To Trade Or Not To Trade

That is the question.  The league mandated trade deadline is close of business Tuesday.  The Miami Dolphins have shown enough over the last 3 games to believe that maybe, just maybe they may have their name mentioned later in the season when the NFL media coverage begins talking about and mapping out the Wildcard picture.  So does this mean that the Dolphins should give up on their plans to rebuild through the draft and make a trade?  

There are names out there, albeit high-profiled faces that the Dolphins made a point of avoiding this past free agent period.  In Philly, there is Lito Sheppard who although is not publicly on the block could still be had at the right price.  The Dolphins are in obvious need of a cornerback never so evident as in Sundays game against the Texans.  What outcome may we have seen if say Sheppard was on Johnson late instead of a safety?

Of course there is also Roy Williams from Detroit who is publicly on the trade block.  Williams will be an unrestricted free agent after the season and the Lions can not afford to tag him as a franchise player.  That means they can move him now and get something for nothing or hold on to him and get nothing at all.  The price is reportedly a 1st round pick.  Many believe it would only cost a 2nd, maybe a 3rd and a player.  The Dolphins have an obvious need for a big bodied WR who is proven.  The Dolphins WR’s are virtually absent from the field, even in the two games the team has won.

Then there is their own Ted Ginn.  Ginn has been invisible.  Unable to get off the line of scrimmage, unable to make good football decisions, not on the kick-off return teams and not on the punt return teams.  What is the value of the OSU product to Tony Sparano and Bill Parcells?  RIght now, there is none.  Not even a little.  Ginn would never get the Dolphins a 1st round pick, a 2nd round pick, and it would be surprising if he fetched a 3rd rounder.  A package of a pick and Ginn could work if the Dolphins targeted a player.

With the deadline 32 hours away the team will have to make a decision that will determine the direction this team takes this season and beyond.  A trade for a star body would improve the team now and for the future.  Each possibility does not come without risk.  The question is do they stay the course and build the team through the draft, or do they throw caution to the wind and let her fly?

The answer, complicated as it is, will come by tomorrow afternoon.