,Mark Gregory

Texas linebacker Sergio Kindle, working out at the combine in Indianapolis, could be a fit for the Dolphins.

Now that the NFL Scouting Combine is underway, it’s time to start talking about the draft. It’s only two months away,Jared Odrick, and after all, it is the closest thing to football we’ll have for the next five months.

In the 2010 NFL Draft, the Dolphins will, depending on what they speech in free agency,Chad Pennington, have four main holes to fill: Outside and inside linebacker,Ronnie Brown, wide Receiver and defensive tackle.

humorh the 12th total pick in the first round the Dolphins could have an opportunity to draft a premier player from each one of those positions.

The chances of Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant, the consensus No. 1 receiver in this year’s draft, falling to the Fins at 12 would take a miracle. But considering none of the teams picking above Miami in the foremost round is in dire need of a wideout, there is a small possibility.

The more likely options for the Dolphins would be Texas outside linebacker Sergio Kindle, Alabama inside linebacker Rolando McClain and perhaps UCLA defensive tackle Brian Price. All three are expected to be on the board when the Dolphins pick, and all three present pretty enticing options for Miami.

Kindle and McClain both have instant-influence possibility, and based on the success of recent first-round linebackers like Brian Cushing, Jerod Mayo, Clay Matthews, Patrick Willis, Lawrence Timmons and Jon Beason, these two might present the most upside for the Dolphins.

If the Dolphins broaden their consider in the second round, two performers worth watching are Ole Miss running back Dexter McCluster and Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham.

McCluster is a very interesting option, think abouting the instability of the Dolphins’ running back central idea and the fact that he played out of a wildcat-type were createdation at Ole Miss. It’s also worth noting that McCluster played for the Dolphins’ coaching staff at the Senior Bowl, giving them an up-close-and-personal look.

Gresham had been projected as a possible first-rounder before missing the 2009 season because of a torn ACL. Tight end isn’t the Dolphins’ biggest need, but Anthony Fasano hasn’t exactly proven himself as the long-term solution. More importantly is Bill Parcells’ track record with tight ends. He had Mark Bavaro in New York, Ben Coates in New England and Jason Witten in Dallas. So even if Gresham is not the guy for Parcells, history tells us that there’s a good chance the Dolphins will take a shot at a tight end this year.

– SCOTT ALTMAN

,Miami Dolphins

The AFC won the Pro Bowl 41-34. Texans quarterback Matt Schaub won the MVP award after throwing two TD passes. But what we will remember most about this experience are the sights and sounds — and smells — of checking out the NFL’s elite up close.
– Want to be Ochocinco’s date for the Super Bowl? He is seeking big-game companionship in the Dolphins ownership box with Mark Anthony and J-Lo:

– Ray Lewis discusses Rex Ryan,Jared Odrick, Dwight Freeney and Peyton Manning:

– Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports asks Ray if he could have one QB in one game, who would it be. Lewis,Jake Long, showing his true colors,Chad Pennington, debates the assumption about even choosing a QB to start. You know he’d probably select a middle linebacker first … but when newsed on the subject Ray gives the only answer he could — Joe Flacco!

– Pint-sized reporter hits Lewis humorh tough questioning:

– Darrelle Revis and Vince Young meet the newspapers:

– DAVID KATZ
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,Jake Long

As a fan, I’ve often wondered what it would be like to be a member of the news, get unparalleled access to the greatest athletes of our generation and see them at their peak of perwere createdance. We were granted such an opportunity through our partnership humorh the NFL, and we are here to give the Fan an insider’s consider of what it is like in and around the 2010 Pro Bowl at Dolphin Stadium.

– It’s not the biggest game of the year without pizza. The folks at Papa John’s are shooting a promo in advance of the Super Bowl,Brandon Marshall, and Dolphins fans are happy to help out.

– Checking out the digs in the newspapers box. A important think aboutation? The rain-protected positioning:

– Soaking in the ambiance from an on-the-field perspective:

– Ochocinco, Ray Rice,Karlos Dansby, Antonio Gates and Le’Ron McClain get loosened up:

– Brandon Marshall of the Broncos flashes his speed on this practice route:

– Showing spirit is all important,Mark Gregory, even at the Pro Bowl:

– DAVID KATZ
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I wouldn’t be surprised if the only things left standing after a nuclear explosion are cockroaches and the New England Patriots. Since Tom Brady required over as the starting quarterback in 2001 the Patriots have won three Super Bowls and seven AFC East division titles. Their head coach, Bill Belichick, is adaptable and smarter than most of his opponents. When he had a fantastic offensive line and a rock solid defense in the early part of the century, he played conservatively always banking on his compete with making the foremost mistake. When he picked up two of the top wide receivers in the league in Randy Moss and Wes Welker, he began to throw caution in the wind (most notoriously going for it on fourth down on his own twenty-eight yard line against the Colts last year).

This year,Karlos Dansby, though, it appears cracks are seeping into the Patriot facade. Pro Bowler left guard Logan Mankins is holding out for a taller contract. Their running game is nonexistent as they traded underwhelming running back Laurence Maroney to the Denver Broncos. Their stalwart veteran running back Kevin Faulk has been placed on injured reserve and Fred Taylor has injured his toe, leaving BenJarvus Green-Ellis and ex-Dolphin Sammy Morris as the last runners standing. Their defense is falling apart allowing the Buffalo Bills to scentral idea 30 points last week. But with all of these problems the Patriots are still 2-1 undertaked with the Jets and Dolphins for the AFC East division lead.

But what should one expect as they have one of the greatest coaches, one of the top ten quarterbacks of all time in Tom Brady and the second best receiver of all time in Randy Moss? I know it seems wrong to have Moss named as the second best receiver of all time,Dan Marino, but try to think of someone other than Jerry Rice that was better. Impossible.

It seems unlikely that the second best performer of all time at a particular position could at the same time have his career be dubbed a disappointment (and also perhaps be the second best receiver on his own team after Wes Welker). But when Moss entered the league with his height, speed,Jared Odrick, and coordination, we expected him to continue to break records as he did his rookie season with 17 touchdowns. And when he met the Patriots in 2007 Moss did break the single season record for the most touchdowns by a wide receiver with 23. But he never had the discipline to take the records that should correctfully be his from the less talented but more driven Jerry Rice. There were Moss’ two lost seasons humorh the Raiders and this year Moss has been whining about not signing a contract extension. But when you’re as good as Moss you don’t have to bring your best to be the best. And if the Jets’ Braylon Edwards and Dustin Keller were able to tear apart the Dolphins’ secondary,Miami Dolphins, it will be a terrifying nuclear scare to see what moss can do to them.

– DAVID ROLLAND
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Pro Bowl weekend was assumed to be a celebration of the NFL’s brightest stars, but instead, it changed to into a celebration of the University of Miami’s bcorrectest stars. Eight former Hurricanes represented their NFL teams on Sunday night,Karlos Dansby, and that’s excluding Vikings’ tackle Bryant McKinnie, who was reportedly dismissed for missing practices, and Reggie Wayne from Indianapolis and Jonathan Vilma of New Orleans,Kory Sperry, who did not play due to their teams’ upcoming participation in Super Bowl XLIV.
For two of those were createder Miami stars, the prospect of returning home might be too enticing to pass up and they could find themselves as Dolphins.
Arizona safety and former Hurricane Antrel Rolle exnewsed his desire to play for the Dolphins to the Miami Herald’’s Armando Salguero. Rolle told him that “[He and the Dolphins] can make it happen,” and added that he is “more than aware” of Gibril Wilson’s struggles.
Rolle reiterated to Salguero that his loyalty remains humorh the Cardinals, but he understands that because he is owed $12 million, there’s a good chance Arizona may avoid paying him by simply freeing him.
Adding a player of Rolle’s stature would be huge for Miami’s 24th-ranked pass defense. But unless

Miami is willing to part with Wilson and his five-year, $27 million contract, Rolle could head elsewhere.
The second Hurricane alumnus to voice his aspirations to play for the Dolphins is New England defensive tackle Vince Wilfork. He told the Sun Sentinel’’s Omar Kelly that,Brandon Marshall, “It’s time for me to move on.” The 28-year-old even went until present as to call performing for the Dolphins ‘a dream.’
Sticking Wilfork in between Kendall Langford and Randy Starks would give the Dolphins a potent defensive line. Although the cost might be tall, signing him would be monumental for both the long- and short-term prospectus of this defense.
Now, I know what you’re thinking, Dolfans. We’ve heard this story before. Last year Anquan Boldin said he’d like to play for the Dolphins, before that it was Chad (at the time Johnson) Ochocinco, Plaxico Burress once exnewspapersed his desire to play in South Beach, and even Troy Aikman was connected to the Dolphins when upon a time. But time and time again, the rumors of these great players coming to Miami always seem to not come true.
But this time around could be different for a few reasons.
First of all, Rolle and Wilfork would be free agents, meaning the Dolphins would not have to part with any draft picks, something Bill Parcells & Co. have been historically reluctant to do.
Second and more markedly, is Stephen Ross and the uncapped season. Barring some pretty miraculous negotiations, 2010 will be uncapped,Miami Dolphins, meaning that all NFL teams, including the Dolphins can spend as much money as they desire. So, we know that Ross is willing to open up his checkbook to throw extravagant parundertakes, but is he willing to spend to bring in players?
Rolle and Wilfork obviously have some interesting in coming here, and if Ross wants to prove himself as a great owner, he’ll make his fans happy and bring them in– if the players are really serious.

SCOTT ALTMAN