Apr 27, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins first round pick Dion Jordan speaks to reporters at the training facility at Nova Southeastern University. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Did you know that the Miami Dolphins are still planning on bidding for either Super Bowl “L” or “LI”?  They are.  In fact, today they submitted to the NFL some of the attractions they are planning to offer.  Despite the recent denial by House Speaker Weatherford to get a referendum passed to allow local Miamians a right to vote on stadium upgrades, the Super Bowl committee is moving forward in the hopes of landing another game.

For starters they are telling the NFL that they will have a Super Bowl park set up in Miami with zip lining in translucent footballs.  Whatever that exactly is I’m not sure.  They are also planning on having a full size football football installed on the deck of a Navy aircraft carrier.  What game will be played there is anyone’s guess.  In addition they will offer floating nightclubs literally on Biscayne Bay.  Now that would be something cool to see.

Weatherford has of course been in the news lately for his denial of allowing the stadium referendum to get voted on by the Florida House of Reps even after it sailed through the Senate for approval.  The Dolphins contend that Weatherford offered them a guarantee to have the vote happen not once but several times.  Weatherford denied those claims but since two local Miami politicians have since said they were present during the meeting in which Weatherford agreed to let it go to vote.

The Dolphins may find themselves with another hold out on their hands come training camp.  First overall selection Dion Jordan will face the same dilemma as Miami’s number 1 pick a year ago, Ryan Tannehill.  The cause is off-set language in the contract.  It appears that several top of the draft rookies are receiving 100% fully guaranteed deals.  The Dolphins want “off-set language” in any contract they deliver to a first round pick.  In other words, the Dolphins want the right to terminate a contract should that player bust at this next level.  Without the off-set language, any player released by one team and then signed by another would be guaranteed his full amount on his original deal plus whatever he gets in his new deal.  In the off-set language he would only receive 100% of his contract if he fails to land on another team.  If he signs with another team then Miami would no longer owe him the remainder of his deal.

It’s double dipping for the player and it’s a show of commitment by the team to not put the off-set language into a contract.  Dawn Aponte who regarded as one of the top capologists in the NFL will not likely cave into the demands that language be removed.  Last year she held tight until the Dolphins and Ryan Tannehill came to a better agreement.  Usually it involves increases in salary at some point.

Former Dolphins LB Karlos Dansby has visited the New York Jets but it appears that he will likely return to Arizona where he started his career.  Dansby has drawn lukewarm interest since his release from the Dolphins.

NFL teams have been signing their rookie class at a fast paced rate however the Dolphins have not signed any of their draft picks as of the posting of this article.  The Dolphins do not need to rush but the rookie salary cap and scale has made it much easier to get draft picks under contract.  The rookie wage scale makes negotiations on dollar amount far less back and forth as has the cap on years for rookie deals.

The Palm Beach Dolphins?  The Dolphins have been a hotbed for relocation rumors since the breakdown involving the stadium renovations.  Now it appears that CEO Mike Dee is giving hints that a relocation may be possible.  No, not to LA to PB.  According to an article on the Miami Herald Dee said the team would have to consider options if say Palm Beach built them a state of the art stadium.  Of course that is not likely to happen and in reality it would leave Stephen Ross paying ren on a stadium north on I95 when he has a fully functional one right now.  Unless they plan to use the stadium for other purposes a move to PB simply doesn’t present as a valid option.

Jan. 3, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive end Dion Jordan (96) is lifted into the air by teammate offensive linesman Jake Fisher (75) after scoring a two point conversion against Kansas State Wildcats in the first half during the Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Dolphins shocked a lot of people last night.  The move to the third spot became a moan as it was realized that Jeff Ireland pulled the trigger on a move for OG Lane Johnson.  As Roger Goodell began to read the card, a collective “WOW” seemed to pull from the air.

Dion Jordan has been compared favorably to Jason Taylor.  He is tall, quick, and has the moves to get to the QB.  Unfortunately for Miami, he isn’t a 3 technique edge rusher.  Like Jason Taylor.  Jordan is an outside linebacker and that makes people wonder where he will fit into the defense.

Today even Jeff Ireland didn’t have an answer telling local media he wasn’t sure where he would line up.  That’s a little BS for sure as he said earlier Jordan was at the top of their radar for a month.  At some point in time, Ireland, Joe Philbin, and DC Kevin Coyle had to have a discussion about moving up to get Jordan and where he would play.

So sorry, they know.

The trade up was not shocking.  The selection was.  And just about the time the Dolphins fans grasped what had just happened, it was announced that Jeff Ireland only gave up one extra pick for the privilege of moving up 9 positions.  Consider the Rams moved up eight places and gave up a 1st, a swap of 3rd rounders, and a 7th.  The Dolphins gave up the 42nd pick overall and number 12.

The question now becomes what happens on day 2 of the draft?

The Dolphins will miss the 42nd overall pick for certain.  They have a hole sitting at the left tackle position.  The first round was record setting as nine offensive lineman were selected on the first day.  There are still players available that the Dolphins could target, but the entire draft now becomes depth along the line and not starters.

The Dolphins began the day opening up trade talks with the Kansas City Chiefs regarding LT Branden Albert.  The Chiefs now know the Dolphins do not have the 42nd and likely want Miami’s 54th.  The Dolphins have been rumored as of late to be offering only a 4th round pick.  The Chiefs are up against a wall after taking LT Eric Fisher with the number 1 overall selection.

There has been questions regarding the Dolphins having interest in moving up higher in round 2.  TE Zach Ertz is still available, DE Tank Carradine is available, and Safety Jonathan Cyprien is on the boards as well.  The Dolphins addressed a big need at pass rusher in round 1 and as of now have three picks in the next two rounds.

Round 2 starts at 6:30 with 7 minutes between picks.  Round 3 will wrap up tonight as well before the draft finishes on Saturday.  Teams will begin signing un-drafted free agents come Sunday.

Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Defensive end Dion Jordan (Oregon) is introduced as the third overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

WOW, what a start to the NFL Draft! We saw many moves that were great and many, eh, not so great (I’m looking at you Buffalo..).

(more…)