Jason Taylor, Miami Dolphins / Image: Zuma Press

Jason was being courted by the New England Patriots. And he turned down $8.5 million to return to the Redskins this season. So, it was pretty clear he was going to do whatever it took to return to South Beach:

“My heart has always been in Miami, and so I’m truly excited to call myself a Dolphin once again. I was presented with a number of different opportunities, but in the end the combination of this being the best situation for my family, my love for this community and my tremendous loyalty to a great organization made this an easy decision.”

Jason belongs in South Beach and I respect his proper placement of priorities. And the Dolphins are certainly happy to see him back. After all, Jason holds team career records for consecutive games started (130), sacks (117), opponents fumble recoveries (26), fumble returns for touchdowns (5), defensive touchdowns (8) and interceptions by a defensive lineman (7). As improved as the Dolphins were from 2007 to 2008, they’ll be an even better team for having Jason Taylor back in the fold at his defensive end position in 2009.

Sources: MiamiDolphins.com, NFL.com

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Jason Taylor Returning to Miami Dolphins

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

After suffering through a miserable 1-15 rookie season, Miami Dolphins center Samson Satele and his teammates are enjoying the fruits of their labor as the Dolphins accomplished the biggest single season turnaround in National Football League history. Personally, Samson continued to a current 32-game start streak, the longest in team history for an offensive lineman starting a career. The simple recap — the Dolphins went from being the worst team in the NFL to AFC East champs with a home field Wild Card game this weekend against the Baltimore Ravens. I talked with Samson from his home in South Beach after another day at the office. Guest appearance by Samson’s son — Samson LotoToa (meaning “brave heart”) Satele.

• 0:11 – Three games in one week at Dolphin Stadium
• 0:34 – Bill Parcells and head coach Tony Sparano lead new Dolphins
• 1:27 – Almost 40 new players have ignited a rebirth in South Beach
• 1:50 – Learning how to win and developing a winning attitude
• 2:20 – Quarterback Chad Pennington NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year
• 2:49 – Creating the Wild Cat offense and watching the “copy cats”
• 3:22 – Working with trainers and taking care of a 32-game start streak
• 4:02 – The Dolphins have been in playoff mode for the past five games
• 4:52 – Blevins29, Huntington, WV: toughest player and team to block
• 5:41 – Sean, Pensacola, FL: difficulty of adjusting to life on the mainland
• 6:25 – Samson hasn’t cut his hair since he was a freshman in college
• 6:58 – New Year’s resolutions: being a good husband and father

Links: MiamiDolphins.com, NFLPlayers.com, NFL.com

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EMQB Interview: Samson Satele

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

With two sacks in this afternoon’s 25-16 win over the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter now has 10.5 on the season and is on a pace to break Michael Strahan’s all-time record of 22.5 sacks (back in 2001). After the game, Joey expressed his enthusiasm as only he can:

“I’ve never really been in a system to where a lot of the defense I’m featured in is so I can go out there and make plays. They put me in a position to make plays a lot and I’ll put that on myself to go out and make the plays. It’s a player-friendly defense that puts me in a lot of opportunities to have one-on-one with the back, one-on-one with the tackle. I’m isolated and in a lot of situations to take advantage. The sombrero’s on me when I have to win those matchups and I’ve been pretty good winning those matchups.”

This is what the Dolphins envisioned when they signed Joey to a five-year, $32 million deal before last season. But we all know what 2007 was about. Amidst a miserable 1-15 season, Joey only contributed 5.5 sacks. But his three sacks in the final three games gave new Dolphins Executive VP of Football Ops Bill Parcells and new head coach Tony Sparano enough reason to figure out that he wasn’t washed up yet. And he probably has Michael Strahan thinking about coming out of retirement.

Source: MiamiDolphins.com, Photo: Newscom

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Joey Porter Might Break Sack Record

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

It didn’t take long for Chad Pennington to find a new home after the N.Y. Jets dumped him in favor of Brett Favre this past week. Chad reunited with his former general manager with the Jets, Bill Parcells, by signing a two-year, $11.5 million deal with the Miami Dolphins yesterday. He’s in uniform (but only watching) this evening against the Tampa Bay Bucs:

“I have enjoyed it. I’ve learned a lot, become a better professional and a better man because of my experience and my time in New York. I don’t regret or feel ashamed about anything that happened to me in my time in New York. The most difficult part is just the realization that the organization no longer wants you. You spend eight years there and, in the blink of an eye, you’re no longer wanted there.”

Well, that’s the nature of the business in the National Football League. Feelings don’t matter a whole lot. But Chad is wanted in Miami — as their starter, no less. He’ll bring a wealth of much needed experience to a young Dolphins offense and he’ll be able to prep the other QBs (John Beck, Josh McCown, Chad Henne) for their shot at the starting spot in the future. I have my doubts that the Dolphins will be very good this season, but Chad gives the team their best chance at winning, even if it is only five games.

Source: NFL.com

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Miami Dolphins Sign Chad Pennington

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

Former N.Y. Giants defensive end George Martin just completed a 3,000 mile, nine-month walk across America. His purpose? To raise money to help provide health care for the surviving rescue and recovery workers who rushed into danger on 9/11. The journey began at the George Washington Bridge in New York City and ended at Embarcadero Marina Park in San Diego this past weekend. George’s Journey for 9/11 has raised more than $2 million to benefit ailing rescue and recovery personnel who worked at Ground Zero:

“Cancer, chronic asthma, PTSD, gastrointestinal disease; it’s a simple and sad fact that exposure to the unknown toxins at ground zero and other traumas have had devastating effects on the health and well-being on those that sacrificed the time, safety, their families and their jobs for the benefit of our nation. We owe them. We owe them our support. For that reason, I walk.”

I really admire what George did. And although he will fall short of his $10 million goal, three New York-area hospitals are matching donations with medical services. George has also collected contributions from famous friends like his former Giants coach, Bill Parcells, who donated $10,000. Other donors with league ties include former Giants coach Jim Fassel ($25,000), Patriots VP of Player Personnel Scott Pioli ($2,500), USC coach Pete Carroll ($1,100), and former Giants Harry Carson, Mark Bavaro and Phil McConkey ($1,000 each). The NFL donated $100,000, the NFL Disaster Relief Fund put in $50,000, and the Players’ Union chipped in another $10,000.

Be a part of the journey and contribute what you can today.

Sources: NFL.com, AJourneyfor911.info

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George Martin’s Journey for 9/11 Supports Heroes of Ground Zero, Walk Complete

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

Jason Taylor cleared the air about his status with the Miami Dolphins yesterday during an informal Q&A session from Hollywood, FL. No, he did not demand a trade from the team. Yes, he wants to play one more season before moving on to an acting career. No, he still hasn’t spoken with new Dolphins boss Bill Parcells. Yes, he believes Tony Sparano will be a good coach in Miami. No, he doesn’t regret missing workouts to appear on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.” Yes, he desperately wants to leave football a winner:

“Do I want to be here? Yeah, I’d love to be here. I would love to be a Dolphin and win games and have it work out for everybody. But that may not be the case. I want to win in ‘08. That’s what I want to do. And I’ve told the Dolphins from day one that was my intention. My intentions right now are to play one more year. I’ve tried to give the Dolphins the opportunity, if they wanted to do something and move me, I was OK with that. If they can get value for me, then do that. That was the conversation we had behind closed doors a long time ago.”

That’s a nice way of saying “I’d like to be traded” without saying “I’d like to be traded.” Let’s be honest here. The Miami Dolphins weren’t happy that one of — if not their best — player was not with the team during what they felt was an important stage of redevelopment. Nevertheless, they would be a better team with Jason Taylor than without him. But, I think Jason can see the handwriting on the wall here. While the Miami Dolphins have upgraded their talent and are definitely headed in the right direction, there’s a pretty good chance they aren’t going to make the playoffs in ‘08 let alone win a championship. If Jason is going to play one more year and go out a winner, it will most likely have to take place in a city other than Miami.

Source: Associated Press, Photo: Newscom

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Jason Taylor Wants to Play Another Season

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

By the time Miami Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown walks into training camp this summer, he might think he’s in the wrong place. So much has changed in South Florida, it’s hard to recognize the 1-15 Dolphins. And that’s a good thing. There’s nothing like a nearly winless season to inspire change.

One of the few bright spots for the Dolphins in 2007 was the development of Ronnie Brown. Though his season ended after seven games with a torn ACL (trying to make a tackle after an interception, no less), Ronnie’s string of four consecutive 100-yard games had proven what Miami Dolphins brass strongly suspected when they selected him with the second overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft — that he was the real deal. At six feet and 232 pounds, Ronnie’s built like a brick wall. And his ridiculous 40-time at the ‘05 NFL Scouting Combine wasn’t a fluke. The guy can move with the football in his hands. Factor in his pass catching ability and you’ve got all the makings of a workhorse, every-down back that 29 other teams wish they would’ve traded-up to get.

How good was Ronnie’s 2007 season before he messed up his knee trying to run down New England Patriots CB Randall Gay after an interception? He was leading the entire NFL in yards from scrimmage. But at the time of the injury, he wasn’t sure how serious it was or if or how long it would sideline him. His questions would soon be answered with bad news, though. “It felt a little weird and then once I actually went off the field, the doc told me he thought it was my ACL,” Ronnie explained. “Later on when I was in the shower and then also when I was trying to ice it, it felt weak and unstable. At that point, I kinda thought maybe it was a little more serious than I originally imagined.”

And that’s the worst feeling for an NFL player — the reality of an injury that prevents you from doing your job. Which, for some players, could lead to not having one. But Ronnie had surgery right away and after a period of rest, he’s been improving rapidly. “I’m four months out of surgery and everything seems to be going really well,” Ronnie said. “I’m actually running and doing some things on the field that I’m excited about after being cooped-up for so long. But I’m just excited about the upcoming season and I’m trying to get back and hopefully pick up where I left off last season.”

Where he left off was among the best in the NFL at his position. In six and a half games, Ronnie had piled up 602 yards on 119 carries. Yeah, that’s 5.1 yards per carry. It was sickening to see his promising season end so early, but always the consummate professional, he kept a positive attitude and was ready to deal with the challenge. “At that point, I felt pretty good about my conditioning and health,” Ronnie admitted. “I think EAS supplements have been a big advantage for me. I have a great opportunity working with EAS to hopefully help myself come back faster than I might normally if I wasn’t using the products.”

Ronnie’s regimen includes his favorite Phosphagen Elite™ (a flavored creatine powder that acts as a buffer against the lactic acid that limits exercise power); Athlete’s Defense™ multi-vitamins (designed to support an athlete’s immune system by increasing antioxidant defenses); and Myoplex® shakes for workout recovery. “I think they all play a big part in my being able to come back,” he said.

When he does come back, he’ll see what appears to be a brand new team. The Dolphins have been extremely active so far in free agency, adding OL Justin Smiley (49ers), DT Randy Starks (Titans), LB Reggie Torbor (Giants), WR Ernest Wilford (Jags), TE Sean Ryan (Jets) and former Cowboys DT Jason Ferguson via a trade. Plus they’ve hired a new head coach in Tony Sparano. And NFL living legend Bill Parcells was hired as the Director of Football Ops. “I was excited about Bill Parcells for the simple fact that everyone knows the things he’s done with other programs,” Ronnie said. “As far as him coming into Miami, I think it’s something we needed as an organization and I’m looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to a change and looking forward to us turning things around.”

As far as seeing so many new faces in the locker room, Ronnie admitted to feeling a little uncertain. “It’s a little weird,” he said. “In college, everything pretty much stays the same. I’m working on my fourth year in the NFL now and it’s a little different here, but everyone knows it’s part of the game and changes do happen. It’s one of the things you just have to work with and overcome and hopefully we can add some key guys and everything can come together as an organization and get this headed in the direction it’s supposed to go.”

In this current NFL, a team can completely turn their misfortunes into fortunes. Sometimes in just one season. And Ronnie feels the Dolphins are a prime candidate to do just that despite their previous one-win season. “We have a great opportunity here with the pieces we already have and the people that have been brought into the organization,” he said. “If we can continue to do the things we’ve done to improve over the past few months, I think we’ve got a good chance to be a pretty good team this year.”

This was the second consecutive year I interviewed Ronnie from the “EAS Experience” at the Arnold Sports Festival Expo and the fourth time overall. Visit Ronnie online at RonnieBrown23.com or his Team EAS page.

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EMQB Interview: Ronnie Brown

Tony Sparano should just go ahead and change his name to Tony Soprano. He’s going to get that a lot. But whatever you want to call him, he’s the new head coach of the Miami Dolphins. While you’re at it, you might as well start calling the Miami Dolphins the Miami Cowboys as another Dallas transplant (Coach Soprano … I mean Sparano was the assistant head coach in Dallas) has landed in South Beach (Bill Parcells and GM Jeff Ireland preceded).

This Miami gig has been somewhat of a revolving door since ‘04 (Dave Wannstedt, Jim Bates, Nick Saban and Cam Cameron), but Bill Parcells’ endorsement suggests Coach Sparano might last awhile. The list of “Parcells Proteges” who have become NFL coaches includes Bill Belichick, Tom Coughlin, Sean Payton, Romeo Crennel and Eric Mangini. Coach Sparano wouldn’t mind having his name in that group. And I believe he will. If Bill Parcells gives this guy his recommendation, that’s good enough for me. Coach Sparano is a high-character guy, he understands how to develop young players, and he will instill a much-needed culture of winning in Miami.

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Tony Sparano Named to Coach Dolphins

With Bill Parcells cleaning house in Miami, it was only a matter of time before head coach Cam Cameron was given his walking papers. In a disasterous 1-15 debut, Coach Cameron was fired as leader of the Dolphins today.

I have mixed feelings on this. Understandably, Bill Parcells wants to put his stamp on the team he was hired to assemble. I don’t think anyone can argue that. He wants people he knows and people he’s comfortable with — people he shares the same organizational and structural philosophy with. Cam Cameron did not fit with that plan.

In defense of Coach Cameron, he was, in a sense, brought to Miami to steer a sinking ship. He had to deal with the quarterback controversy between Daunte Culpepper and Trent Green, neither of whom would be available for most of the season (Trent injured and Daunte cut). His star running back (Ronnie Brown) went down with a season-ending injury and his top wide receiver (Chris Chambers) was dealt to San Diego. Then it took him nearly the entire season to get his first victory. And that was the only one he managed. You gotta have some sympathy for the guy.

Nevertheless, 1-15 doesn’t cut it anywhere, much less the National Football League. And with new management in South Beach, this move was inevitable. Coach Cameron is a class act and I hope he finds a great new career, with the odds in his favor this time — perhaps even as the type of successful OC as he was in San Diego prior to taking the Miami job.

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Cam Cameron Fired as Head Coach in Miami, Overhaul of Dolphins Continues

Bill Parcells has been busy cleaning house. Not his South Beach abode, but the Miami Dolphins’ front office. The Dolphins’ new executive vice president of football operations fired general manager Randy Mueller and two other members of the player personnel staff yesterday. He’ll catch his breath and meet with head coach Cam Cameron tomorrow to discuss the team’s future — and maybe Coach Cameron’s job?

While the Dolphins can look forward to a lot of change this offseason, they can also look forward to making the first choice of the 2008 National Football League Draft on April 26-27. The order of the first round of the 2008 Draft was announced yesterday by the NFL:

1. Miami Dolphins
2. St. Louis Rams
3. Atlanta Falcons#
4. Oakland Raiders#
5. Kansas City Chiefs#
6. N.Y. Jets
7. New England Patriots (from San Francisco)
8. Baltimore Ravens
9. Cincinnati Bengals
10. New Orleans Saints
11. Buffalo Bills
12. Denver Broncos
13. Carolina Panthers
14. Chicago Bears
15. Detroit Lions
16. Arizona Cardinals
17. Minnesota Vikings
18. Houston Texans
19. Philadelphia Eagles
20. Tampa Bay Bucs*
21. Washington Redskins*
22. Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland)
23. Seattle Seahawks*
24. Pittsburgh Steelers*
25. Tennessee Titans*
26. N.Y. Giants*
27. San Diego Chargers*
28. Jacksonville Jaguars*
29. Green Bay Packers*
30. Dallas Cowboys*
31. San Francisco 49ers* (from Indy)

* subject to playoffs
# subject to coin flip

I’m not really sure why the NFL releases the Draft order this early. Eleven positions are yet to be determined by results from the upcoming playoffs. But, there you have it.

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Bill Parcells Cleaning House in Miami, Dolphins Hold First Pick in 2008 NFL Draft