With the 1st pick of the 2008 NFL Draft the experts have the Miami Dolphins picking either Left Tackle Jake Long or Quarterback Matt Ryan. The Dolphins do not have a quality starting quarterback, and both offensive tackles would not start on most teams.
Stephen M. Ross has chosen to view the draft from the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, as a showing of confidence in the scouting department and the GM skills of Coach Sam Phillips. Radio City Music Hall in New York is filled to the brim with fans, as the draft is about to get under way.
With the 1st pick of the NFL Draft (0:28) the Miami Dolphins traded down. The Baltimore Ravens sent the 8th overall pick, their 2009 1st round pick, and 2nd 2009 round picks to the Dolphins in exchange for the first pick of the 2008 NFL Draft. The Raven's used that pick to select All World Running Back Darren McFadden out of Arkansas. In Miami fans are confused, since the team had talked about taken Matt Ryan for months.
The Dolphins are back on the clock with the eighth pick (5:35) and the following players off the board; RB - Darren Mcfadden, ROLB - Vernon Goldson, QB - Matt Ryan, RE - Chris Long, LT - Jake Long, LG Brent Albert, and ROLB Keith Rivers. DT - Glenn Dorsey is starting to slide, and was expected to be selected in the top 5 picks. Will the Dolphins capitalize on Dorsey's slide, or did the Miami's front office take a calculated risk assuming either left tackle Jake Long or Ryan Clady would still be available at the 8th pick? The Dolphins verbally committed to running the ball in the off season, so the selection of Clady would make sense, but offensive lineman don't generally cause the fans to party, out in party central Miami. It looks like Coach Phillips is on the phone with owner Stephen M. Ross, and the Miami scouts are smiling. Chase Blacksmear was just caught on camera giving a high five to Chaz Brisco. Mercury Morris has the card and is approaching the podium. With the 8th selection of the 2008 NFL Draft the Miami Dolphins select Offensive Tackle Ryan Clady. Clay is a beast of a man, and is expected to start at left tackle from the first day of camp. Looks like the Dolphins are doing a complete overhaul of their offensive line this off season.
Defensive Tackle Glenn Dorsey's slide ended when the Saints picked him with the 10th pick (6:58). Dorsey had been sitting with his head in his lap as he was expected to be a top 5 pick, but he couldn't have been happier after hearing he would be moving from Baton Rouge, LA to New Orleans. Dorsey was born in Louisiana, grew up in Louisiana, went to college in Louisiana, and will start his NFL Career in Louisiana. There is going to be a party in the big easy tonight, and Dorsey will be the guest of honor. After the Saints (7:20) pick there appeared to activity in Miami's "War Room". Inside reports had the Buffalo Bills on a three way call with Dolphins Owner Stephen M. Ross and Coach Sam Phillips. Rumors has it names multiple picks were being offered and Jason Taylor's name came up. If Taylor gets traded it would leave a huge hole at the defensive end position. Speculation runs rampant about who the Dolphins are targeting, but in the end a deal was never reached. After the Bills selected CB Leodis McKelvin, Coach Phillips was back on the phone talking to the Bronco's front office this time. While the talks never seemed to go anywhere, it appears the Dolphins have a player hot on their draft board.
Ross appears to have given Phillips the green light, as he is again back on the phone trying to make a deal with the Carolina Panthers (9:46). Coach Phillips was finally able to reach a deal by trading RE - Jason Taylor, a 5th round pick (158), and a 2nd round selection in 2009 in order to move up to the 13th pick. Taylor who could wind up in the Hall of Fame, was not a fit to play defensive end in the 3-4 system implemented by Coach Phillips. The front office agreed the team is in a rebuilding mode, and wanted to focus on adding younger players to the roster. It appears even perennial pro bowl players are not save in Miami this offseason. With the 13th pick of the draft the Miami Dolphins selected LT Chris Williams. Experts think Williams will move to the right tackle position. If the rookie prospects pan out, the Miami Dolphins could have the best offensive line in the NFL. When reporters called RB Ronnie Brown to get his reaction to the draft picks, his mother answered the phone and said Ronnie was already on a flight headed to Radio City Music Hall.
Stephen M. Ross and Coach Phillips have been trying to trade up again, but talks with the Redskins and Cowboys were both unsuccessful. With the Titans on the clock w/ the 24th pick, Phillips is able to wheel and deal a trade with the Titans front office (16:19). LE Matt Roth is now headed to Tennessee along with Miami's 6th round pick (161st) and Miami's 2009 1st round draft pick. Jeff Fisher and the Titans know that Miami still doesn't have a starting quarterback. Miami did not sign a solid free agent QB in the off season, and they passed on Matt Ryan with the 1st round pick. If Miami finishes with the worst record in the NFL, then Jeff Fisher would look like a genius. Dolphins owner, Stephen M Ross, was on record about making a splash in the NFL Draft, but nobody expect three first round draft picks. Dolphins fans are going nuts as the franchise takes out a second mortgage agaist next years draft. Analysts are predicting Delaware QB Joe Flacco as the pick. It makes sense as Miami needs a quarterback. Flake has a strong arm, but many of the scouts think it will take him time to adapt to progressing through the reads of an NFL offense. With the 24th pick of the NFL Draft the Miami Dolphins select CB Antoine Cason out of the University of Arizona. Cason is advertised as a lock down corner who stands 6'0" and has the size to match up against taller receivers.
Fans in Radio City Music Hall are booing the team. Everyone expected Flacco to be the pick, since the Dolphins still don't have a starting QB. Experts were calling Coach Phillips a genius for lading two starting tackles and a starting QB in the first round, but they all ended up eating their words. Dolphins fans are already calling into radio stations demanding Coach Phillips be fired. He hasn't even coach a game, and the city of Miami already seems to hate the guy. On the bright side, the Dolphins did rebuild their entire offensive line, and get a shut down corner, and still have the 32nd selection in this years draft. Looks like Miami could end the day with four first round draft picks, and coach Phillips would be back to genius status if Flacco falls to the 32nd pick.
It didn't take long for Miami fans to realize drafting Flacco was a mirage, as the Chargers selected QB Joes Flacco with the 27th pick. Real concern seems to be mounting about who will play QB in Miami. With Miami back on the clock again, Coach Phillips is on the phone trying to trade down. Draft insiders have the Dolphins picking WR Jordy Nelson out of Kansas St. Nelson is a big physical receiver who come come in and start immediately for a Dolphins team does not have a solid number one WR. Coach Phillips left the war room with out taking the draft card from his scouting department. It appears this could be a rouge selection by Coach Phillips. With the final pick of the first round the Miami Dolphins select CB Brandon Flowers out of Virginia Tech.
With the first round of the 2008 NFL draft complete the Miami Dolphins had an unprecedented four first round picks. The Dolphins have rebuilt their offensive line, and landed a one two punch at the cornerback position. The Dolphins traded Still the away both defensive ends and must acquire two ends who can play in their system. Still the Dolphins must answer the biggest question ....
WHO WILL PLAY QUARTERBACK IN MIAMI???
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