Miami Dolphins 2010 Offseason Moves

March 30, 2010
Last Update: 9/6/10 @ 10:00 AM

In an effort to keep up with all of Miami's offseason moves leading up to the draft, we have compiled a tentative list of the Dolphins' latest transactions. This should serve as an informative source on what's been going on with the Fins. We know the importance of staying on top of the game, DolFans.

We have broken each list into categories: releases, free agent signings and re-signings. This post will be updated regularly as more developments occur.

Releases

• March 5 - LB Joey Porter, S Gibril Wilson and LB Akin Ayodele were released for both poor performance and budget reasons as the NFL's free agency period opened up.

• May 27 - LB Reggie Torbor is released, making it the third linebacker to be released this offseason. 

• June 15 - Released LB Brian Johnston. 

• July 30 -  Waived G Ray Feinga and G Dimitri Tsoumpas. 

• August 3 - Terminated the contract/non-football illness of CB Evan Oglesby.

• August 4 - Waived/Injured RB Kory Sheets. 

• August 12 - Waived WR Taurus Johnson.

• August 18 - Waived WR Ryan Grice-Mullen.

• August 23 - Waived RB Tristan Davis, NT Travis Ivey and TE Kory Sperry.

• August 25 - Terminated/injured the contract of G Randy Thomas.

• August 30 - Waived/Injured TE Joey Haynos.

Signings

• March 3 - The Dolphins place a first-round tender on RB Ronnie Brown, a second-round tender on TE Anthony Fasano and a third-round tender on LB Quentin Moses.  

• March 5 - LB Karlos Danbsby signs a five-year, $43 million deal with $22 million in guaranteed money. 
• March 8 - QB Chad Pennington returns to the Dolphins in a one-year, $2.5 million agreement.

• March 9 - Dolphins re-sign DT Jason Ferguson for one more season, despite eight-game suspension. Terms of contract have not been disclosed. Ferguson went on to retire on July 15.

• March 17 - G Richie Incognito signs a one-year, approximately $1 million deal. 

• May 24 - Signed G Cory Proctor, who played for the Dallas Cowboys (another Parcells connection).  

• June 15 - Signed seventh round draft pick LB Chris McCoy to a four-year deal for an undisclosed amount.

• June 24 - Signed fourth round draft pick LB A.J. Edds to a four-year, $2.27 million contract.

• June 25 - Signed fifth round draft pick CB Nolan Carroll to a four-year, $1.98 million contract and seventh round draft pick LB Austin Spitler to a four-year, $1.8 million contract.

• July 16 - Signed fifth round draft pick S Reshad Jones to a four-year, $1.8 million contract. 

• July 20 - Signed third round draft pick OL John Jerry to a four-year, $1.8 million contract.

• July 26 - Signed free agent DT Montavious Stanley, who played 15 games last season for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

• July 27 - Signed DE Marques Douglas a two-year, $2.5 million contract. Douglas played in 16 games last season for the New York Jets.

• July 28 - Signed DE Charles Grant to a two-year deal, $4.5 million contract. Grant played in 16 games last season for the New Orleans Saints.

• August 3 - Signed LB Micah Johnson.

• August 4 - Re-signed CB Evan Oglesby after terminating his contract a day before.

• August 6 - Signed TE David Martin, only to cut him at the preseason deadline.

• August 12 - Signed G Ray Feinga and CB Kevin Hobbs, both of which were later cut.

• August 18 - Signed G Randy Thomas, who fell to the chopping block a week later. 

• September 5 -  Awarded DE Clifton Geathers (Cleveland), OL Jermey Parnell (New Orleans), OL Joe Reitz (Baltimore) and DE Robert Rose (Seattle) off waivers.

Trades

• April 14 - The Dolphins address their wide receiver need by trading a 2010 and 2011 second-round draft pick to the Denver Broncos for WR Brandon Marshall. Both parties agreed to a four-year, $47.5 million extension. Read our story here.

• April 16 - WR Ted Ginn Jr. is traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a fifth-round draft pick in the 2010 NFL draft. 

• April 22 - Dolphins acquire LB Tim Dobbins from the San Diego Chargers in a draft-day trade. 

• May 25 - Dolphins trade G Justin Smiley to the Jacksonville Jaguars for an undisclosed draft pick (likely a fourth or fifth rounder).

• August 26 - Traded WR Greg Camarillo to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for CB Benny Sapp.

• September 4 - Acquired OL Pat McQuistan from Dallas for a 2011 undisclosed draft choice.

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Here are a few more tidbits of information that we felt could be used as a reference throughout the season. Knowing exactly who the Dolphins drafted and the list of final cuts prior to the season opener are sure to cross your mind at some point this season. Unless, of course, you are fully on top of your Fins. In that case, we applaud you.

Draft Picks

• First round (28th pick overall) - DT Jared Odrick of Penn State.

• Second round (40th pick overall) - LB Koa Misi of Utah.

• Third round (73rd pick overall) - G John Jerry of Mississippi.

• Fourth round (119th pick overall) - LB A.J. Edds of Iowa.

• Fifth round (145th pick overall) - DB Nolan Carroll of Maryland.

• Fifth round (163rd pick overall) - DB Reshad Jones of Georgia.

• Seventh round (212th pick overall) - LB Chris McCoy of Middle Tennessee State.

• Seventh round (252nd pick overall) - LB Austin Spitler of Ohio State.

Final Cuts

The following players were waived and/or had their contracts terminated:

• TE David Martin
• DT Montavious Stanley
• S Jonathon Amaya
• DT Ryan Baker
• DE Lionel Dotson
• G Ray Feinga
• LB J.D. Folsom
• T Andrew Gardner
• C Andrew Hartline
• CB Kevin Hobbs
• FB Rolly Lumbala
• LB Chris McCoy
• DB Nate Ness
• WR Julius Pruitt
• LB Austin Spitler
• G Donald Thomas
• WR Patrick Turner
• LB Erik Walden
• S Ross Weaver
• QB Pat White
• DE Marques Douglas
• DE Charles Grant
• G Cory Procter

Source: MiamiDolphins.com

The Right Time to Heat Up

March 29, 2010

If there ever was a right time to get streaky, it's now. Five-game win streaky to be exact. And it's precisely what the Miami Heat have done in their final push for the playoffs.

In the process, the Heat have defeated the Charlotte Bobcats, Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors; three teams battling for the final four spots in the East.

In what was a 30-17 fourth quarter, Miami battled back from a 10-point deficit to tally their 40th victory of the season. Now they only stand four wins away from surpassing last season's 43-win mark, and their final eight games of the season are all against sub-.500 teams.

With the Bucks facing a formidable schedule down the stretch, the Heat have a legitimate opportunity to capture and secure the fifth seed in the East. This would mean avoiding the Boston Celtics and reuniting with the Atlanta Hawks in an first round playoff rematch.

But this time Miami could tip the balance in their favor.

In the last 10 games of the 2008-09 season, Miami logged a mediocre 5-5 record. With not much momentum behind them, the Heat were still capable of mustering a seven-game series against the Hawks. This go around, the tides could change if Miami wins out (as they should) and enters the postseason on a 13-game win streak. 

Witnessing what is arguably the best basketball Miami has played all season, the idea of surviving the opening round of the playoffs is no far-fetched dream by Heat fans.

Skyforce Headed to the Playoffs

March 27, 2010

It's official: The Sioux Falls Syforce are postseason bound. 

With a win on Wednesday night, the Skyforce clinched a spot in the playoffs. The berth came on a 111-108 victory over the Maine Red Claws. That makes the 14th time in 21 seasons that the Skyforce make it past the regular season.

Ever since the departure of star forward Reggie Williams, the Skyforce have continued their success and built upon their momentum leading into the final stretch of the season. The team has won seven of the last ten games, averaging 104.9 points per game in that span. As previously noted, Alexander Johnson has emerged as Sioux Falls' newest leader, posting impressive numbers for the season; 22.8 points, 11 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.

With postseason aspirations in their grasp, the prospect of a title is in sight. But the Iowa Energy and Rio Grande Valley Vipers seem like the heavy favorites. Perhaps some of the "March Madness" we are seeing this month can leak into the D-League and prevail in April.

With that said, April 7th marks the opening night of the NBA D-League postseason. The playoff format includes a best-of-three series throughout each round. Champions of their respective conferences will qualify for the postseason, along with the next six teams with the best overall regular season records.

The final D-League regular season game is scheduled for April 3rd. Fans can visit nbadleague.com for the latest playoff seedings and match-ups.

Heat Rout Bulls, Keep Playoff Seed

March 26, 2010

In a full throttle performance by the Miami Heat, the Bulls were handed their 38th loss of the season early on in the game. At the half, Miami's lead equaled Chicago's total points at 33. It was clear that the Heat were on their way to victory by then.

But the story is not in the amount Miami routed Chicago by, rather how they dismantled the Bulls. Here are some impressive statistics that revealed the team's collective effort:

• Six Heat players recorded double-digit points
• Dwyane Wade was the fourth leading scorer on the team
• Three different players accounted for nine total blocks in the game
• The team shot for 51.9% from the field
• The bench accounted for 43 points, which was 41% of Miami's total points
• Four bench players played in excess of 18 minutes each

For Miami, there cannot be anything more refreshing than a team led victory, particularly as they near the postseason. Performances like these are what decide playoff series in the NBA; there's always more than one hero in a seven game series.

While it may troubling to see that Dwyane Wade has averaged 17.6 points in the last three games, his performance against the Bulls came on a 5-for-7 shooting night. In other words, he intentionally reduced his scoring attempts. What matters more is his heightened commitment towards play-making in that stretch, averaging 10.3 assists in those three games. Not to mention, Miami is on a three-game win streak.

Currently, Miami faces the prospect of dealing with the Orlando Magic in the first round of the playoffs. Ending their season series at 2-2, these two squads have matched up well and taken three out of their four matches down to the wire. While Orlando seems to over-match Miami on paper, the results on the court have shown otherwise. If this becomes the eventual match-up, fans and analysts will be surprised to find an astonishing six to seven game series, marked by buzzer beaters, overtimes and edge-of-your seat moments. Not to play up this series, but the possibilities are sky high when these two face off.

On another note, Miami must fend off the Charlotte Bobcats and Toronto Raptors before they focus their attention on the Magic. The Heat are only 0.5 games ahead of the Bobcats with ten games to go in the regular season. Miami also stands two games behind the Milwaukee Bucks, which they play against tonight. With that said, Miami must finish strong if they hope to secure a playoff position, as the bottom half of the Eastern Conference seeds are separated by a measly four games.  

South Florida Athlete Earns Prestigious Award

March 24, 2010

Brandon Knight. Learn the name.

The South Florida product out of Pine Crest High School (Fort Lauderdale) has earned the prestigious award of 2009-10 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year. As impressive a feat it is to receive such an elite award, it is more impressive when people find out that this is Knight's second consecutive year in earning this title.

Along with LeBron James and Greg Oden, Knight joins the company of a few remarkable high school basketball players in recent history in earning the award twice. He is now the first ever athlete in the state of Florida to accomplish this.

Pictured above, Knight was presented the trophy without notice during his second period of class by none other than Alonzo Mourning, a former Gatorade Player of the Year recipient (1987-88). The act symbolized a passing of the baton, so to speak, from the legend to the prospect.

And Knight has already caught the attention of marquee college basketball programs across the nation. Powerhouses like Kentucky, Kansas and Connecticut have all shown serious interest in the 6'3, 175-pound guard. The University of Florida and University of Miami have also thrown their in their bids, but are far from favorites to land the local phenom.  

This season at Pine Crest, Knight has averaged 32.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.5 steals. The senior guard has surpassed the 40-point mark various times and recorded a career-high 49 points on January 27th. In essence, stating that Knight is a productive player would be an understatement. His shifty crossovers, elusive finishes and versatile playing style have built up hype from the local level to the national spotlight. It's only a matter of time before Brandon Knight becomes a household name.

* * *
Here's a video of Brandon Knight's performance in a nationally-televised game on ESPN - February 5, 2010

Sanchez, Maybin Hopeful to Become Starters

March 23, 2010

Spring training gives us all a taste of what each Major League team is made of. For the Marlins it gives them a taste of what their players are made of and if they are worthy of making the cut. First baseman Gaby Sanchez and outfielder Cameron Maybin have been vying for starting jobs since last season. It seems as though those wishes may be granted this time around.

Ted Hutton of the Sun-Sentinel reports the following:

The numbers show what a relaxed Sanchez is capable of.

Last year he hit .194 in 36 at-bats in the spring, with no home runs and no RBI. This spring Sanchez is hitting .387 in 31 at-bats with one home run and four RBI.

"Gaby has had some pretty good at bats all spring, he really has," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

In a related story, Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post added this:

"Gaby, given a lot of at-bats, he may be a 15- to 20-home run guy. For a first year in the major leagues, I'll take that," manager Fredi Gonzalez said Sunday.

Sanchez hasn't won the first base job yet. But after Florida cut infielder Jorge Jimenez on Sunday, Sanchez is the front-runner to be in the Marlins' starting lineup two weeks from today at CitiField in New York.

In essence, the coaching staff is impressed with Sanchez's performance thus far and lining up their support behind the University of Miami alumnus. The 26-year old has plenty of upside and can become a mainstay in the Marlins system if his development continues to progress. Some would argue that Sanchez is capable of becoming an evolved version of Jeff Conine for the Fish, providing the timely hits on offense coupled with disciplined defense. Marlins fans would be more than thrilled to have another "Mr. Marlin" on their team.

On the issue of Maybin, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald had this to say:

This spring, Maybin has looked much more relaxed at the plate.

And he has been far more successful. With a pair of hits Sunday -- to go with a pair of home runs Saturday -- Maybin is hitting .389.

``I think I was trying to do too much last year,'' Maybin said. ``Every at-bat, I was trying to hit a two-run home run or hit the ball as far as I could. I think I tried so hard to prove stuff, just do so much to show what I could do. But this year I feel relaxed. I feel comfortable, like I am the guy in center field.''

Like Sanchez, Maybin has shown shown improvement and promising signs of what is to come in the regular season.The Marlins would like to see the speedy and agile athlete player centerfield for them from Opening Day onward. While he does not provide power in the lineup, Maybin can use the threat of his speed to turn grounders into singles, singles into doubles, doubles into triples, and so on. Consistency will be the prime issue facing the young man, especially after his sporadic play last season. Only time will tell if Maybin is prepared to handle 162 Major League games.

An Unsettling Trend

March 22, 2010

South Florida professional athletes getting arrested. It's a new trend that has sprung up in the past year or so. While it happened sporadically in the past, it seems that its frequency has elevated in recent times.

In May of 2009, Miami Dolphins DT Randy Starks was arrested on a felony charge for aggravated assault on an officer. In February of 2010, CB Will Allen was arrested on DIU charges. In the same month, DT Tony McDaniel was arrested on domestic violence charges. And this weekend we find that RB Ronnie Brown has joined this shameful company by being arrested outside of Atlanta, GA, on DIU charges.

But this isn't only a Miami Dolphins issue. The Miami Heat have had their share of brushes with the authorities after G Carlos Arroyo (resisted arrest during a traffic stop) and F Dorell Wright (charged with DIU) were arrested in February and March of 2010, respectively.

What we are left with is an unsettling trend. 

For the Dolphins, this symbolizes a philosophical schism between what they preach to their players and their players actions. It only harms the integrity of the Dolphins organization and brings into question the control over their players. Now that it has affected their star running back, we will see if the team decides to address this issue at an organizational level or continue to deal with it individually. For the sake of the franchise, the former should be the proper choice.

As for the Heat, two incidents are not as alarming as four, but their arrests did occur in consecutive months. With Erik Spoelstra's credibility already under much scrutiny, actions such as those by Arroyo and Wright do not help his cause and raise more questions about his ability to control his players. Perhaps adopting an organizational approach to this issue would also benefit the Heat, in an effort to prevent future arrests from occurring. If tomorrow Dwyane Wade was cuffed up and taken away it would rattle the team's foundation and potentially harm their offseason endeavors.

Like fashion, this is a trend that will likely fade away. But this is not a matter to be fashionably late on. It's time for this to go out of style. Now.

No Consensus on Dolphins First Rounder

March 19, 2010

The 2010 NFL Draft is just about a month away with everyday building greater anticipation towards the league's future class of stars, role players and busts. Countless mock drafts and draft predictions have weighed in on the NFL's most paramount offseason day, all pointing to one resounding message on the 12th overall pick: There is no consensus as to who the Miami Dolphins will draft.

A recent article by Armando Salguero, of the Miami Herald, hints at the possibility that Miami could take an outside line backer at number 12 (with a bit of advice from ESPN's Todd McShay). According to McShay's insight, Derrick Morgan (Georgia Tech) and Jason Pierre-Paul (South Florida) are the best "bang for your buck" picks with the 12th pick. Salguero inquired into other options at OLB like Brandon Graham (Michigan), Sergio Kindle (Texas) and Jerry Hughes (TCU), but McShay cautioned that those options may not be worthy of such a high draft selection.

Various analysts believe that neither Morgan nor Pierre-Paul will be available when Miami goes on the clock, but the uncertainty of draft trends could disprove those beliefs. Nevertheless, OLB is just one of the areas that the Dolphins must address, leaving a plethora of possibilities still open.

The Sun-Sentinel's Omar Kelly laid out 10 "possible targets" that he believes Miami will choose from in the first round. They are as follows:

Tennessee DT Dan Williams; Texas DE/OLBer Sergio Kindle; Michigan DE/OLBer Brandon Graham (MVP of the Senior Bowl); Georgia Tech DE/OLBer Derrick Morgan; Tennessee FS Eric Berry; Texas FS Earl Thomas; Oklahoma State WR Dez Bryant; Clemson RB C.J. Spiller, Oklahoma TE Jermaine Gresham; and Florida CB Joe Haden.

There is some overlap in the list provided by Kelly with the players mentioned in Salguero's article, but in this case there are a multitude of positions beyond OLB. Just another finger pointing in a different direction. Correction: 10 different directions.

Rounding out the Tri-County area of South Florida was Edgar Thompson, of the Palm Beach Post, who furthered the point that there is no consensus in sight regarding the Dolphins first pick of the draft. In his own words, "[a]mong 14 mock drafts, eight different players were projected to land in South Florida." Simply put, analysts, writers and draft junkies alike are all clearly divided on this issue.

Thompson's mock draft list labels familiar names, like Williams, Kindle, Graham, Pierre-Paul, Spiller and Bryant, but also adds DE Jared Odrick (Penn State) and S Taylor Mays (USC) into the equation.

These three writers alone provide over a dozen potential draftees, while countless sources include even more prospects to the discussion. Thus, we are left with a blur of Miami's future.

On a comical note, while we continue to assume the role of the Dolphins front office, the decision-makers themselves have not likely decided on a short list of players themselves. But with football season out of reach (September is just so far away), we will continue to entertain our minds with this great draft debate.

News Flashes: March 17, 2010

March 17, 2010

Miami Dolphins

• The Miami Dolphins officially signed G Richie Incognito to a one-year deal worth approximately $1 million. Incognito will compete for a job as a starter on the offensive line.

• The Dolphins must now deal with Incognito's questionable past, which has generated negative press towards the 26-year old player in previous seasons.

Miami Heat

• The Miami Heat faltered to the San Antonio Spurs Tuesday night at the American Airlines Arena, falling behind early and failing to mount a valiant comeback in the second half.

• The Heat currently hold the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference, only behind the sixth seed Charlotte due to tie breaker reasons and 2.5 games behind fifth seed Milwaukee. There are 14 games left in the regular season for Miami.

Florida Marlins

• Recent Florida Marlins acquisition Derrick Turnbow injured his shoulder in the eighth inning of Tuesday's spring training game versus the Washington Nationals. An MRI is scheduled to be performed today.

• Word from the Marlins camp is that the injury will require surgery, setting back Turnbow's debut as a Marlin in the regular season. Turnbow's reaction to the injury was grim as he felt it could potentially end his MLB career.

For Heat, Positioning is Key

March 16, 2010

With fourteen games left in the season, the Miami Heat find themselves in the final stretch of the playoff push; scrapping to hold on to a spot in the postseason and hoping to work their way up the seeding ladder. But will seeding at a higher spot benefit or harm Miami? The answer is: it's a delicate situation.

Currently holding the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference, Miami would face the Orlando Magic if the playoffs were held tomorrow. Owning the season series thus far, the Heat have matched up well versus the Magic with a record of 2-1. Despite Orlando being the defending Eastern Conference Champions, they have had difficulty in dominating Miami with their size and length. Conversely, Miami has found ways of containing the perimeter and post offense of the Magic. Analysts might argue that the Heat are no match for the Magic in a seven-game series, but underestimating matchups can be very dangerous in this league.

Now if Atlanta was Miami's first round opponent the match-up would be a toss up as it was last season, when the series between the two extended to a game seven. The current season series between Miami and Atlanta stands at 3-1, with the average game being decided by 14 points; a strikingly similar outcome to their 2009 playoff series.

But the season is not over and playoff spots are not yet solidified, meaning Miami could still potentially drop, raise or keep their spot. With the revolving door that is the bottom half of the East, there could be plenty of shuffling in the final games of the season. Even the three and four seeds can be flipped with Atlanta and Boston at any moment. In essence, the playoff picture is still too blurry to define.

But for the sake of discussion we will assume that the East's top four seeds will stay put while other teams continue to vie for position in the bottom four.

With that said, it would be beneficial for Miami to either secure as high as a sixth seed and as low as a seventh seed. Nothing higher, nothing lower.

At the seventh spot Miami would face Orlando, while at the sixth spot Miami would face Atlanta; both of which the Heat have their number.

Dropping to the eighth seed would be a death sentence in the form of a likely Cleveland Cavaliers series sweep, while rising to the fifth seed would potentially be another early exit series against the Boston Celtics; both of which have the Heat's number.

Against the Hawks and Magic, Miami holds a record of 5-2. Against the Cavaliers and Celtics, Miami posts a record of 0-6. The numbers speak for themselves.

The point: If Miami wishes to advance beyond the opening round, they must carefully position themselves in the Eastern Conference standings.

Cinderella Run Falls Short for Canes

March 14, 2010

As the last seed in the ACC Men's Basketball Tournament the Miami Hurricanes were not expected to do much. Facing a strong Wake Forest team in the opening round, it was supposed to be Miami's first and last taste of the postseason. But after handing stunning defeats to both Wake Forest and Virginia Tech, the Canes were emboldened to face the first-ranked Blue Devils in the semifinals.

To much of Miami's dismay, destiny was not on their side in their third go around. Although St. Patrick's day is around the corner and the age old cliche states "third time's the charm," luck was not on UM's side.

At the half, Miami was ahead 35-32 against the Dukies and was in good position to embark on (what would have been) their greatest upset yet. But the scenario was all too familiar for the Blue Devils as they faced a similar situation in their last match-up against the Canes. Trailing at the half, Duke upstage Miami in the second half and downed the Canes on their home court to the tune of 81-74 in their second regular season meet.

As fate would have it, Duke came storming out after the half to take a quick lead and capitalize early on a young Miami squad. Two consecutive Kyle Singler three-pointers gave Duke the lead, a lead that would not be recaptured by Miami the rest of the way. The Canes began to come apart at the seams during Duke's offensive tear, which placed the Devils ahead by 16 at one point.

Nevertheless, the Canes did not lack the heart to mount a valiant comeback. Miami answered with a run of their own late in the second half to bring the game within five points. It was time and the Blue Devils' cold-blooded shooters that stood in the way of the Canes come-from-behind victory. The final buzzer signaled the end of Miami's cinderella run for the ACC title and an NCAA tournament berth.

The promising performances by freshmen Durand Scott (21 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals) and Reggie Johnson (14 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks) held the Dukies in check and kept the Canes in the mix. Sophomore Malcom Grant also chimed in with 17 points of his own to aid in that effort. This commendable effort by UM's youngest players says plenty about the programs future and Frank Haith's recruiting.

It is the hope and progress of these athletes that will make Miami's chances at playing in the big dance next year even more possible.  

Former Skyforcer Excels in NBA

March 13, 2010

Impressing coaches, teammates and fans is nothing new to former Sioux Falls Syforce player Reggie Williams. Upon receiving February's D-League Player of the Month award, Williams was further rewarded with an NBA call-up by the Golden State Warriors.

And the Warriors cannot complain with their acquisition.

Since joining Golden State, Williams has averaged 12.8 points, 3 rebounds and 2.5 assists in six NBA games. Most notably, the 6'6 forward recorded 28 points against the New Orleans Hornets on March 8th. Not bad for the first ever professional basketball player to come out of Virginia Military Institute.

But despite losing their star guard, the Skyforce have not dropped off the D-League map. Recent power rankings place the Skyforce atop the pack after winning nine consecutive games. Taking the star role of Williams, Skyforce forward Alexander Johnson was dubbed Performer of the Week during the week of March 1 for averaging 30 points and 13.3 rebounds during that stretch.

Thus, while Williams builds his professional resume with NBA experience, a new star Skyforcer emerges in Sioux Falls by the name of Johnson.  

Canes Hoops Advance, Knock off Wake Forest

March 12, 2010

Throw the rankings out the door. The twelfth-ranked Miami Hurricanes dethroned the fifth-ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons in a first round rout at the ACC tournament. To the tune of 83-62, the Canes dominated the favored Deacons in a showcase of sound defense and effective offense.

Wake Forest threw a multitude of zone packages at UM, but the Canes fended off all attempts to stunt their offense. Whether it was 1-3-1 zone, full court press or any other form of defense, the Canes found a way to penetrate into the paint or break down coverages with fluid team passing.

It was a dual effort by Miami's centers that propeled the Canes into an early lead that was sustained throughout the remainder of the game. Starting big man Julian Gamble gobbled up 13 boards, rejected three shots and recorded eight points in 28 minutes of play. Off the bench, freshman center Reggie Johnson was a dominant force down low for Miami as he recorded a personal best 22 points against one of the NCAA's toughest defensive units. Senior guard James Dews posted up 15 points followed by sophomore forward DeQuan Jones' 14 points.

In the next round, Miami faces Virginia Tech in a difficult match-up that will surely test the Canes toughness once again. Both teams secured victories against each other in their respective home courts and hold an all-time series tie of 9-9. Friday's match-up will break that tie and send the winner into the ACC semifinals to play against Duke or Virginia.

Thursday's victory marks UM's fourth time in five years that they advance beyond the first round of the ACC tourney. Another accomplishment to add to Frank Haith's legacy at The U.   

Draft Projections Shift for Dolphins

March 10, 2010

Update (4/14/10): Brandon Marshall's acquisition has further shifted Miami's draft projections.

With constant developments in the NFL offseason, draft projections are bound to change according to every new situation. As we stated in an earlier article, we predicted that the Miami Dolphins draft plans have significantly changed as a result of Karlos Dansy's acquisition. But we are not the only ones that think so.

ESPN's very own Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay have updated their mock drafts to include a new projection at the number twelve spot. Whereas linebacker was once the supposed position to be addressed by Miami in the first round, the necessity for a defensive tackle has emerged as the new contender. Even though the Fins re-signed recently suspended DT Jason Ferguson, eight games without their starting hole-plugger will leave a huge void in the defensive front seven.

That is why Kiper and McShay have labeled the 6'3, 237-pound defensive tackle out of Tennessee as the likely first round pick for the Dolphins. His name: Dan Williams. His draft stock: skyrocketing.

Here's a guy who went from being initially projected as going undrafted in 2010 to opening eyes of NFL scouts with his workouts and physical development. Today Williams has become a first round choice without a doubt in the eyes of analysts and talent evaluators.

ESPN Insider grades Williams with a score of 93 out of 100 among defensive tackle prospects, ranking him second behind UCLA's Brian Price. The promising D-Lineman was a dominant force in the SEC last season and could be a solid match for Miami's needs upfront. While he may not seem as impressive as Ndamokung Suh or Gerald McCoy, Williams has the strength, size and discipline to make a significant impact in the NFL. After all, the University of Tennessee has brought out some DT studs, like Albert Haynesworth, up to the pro level.

If Dan Williams is Miami's choice, DolFans can only hope he adds to that Tennessee tradition.

But then again, we could be talking about another 12th pick prospect a week from now.

On Secondary Thought...

March 9, 2010

Leverage: the power or ability to act or to influence people, events, decisions, etc. This according to Dictionary.com.

The Miami Dolphins had no idea that when free agent safety Ryan Clark made a visit to South Florida that leverage was exactly what the Dolphins were being used as. Within the same day of the visit, Clark re-signed with his former team in the Pittsburgh Steelers. So much for addressing the safety position for the Dolphins.

Then again, this could have been a blessing from the Football Gods.

Taking a look at Clark's effectiveness as a replacement to Troy Polamalu we find not-so-impressive statistics. First and foremost, the 2009 Steelers were 5-6 in games played without Polamalu, which goes to show you his importance as an impact player for Pittsburgh. But the passing defense was what suffered the most in those Polamalu-less games that Clark took the safety role.

In the 11 games that Clark started at safety, the Steelers allowed an average of 221.6 yards per game. In only three of those games, did Pittsburgh hold their opponents to under 200 passing yards. At the end of the 2009 regular season, the Steelers ranked 16th in the league in pass defense. Conversely, the Steelers held the number one ranked pass defense just the season before, when Polamalu was healthy and wreaking havoc in the secondary.

Clark recorded 89 tackles, 8 passes deflected and 3 interceptions in 2009, but those numbers are strikingly similar to Gibril Wilson's statistics in his brief one-year stint with the Dolphins. Wilson tallied 93 tackles, 8 passes deflected and no interceptions. An additional three interceptions over the course of 16 games may not be the upgrade Miami was looking for. In essence, Clark would not be the savior of the Dolphins' safety position.

That is why, on "secondary" thought, the Dolphins were fortunate to not sign Clark, leaving their options open to potential trades and draft prospects. Guess that means that the safety position is still on the board for Miami's first round draft choice.

List of 2010 Latest Releases by NFL Teams

March 5, 2010

As free agency season opens up on at the midnight hour of March 5th, 2010, teams began purging themselves of unwanted players and their respective contracts in the hours leading up to it. With an uncapped season comes no cap penalties, resulting in a massive trend of releasing players rather than trading them or weathering out their contracts. Whether they are athletes capable of significantly contributing in the NFL or veterans on their way out, a surprising number of pros are finding themselves without a job before week's end.

Here's the most recent list of releases by various NFL teams:

• Antrel Rolle, CB, Arizona Cardinals - Signed with the New York Giants
• Jake Delhomme, QB, Carolina Panthers
• Damoine Lewis,  DT, Carolina Panthers
• Landon Johnson, LB, Carolina Panthers
• Na'il Diggs, LB, Carolina Panthers
• Maake Kemoeatu, DT, Carolina Panthers
• Orlando Pace, T, Chicago Bears
• Laveranues Coles, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
• Hank Fraley, C, Cleveland Browns
• Phillip Buchanon, CB, Detroit Lions
• Devard Darling, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
• Dantrell Savage, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
• Joey Porter, LB, Miami Dolphins
• Gibril Wilson, S, Miami Dolphins
• Akin Ayodele, LB, Miami Dolphins
• Baker Chris, TE, New England Patriots
• Charles Grant, DE, New Orleans Saints
• Mark Simoneau, LB, New Orleans Saints
• Jamar Nesbit, G, New Orleans Saints
• Lito Sheppard, CB, New York Jets
• Thomas Jones, RB, New York Jets
• Donald Strickland, CB, New York Jets
• Greg Ellis, DE, Oakland Raiders
• Javon Walker, WR, Oakland Raiders
• Michael Bennett, RB, San Diego Chargers
• Jamal Williams, DT, San Diego Chargers
• Josh Bidwell, P, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Dirk Johnson, P, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Torrie Cox, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Antwaan Randel El, WR, Washington Redskins - Signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers
• Cornelius Griffin, DT, Washington Redskins
• Fred Smoot, CB, Washington Redskins
• Rock Cartwright, RB, Washington Redskins
• LaDell Betts, RB, Washington Redskins
• Randy Thomas, G, Washington Redskins
• Todd Collins, QB, Washington Redskins

Note: This post will be updated as more players become released. Last update was on 3/9/10 @ 9:30 AM EST.

Draft Implications of Dansby's Acquisition

March 8, 2010

Karlos Dansby's midnight flight to Miami on the eve of the NFL free agency period could have changed the landscape of the Dolphins' 2010 draft strategy. With many speculators suggesting that Rolando McClain was the likely choice in the first round, Dansby's acquisition could shift Miami's plans. Do they bolster the linebacking position with a potential stud like McClain or do they address another position with the 12th pick overall?

Either way, it's a nice position to be in.

After releasing two of its linebackers in Joey Porter and Akin Ayodele, the Dolphins still need another player to fill up the depth chart at LB. That player does not have to come in the first round, nor does he have to come in the draft at all. Trades and free agent pick-ups are still a possibility. But Miami has an opportunity to build a first class linebacking group, which it has not had for quite some time.

That leaves us with another question: What is a bigger priority in the eyes of The Trifecta?

The recent developments regarding DT Jason Ferguson, having been suspended for eight games, will likely result in Miami not re-signing him and leaving the Dolphins with another void to fill. To break things down, the Dolphins must choose between drafting a linebacker, defensive tackle, wide receiver or safety. And it will all depend on who's available at number twelve.

With the apparent philosophy that the Dolphins front office carries, the pick will likely address the defensive side of the ball. That throws out a potential first round wide receiver pick, especially since Dez Bryant is projected as a top 10 draft choice. That leaves us with LB, DT and S.

Signing Dansby could be what the Dolphins considered a fortification of the LB position, thus drafting another one in the first round would be off the board. Miami could very well salvage a pick later in the draft, possibly someone like Brandon Spikes (Florida) or Eric Norwood (South Carolina) slips into the second round. Hence we are left with DT and S.

With the latest visit from former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark to Miami, the Dolphins could secure a deal with a veteran DB in the coming days. Clark would replace Gibril Wilson and address Miami's need in the secondary. And so we find the DT position as the main candidate to be chosen in the first round.

Here are the top DT prospects projected beyond the top 10:

• Brian Price (UCLA) - 6'2, 300 lbs - ESPN Insider Grade: 94
• Dan Williams (Tennessee) - 6'3, 327 lbs - ESPN Insider Grade: 93
• Jared Odrick (Penn State) - 6'5, 301 lbs - ESPN Insider Grade: 91
• Cam Thomas (North Carolina) - 6'3, 331 lbs - ESPN Insider Grade: 85
• Lamarr Houston (Texas) - 6'2, 302 lbs - ESPN Insider Grade: 84
• Terrence Cody (Alabama) 6'3, 373 lbs - ESPN Insider Grade: 82

While none of these picks seem to pop out as the clear selection for the Dolphins, there is a crop of very good DTs that could fit well into Miami's 3-4 system and contribute immediately. Worse case scenario the Dolphins trade down for a later first round pick and an additional second round pick to get more value from the draft. 

Victory Heard 'Round the Blogosphere

March 5, 2010

With a 114-111 overtime victory against the reigning NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers, the Miami Heat made their presence known once again across the Association. While Dwyane Wade was the featured act, many of his supporting cast members stepped up and made an impressive showing en route to their most significant victory of the season.Quentin Richardson dropped in seven three-pointers, one of which was with 11.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter (it's what they call clutch). But Carlos Arroyo and Udonis Haslem were the unsung heroes for the Heat, combining for 19 of Miami's points in the fourth quarter and overtime. It was no one-man show at the American Airlines Arena.

The day after we hear some of the reactions from Heat writers and enthusiasts around the blogosphere:

• Ira Winderman's Blog: "It certainly was a heck of a show...And a shame the Heat couldn’t hold its nine-point fourth-quarter lead...But, ultimately, the type of effort that just might turn a season." 

• Mike Wallace's Blog: "Just when you think you're through with this team, tired of its inconsistent ways, ready to give up on the playoff push, waiting to see what's on tap during the summer makeover, Miami goes out and does something like this."

• Dos Minutos: "Have you seen the follow up to Spike Lee's, ummm, "smash hit" documentary "Kobe Doin' Work" from a couple of years ago? Wait, let's back it up a minute - has anyone actually even seen "Kobe Doin' Work?" Okay, that's okay, no problem, because the sequel, "QRich Doin' Work...in Kobe's Mug," is even better!" 

• The Fourth Degree: "This game means absolutely nothing....there is too much inherently wrong within the Heat organisation for this to be any kind of springboard....The Heat always show up to play The Lakers.....don't get too excited."

Beasley Posterizes Gasol on a Put-back Dunk

This is a must see highlight from the game. While Michael Beasley did not have a huge impact on the game, he sent a strong message to Pau Gasol  and the Lakers early in the third quarter. Here's the posterization of Pau (which sounds like a scientific process):

Fins Picks: Decade in Review (Part III)

March 4, 2010

In the final segment of our Fins Picks series, we review the 2006 through 2009 offseasons in an effort to define the successes and failures that the Dolphins have experienced in previous drafts. In our first two segments we covered the 2000-2002 and 2003-2005 draft selections, finding mostly disappointing results with a few diamonds in the rough. Here we see a clear shift towards progress with the emergence of Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano, formally known as The Trifecta.

Year: 2006

Selections

• 1st Round - Jason Allen, S, Tennessee
• 2nd Round - Traded to Minnesota Vikings for QB Daunte Culpepper
• 3rd Round - Derek Hagan, WR, Arizona State
• 4th Round - Joe Toledo, T, Washington
• 5th Round - Exercised in 2005 supplemental draft
• 6th Round - Traded to San Diego Chargers in Cleo Lemon-A.J. Feeley trade
• 7th Round (a) - Frederick Evans, DT, Texas State
• 7th Round (b) - Rodrique Wright, DT, Texas
• 7th Round (c) - Devin Aromashodu, WR, Auburn

Summary

If there ever was a draft that epitomized disaster in Dolphins history, this would be it. Whether it can be attributed to the turmoil in the front office (shifting from Nick Saban to Cam Cameron) or just poor evaluation of draft talent, there is plenty of factors to take into account. To their credit, Jason Allen is still currently on Miami's roster, but is a second- or third-tier DB on the team. The Daunte Culpepper experiment failed for a variety of reasons and Derek Hagan was what Ted Ginn Jr. is now. In essence, a very poor draft and easily the worst one in the decade for the Dolphins.

Verdict

Not much to be proud about here for Miami. The only excuse for such a draft was the instability within the front office after Nick Saban's resignation. As some DolFans would say, "blame it on Saban."  Grade: F

Year: 2007

Selections

• 1st Round (a) - Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State
• 2nd Round (a) - John Beck, QB, Brigham Young
• 2nd Round (b) - Samson Satele, C/G, Hawaii
• 3rd Round - Lorenzo Booker, RB, Florida State
• 4th Round - Paul Soliai, DT, Utah
• 5th Round - Traded to Detroit Lions for QB Joey Harrington
• 6th Round (a) - Reagan Mauia, FB, Hawaii
• 6th Round (b) - Drew Mormino, C, Central Michigan
• 7th Round (a) - Kelvin Smith, LB, Syracuse
• 7th Round (b) - Brandon Fields, P, Michigan State
• 7th Round (c) - Abraham Wright, LB, Colorado

Summary

With Cam Cameron at the helm of the Miami Dolphins, he was tasked with the challenge of rebuilding a franchise. Unfortunately, selecting Ted Ginn Jr. with the ninth pick overall was already a step in the wrong direction. His speed and agility may have seemed like lucrative characteristics, but toughness and discipline were, as Borat would say, "not so much." Beyond drafting "Ted Ginn and his family," the rest of the talent pool selected was with good intentions, but poor execution. With seven out of the ten draftees no longer on the team, it is clear that very little was accomplished in the '07 draft. At least Paul Soliai and Brandon Fields are consistently decent at their positions today. The rest just fades to black. 

Verdict 

Perhaps another poor draft due to the administrative transition that the Dolphins were going through. And while Miami finished 1-15 for the season, it was likely due to the '06 draft more than anything. Grade: D 
 
Year: 2008

Selections

• 1st Round - Jake Long, T, Michigan
  
• 2nd Round (a) - Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
• 2nd Round (b) - Chad Henne, QB, Michigan
• 3rd Round (a) - Traded to Detroit Lions in draft trade-down
• 3rd Round (b) - Kendall Langford, DE, Hampton
• 4th Round (a) - Traded to Dallas Cowboys for LB Akin Ayodele and TE Anthony Fasano
• 4th Round (b) - Shawn Murphy, G, Utah State
• 4th Round (c) - Traded to Chicago Bears in draft trade-up
• 5th Round - Traded to Kansas City for QB Trent Green
• 6th Round (a) - Traded to Dallas Cowboys in DT Jason Ferguson trade
  
• 6th Round (b) - Jalen Parmele, RB, Toledo
• 6th Round (c) - Donald Thomas, G, Connecticut
• 6th Round (d) - Lex Hilliard, RB, Montana 
• 7th Round (a) - Traded to Chicago Bears in draft trade-up
• 7th Round (b) - Lionel Dotson, DE, Arizona

Summary

With the entrance of the Big Tuna and his possee, the Trifecta was formed and immediate changes were instated beginning with the draft. Jake Long was the best tackle in his class and exhibited skills of a top-notch O-Lineman in the NFL. Two Pro Bowl appearances later, expectations were met early. In the ensuing picks, the Dolphins attempted to address  a variety of positions, including defensive line, quartberback and offensive line. And for the most part they were successful. Chad Henne became a starter in '09 and filled in well for Chad Pennington. Phillip Merling, Kendall Langford and Donald Thomas have all stepped up to the plate and contributed at their respective positions. Only Shawn Murphy and Jalen Parmele are not on Miami's roster today. The rest have considerable value to the franchise.

Verdict

Six of the players drafted in this pool had significant impacts in 2009. Thus, the '08 draft was effective in its efforts to fill voids and sure up key positions. Merling and Langford had instant success in '08 and were an intricate part of Miami's AFC East Championship run. The self-dubbed  "New Begining" was in effect. Grade: A


Year: 2009

Selections

• 1st Round - Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
• 2nd Round (a) - Pat White, QB/WR, West Virginia
• 2nd Round (b) - Traded to Indianapolis Colts in draft trade-down
• 2rd Round (c) - Sean Smith, CB, Utah
• 3rd Round - Patrick Turner, WR,USC
• 4th Round (a) - Brian Hartline, WR,Ohio State
• 4th Round (b) - Traded to Oakland Raiders in C Samson Satele trade
• 5th Round (a) - John Nalbone, TE, Monmouth
• 5th Round (b) - Chris Clemons, S, Clemson
• 6th Round (a) - Andrew Gardner, T, Georgia Tech
• 6th Round (b) - Traded to Dallas Cowboys for NT Jason Ferguson 
• 7th Round (a) - J.D. Folsom, LB, Weber State
• 7th Round (b) - Traded to Jacksonville Jaguars for DE Tony McDaniel
• 7th Round (c) - Traded to Kansas City Chiefs in draft trade-down
  

Summary

In their second year in charge, the Trifecta had a many hits and a few misses. Taking perhaps the two best cornerbacks in the draft, the Dolphins had the clear objective of improving their secondary for the long-term. Placing two rookies at the corners came with the expectations of mistakes and required development, but nonetheless both Davis and Smith revealed flashes of their great potential. The misses came in the Pat White and Patrick Turner selections that drew mixed reactions. White was thrown into the Wildcat as another gimmick, but failed to produce in the greater scheme of the season. Turner never touched the field in '09 and thus is either a serious work in progress or an inevitable bust. On the positive side, Brian Hartline made up for Turner's disappearance. Not to mention, Chris Clemons and Andrew Gardner both had some playing  time in '09 and filled in fairly well for their predecessors.

Verdict

More upside than down in this draft. Key positions were addressed and talent was salvaged deep into the draft. If Miami's young corners build off their '09 season and improve, the Dolphins will have a rock solid foundation in their secondary. Hartline's emergence was both surprising and impressive as he added depth to the wide receiving core. Beyond the poor showings by White and Turner, this draft class contained strong selections that immediately contributed to the '09 Dolphins roster.  Grade: B

* * *

Final Word

The last decade in Dolphins history has been one mixed with frustration and promise, particularly in the draft. In retrospect, there were plenty of poor choices early on in the millennium with a sprinkle of gems in between. An elite NFL team is built from the ground up and the Dolphins missed that memo through the first three quarters of the 2000s.

It was the Atlanta Falcons' loss that was Miami's gain in Bill Parcells, which changed the landscape and philosophy of the Dolphins organization. Instantly, fans saw how talent could be excavated from even the deepest rounds in a draft. If there's anything that Parcells knows how to do it's evaluate talent. And that's what Miami received when he took the job.

Now Miami has an opportunity to continue their recent draft success and build upon the solid foundation that already has been laid. While many positions are in need of improvement, every team is an offseason or two away from transitioning from mediocrity to elite status. The Dolphins are halfway there.

The 2010 draft will be the next chapter in this ongoing story for Miami and The Trifecta. Seemingly one of the best draft classes since 1983, 2010 could have plenty in store for the Fins and their journey towards the promised land. This will be the deciding season where the Dolphins either catapult into the top-tier or regress into sub-par status. And it all starts with the draft.   

Williams Gets Called Up, Plays Against Heat

March 3, 2010

Just one day after being named the NBA D-League's Player of the Month, Sioux Falls Skyforce forward Reggie Williams was rewarded with a call up to the NBA by the Golden State Warriors. Ironically enough Williams faced off against the Skyforce's affiliate in the Miami Heat. And to no surprise he had a decent showing in his NBA debut.

Ten points, five rebounds and five assists is no spectacular stat line, but for a player that was thrown into the fire like Williams it is a decent showing. Known for his prolific scoring ability in the D-League, Williams fits well into the Golden State system, which is a high octane offense that enjoys playing fast break, uptempo basketball.

The Warriors signed Williams to a 10-day contract, which allows him to earn at least $35,000 in salary and gives him the chance of being signed for the rest of the season. Given Williams success in his NBA debut and the nature of Golden State's wide-open rotation, expect Williams to stay a Warrior for the remainder of the '09-'10 season. The Warriors will not be disappointed with their call-up.

Who Will Have the Better Offseason?

March 2, 2010

For a few months now we've had a running poll on our site asking readers which team they believe will have a better offseason: the Miami Heat or Miami Dolphins. Forty one votes later, we have closed off the poll and labeled the fan favorite to succeed in the offseason.

By the count of 56% to 43% the Miami Dolphins are favored to best revamp and retool their team for next season. Interesting enough, the Miami Heat are built for a huge 2010 offseason, but it seems that fans either trust the Dolphins front office more or are skeptical of the Heat's chances to lure marquee players to Miami. To lay out each team's situation we identify their respective cap room and draft picks in order to see the resources available to them come spring and summer.

Miami Heat (2010-11)

• NBA Projected Salary Cap: $50-53 million
• NBA Projected Luxury Tax Threshold: $61-65 million
• Miami Heat Contracted Salaries: $11.8 (Min.) to $30.7 (Max.) million 
• Summary: Miami is one of the top three teams, along with the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls, to have enough cap room to offer max level contracts to elite free agents and still have room to fill out their roster with a supporting cast. With Owner Micky Arison coming out and stating that he is "95 percent sure" that Dwyane Wade will return, the front office can focus most of its attention towards building around their star guard, rather than trying to keep him in Miami.

Miami Dolphins (2010-11)

• NFL Projected Salary Cap: Uncapped Season (Pending)
• NFL Projected Luxury Tax Threshold: N/A
• Current Contracted Salaries: Approximately $127 million (2nd Highest in NFL for 2009)
• Summary: With the impending uncapped year, there's no telling to what extents the Dolphins will go to improve their roster through free agent, trade and draft acquisitions. The problem: everyone else in the league has the same luxury. It will be an all out race for those lucrative athletes sitting on the trading block and standing in the unemployment line. Fortunately, for high-payroll teams like Miami, releasing players do not result in cap penalties and will be a great tool in freeing budget room. 

Our Take

From the financial standpoint, the Miami Heat seem to have the edge in their respective league to lure top-tier players. With a maximum roster of 15 players in the NBA, as opposed to the 53-man roster in th NFL, it's much easier to improve a basketall team as well. It also goes without saying that Pat Rily has already built a championship team in Miami, whereas Bill Parcells is still establishing his presence with the Dolphins.

Then again, the Dolphins seem to have a solid foundation for success and only need some development from their young guys and a handful of position improvements to reach the next level. Conversely, the only real foundation that the Heat have is Dwyane Wade. Michael Beasley is still growing (only 21 years old) and everyone else is virtually expendable. In essence, the Dolphins only need a few tweaks to improve while the Heat require an entire roster overhaul.

What could decide this debate is the availability of players in each league that have interest in the Dolphins and Heat. If the talent isn't available, then there is no opportunity for advancement. Luckily enough, there seems to be a good crop of draft prospects, free agents and trading chips available to each organization.

Skyforce Player Continues to Impress

March 1, 2010

In a small town somewhere in South Dakota resides one of the NBA D-League's most impressive players this season. Styling the number "15" jersey for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Reggie Williams continues to rack up accolades on represent his team game in and game out.

Williams was the receipient of the Performer of the Week award earlier this season and was elected to the 2010 D-League All-Star game. Today, Williams built on his resume by being dubbed Player of the Month in the month of February. There's not much more the Skyforce can ask from their star forward this season.

Last month, Williams averaged 28.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists all while shooting 60% from the field. Most notably, Williams racked up 43 points on February 25th against the Idaho Stampede. Thanks to his stellar effort, the Skyforce stayed in the playoff hunt as they posted an 8-1 record for the month and currently hold the number three spot in the Eastern Conference.

With the way Williams is performing, both the Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves are beginning to pay attention to the Virginia Military Academy alumnus. With the Heat dealing with a few cases of sporadic injuries and the Wolves in search of a dependable rotation, Williams could be called up before season's end. If not, the Skyforce will be just fine with that. He will just continue to take the D-League by storm.