Dolphins Q&A with Alex Marvez
By Alex Marvez
Sun-Sentinel.com
Posted May 7 2007
By Alex Marvez
Sun-Sentinel.com
Posted May 7 2007
 Q: Are the Dolphins still trying to trade Marty Booker?A: I'm sure the Dolphins would entertain offers for Booker just like they did before the draft. It can be argued that Booker's productivity with the Dolphins (144 catches and 10 touchdowns in three seasons) doesn't warrant him earning $3.1 million in 2007. Being shopped as trade bait apparently isn't sitting well with Booker, who refused to address the subject at last weekend's minicamp. A: It's too early to tell right now after just one minicamp. Booker, though, should have a chance to play on third downs and may even be Ronnie Brown's backup if the Dolphins decide to jettison Ricky Williams if/when he is reinstated by the NFL. Although I envision growing pains as he adjusts to playing wide receiver on the NFL level, Ted Ginn could make an immediate impact on returns a la Chicago's Devin Hester in 2006. Samson Satele also could push to become a first-team guard, as current starters Dan Stevenson and Chris Liwienski aren't embedded. And the punting job is his to lose for seventh-round pick Brandon Fields.  Q: Because he's his own agent, was Daunte Culpepper just promoting himself by telling the media he'll be 100 percent by training camp so another team will sign him if he's released?A: Culpepper is wise to offer an update on his ongoing recovery from November's knee surgery so teams that may have an interest in him are aware of his health status. While Culpepper said he will be healthy enough to practice at the team's June minicamp, it's unlikely he will still be on the roster if the Dolphins can finally complete a trade with Kansas City for quarterback Trent Green. Q: Did Cam Cameron really demote Chris Chambers during a minicamp because he dropped some passes? A: Yes. Chambers was briefly yanked from the starting lineup in favor of Derek Hagan during April's minicamp and used as a third wide receiver because he was dropping too many passes. Chambers said he understood the demotion and gained even greater respect for Cameron for taking him to task for a poor practice.  Q: Why is everyone ripping Carl Peterson for not releasing Trent Green, when those same people thought it was fine to hold on to Olindo Mare before trading him? Isn't it the GM's responsibility to do what's in the best interest of the team?A: It's understandable that Peterson is trying to make the best deal for the Chiefs. But publicly demanding a second-round pick for a 36-year-old quarterback coming off an injury-plagued season is absurd, especially with Green having told Peterson he will never play for the franchise again. The Dolphins initially wanted more than a sixth-round pick for Mare but were comfortable settling when New Orleans offered the 199th overall selection. That is because the Dolphins knew Mare's release was inevitable and didn't want to risk getting skunked altogether. While the Chiefs may have the salary cap space to keep Green and his $7.2 million salary, such a move makes no financial sense when the money can be better spent elsewhere on players that figure into the team's future. It will be interesting to see whether Peterson ultimately regrets passing on the Dolphins' offer of a sixth-round pick in this year's draft.  Q: Sounds like John Beck didn't have a good minicamp, huh? Is the biggest knock against him his arm strength?A: To place Beck under heavy scrutiny at this minicamp would be unfair, as it was his first time practicing in the NFL with a unit that also is trying to learn Cameron's new offensive system. Beck didn't air it out too much in practice but had good accuracy on most of his passes. Q: The Dolphins have said they may try Jason Allen out at corner. Do you think he will be a better fit there? A: Let's just say it couldn't go any worse than it was at safety, where Allen struggled as a rookie to grasp the team's defensive scheme. At this point, the best-case scenario for the Dolphins with Allen is that he pushes for playing time as a fifth or sixth defensive back while also becoming a top special teams contributor. Q: Wouldn't getting Pete Kendall be a good move, considering there's so much instability on the offensive line? A: At a time when the Dolphins are trying to build a younger roster, the only downside to acquiring a 12-year veteran like Kendall would be potentially slowing the progress of young linemen by inserting him in the starting lineup. Acquiring Kendall also will be tricky. First, it's believed the only way the Jets will get rid of Kendall right now is if Joe Andruzzi is signed as a free-agent replacement. Kendall also is unhappy with a contract paying him $1.7 million in 2007. Other teams with a potential interest like Kansas City or St. Louis could be willing to pay more than the Dolphins. That being said, Dolphins General Manager Randy Mueller has proven willing to pay for the players he wants -- defensive tackle Vonnie Holliday and linebacker Joey Porter being two examples – and has familiarity with Kendall from working in Seattle's front office in 1996 when the Seahawks made him a first-round draft choice.  Q: Is it true Ted Ginn will have to wear a walking boot and that he'll miss the next minicamp in June?A: The Dolphins are finalizing a medical plan for Ginn that could require short-term use of a walking boot. I don't consider that a major deal as long as he is ready by training camp as expected by team officials. Even without the injury, Ginn, like other rookies from Ohio State, was going to be unable to practice in June because of an NFL rule barring further participation in minicamps until his college's senior class graduates. Q: Have the Dolphins shown any interest in Keyshawn Johnson? A: Not to my knowledge and I would be very surprised if they did. Mueller is trying to improve team speed, which is not one of Johnson's fortes at this point in his 12-year NFL career. Send questions to askalex@sun-sentinel.com |
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