There's alot of talk going around Baltimore today that the Ravens may trade for a receiver. The name that keeps coming up is Dwayne Bowe. Also, it seems that the asking price would be a 2nd round pick. I started to think about this and we'll probably have a higher 2nd round pick to give the Chiefs and Scott Pioli is Bill Parcells' son-in-law. Starting to wonder if this rumor is true, would we get involved?

#32 pick. I'd like to take a corner here, maybe, Cason, Porter, or if another one falls so be it. I'm wondering if maybe we trade back into round 1 and take Groves? Maybe a QB or TE? ILB for the 3-4?

Again I'd love to see Cason there but I'm hearing he's the #1 corner on the Cowboys board .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... ............

Sources: Dolphins agree to deal Long, will select OT No. 1 overall

ESPN.com news services
Updated: April 22, 2008, 1:01 PM ET
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The Miami Dolphins have reached a contract agreement with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long and will select him with the No. 1 overall pick in Saturday's draft, sources told ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

The announcement will come at a 1:45 p.m. ET news conference.

NFL Draft Central

The NFL draft is April 26 and 27 on ESPN, starting at 3 p.m. ET. For updated coverage, bookmark our Draft Central page. Index

Despite speculation that Dolphins vice president of football operations Bill Parcells really had planned to select Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston or Virginia defensive end Chris Long, sources told ESPN's Michael Smith that since the Dolphins opened negotiations with Jake Long they were talking to him exclusively.

Long, a 6-foot-7, 313-pound senior who moved to left tackle in 2006 and started his final 26 games, was an All-America selection and Big Ten lineman of the year in each of his last two seasons.

Offensive line is considered the biggest need for the Dolphins, who went 1-15 last year.

[editor's note, by Matty I] The following was originally posted by "Matt" in the diaries. I've just reformatted it for front-page posting and added my thoughts below the quote. The entire article is right here. [end note]

Surely, the Fins and Bill "My Way Or The Highway . . . And A Foot Up Your Ass" Parcells would have to do everything in their power to squeeze Long into considering the offer, especially since Parcells is by all appearances committed to paying the No. 1 overall pick in 2008 less than what the first selection received in 2008. Absent such hardball tactics, the only deal that Jake Long would be doing is the JaMarcus Russell package, plus 15 percent.

So we think that these reports are all part of the broader ruse to get another player to jump on an offer that currently is on the table. And we suspect that the other player in question is Ohio State linebacker/defensive end Vernon Gholston.

[editor's note, by Matty I] This is an interesting theory that I've seen tossed around other places as well. And you can't ever forget to take into account Parcells' "shrewdness" and Ireland's "slip up." Could a defensive player, like Gholston, be the target? Possibly. But I'm sure we'll be reading and hearing numerous reports like this all week long. So let's just wait and see how Saturday plays out. [end note]

2008 Scouting Report - Scouts Inc.
Grade: 59 | Key
Alert: BT

Comment: Crocker is fast, tough and experienced. He has solid play strength and is at his best against the run. He has good intangibles. He communicates in the secondary and has tremendous value as a core special teams player. He reads his keys, reacts quickly and attacks downhill against the run. He has the speed to run the alleys while maintaining leverage on the ball. He can avoid trash and use his hands to ward off and shed blocks. He is a physical insert player who can be reckless with his body. He can cover a lot of ground quickly and has good range potential in coverage. He can pedal and open his hips. He has the ability to match up with backs and tight ends. But Crocker is inconsistent in coverage. His pattern recognition is questionable, and he sometimes seems uncomfortable in deep coverage. He is most natural in short zones. He doesn't always take proper angles to the ball. He sometimes fails to wrap up on tackles.

SIMMS STAYING AWAY FROM BUCS
Posted by Mike Florio on March 27, 2008, 8:54 a.m.
With his future in Tampa decidedly undecided and no mandatory requirement to participate in voluntary offseason sessions, quarterback Chris Simms is working out on his own, and waiting to see what the Buccaneers will do.

Simms even skipped last week's "quarterback orientation" (which in Tampa requires a full-blown banquet hall), the first time he has missed the session in his NFL career.

"I just think . . . it's in my best interest to continue my own workouts and to just wait and see what happens with the team," Simms said.  "I don't really know what's going to happen.  As far as the Bucs and the quarterback position goes, it's always an adventure."

The Bucs recently brought back Brian Griese, the player who became of no value to the team in 2006 after Simms delivered in late 2005 on his perceived potential.

Last year, Simms was unable to return from a September 2006 spleen injury that resulted in the removal of the organ.  He supposedly had some type of problem with his internal balance in 2007, and was unable to get his throwing form back.

He now says he's healthy.

"I'm back to 100 percent and just excited about getting back on the field again," he said.

But while the Bucs likely are hoping to get value in exchange for Simms' services, we can't imagine any team giving much for a guy who by all appearances stored his mojo in his spleen.  At a bare minimum, Simms will have to get on the practice field and show what he can do before anyone will seriously consider putting anything on the table.

Besides, Simms wasn't playing very well at all before the September 2006 game against the Panthers in which he reversed perceptions that he had become afraid of contact by taking a tremendous pounding in sweltering heat and continuing to keep going.

Though teams like the Vikings, who run a similar offense to the Bucs, might be interested, we're intrigued by the possibility that the guy who coached Simms' father, Bill Parcells, could try to get Chris down to Miami.  It could be that the Tuna is sitting tight because he knows that, eventually, the Bucs will cut Simms loose.

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/6846/draftboardky0.jpg

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Henne moving up on Dolphins' wish list?
> Posted by hfialkov at 11:58:41 AM

Although my partner and seemingly every NFL exec at the Combine has grown in love with Delaware quaterback Joe Flacco, it seems that the Dolphins are focusing their ardor on Michigan quarterback Chad Henne as their potential second-round pick.

My sources say that the Dolphins haven't made any contact with Flacco since checking him out at the Senior Bowl and Combine, while a radio interview by Henne with ESPN-760 host Evan Cohen indicates he could be the pick at No. 32 - if he's still there.

"They wanted to know my character, what I am as a person, as a player,'' Henne told Cohen. "[We went] through what I know, how I go about myself during the game and off the field. So, I've had good contact with them.''

Last week Dolphins quarterbacks coach David Lee and national scout Ron Labadie dined with Henne before attending his Pro Day the next day. Henne said they have another scheduled dinner with him next Tuesday in Ann Arbor, and possible a private workout on Wednesday.

The 6-1, 226-pound Henne is not as mobile or as large as the 6-6 Flacco and is more of a pocket passer, so he will need more developing. Because the Dolphins offensive line is a work in progess, expect John Beck and Josh McCown to battle it out this year while developing a young quarterback such as Henne.

Stay tuned.

HF

I'm taking a vacation so enjoy Big O's awesome blogs.

FLORIDA SPORTS BUZZ
Beck says he is improved, unfazed by QB challengers
Posted on Sun, Mar. 16, 2008
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By BARRY JACKSON
bjackson@MiamiHerald.com

JARED LAZARUS    /    MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Dolphins quarterback John Beck scrambles during the first quarter against the Eagles on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007.
Dolphins' Taylor says he wants to stay
Although Josh McCown said he expects to be the Dolphins' starting quarterback, you won't hear any similar declaration from John Beck. But Beck explained last week why he believes he has improved, and insists he doesn't care if the Dolphins draft a quarterback in the early rounds.

In two months working with new quarterbacks coach David Lee, Beck said he has received more individual coaching on technique than he did all last season.

''It was hard last year because I was the third guy,'' he said. ''Now, it's been nice because we've been able to focus a little bit of time on me. Coach Lee definitely has helped me. I've made a lot of strides since the end of the season in some smaller detailed things'' -- including delivery and footwork.

For weeks, Beck and Lee have been watching Beck's game tape as a teaching tool. Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo credits Lee for his development when they were together in Dallas.

Beck hired a trainer and has gained 11 pounds to 216, his weight last summer. ``When I'm driving, I think about third-and-8, fourth quarter, critical situation against the Jets. Last season was frustrating. That's why four days after the season, I started working for next season.''

Asked if he believes this regime has a favorable impression of him, Beck said, ''I don't know.'' (He said nobody has told him.) He ''chatted a few times'' with Bill Parcells, ``but there hasn't been any discussion of the future. It's just a get-to-know-me, get-to-know-you type deal.''

He said the Dolphins told him they were signing McCown the day it happened but didn't elaborate. McCown was told it will be an open competition, and Beck surmises that.

''The same confidence he has about himself, I have about myself,'' said Beck (62.0 passer rating, one touchdown, three interceptions in five rookie appearances). ``He wants it just as badly as I want it. I heard he's a hard-worker, very athletic guy. Those are the kind of things I feel I bring. If we both [bring] kind of the same thing, what's going to separate us is being smart, making correct decisions, getting out of bad plays.''

Would he feel let down, or a lack of confidence from management, if the Dolphins draft Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan No. 1 or another quarterback in an early round? ''No,'' he insisted. ``The way I am, I couldn't care less.

``When the opportunity comes, I have to strike. I'm not coming in to say I'm shooting to be an average quarterback and I'll be happy with that. I have such a high expectation for myself. I'm trying to be the absolute best I can.''

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d806e11ee

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