Satele Trade Details & Other News

The Miami Dolphins have shipped out the teams 2nd, 2007 second round pick Samson Satele in favor of a more physical center Jake Grove.  Jake was with the Raiders last season and has been a Raider since being drafted in round 2 in 2003.  The Dolphins, who had a decent record of getting the most of it’s trades came up in my opinion a wee bit short in this one.

The Dolphins will get the Raiders 4th round pick, which is the 8th pick in that round, and the Raiders 6th round pick also the 8th of that round.  In return, the Raiders get 2 year starter Samson Satele and the Dolphins 4th round pick, number 26 in that round.

I suppose there is reason to justify the terms of the deal, I tend to believe that Satele was worth more.  A 2 year starter on a light salary cap contract who can also play guard seems to be a tad more valuable than moving up to 8th in the 4th round.  Last year, our 4th round pick netted us both Anthony Fasano and Akin Ayodele.

Satele is not a bad center he just doesn’t fit the style of play that the Dolphins use.  Satele is more of a finesse speed center where the Dolphins new coaching staff wants a more physical, mean, roadgrater type.  The Satele trade leaves 3 members of that draft still on the squad.  Fellow Hawaiian Paul Soliai who’s days could also be numbered if he doesn’t improve in training camp, John Beck who is a high 2nd round draft pick clipboard holder, and of course 1st round WR Ted Ginn.

The Phins will now have to address the offensive line for more depth with Satele gone and it seems that the team will likely use one of its 9 draft picks on one.  The Phins also are interested in garnering more picks according to Herald writer Armando Salguero who earlier this morning claimed that the Phins want as many as 12.

The Phins have an opportunity to move down in April’s draft given their position of 25.  Teams looking to move up for an extra first round pick will usually be very willing to part with a 2nd rounder and more.  The question is will the Dolphins value a player more?

So the Dolphins continue to build through the draft and the one gem that many felt came out of that 2007 class is now gone making that draft one of the worst in Dolphins franchise history.

IN OTHER NEWS:

According to a Boston newspaper the Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Tennessee Titans to open the NFL season on their Thursday night showcase game.  The New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills are slated to open the 7PM Eastern time slot game on the first Monday Night Football game of the regular season.

Terrell Owens has skipped the opening of the Buffalo Bills min-camp.