Dolphins Q&A with Alex Marvez
Sun-Sentinel.com
Posted May 22 2007, 10:53 AM EDT
Sun-Sentinel.com
Posted May 22 2007, 10:53 AM EDT
 Q: Do you like the majority of moves Cam Cameron and Randy Mueller have made?A: Like "grading" the draft immediately after the picks are made, I don't think it would be fair yet to judge the Cameron/Mueller personnel decisions until the team actually begins playing some games. That being said, here are three moves that should be closely watched and will go a long way toward determining the club's success in 2007: Q: Wouldn't it have made sense to deal the No. 9 pick for a first-rounder next year and some additional picks this year? Even if they had only gotten the deal the Cowboys did for the 22nd pick, a high 2nd this year and a (presumably, this is the Browns we're talking here) high No. 1 next year in a stronger draft it would have been a good deal. A: The situations with the Cowboys and Dolphins were very different. Dallas has a stacked roster and had another 2007 first-round selection (Anthony Spencer), which made it easier for the Cowboys to trade a pick that was much later in the first round than where the Dolphins were selecting. The Dolphins were willing to trade down from No. 9 but Mueller didn't receive what he thought was a fair enough offer to pull a trigger on a deal.  Q: What really happened with Vernon Carey during his rookie year with the Dolphins? Obviously, the guy can play. Why was he in the team's doghouse for an entire season?A: Carey wasn't a favorite of offensive line coach Tony Wise, which slowed his development in 2004. Carey also has said that some of the team's veteran linemen weren't helpful in trying to show younger players like him and Rex Hadnot the ropes. Plus, Carey needed to improve his conditioning. Carey, who had started to emerge as a quality right tackle in 2006 under the tutelage of offensive line guru Hudson Houck, now faces the challenge of switching to left tackle. Q: How much can we expect Kevin Vickerson and Steve Fifita to contribute this season? A: Both will be hard-pressed to make the 53-man roster, although Vickerson and/or Fifita could potentially land a spot on the practice squad. Vickerson has flashed talent in each of the past two preseasons but has yet to appear in a regular-season game. The undersized Fifita was cut by the Dolphins during the 2006 preseason but re-signed earlier this year and allocated to NFL Europa. Q: Is Channing Crowder ready to emerge as a Pro Bowl linebacker? I see a big things for his this season playing with Joey Porter and Zach Thomas. A: It will be hard for Crowder to receive Pro Bowl consideration on a linebacker crew that has big names like Thomas and Porter. Crowder also has to post better numbers than he did in 2006 when it comes to generating more turnovers (he had one forced fumble) and sacks (one) while improving his pass coverage.  Q: Why doesn't the coaching staff give Daunte Culpepper a chance to play this season? If he's as healthy as he says he is, we should keep him and groom John Beck.A: My impression is that Cameron wants a veteran with experience operating his offense at quarterback and Trent Green best fits the bill. Culpepper also is due to earn $5.5 million and would be pricy to keep as a backup. Plus, the Dolphins are trying to groom Beck and having Culpepper and Green on the roster (let alone Cleo Lemon) would reduce his snaps in practice and preseason games. Culpepper may very well be able to salvage his NFL career, but it probably won't be with the Dolphins. To me, the fact Cameron has refused to say that Culpepper is definitely in his team's plans for 2007 speaks volumes. Q: Ronnie Brown is solid and Lorenzo Booker seems legit, but don't we need some veteran depth at running back? A: The Dolphins aren't currently in the market for a veteran running back, as the team believes Booker can handle the backup role. Jesse Chatman, who was LaDainian Tomlinson's backup in San Diego in 2004, also has played well enough in minicamp to contend for a roster spot.  Q: Do you think at any point in the 2007 season, Cam Cameron will put rookie John Beck into the starting role? Maybe like the Titans did with Vince Young last year.A: That is a good possibility, especially if the Dolphins are out of playoff contention. The need to get Beck on the field when he's ready at some point in 2006 is one of the reasons why it seems highly unlikely that Daunte Culpepper will return if the Dolphins acquire Trent Green from Kansas City as expected. Q: Will David Martin and Ted Ginn have some teams thinking twice about putting eight guys in the box on every play? Also, shouldn't Ronnie Brown's stats improve greatly with Cam Cameron? A: The entire offense should eventually improve under Cameron's tutelage, although it will take some time for players to become comfortable in his system. The additions of Martin and Ginn give the Dolphins speed that was sorely lacking in 2006.  Q: Why don't the Dolphins just release Ricky Williams already? He has no trade value and there's no chance of him playing here ever again. Will this franchise ever move on from this?A: While it would send a positive message from a public relations standpoint, there are some legitimate reasons why the Dolphins aren't releasing Williams. The Dolphins have the right to cut Williams but the reason must be related to what an NFL spokesman says is "skill and ability." By cutting him now, Williams could file a grievance against the Dolphins by claiming the reason for his release was because of his recent setback in the NFL's substance-abuse program. If the Dolphins were to lose that grievance, the club would be responsible for at least a portion of Williams' future salary. It also would tie up money against the Dolphins' salary cap. Please send questions to askalex@sun-sentinel.com |
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