Tid Bits Of News To Chew On
By Brian Miller
This is a tasting of a few tid bits that are floating around. Call them breakfast one-liners or something. Nothing concrete, nothing special, just keeping you up to date on the rumors out of Indy during the Combine which by the way kicks into high gear with live coverage starting today from NFL Network. Keep an eye in the stands for Miami Dolphins HC Tony Sparano and GM Jeff Ireland, and more specifically who they are sitting with.
The Dolphins are said to be interested in Viking WR Troy Williamson. Williamson is on the trade block after being selected number 7 overall 3 years ago. He has a serious problem with dropping balls. The reason for the rumor? Simple, the Phins were seen talking to his agent and he lives in Miami. Is it true? Maybe if the kid is really really cheap.
The Dolphins are apparently in love with Virginia DE Chris Long, this according to “exucutive chatter” around the hotel halls in Indy…according to Harvey Fialkolv. Not much of a smokescreen if they are trying to convince Atlanta to trade to number 1. They are really going to need to work that angle, and start doing so soon.
Atlanta is still in love with Matt Ryan, but the “must trade to number 1 to get him” rumor is somewhat tepid now. The Falcons seem more content staying where they are at and getting Ryan there. It is going to be a long 2 months leading to the draft.
DeAngelo Hall is rumored to be heading to the Giants for their number 1 pick…number 31. He has however stated, “I don’t know Bill Parcells, but I do know Keyshawn Johnson, and if Keyshawn likes him, I can get along with him.” Hall is saying that he is willing to play for anyone, but Miami is a place that he would like to play. In addition at least one Miami beat writer has suggested that Miami could get Hall and the number 3 pick in the draft for their number 1 overall….BUT…are you ready for this, they may have to sweaten the pot to get him…like adding their late 2nd round pick.
New Dolphins minority owner in name only Stephen Ross tried to buy the Dolphins from the late Joe Robbie but lost in his bid to Wayne Huizenga. Ross was also part of a team trying to bring MLB to Miami as well. He lost that bidding to Wayne Huizenga. If you can’t beat them join them.
Adam Schefter is reporting that with Jason Taylor “dancing with the stars” the Dolphins are no longer going to try and trade him, or that they will have no trade partners, one of the two. Can’t be 100 percent sure as it was relayed to me from a reader.
DraftDaddy.com is reporting that the Cowboys’ Jerry Jones has asked permission to talk numbers with DeAngelo Hall and may be willing to trade their number 28 overall pick to the Falcons to get him. Of course this will close any and all remaining rumor of a Dallas/Miami trade for the number 1 pick…or even the number 3 pick if they ended there.
Julius Jones was spotted eating dinner with Bill Parcells on Thursday night, this from the above mentioned DraftDaddy.com. However there are two serious flaws in that from whoever reported it to them. One, Parcells did not go to Indianapolis for the Combine, and two, that would be a serious breach of the NFL rules and the Cowboys would have serious room to stand on a charge of collusion. Jone is still a member of the Dallas Cowboys and unless Jerry Jones gave him permission…which everyone would know about…this is probably a case of mistaken identity.