating circumstances, some of those upper tier players end up falling in the draft. There is also the possibility of another team showing enough interest in working out a trade that would allow Miami to move up, which is why Ireland admitted he still evaluates every single player. In fact, the Dolphins were able to pick up defensive end Philip Merling in the second round last year even though he had been projected as a first-rounder, and late round finds like guard Donald Thomas and even undrafted receiver Davone Bess were testament to Ireland's well-respected scouting skills.
"That's what got me here and I can't get away from it," said Ireland, who was the Vice President of College and Pro Scouting for the Dallas Cowboys from 2005-07. "I love the evaluation process of things. I love trying to figure out the draft and figure out free agency and all those things. I'm a general manager but personnel is what got me here and ultimately it's personnel that can get you out of here if you don't know it."
Since Miami's season came to an end a little more than two weeks ago with a 27-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the playoffs, Ireland, Parcells and Sparano ratcheted up their evaluation of the team's needs and have been continuously adding to their game plan as far as how they will approach free agency and the draft. Largely due to their savvy roster moves prior to and during the 2008 season, there is quite a bit of room under the salary cap that should allow for some movement on the free agent market.
The Dolphins also have two second-round picks to play with come April, and judging by the fact they managed to snag a regular contributor on defense with a second-round pick (Merling) and a starter with a third-round pick (defensive end Kendall Langford) last year, the odds are in their favor again in 2009. Throw in the 25th pick in the first round, should Miami stay there, and Ireland and company are optimistic about their ability to shore up whatever holes they see needing to be filled.
"Anything's possible in the draft. You can move up or you can move back," Ireland said. "I think historically when you look back five to seven years in the draft; you'll see that that spot (25th) is a pretty good spot for starters in this league and guys that have had good success, so I think No. 25 is a good spot."
Much has been said about where Miami goes from here, having exceeded all expectations in 2008 by completing the greatest single-season turnaround in NFL history for a 1-15 team. The day after the loss to the Ravens, Sparano indicated how tough it is to make the leap to that next level, which is becoming a consistent playoff and Super Bowl contender like the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers. He talked about getting bigger, stronger and faster so that his team can win the type of playoff game Baltimore won.
As far as Ireland concerned, that project begins now and right here at the Senior Bowl, and then next month at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis before ultimately leading to the draft and the end of the free agency signing period. In essence, everything necessary to accomplish the task at hand is right in Ireland's and Parcells' wheel-house.
"It never changes to me. It never changes. Player acquisition and player development," Ireland said. "You've got to find players and you've got to develop them, and that will never change as long as I'm in the business. I'm just a pawn here and it won't change until the next guy's in the chair. It's player acquisition. It's player development."
Senior Bowl Day 3: Team Robiskie Has High Expectations
MOBILE, Ala. – Among the NFL coaches, general managers and scouts Ohio State wide receiver Brian Robiskie was trying to impress Wednesday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium was a tall, imposing figure with an Atlanta Falcons ski cap on top of his head and the eyes of a well-respected receivers coach trained intently on the field. This particular coach has 26 years in the league's coaching ranks and had a five-year pro career with the Oakland Raiders (1977-79) and Miami Dolphins (1980-81) - and he happens to share the same last name.
Terry Robiskie is Brian's father, which means he's had to take off his scouting hat during this week's Under Armour Senior Bowl when it comes to his son and provide the type of guidance he has grown accustomed to providing throughout Brian's life. It's been a different experience for the older Robiskie, who coached Brian's good friend and former Buckeyes teammate Ted Ginn, Jr. last year during Ginn's rookie year as the Dolphins' receivers coach.
"It's exciting for me. It's different and it's new and it's something obviously I'm not used to," said Terry Robiskie, who held the title of interim head coach of the Cleveland Browns for the last five games of the 2004 season after Butch Davis resigned. "When we drafted Teddy Ginn I told Teddy that I coach every kid that's on my team like I coach my son. In Atlanta with Roddy White I told him the same thing, that I pat them on the back and I hug them, like I do my son, and I kick them in the butt and I cuss them out like I do my son.
"This one's a little bit different because I get to sit in the bleachers and actually watch my son. It's a new experience for me but I'm having a good time with it. It's fun watching him out there and watching him in an NFL environment. It's fun watching him handle the pressure of the general managers and Bill Parcells sitting up there watching him. It's fun for him and I'm having a good time with watching him deal with it."
Some players have to rely on what they hear from former teammates that played in the Senior Bowl and went through the NFL Combine as far as what to expect this week and the coming months leading up to the 2009 NFL Draft. And with the recent success of Ohio State under head coach Jim Tressel on the field and in putting players into the NFL, Brian Robiskie has a wealth of resources to pull from, but none better than the man who raised him.
Last year, the younger Robiskie visited his father in Miami a few times and got a chance to catch up with Ginn and see how he was progressing as an NFL receiver after having performed at a high level for the Buckeyes. Ginn left school after his junior year so he wasn't able to share a Senior Bowl experience with his former teammate, and being that he was a different type of player as a speedster and dangerous kick returner, Brian couldn't relate to his physical development either so he has leaned heavily on his father.
"I think just talking to him up until this week, he's been trying to just fill me win with little things the whole way," Brian Robiskie said. "He's told me what I can expect and what some of the things I should be focused on, so it's just an unbelievable advantage to have him in my family and to have him know the amount of things that he knows and be able to talk to me about them. It's definitely a big blessing for me."
Both Robiskies are looking at this as a chance for a lot of questions to be answered about what the younger one can bring to the table for an NFL team. The interview process should be the least of their concerns as Terry can prepare his son better than just about anybody, and he already has made an impression on the Jacksonville Jaguars' coaches, who are coaching the South team this week.
As a junior in 2007, Brian broke out of Ginn's shadow by catching 55 passes for 935 yards and 11 touchdowns in leading the Buckeyes to a second straight appearance in the BCS national championship game. Last season his numbers slightly dipped (42 receptions, 535 yards, 8 TDs), but he finished with a strong performance in the Fiesta Bowl by catching five passes for 116 yards in a close 24-21 loss to Texas.
"I think him talking to Teddy and hearing about the growing pains of a young NFL receiver can only help Brian," Terry Robiskie said. "Obviously, Teddy can tell him the pain of getting cussed out by his father, so I think all of those things are going to be helpful for him. Teddy's been through that first year of growing and finished up his second year and had a better season this time, and I think he can help get him prepared for what's coming. I think all of that's good for Brian. The good thing about Brian is he's a very, very focused young man and like Teddy he can go out and make plays."
The last time the two Buckeye receivers spoke was before the start of the 2008 NFL season, but Brian watched with pride as the Dolphins bounced back from a 1-15 record the year before to finish 11-5 and win their first AFC East championship since 2000. Ginn finished as Miami's leading receiver with 56 catches for 790 yards and two touchdowns and also ran the ball five times for 73 yards and two touchdowns. He was the leading kickoff returner with 32 returns for 657 yards and ran back seven punts for 54 yards.
Like every current and former Ohio State player, Brian pays close attention to the fortunes of ex-Buckeyes in the NFL and as much as he wants to continue the tradition and make his own mark in the pros, seeing Ginn's improvement from his rookie year provided some added motivation.
"I've definitely been following him and I know he's doing a great job down there and did a lot this year catching the ball and playing a lot more receiver," said Brian, who ended his college career with 128 reception for 1,866 yards and 24 touchdowns. "I was just proud of him and proud of that team with what they were able to do."
Next up for the Robiskies after Saturday's 2009 Senior Bowl will be the combine in Indianapolis, and then the waiting game starts as far as figuring out which NFL team is going to be the one to give the son of a top-notch coach the chance to form his own identity.
VIII: Coach Sparano gets an A+
During his 15-minute interview session with the South Florida media, and later on with the NFL Network, Ireland had his first chance to give his assessment of the job Sparano did in his first season as a head coach. The Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year runner-up and the winner of the NFL Alumni's Coach of the Year made a solid impression on his general manager, and most of what he was praised for had little to do with the number of wins he helped produce.
"I think he was outstanding," said Ireland, who worked with Sparano in Dallas when Sparano was an assistant coach. "My evaluation of Tony is exactly what it would have been regardless of whether or not we won 11 games. He did an outstanding job. The coaching staff did an outstanding job and my hat's off to the players that were here that bought into the way Tony was coaching this team and the way we tried to organize things, so my hat's off to those players because they had to take ownership of what we were trying to sell, and they did, and that's why were successful."
Ireland also credited Sparano's familiarity with him and Parcells and the fact that four of his assistant coaches – defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni, assistant head coach/secondary Todd Bowles, defensive line coach Kacy Rogers and quarterbacks coach David Lee – came from Dallas and knew what to expect for making the transition a smooth one.
IX: HELP FROM THE GREAT WHITE NORTH
(A HINT ABOUT THE DEFENSE)
A day after signing linebacker Cameron Wake, a two-time Candian Football League Most Outstanding Defensive Player award winner, Ireland shed a little light on where he, Parcells and Sparano see Wake fitting into Miami's defense.
"Most likely we'll use Cameron at an outside linebacker position," he said. "Our pro scouts, Brian Gaine and Dwayne Joseph, I give a lot of credit to them. They go up there and they've been going up there for several years and it's part of our program and been part of our program for several years. Cameron's been a guy for the last couple of years who has done a real nice job in the CFL and we see him as a guy that can rush the passer. We just felt like he fits what we're looking for and part of our defense is getting to the quarterback and we've got to have more guys that can do that."
Wake compiled 137 tackles, 39 sacks, three fumble recoveries (one for a touchdown), eight forced fumbles, five passes defensed and two blocked field goals over the past two seasons with the British Columbia Lions and led the league in sacks both years (16 in 2007 and 23 in 2008). Ireland indicated it was a priority to find someone opposite Joey Porter to compliment him as a pass rusher.
