Centers of Attention - Which Big Men do the Heat Have Their Eyes On?

A report by ESPN's sport columnist, Chad Ford, revealed the trading block rumors that have been swirling around the league in regards to the Center and Power Forward positions. With the Miami Heat in serious need of a longer, more dominant Center to grab the reigns of their 5 spot, they have been mentioned on many occasions throughout the report. Each individual was labeled with the chance (%) they would likely be traded before the trade deadline, according to ESPN. Here's a list of the prospective players that have been on Pat Riley's mind:

1. Jermaine O'Neal - Toronto Raptors (60%)
   
2. Brad Miller - Sacramento Kings (45%)
   
3. Elton Brand - Philadelphia 76ers (20%)

*Other players were mentioned in the report, but were not specifically associated with the Miami Heat's interest, including:

• Marcus Camby - Los Angeles Clippers (55%)
• Carlos Boozer - Utah Jazz (25%)
• Amare Stoudemire - Phoenix Suns (10%)
• Chris Bosh - Toronto Raptors (5%)

I my opinion, all of the aforementioned players are viable options for the Miami Heat. The top three players that I believe would bring the greatest impact are Jermaine O'Neal, Elton Brand, or Marcus Camby. With Pat Riley's trading expertise (let's not forget the Alonzo Mourning and Shaquille O'Noeal blockbuster trades), the possibility of attaining any of these three players is more than likely. The Miami Heat has historically strived when a dominant center is placed at the heart of the team's roster, so this would likely be a great move for the organization.

Let's speculate what the impact of Jermaine O'Neal, Brad Miller, Elton Brand, and Marcus Camby could bring to an up-and-coming Miami Heat team.

Jermaine O'Neal, if healthy, can bring an instant inside presence to the Heat and can begin to assist Udonis Haslem, Joel Anthony, and Jamaal Magloire on the blocked shots and rebounds department. He's been able to be a very consistent and productive big man throughout his career, especially during his tenure with the Indiana Pacers. For his career he's averaging 14.3 points per game (ppg), 7.7 rebounds per game (rpg), and 1.9 blocked shots per game (blk). His statistics with the Raptors aren't much different than those numbers.

Brad Miller has been known for his blue-collar work with the Sacramento Kings. He's not really considered a "dominant big man," but has shown that he can hold his own versus other league giants. His rebounding ability would be a big plus for the Heat, as well as his versatility (good hands, smart vision, and mid-range jump shot). Acquiring him would definitely be an upgrade, but I'm unsure if he will be the long-term solution for Pat Riley and the Heat. He's averaged 12.1 ppg, 7.8 rpg, and 3 assists per game (ast) - which goes back to his good hands and vision. This season he's averaged 12 ppg, 8.1 rpg, and 3.5 ast with the Kings; slightly better than his career average.

Elton Brand has been a player of interest to Pat Riley for some time now. Before he was shipped off to Philadelphia, the Miami Heat organization was vying for him to come to Miami, but we all know how that ended. One season later, Brand's back in the trade talks and Riley's back in the strategy room to see if we can add some height, dominance, and presence to the Heat. Brand has been a fairly prolific scorer at times and has had an uncanny ability to reel in some tough rebounds. Adding him to the roster would be a breath of fresh air and will facilitate the Heat's new run-and-gun style, implemented under Erik Spoelstra. His career averages are 20.1 ppg, 10.2 rpg, and 2 blks, which statistically puts him ahead of the other prospective Centers. The bad part is that his numbers have declined a bit in Philadelphia (14.8 ppg, 9.2 rpg, and 1.6 blk).

Marcus Camby can be a great fit in Miami with his experience in Denver with George Karl's high octane offense. Amidst the focus on Denver's offense, Camby was able to secure an NBA Defensive Player of the Year award by dominating on the defensive end of the court. He reminds me a bit of Alonzo Mourning with his defensive-minded style of play, which can be really effective next to Dwyane Wade, Michael Beasley, and company. His career statistics show that he averaged 10.8 ppg, 9.2 rpg, and 2.6 blk. Fortunately, his numbers have increased in L.A. and have grown to 12.1 ppg and 13.6 rpg, with the blocks staying virtually equal.

As the trade deadline approaches, more talk will emerge regarding these trade rumors and we will be painted a clearer picture as to what direction the Miami Heat are going to take. Will they finally deal Marion before February 19th o will they wait until the off-season to make a move? Tune in and watch as this story unravels.

A Tribute to the Career of Alonzo Mourning

Who is Alonzo Mourning? Is he the passion-driven defensive warrior that willed his determination day in and day out underneath that Miami Heat jersey? How about the survivor of a potentially deadly kidney transplant at the height of his career? Maybe he's the benevolent soul that created a kidney transplant foundation, hosts holiday giveaways, and stages a summer camp for children to benefit from?

The truth is, that Alonzo Mourning is "all of the above" and more. His legacy has meant so much to Miami, both on and off the court, and has served as a model for other great athletes to follow. Here's a man who's determination is seemingly unmatched and focus is undeterred by any possible distraction that may present itself (including the reality of a dangerous kidney disease). His compassion became a trademark of the Miami Heat and created an image of success and graciousness for over a decade. It's only just for us to review his career as a member of the Miami Heat.

"Zo" capped off his career with accolades that are honorable in all senses of the word. By the numbers, here's how it breaks down: 7 All-Star Nominations, 2 Defensive Player of the Year Awards, 2 NBA All-Defensive First Team Nominations, 1 NBA Championship. He once led the NBA with 3.91 Blocks in 1999, was part of the 2000 Gold-Medal Olympic "Dream Team," and is still the Miami Heat's All-Time Franchise Leading Scorer. Need I say any more statistics and awards? The man has proven to the world that he can play world-class basketball with the best of them. If one characteristic were to determine his induction into the NBA Hall of Fame it would be his blunt will to play the game with a relentless intensity. Ask any player who matched up against Zo Mourning, and they will tell attest to feeling Zo's intensity in the air.

When Alonzo Mourning announced his retirement, it was a day of bitter sweet emotions for Alonzo, the Heat organization, and the Miami community. Everyone knew that his mission on the court was accomplished in 2006 with a championship under his belt and his career was marked off by a season-ending injury in 2008. On the day of his last game, Magic Johnson was in the crowd, and he followed Zo to the locker room to give him some words of advice. "Let it go," he said, urging Mourning to call it quits as he already lived the dream of every NBA player and has the ring to show for it.

Although Zo ended his mission on the court, he has only begun his mission to better the community and the general population. This warrior will undoubtedly translate all the virtues of being a great player towards the efforts of improving our communities on a daily basis. His basketball career will be forever remembered in Miami Heat history and his career as a community contributor will continue to thrive as long as his soul lives. Here's a tribute to a great man in sports, a great model for society, and a great leader for progress. Best of luck to good ole' number thirty-three. I can't wait to see your number be raised to the rafters and retired for eternity in Heat history.

The "U" Factor

It's a known fact that the University of Miami was a force to be reckoned with in College Football from 1999 through 2005; producing a National Championship in 2001 and a controversial loss in 2002 to Ohio State. This had me wondering how many former UM players are currently playing in the NFL and how much of a factor are they to their teams. There is an astonishing 50 former Hurricanes with 31 of them starting for their respective teams. The U had 19 players drafted in the first round from 2001 through 2004 and a total of 65 players from 1999 through 2008. That's more players drafted than from any other college during that time period. For the past 14 years, from 1994 through 2008, Miami has had at least one player selected in the first round of the NFL draft, a record unmatched by any other college or university. Producers of 5 National Championships, 4 Hall of Famers and 21 A-list candidates for the Hall, there is no wonder why the University of Miami has been dubbed "NFL U". With promising years ahead for the program, "NFL U" will continue to produce Quality players. Here is a list of former Hurricanes currently in the NFL.

Starters are notated by a *

Arizona Cardinals


Campbell, Calais DE Rookie
*James, Edgerrin RB 10 Years
*Rolle, Antrel FS 4 Years

Atlanta Falcons

Sharpe, Glenn CB Rookie

Baltimore Ravens

Gooden, Taveres OLB Rookie
*Lewis, Ray ILB 13 Years
*McGahee, Willis RB 6 Years
*Reed, Ed FS 7 Years

Buffalo Bills
*Parrish, Roscoe WR 4 Years

Carolina Panthers

*Beason, John MLB 2 Years
*Lewis, Damione DT 8 Years

Chicago Bears

Olsen, Greg TE 2 Years
McGlover, Darnell LB 5 Years
*Hester, Devin KR 3 Years

Cincinnati Bengals

Harris, Orien DT 1 Year

Cleveland Browns

Dorsey, Ken QB 6 Years
Thomas, Santonio DT 2 Years
Williams, Leon ILB 3 years
*Winslow, Kellen TE 5 Years

Denver Broncos

*Webster, Nate MLB 9 Years
*Williams, D.J. OLB 5 Years

Houston Texans

Butler, Rashad OT 3 Years
Jenkins, Darnell WR Rookie
*Johnson, Andre WR 6 Years
* Myers, Chris C 4 years
*Winston, Eric T 3 Years

Indianapolis Colts

*Wayne, Reggie WR 8 Years

Miami Dolphins

*Carey, Vernon RT 5 Years

Minnesota Vikings

*McKinnie, Bryant LT 7 Years

New England Patriots

*Meriweather, Brandon SS 2 Years
*Wilfork, Vince NT 5 Years

New Orleans Saints

Ortega, Buck TE 1 Year
*Shockey, Jeremy TE 7 Years
*Vilma, Johnathan MLB 5 Years

New York Giants

*Phillips, Kenny FS Rookie
*Feagles, Jeff P 21 Years
McDougle, Jerome DE 6 Years
Moss, Sinorice WR 3 Years

New York Jets

Brown, Kareem DT 2 Years
Franks, Bubba TE 9 Years

Oakland Raiders

Joseph, William DT 6 Years

San Francisco 49ers

*Gore, Frank RB 4 years

Seattle Seahawks

Atkins, Baraka DE 2 Years
*Jennings, Kelly CB 3 Years

St Louis Rams

Berlin, Brock QB 1 Year
*Romberg, Brett C 5 Years

Tampa Bay Bucaneers

*Buchanon, Phillip CB 7 Years

Washington Redskins


*McIntosh, Rocky OLB 3 Years
*Moss, Santana WR 8 Years
*Portis, Clinton RB 7 Years


The Dallas Cowboys, Detriot Lions, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, Philidelphoa Eagles, San Diego Chargers and Tennessee Titans do not have any Former Hurricanes on their roster.

Deal or No Deal?

As if things couldn't get busier for the always active Florida Marlins, February is going to have the biggest effect on the future of the Marlins as a sports franchise and as a part of the City of Miami. First on Deck is a February 13th date with City of Miami and Miami Dade County Commissioners to vote on the remaining documents needed to break ground on the $515 Million baseball-only ballpark in the Little Havana area of Miami for the Marlins. After countless years of fighting for a stadium, this is the closest the team has gotten to a deal. The vote is coming a year late after Luxury Auto Dealer, Norman Braman, filed a suit to stop Miami's so-called "global agreement" in its tracks, contending it was illegally hatched in secret and improperly used money intended to cure urban blight and help poor people. For approval, the stadium project needs 9 of 13 county commissioners and 4 out of 5 city commissioners to vote yes. If the vote goes in the Marlins favor, construction on a 37,000-seat, 6,000-space parking garage, and retractable-roof Marlins stadium will begin, and be scheduled to open for the 2012 season. This will be the last attempt to keep the Marlins in Florida. I believe a sale and move of the team will shortly follow if a NO verdict is handed down.

On the day following the Vote, the Marlins officially begin Spring Training even though they have had 25 pitchers in their Training Complex working on stretching, throwing and conditioning for a week now.

Next on the Marlins agenda, is an arbitration hearing for Second Baseman Dan Uggla. "Danny Boy" is asking for $5.35 million a year while the Marlins are offering $4.4 million. Dan is the only Marlin going into to arbitration. Last week the Marlins came to terms with arbitration eligible Pitcher Ricky Nolasco ($2.4 million), Right Fielder Cody Ross ($2.2 million), Center Fielder Alfredo Amezaga ($1.3 million), Third Basemen Jorge Cantu ($3.5 million) and Left Fielder Jeremy Hermida ($2.25 Million). All players received a one year deal. It is very unlikely that Uggla will be traded if he wins his arbitration case, but you never know. I think all the Marlins owners would have sold their mothers if the price was right and it lowered the team’s salary.

The Sun has set on Shawn Marion; February 19th Deadline needs.

As much as it pains me to say it, Shawn Marion’s run as a Miami heat is over. The Heat are 3-1 in their last four games. Shawn did not play in the 3 victories and played 8 minutes in the loss. Coincidently, James Jones made his first appearance as a Miami Heat 3 games ago, making Marion expendable. Marion’s transition style is not suitable for Miami’s more structured offense. On the other hand, Jones is a great spot up 3-point shooter (shooting 39 Percent for his career) and a more than decent perimeter defender.

The Matrix has been the subject of trade rumors in recent weeks, including a deal that would send him and Marcus Banks to the Toronto Raptors for Jermaine O'Neal. This trade will be beneficial for both franchises. The trade will give the Heat a dominant low post threat who can size up against the NBA’s best centers and the Raptors a versatile true small forward who can play every position. But none the less, it will put Marion in a more comfortable spot on the court.

With the trade of Shaun Livingston to the Memphis Grizzlies and the possible trade of Marcus Banks to Toronto, The Heat will be in the market for a veteran point guard for the play-off push. The Morning of January 27th, Steve Francis was released from the Memphis Grizzlies. Francis will be a great option for the Heat since he will come cheap and not eat into our bench. Miami and Sacramento have also been in trade talks involving Bobby Jackson, Brad Miller and John Salmons for Marion and Banks. This trade will fulfill both of our needs and add strength to our bench. As a Heat fan, I prefer the latter of the two trade rumors. But in true Pat Riley Fashion, anything is possible. Usually it's the unthinkable that happens.

Click here for Point Guards on the trading block.

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The Miami Heat & The Free Agent Market

Looking ahead to the 2009 NBA off-season, I see many opportunities for the Miami Heat to address a few positions that they lack in strength and depth. Here's a list of free agents that will be available after the 08-09 NBA season and might be of interest to the Miami Heat. They are in no particular order, but you can decide who should be a priority and who shouldn't.

Mike Bibby (PG)

Height: 6'2

Years Pro: 10 Seasons

Bibby would either replace Mario Chalmers at the PG position or make a serious threat off the bench for the Heat. His strengths are in his passing skills, three point shooting, and steal ability. Bibby's presence will bring veteran game management skills to the Point Guard spot and create a perimeter threat to opposing teams. Whether the Heat have a chance to acquire Bibby, or if they are willing to pay up for his acquisition, that's another story. We'll see how things play out.

Zydrunas Ilgauskus (C)

Height: 7'3

Years Pro: 10 Seasons

Zydrunas Ilgauskus, or "Big Z," would be a definite upgrade for the Miami Heat at the Center position. Not only does "Z" bring the inside presence, which amounts to rebounds and blocked shots, but he also provides a mid-range jump shot threat to the other teams in the league. I'm sure Dwyane Wade can find ways to facilitate "Z's" performance just as LeBron James has done in Cleveland. I'm fairly confident that the Heat will make the Center position a major priority, especially if the trade talks for Jermaine O'Neal don't materialize.

Anderson Varejao (PF)

Height: 6'11

Years Pro: 4

Anderson Varejao has been known for his energy off the bench in Cleveland. His height and rebounding prowess gives him an advantage when it comes to "cleaning up the boards" on both ends of the court. In Miami, he will bring much needed support in the rebounding department, especially when the Heat have been greatly out-rebounded this season by "taller teams" around the league (i.e. Lakers, Magic, Celtics, etc.). His contract shouldn't be too pricey and he would definitely fit into the fast break offense/disruptive defense mindset that Erik Spoelstra and the Heat are trying to execute.

Gerald Green (SF)

Height: 6'8

Years Pro: 3 Seasons

This high-flying slasher young gun has great athleticism and energy to bring to the table for the Miami Heat. He's definitely no starter for the team, but as a back up Shooting Guard/Small Forward I like what he can potentially contribute to the team on fast break opportunities. The one-time Slam Dunk contestant has shown his vertical leap to the NBA Nation before and has proven that he can dunk with the best of them. His style of play is still in question, but with time and effort he can mature into a solid back up player in the league. I'm wondering if Pat Riley will take a risk on him - let's just hope he's not the next Dorell Wright. Sorry Dorell, but Jameer Nelson was a much better pick than you were to this point.

Lamar Odom (SF/PF)

Height: 6'10

Years Pro: 9 Seasons

This could be the return of Odom to Miami after his successful season in 2004 with Dwyane Wade, Caron Butler, and the up-and-coming Miami Heat. In Los Angeles, Odom has been fairly streaky and has been plagued with injuries that have stopped him from being consistent. Nevertheless, he's proven to be a great player when he's on his "A" game as a member of the Lakers. Pat Riley would probably consider an Odom acquisition, to bring a little more height and strength to that front court. I'm not sure about the salary numbers, but if Riley really wants him, then the deal will work out somehow (never underestimate Pat's ability to get the players he wants).

Chris Mihm (C)

Height: 7'0

Years Pro: 7 Seasons

I know, I know, Chris Mihm isn't what comes to mind when you think of the "cream of the crop" at the Center position. The truth is that L.A. has no need for him know that Andrew Bynum is developing quickly and Pau Gasol is one of the elite players in the league. He's unlikely to be re-signed by the team for that very reason and the Heat can bring a seasoned veteran to support the front court with height and rebounding skills. Let's not forget, when Mihm was the main Center for the Lakers, he was averaging 10.2 points and 6.3 rebounds a game (in 05-06) - racking up a significant amount of double-doubles in that time span. I don't see him as worn out or unhealthy, so his presence in the Heat would be fairly appreciated by Udonis Haslem, Joel Anthony, and Jamal Magloire (not a very prestigious group when you think of "Dominant Big Men").

Charlie Villanueva (SF/PF)

Height 6'11

Years Pro: 3 Seasons

Charlie V. has always caught my eye since he played college ball for the Connecticut Huskies. His innate ability to grab rebounds, defensively and offensively, was intriguing and his post skills (put-back ability, footwork, and elusiveness) brought positive attention to him by many NBA scouts. Now in the Milwaukee Bucks, he's been averaging 25 minutes per game, racking up 6.2 rebounds a night, and contributing 12.5 points per game. With Villanueva on the Heat, Michael Beasley and Udonis Haslem can have a young, productive back-up that will provide much-need points and rebounds off the bench. He's not the "home run shot" that the Heat is looking for in the free agent/trade market, but a definitive contributor - he is.

Rodney Carney (SF)

Height: 6'7

Years Pro: 2 Seasons

Here's another energy guy that has some "hops" as well. He may not score a lot, and he may not rebound enough, but there's no doubt that this guy can run the court, defend the ball, and jump out of the building with his slam dunks. In Minnesota, Carney has only averaged around 13 minutes a game and has had little opportunity to develop his game around a lack-luster Timberwolves team. In a re-tooled Heat team, he may fit in better and be able to adapt to the defensive mindset as well as embrace the fast break styled offense. I can see quite a few Wade- to-Carney alley-oops in the 09-10 season if Riley takes a chance on the youngster.

Chris Wilcox (PF/C)

Height: 6'10

Years Pro: 6 Seasons

Here's a guy that I really would like to see in a Miami Heat uniform. When I think Wilcox, I think of a hard-nosed rebounding hustle player that can average a double-double on a regular basis. He's big enough to rebound with the others "bigs" in the league, and tough enough to physically outlast and defend them as well. His contract numbers would likely be pretty high, but I'm sure we will see more cap space open up either during or after this 08-09 season. Pat Riley has always liked having a big man "down low," and although Wilcox might not be the prototype Forward-Center that Pat likes, he would definitely be a solid part of a better Miami Heat team.

Hedo Turkgolu (SF/PF)

Height: 6'11

Years Pro: 8 Seasons

Picking up the likes of a Hedo Turkgolu would be an instant upgrade for the Miami Heat and would possibly raise them to the status of "Eastern Conference Contenders." The two main problems with acquiring Hedo are: 1) The Orlando Magic would likely want to re-sign him and not allow him to go to a division rival (i.e. Miami Heat, Charlotte Bobcats, etc.), and 2) The Heat would likely be facing a loaded, long-term contract that may or may not be appealing to the team's front office. The chances of him coming to the Heat seem slim, but the possibility is still out there and in these times it's never too farfetched to imagine the possibilities. Bottom line: Hedo is a big man with a deadly three-point shot, decent rebound ability, and versatile playing style (he can assist and dribble fairly well).

Carlos Boozer (PF/C)

Height: 6'9

Years Pro: 6 Seasons

Here's a definitive game-changer for the Miami Heat and a topic of interest since last off-season. Boozer is averaging 20.5 points per game and 11.7 rebounds per game, which means he's out-performing the typical NBA Power Forward, with the exclusion of Amare Stoudemire, Tim Duncan, and similar players. Although he's only 6'9, Boozer has been known to defend the bigger men in the league and has the ability to effectively box out taller players for rebounds. It's not just a strike of luck that this man racks up over 10 rebounds a night - it's skill and a skill that the Miami Heat desperately needs to bring to their roster. Once again, if Jermaine O'Neal does not become part of the Heat by this season, I see Boozer as the next viable option for the organization to consider.

Conclusion

I see some good opportunities for the Miami Heat this off-season and I'm sure there are plenty more unforeseen opportunities in the trade market as well. We will just have to sit back and watch what the team's front office decides is best for the team and the organization as a whole. One thing's for certain, Pat Riley aims high and with the current team we have, it seems like change is inevitable.

Where the Fins Go From Here

The Miami Dolphins may have ended their regular and post season, but have begun another season already - "The Off Season." Now's the time to look towards the future of the team and evaluate what's good, what needs to change, and what needs to be tweaked. The Fins are definitely on the right track; proving that it only takes one season to turn a franchise around. Next season they'll be out to prove that it only takes one season to go deep into the playoffs. Let's review what went right, what went wrong, and what we will see come the '09-'10 season.

The Dolphins definitely found many ways of winning in the '08-'09 NFL season, some days it was the offense, others it was the defense. That's good to know that you can win a game on either side of the playing field. What isn't too good is knowing that your offense can be sporadic at times. We had the Wildcat Offense working for the beginning portion of the season, but then teams began to study it more in-depth and caught on to the game plan. Let's note that our defense was fairly solid all season, but it was difficult for them when the offense struggled - they began to tire out as they were on the field for too long. That's tough for any defense to put up with. I'm sure Parcells & Sparano will find the right ways of addressing these issues in the ensuing months.

I want to lay out the positions that were and are strengths to the Miami Dolphins. Here's my order:

1. Linebacker Position
2. Defensive Line Position
3. Quarterback Position
4. Halfback Position

Joey Porter, Channing Crowder, and company were a very good defensive group for the Fins this season and have potential to continue their play for a few seasons. Porter came second in sacks in the entire NFL, which shows that he wasn't ready to be another forgotten player in the league. The defensive line, led by Vonnie Holliday, has a mix between youth and experience with veterans like Jason Ferguson, and rookies like Kenall Langford and Phillip Merling. It seems like a very promising unit for next season if they stay together and stay healthy.

As for the QB position, there's no doubt that Chad Pennington was the MVP of the team. He came in second for MVP of the league, behind Peyton Manning, which shows how well he played this season. His future in the Dolphins is fairly secure for at least another season, but down the line I see Chad Henne stepping up and getting a chance to prove himself. I like our depth at that position and am confident that we can open up our offense with either of the two "Chads." Lastly, the halfback position is pretty solid with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. Each has the talent to be a first string starter in most teams, yet they are a 1-2 combo under the Dolphins. This season might not have been a good statistic year for them, but they definitely have the potential to play great football. Don't forget about Ronnie's 4 TD game versus the Patriots early in the season.

And now here are the positions that weren't so strong for the Dolphins and need some in-depth evaluation:

1. Wide Receiver
2. Offensive Line
3. Tight End
4. Cornerback Position

While I may love Ted Ginn Jr., he definitely is not a "Number One Receiver." As radio commentator, "Big O," said about the Dolphin's WR unit, "they have a bunch of number threes running around out there." No disrespect to Ginn, Camarillo, and Bess, but the Dolphins need to go out there and get a top-notch receiver. Then there's the offensive line, which played fairly well on pass blocking, but didn't do too well on run blocking. As we saw in the Ravens game, the Fins just weren't getting the protection they needed against a formidable Ravens defense. If the Fins hope to go deep in the playoffs, they need to be prepared to play against the toughest defensive units in the league. Defense wins championships (sometimes) so you gotta counter that with great protection.

A few minor weak points I find in the Fins are the tight ends and secondary players. Anthony Fasano and David Martin are decent tight ends, but they are no Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates, or Jeremy Shockey. Randy McMichael was a very good TE for the Dolphins in the past and we should look to acquire someone with the same skill set as he did. This isn't a primary concern, but it would definitely alleviate the passing game woes. As for the secondary, the Dolphins are "okay," but still not "great." You can't compare this unit to the combo of Patrick Surtain and Sam Madison. We need a play-maker back there that will not only make big hits, like Yeremiah Bell, but force turnovers. Simply put, the TE and Secondary positions within the Dolphins aren't at "elite status" - where they should try to be.

In my opinion, Bill Parcells will make the WR position a priority this off season and will be looking towards an all of the above approach in free agency, trading blocks, and draft scouting. I suggest that Chad Johnson NOT be in consideration for the Dolphins potential acquisitions, mainly because he will bring much unwanted attention to himself and the organization (kind of like T.O. in Dallas). I also believe that a shutdown corner will be important to the Dolphins front office as they try to stretch their defensive unit to become a rush threat and a pass threat.

If the new Dolphins owner, Steven Ross, allows Parcells & Co. to continue their plan of action, then the Fins should be fine. At this rate, the Dolphins will become an elite team in the NFL, right up there with the Colts and Steelers. Now we must watch how it all plays out and closely follow the moves that the Dolphins make this off-season. While this season was a "New Beginning," next season will be "Continued Excellence." Miami Dolphins football is back in full force.

Pro Bowl + Super Bowl = Miami Mania Bowl 2010

The season might be over for the Miami Dolphins, but theres much more to look forward to next season if you are a Miami fan. Not only will the Dolphins bring back Bill Parcells as Executive VP to continue the rebuilding process, but Dolphins Stadium will be hosting - not one - but two major NFL events in 2010. That's right, we're talking about the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl.

According to a report by ESPN, the Pro Bowl will precede the Super Bowl in 2010, which will be held in Miami instead of Honolulu. This event could stir lots of interest in sport enthusiasts within the Miami area and may even spark more crowds to attend Miami Dolphins football games. Not to mention, the City of Miami can look forward to some much needed tourism and economic stimuli during next season. This endowment of two NFL events as big the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl is a blessing for South Florida. It will require lots of tax payer money for beautification, security, safety, etc., but in the end I'm confident that we will get a "return on investment."

The setting looks a little like this: The Dolphins will be coming off a better-than-expected 11-5 season which led to a playoff spot. The fans will become more excited about the team and begin to follow, watch, and attend games more often. The organizition will have higher expectations next season to go beyond just making the playoffs. What this all culminates into is a drive to play harder in order to have a great regular season, make the playoffs, go deep, and hope to play in Miami for the Super Bowl game in 2010. Imagine the day...

There is no doubt that next season will become hyped with football fanaticism like no other since the Marino and Shula eras. It seems like this season's story only set up for a sequel next season with all the events that the near future has to offer. Miami, the stage is all set. It's time to cheer on the Fins, rock the house, and let the show begin. Expect the thrills, the chills, and the heart-stopping moments because the Dolphins are back. Hell, Miami is back.