Heading into the 2010 offseason, one of the Miami Dolphins most glaring needs is at wide receiver.
The unit itself is not a barren wasteland. Far from it. The Dolphins have a tremendous slot man in Davone Bess, while Brian Hartline showed the makings of a capable #2 in his rookie season. Even young, reliable veteran Greg Camarillo caught 50 passes, including an unforgettable clutch grab on the game-winning drive against the Jets, in his first season back from ACL surgery.
What the Dolphins lack is unfortunately what Ted Ginn, Jr. has been unable to provide in three seasons; a legitimate big-play guy who can challenge defenses down the field. A true #1 type receiver. Preferably one with a big body who can give you matchups advantages in the red zone.
Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland admitted as much at the Combine Thursday. Miami simply needs more explosion at the position.
With the consensus #1 wide receiver, Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant, unlikely to be available when Miami’s 12th overall pick rolls around, the Dolphins would be wise to look to free agency to improve the position.
Though under contract, Denver’s Brandon Marshall and Arizona’s Anquan Boldin are available….for the right price. Chatter at the Combine Thursday was that Boldin will finally be dealt. That the Cardinals are willing to accept less than the combination of 1st and 3rd round picks they reportedly wanted a year ago for the Pahokee native.
The Dolphins famously whiffed on Boldin seven years ago, with then-head coach Dave Wannstedt pulling a switcheroo on the scouting department and selecting linebacker Eddie Moore with the 46th overall pick instead of Boldin. Moore would miss the entire 2003 season with injury, while Boldin caught 101 passes on his way to Pro Bowl and Rookie of the Year honors.
Though Boldin would unquestionably upgrade the position and the locker room, he is 29 years old and has a lot of wear on his tires from an injury standpoint.
Like Boldin, Marshall is unhappy with his contract situation. Though one of the game’s most dominating receivers, Marshall has a lot of off-field baggage that could worry a team. Especially when much of it occurred in Orlando, Marshall’s hometown and a short drive from South Florida.
Even still, a #1 pick alone is unlikely to be enough for Marshall. And it is not this team’s M.O. to trade high draft picks for veteran players with big contracts demands.
Unfortunately, the pickins’ will be slim on the unrestricted market. One such free agent discussed among fans is former Cowboy, Brown, 49er and Buccaneer Antonio Bryant.
ThePHINS.com member and UniversalDraft.com’s Chris Kouffman put together a six-game package of film on Bryant from the 2008-09 seasons.
Remember, this was not an offense that went deep under Jon Gruden. Players, such as QB Jeff Garcia, complained about this publicly in 2008. Brian Griese is the QB in many of the 2008 clips. Not surprisingly, you can see more vertical passes in the 2009 clips, along with some lackluster play from Tampa’s young QB’s.
But Bryant carries a lot of baggage himself.
The Miami native played for Bill Parcells in Dallas, though he was drafted a prior to The Tuna’s arrival in 2003. His tenure with the Cowboys ended in 2004 after he infamously threw a jersey in Parcells’ face during a heated exchange. Parcells promptly shipped Bryant to Cleveland in exchange for WR Quincy Morgan.
Bryant signed a $14 million free agent contract with San Francisco in 2006. In what would be his only season with the 49ers, Bryant clashed repeatedly with head coach Mike Nolan, who just happens to be the Dolphins new defensive coordinator. He was also arrested for DUI during the season, resulting in a four-game suspension by the NFL. Bryant was released the following March with two games left on his suspension.
Bryant went unsigned during the 2007 offseason, yet was unable to join a team after Week 2 due to a failed drug test over the summer. Bryant sued the NFL, attempting to cease testing and get the failed test thrown out on the grounds that he wasn’t an active player. The case was resolved out of court in December.
In 2008, Bryant signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the veteran minimum. He delivered career highs in yards (1,248), catches (83) and touchdowns (7). He averaged 15.0 yards per catch that year, right there with his career average of 15.3. The Buccaneers placed the franchise tag on Bryant the following offseason, making him one of the highest paid receivers in the league.
Bryant’s production dropped by nearly 50% in 2009 thanks to knee injuries and inexperience at the quarterback position. Like many veterans, he is seeking a multi-year contract. And he will get that opportunity, as head coach Raheem Morris has confirmed Bryant will not be back in Tampa next season.
So will the Dolphins take a look at Antonio Bryant?
After reading the above, probably not. However, Nolan told Bryant three years ago — when he was cutting him — that the two could one day be together again, provided Bryant deal with his demons. He is a different cat, headstrong and outspoken. And he has a temper. However, last season Bryant talked about turning a corner.
“I just directed my focus; just positive thinking now,” Bryant said. “You always have reporters, you always have doubters, you always have haters. You always have a positive and a negative. No one can influence what you choose to focus on. I chose to focus on that.”
But more than anything else, there’s the Parcells factor. The man in charge in Miami is the man who first divorced him 5+ years ago. Could there be a reconciliation?
Bryant’s outlook towards Parcells has now changed. He said he spoke with Parcells briefly [in 2008] when the Bucs played at Miami.
“We kind of spoke for a brief moment,” Bryant said. “I know at the end of the day, he probably felt like ‘I saved that guy’s career.’ And I’ll give him some credit. You have to be a hard head to be the boss.”
Looking back, Bryant said he has a strong appreciation for Parcells, but doesn’t exactly regret his actions.
“Most definitely (have respect for Parcells), but I still stand my guard as a man,” Bryant said. “It’s just different ways to handle the situation.”
Aside from money and health, the question is could Bryant handle playing for another Parcells-like authoritarian in Tony Sparano? The above quote makes you wonder.
And then there’s geography.
Living in South Florida has long proven to be a distraction for many a wealthy athlete. Coming back to your old stomping grounds can also bring unwanted family-related distractions. So for players like Bryant (Miami), Boldin (Pahokee) and Marshall (Orlando), the off-field risk could double.
So what will the Dolphins do? We’ll begin finding out in seven days.
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