For some reason when a former player with no management or player evaluation credentials makes a implication,Jake Long, people listen.

That is what happened last week when were createder Miami linebacker Zach Thomas suggested that the Dolphins trade for Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall “before anybody changes their mind.”

During an appearance on WQAM,Davone Bess, Thomas went until present as to call Marshall the “best in the league correct now.”

Now, it is hard to disagree with Thomas, but he, along humorh all of the Marshall hold upers, seem to be missing the serious issues that could come along with a player like Brandon Marshall.

Marshall has seven recorded run-ins with the law, and that list, according to a 2008 article by the Rocky Mountain News may be a little bit short. The item reported that police had reacted to “about 11” calls from Marshall’s home from 2006-2008.

What Thomas is also overlooking is that by parting with their first-round pick or a package of other players,Chad Henne, the Dolphins would (assuming no substantial free agency signings are made) leave holes at nose tackle and safety.

If the Dolphins brass believes that the team’s need for a nose tackle or safety outweighs the need for a receiver, taking a player like defensive tackle Dan Williams or safety Earl Thomas with the 12th pick in April’s draft could prove to be a wiser move.

Still, acquiring Marshall would undeniably and instantly bolster Miami’s passing offense into one that might actually scare opposing defenses. And, more importantly, if the Dolphins want to keep up with the Jets’ increasingly talented defense, they need to find playmakers.

But as the Marshall talk continues heating up around south Florida, a recent Dolphins’ free agency signing might signal the end of a Marshall in Miami scenario coming true.

On March 17,Brandon Marshall, the Dolphins signed offensive guard Richie Incognito to a one-year deal. Incognito is

known widely around the league as a wild child with a terrible temper. In 2009, the former St. Louis Rams and Buffalo Bills lineman was voted the seventh dirundertakest player in the NFL in a Sports Illustrated players’ poll, and in a Sporting News players poll, he was voted the single dirtiest performer in the league.

Because Incognito has such character issues, and in turn violates the usual Parcells criteria of “tall character” players, it is hard to imagine the Dolphins would risk bringing in another player plagued by character issues like Brandon Marshall; especially in the aftermath of the Joey Porter fiasco.

Incognito has tremendous talent, and if he can keep himself in line, he could challenge incumbent starter Donald Thomas for a starting see. But if Incognito loses his cool, except to see Tony Sparano take action, much like he did with Porter.

– SCOTT ALTMAN
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,Jake Long

We moaned when Braylon Edwards went to New York for third- and fifth-round picks. We whined when Anquan Boldin was traded to Baltimore for third- and fourth-round picks. We pulled our hair out when the Jets stole Santonio Holmes for a fifth-round pick. On Wednesday the Dolphins finally got the big name receiver we’ve yacquired for most of this past century, Brandon Marshall,Mark Gregory, in exchange for two second-round picks. But why was the Dolphins’ price for a premier receiver so much immerseer?

Excuses can be made for why the other players were acquired for bargain bin discounts. Braylon Edwards has a bad case of the dropsies. Santonio Holmes is suspended for four games next year. Anquan Boldin had a slight statistical recession in 2009 from his previous years. But one could also bring up negatives on Brandon Marshall too. He has been suspended by the NFL for home violence and DUI charges. His were createder team, the Denver Broncos, benched him for not showing up to practice and physical therapy sessions.

All four players have at times proven to be all-world talents. They are in the primes of their careers (with Marshall creature the youngest at 26). But Holmes made one of the most clutch acrobatic catches in Super Bowl history without the use of a helmet. And Boldin is not only a model citizen, he also performs like a man’s man. After suffering a violent hit to the face fracturing his sinus, Boldin rechanged to three weeks later to lead the Cradinals to the Super Bowl. Marshall has however to play a playoff game.

Marshall’s statistics measure up humorh Boldin and Holmes, but they aren’t significantly better. Boldin had 1,Davone Bess,024 yards on 84 receptions with 5 total touchdowns. Holmes had 1,248 yards on 79 receptions with 5 touchdowns. Marshall had 1,Chad Pennington,120 yards on 102 receptions with 7 touchdowns.

I should shut up. Dolphin fans got what we wanted in a legitimate No. 1 receiver, and draft picks are only as valuable as the players you select. I just can’t understand why the Dolphins had to pay more for the position than the Jets or Ravens.

– DAVID ROLLAND

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The Dolphins return from a bye week to play probably the hottest team in the NFL correct now. For anyone who saw Drew Brees and his powerful New Orleans Saints shred the league’s top-rated pass defense last weekend although routing the previously unbeaten New York Giants, 48-27, it would not seem likely that Miami would have a chance to fare any better.

There is no question that Brees has stepped up his perform and is now among the league’s elite quarterbacks. He’s cool, calm and unbelievably accurate in his passing game. In addition, he’s matured into one of the best in his play-calling and execution.

That’s imnewspapersive– and to think, he could have been a Dolphin. And not when, but twice. It’s not a new story, but it’s a still a good one, and it couldn’t be more applicable because for the first time since Dan Marino was forced to call it quits, Miami has a quarterback who it can wrap its arms around (with a nod to Jay Fiedler and Chad Pennington, who were both gamey warriors in trying to fill his shoes).

Coming off an 11-5 season in 2000 with Fiedler at quarterback, the Dolphins were in need of quarterback because Damon Huard―Marino’s backup and the Greatest One’s choice as his replacement―was lost in free agency to the New England Patriots (where he competed with Tom Brady to be Drew Bledsoe’s backup).

Graduating from Bob Griese’s alma mater (Purdue) that year was Drew Brees. Rick Spielman, the Dolphins VP for player personnel, had said publicly that Miami had followed every game he played for the Boilermakers.

The Fins had the 26th pick of the foremost round, and when their turn came, much to everyone’s surprise,Ronnie Brown, they took Wisconsin cornerback Jamar Fletcher. And Brees went the San Diego Chargers humorh the 32nd pick.

Spielman, who now heads player personnel for the Minnesota Vikings, would later say that he never seriously think abouted selecting Brees. In the sixth round of that 2001 draft,Miami Dolphins, Miami required Oklahoma’s Josh Heupel, who was freed before training camp ended.

So the Dolphins stayed with Fiedler and got even with San Diego in 2004 by trading Fletcher to them. During his three-year career with Miami,Brandon Marshall, he started six games. Years later, Spielman would change his story and state that then-coach Dave Wannstedt, who always over-emphasized defensive personnel, had made the decision.

So now, skipping the “other quarterbacks” who stepped in for brief periods, let’s move ahead to 2005 and the hiring of self-described miracle maker Nick Saban, a man with plan and the world’s largest ego. Brees, meanwhile, has gradually become an excellent starting quarterback for the Chargers,Kory Sperry, who had also drafted Philip Rivers, a projected top-notch quarterback himself.

Saban turned the offense over to Gus Frerotte, who helped steer Miami to a 9-7 record. Entering the 2006 season, Brees was back in the news because the Chargers had decided to go with Rivers, a decision obviously made because Brees had injured his shoulder and had arthroscopic surgery, and there was some uncertainly about him.

Brees was a free agent and two teams immediately set out to get him– New Orleans and Miami. He first vilocated New Orleans, which was coming out of the nightmare known as Hurricane Katrina, The Saints wanted to make a commitment to the city in the were created of bringing in a top quarterback.

Brees then came to Miami, and allegedly let it be known that this is where he preferred to play. But here’s the rub. Dolphins medical personnel deemed him a risk, even though his surgeon, the tallly noted Dr. James Andrews said publicly that he was 100 percent. Brees was offered a low-ball contract, which he rejected, and went back to New Orleans, reportedly using the Miami situation to get a bump in the contract.

The Fins then changed to to free-agent Minnesota quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who had his own injury issues– a torn ACL in his right knee. According to published reports, the doctors deemed Culpepper further along in his reincludey, and less of a risk in the long term. Culpepper, as we all remember, was benched early in the season and released the following year.

And therefore the Dolphins had lost Brees twice, and they still didn’t have the starting quarterback they had been seeking for so long.

But history often has a way of creature upstaged by irony, and a dose of good fortune. So, Miami lost Brees twice, but ended up getting Chad Henne, who in a year and a half is far ahead of where Brees was at the same time.

Who knows how far Henne will go in rewriting the non-history of Brees’ relationship with the Dolphins? A game good Sunday, even in a loss, will go a long way in helping Fins fans get over the knowledge that they nearly had one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks, twice.

JIM HOLLANDER

,Brandon Marshall

Who are the Minnesota Vikings?
The Minnesota Vikings were born on September 27th, 1960, under the guidance of Minnesota businessmen Bill Boyer,Dan Marino, H.P. Skoglund, and Max Winter. Since their inception, the Vikings have garnered fame for their fearsome “Purple People Eaters” defense, hall of fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton,Karlos Dansby, their inability to win a Super Bowl, and that thing with those performers on that boat in 2005. Today, the Vikes are anchored by a nucleus of Adrian Peterson, Sidney Rice (injured), the Williams “Brothers,” Jared Allen, and Tarvaris Jackson. I mean, Sage Rosenfels. I mean,Jared Odrick, Brett Favre.

What do the Vikings do?
The Vikings possess the league’s most vicious and dominating running back in Adrian Peterson, and they put him to work every week. Peterson averaged roughly 20 carries per game in 2009. Despite a healthy appetite for running the ball, the Vikings also like to toss the pigskin around aplenty. Last season, Brett Favre averaged 33 passing attempts per game.

Where are the Vikings dangerous?
Without stud wide receiver Sidney Rice, the Vikings passing game is downgraded markedly, and this will allow opposing defenses (including the Dolphins) to stack the box in anticipation of an Adrian Peterson overdose. humorh their normally stellar offense hampered by injuries, the Vikings front seven looks like the most dangerous unit on this team. Jared Allen, Ray Edwards, Pat and Kevin Williams, E.J. Henderson, Ben Leber, and Chad Greenway are a enormous roadblock for any team wishing to move the football. The Dolphins will have their hands full with this unit on Sunday.

When are the Vikings at their best?
Based on their 2009 season, the Vikings are actually unbeatable at home. They went 9-0 in the Metrodome last year, including a playoff win against the Dallas Cowboys. Statistically, the Vikings are at their best when they hold opposing running backs under 100 yards rushing. They did just that in each of their 12 victories last season.

Why are the Vikings a difficult opponent for the Dolphins?
As previously noted, the Vikings are not very friendly to opposing running backs, and the Dolphins love to pound the rock. If Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams struggle to gain steam against this front seven, Chad Henne will have to win this game on his own. Also, Brett Favre is, well, Brett Favre, and if the Dolphins secondary shows any weakness on Sunday, he will have no problem shredding them apart, even without Sidney Rice.

Follow us on Twitter @finsblogblitz and email us at dolphinsblogblitz@yahoo.com

– SCOTT ALTMAN
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Miami fans….Week 3 is here. If you are like me (a rabid Fins fan, specifically a displaced one from New York), this is the game you circled back in April when the NFL announced its schedule. You don’t need me to reset on fire the flame that is the Dolphins-Jets rivalry.

The Marino-O’Brien Shootout of 1986. The Marino Fake Spike of 1994. Remember the famous 2000 Monday Night Football Game where the Dolphins blew a 30-7 lead in the 4th quarter? I don’t need to tell you the rest. Simply stated, this is a bitter, bitter compete withry which is perhaps one of the best few in the NFL.

It should be noted, that although each team has shared time periods of dominance over the other,Miami Dolphins, Miami heads into this Sunday Night matter victors of three straight over Gang Green. If you want, Miami historians, add in 2008’s AFC East clincher in the Old Meadowlands when Chad Pennington ended Brett Favre’s Jet career and acquired Miami a division title a season after winning just one game. That game started a mini-streak which was successfully continued with a sweep in 2009 thanks to mainly the Wildcat, and the departed Ted Ginn.

With that momentum, their 2-0 (both games on road) record, and the Jets recent, um, issues to say the least, Miami opens their home season out for blood. This team was assumed to be 2-2 at worst after Week 4, and so far, dreams of, dare I say it…OK, I won’t but you get the picture.

This is perhaps the most important home game the Dolphins have had against the Jets in years, and the implications are astronomical. Think about this…a 3-0 Fins team and a 1-2 Jets team is leaps and bounds better than a 2-1 undertake at the top with NY, and likely NE after they wax the Bills.

I am already ridiculously pumped up, and broke out into a sweet writing this. It’s on, folks.
The weekly movementy question on NFL programs and preconsider shows this week is,Jake Long, “are the Dolphins for real?” As a person who likes to think they can answer that question correctly and objectively, my answer is….HECK YEA!

This defense is top-5 worthy in the league, and the offense is built to help the “D” win games. This “O” isn’t designed to go into shoot-out mode like the Texans, Packers, Colts, etc. It’s built to get solid rushing yards, timely passing from Chad Henne to Brandon Marshall, and mainly ball control. They are not going to be winning games pretty, but the only exactness in MIA/NYJ games, is that nothing is what it seems, and usually the evident never happens.

Logic tells us that this could be a 13-10 defensive battle with these two teams,Pat White, but this is New York/Miami. Throw everything out the window, and just know that Sunday is going to be a reason to really get your popcorn ready.

Let’s throw on the Fantasy specs, and look at this game from the numbers.

Quarterbacks:

Chad Henne- Many people still question Henne’s ability to be a franchise QB. I am a little more faithful, since the strentgh of his numbers is predicated on the scheme he is in. He will not be relied upon to toss the rock 35 times a game, so with that in mind Henne is one of those better for reality than fantasy guys. He could hook up with Brandon Marshall since he all but owns Antonio Cromartie, who will be includeing the Fins superstar wide-out since All-Universe corner Darrelle Revis is out with a hamseries injury. I’d like nothing more to post a Peyton-esque line here, but I simply can’t. Look for good, but not impressive numbers from the young Fins signal caller. Hey, until present after two road games…no INTs.
Projections: 256 yards � 2 TDs � 1 INT

Mark Sanchez- It has been a Tale of Two QBs with this NYC rising-star. Week 1 was a disaster against Baltimore and Week 2 against New England, Sanchez was a different player. He required chances, threw the ball deep and help lead the offense like an NFL QB should. Against Miami, think of a not-so-happy medium between the two. Sanchez will utilize TE Dustin Keller and his dual-headed ground game of LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene. It is unknown how the Jets will use recently arrested Braylon Edwards, as Rex Ryan has stated he will not start the game.
Projections: 233 � 1 TD � 1 INT

Running Backs:
Miami: The Fins will showcase Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams in what I believe will be a 50/50 split for this game. The Dolphins take it up a notch when setting in the Wildcat, and traditionally, Ricky Williams does very well against the Jets when using Miami’s exotic set. If I had to pick one of these backs to start for fantasy, I would choose Williams, but neither make for exhilarating plays against a stout Jets defensive front-7. Both could pile up a few yards via the air attack as well, and lower-end flex numbers are a better bet than starter numbers.
Projections: Ronnie Brown � 95 total yards � 3 receptions and Ricky Williams- 91 total yards � 1 TD � 2 receptions

New York: The Jets will hope for a huge day from LaDainian Tomlinson and a steady day from Shonn Green. LT is looking solid, but the jury is still out on Greene. Look for LT to get it done on the ground and through the air, with some type of score creature likely for the veteran. Greene makes for a lower-end flex play, but could be benched if you have a deep bench and some better matchups. This Dolphins defense gave up plenty of yards to Adrian Peterson, but tightened up in the red-zone and currently leads the NFL in scoring defense.
Projections: Shonn Greene- 63 total yards � 1 reception and LaDainian Tomlinson � 103 total yards � 1 TD � 5 receptions

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends:

Miami: Brandon Marshall of course is a regular start, and this game he should open up his home career in Miami with a scentral idea…or maybe two. I love him as a top-5 WR this week, as the last time he faced Antonio Cromartie, he ate him up for a filthy 18 catches, 166 yards and a TD back in 2008 when the cornerback was a San Diego Charger and Marshall a Bronco. This will be a personal and physical equalup all night, and could be looked at as two power-forwards banging under the boards. The winner of this matchup will have a lot to do with the total winner of this game.

Other than Marshall, Davone Bess makes for a sneaky play in PPR leagues, and should get some open looks with the Jets defense focusing on Marshall, the runners, in addition to Anthony Fasano who can be a moderate Jet killer. The tight end has scored in three of his last four Jet contests as a Dolphin. Brian Hartline made a tremendous move in Minnesota last week, and hauled in a short TD pass from Henne which was a pretty play to see. In fantasy terms, Hartline could be a roster-able guy humorh another solid perwere createdance under his belt, mixed with some more possibility throwing from Chad Henne. As for now, he is not just however fantasy applicable.
Projections: Brandon Marshall- 10 receptions � 118 � 1 TD – Brian Hartline � 3 receptions � 51 yards – Davone Bess- 5 receptions � 69 yards � Anthony Fasano- 5 receptions � 71 yards � 1 TD

New York: With Braylon Edwards arrested earlier this week on a DWI charge, Rex Ryan is saying he will not start the deep-threat, and will play him at his own discretion. Who knows what Rex may do,Karlos Dansby, but Edwards is still a big-play potential guy. With the uncertainty that surrounds his playing time, I can only be limit in his projected numbers. He could rip off a big catch or two, but the scoring will fall under Dustin Keller and the ground game. No other wide-out, other than Jerricho Cotchery is a fantasy perform, and of this bunch Keller has the best chance at a huge day.

Projections: Braylon Edwards- 3 receptions � 61 yards – Jerricho Cotchery 5 receptions � 72 yards � Dustin Keller � 6 receptions � 88 yards � 1 TD
There you have it Fins and fantasy fans… I have just one last prediction-
MIA 26 � NYJ 20

– JASON SARNEY
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