Holliday In Denver, Phins Look At WR
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins are moving to the Mile High City…maybe they got a taste of Coors while sitting on the sandy beaches of south Florida. First to sign with Denver was Renaldo Hill and he was followed by CB Andre’ Goodman. Now, it appears that Vonnie Holliday will make his first visit to the Broncos later today.
Holliday, released two days ago by the Phins, would be the likely starter at DE for the Broncos and new HC Josh McDaniels. McDaniels has been in the news of late trying to debunk the talk of Jay Cutler being traded. For Holliday it represents what could likely be his last contract. Mid-30’s and slowing down is not likely going to garner many more years but the Broncos would get a solid locker-room presence and leader.
The Dolphins themselves are exploring their options to fill vacancies and it appears that WR will in fact be addressed in the draft barring an unforeseen trade. For the Phins, it’s get younger, stronger, and faster. It also says that despite the outward talk of supporting Ted Ginn that the team isn’t completely sold on his future.
The Phins have locked up Greg Camarillo for 3 years and have a couple of young guys that could develop into solid contributors. Davone Bess and Brandon London. Names are beginning to surface regarding the soon to be Rooks whom the Phins may be targeting.
Darrius Heyward-Bey‘s Combine 40 time of 4.3 flat was a wake up call to draft pundits who still weren’t sure that the WR was worthy of a first round pick. While draft “expert” Mel Kiper of ESPN says that the Dolphins will use their selection at 25 on Bey if he is there, the Phins themselves seem to be spending more time looking at NC WR Hakeem Nicks. Illusion and deception? Maybe not.
At 6-1 Nicks has the body frame to be and the speed to be another Anquan Boldin type football player. Tough and physical he also reminds people of another NC WR…Steve Smith from the Panthers. Can that translate to NFL success? Talk is one thing but actually performing is another.
Outside of Bey and Nicks, the Phins don’t appear high on the prospects available to them at 25 at the position and I am personally beginning to think that with the addition of Jake Grove, the team may in fact try and trade down and gain an extra 2nd or 3rd. I don’t think that the “Combine Wonder-kid” of Bey is really what the Phins need. He seems to be another Ted Ginn type. Lots of speed but not a huge history of college success.
If the Phins do indeed pass on a WR in round 1 they have 2 second round picks. 44 and 56. There are a few names that could be had with either one of those picks. Rutgers’ Kenny Britt is one, and in an article on the Herald, Britt has questions surrounding his work ethic and his maturity are coming into play. At 6’3″ he definitely has the size and he had a very nice 2008 season with 87 catches and over 1,300 yards.
Ohio State WR Brian Robiskie is another option for the Phins but he likely will not be there when the Phins pick 56 and I don’t know if the Dolphins will use the 44th pick on a WR. I think there are a couple of guys that they are targeting with the 44 pick. Paul Kruger of Utah a 6’4″ DE/LB is one guy I think they may have interest in. I also think the team, depending on what they address in round 1 other than WR, IE…LB/CB will try and take the opposite with the 44 pick. If that holds true, the Phins may feel that WR can be addressed with that 56 pick.
In any case, the signing of Jake Grove does say one thing. The selections the Phins make on draft day will at least have a bit more excitement around them.