Rumors Sometimes Never Die
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins have been swarmed with rumors for the last several years…so and so is gone, so and so is coming, they never die. At least one rumor finally did actually come true when Jason Cole of Yahoo sports reported in April that Bill Parcells would be joining the Dolphins in the off-season…oh so close…he was a weak early. With one rumor now reality, here are a few more to chew on as the Dolphins prepare to face off with the Bengals in perhaps the most meaningless game in the NFL this weekend. Unless of course your a Dolphins fan.
Romeo oh Romeo: The Romeo Crennell rumor will not go away. Early this week it was reported that Parcells had the Browns coach at the top of his coaching list. Crennell is still under contract with the Browns and a win on Sunday and a loss by Tennessee and the Browns will be in the playoffs…something the Browns haven’t seen since rejoining the league…I think. Of course I’m not a Browns fan so who really knows…or cares. Getting Crennell will cost Miami something…whether it be money, draft picks, or a combination of both. Something will have to be given up. Crennell for the record, has not denied the rumors, but has side-stepped them rather nicely.
Anderson: Staying up north, there are still a few lingering rumors…mostly from PFT…that the Dolphins may be interested in the services of one Derek Anderson. Anderson will become a RFA this off-season and as such will likely be tendered to the highest compensatory level. A first and a third round draft pick. Anderson also could be franchised and therefore cost 2 number 1 picks in compensation. Way too much money for a 6th round draft pick two years ago. Anderson originally drafted by Baltimore was on the outs in Cleveland. Had Charlie Frye actually played even mediocre…Anderson would be on the market right now for free.
Can Cam Cameron: As the season draws to a close in 3 days, the new rumor is that come next week, Cam Cameron will be gone. Credit PFT with reporting what most tend to already believe, however, they credit theirs to “league sources”. They are usually pretty good at reporting things, so I don’t take them with a grain of salt…but I still watch it. Reportedly Parcells has been told that Cameron does not spend late night hours at the TC prepping for games….Parcells is a workaholic.
Musing again on Mueller: Sticking this time with the PFT theme, according to the same “sources” as Cameron, Randy Mueller will be fired on Monday. Taking with him a years worth of work on free agents and draft prep. Mueller also is reportedly not a night guy either and according to PFT the hot name is still Jeff Ireland of the Dallas Cowboys. Parcells would have to grant Ireland total and final say on all personell to take him away from Dallas, something that Parcells has repeatedly said he will do. According to their report, Parcells has already contacted the league and began paperwork processing to facilitate the opportunity to talk with Ireland. Considering that Jerry Jones will not relinquish final say over personell, Ireland will likely be the next GM of the Miami Dolphins. Ireland is young, and he may be what the Dolphins need for long term success.
Deep in the Heart of Texas: As I seque into the Dallas Cowboys in general, the Boyz’ inked WR Patrick Crayton to a 4 year extension. In doing so, they have taken an option away from the Dolphins. Many speculated in the media that Crayton would be a hot target for Parcells and his new “empowered” GM. Dallas will be trying to lock up more of their prospective free agents in the coming days and weeks. Miami looks to be a big player in the free agent market this year with money to spend and new attitude in the front office.
Rumors: Like all rumors, they are just that so read them at face value. Although some if not most of these rumors…as simple as they are…make complete sense, they are still rumors…for now.