Willie McGinest, the 37-year-old linebacker who played year with the Cleveland Browns, reportedly wants to play one more year in the NFL. Where will McGinest end up?

One possible destination could be the New England Patriots. McGinest played for the Patriots from 1994 to 2005. After spending the last three seasons with the Browns, it’s possible McGinest could end up back in New England.

The Patriots value veterans — especially veteran linebackers. It wouldn’t be too surprising to see McGinest sign a small deal with the Patriots at some point before training camp.

Another possible destination is the Miami Dolphins. Bill Parcells is another person in the NFL who values veterans and he knows McGinest well.

In his career, McGinest has played in 212 games and has recorded 798 tackles, 86 sacks, 16 forced fumbles and five interceptions. Last season, had 56 tackles but was only able to tally one sack — the lowest number for his career.

Willie McGinest Rumors (Image: Zuma Press)

Earlier in the week, Greg Ellis was released by the Dallas Cowboys. The 33-year-old out of North Carolina played his first 12 years in the NFL with the Cowboys. However, after another offseason filled with complaints from Ellis, Dallas decided to cut their ties and save some money on his contract.

Greg Ellis Rumors and Possible Destinations (Image: Zuma Press)

Considering that he has 20.5 sacks in the past two seasons, Ellis shouldn’t have any shortage of attention in free agency. At 6-foot-6 and 262 pounds, he’s still a player the offense has to account for when he’s on the field.

Who could be interested in him?

New England Patriots
Don’t the Patriots make a whole lot of sense? They need a pass rusher and they love veteran players with something to prove.

Arizona Cardinals
Ellis could rub it in and sign with the Cardinals — one of the Cowboys’ main rivals. Arizona also needs a pass rusher and Ellis could fit right in.

Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals also make sense. Mike Zimmer, the former defensive coordinator for the Cowboys, is now with the Bengals. Plus Cincinnati could use his added toughness.

Miami Dolphins
A reunion with Bill Parcells? Don’t count it out. Parcells likes veterans and even though he didn’t always see eye-to-eye with Ellis, he would make Miami better.

According to Drew Rosenhaus’ Twitter (@RosenhausSports), Will Allen has signed a two-year extension with the Miami Dolphins. The 30-year-old cornerback has spent the last three seasons with the Dolphins after beginning his career with the New York Giants.

For specifics on the contract, here is what Rosenhaus said on Twitter:

We would also like to announce that we have signed Will Allen to a 2 yr extension with the Dolphins worth $16.2..million over the next 3 seasons.

Will’s deal includes $10 million in guarantees.

I’m really happy for Will Allen to be able to continue his career in Miami for the next 3 years. He has become a mainstay for the Dolphins.

While with the Dolphins, Allen has played 47 out of a possible 48 games. Last season, he played in all 16 games and totaled 50 tackles and three interceptions. His three interceptions were the highest he’s had in his career since he had four as a rookie for the Giants in 2001.

In the 2009 NFL season, Allen is expected to keep starting on the left side for Miami. He’ll get help from Sean Smith and Vontae Davis — two selections by the Dolphins in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Will Allen Extension Announced on Twitter (Image: Zuma Press)

Lousaka Polite, a fullback for the Miami Dolphins, was given contract extension that will now pay him $3.7 million over the next three years. Polite’s current contract had him making approximately $600K in the 2009 NFL season. The fullback is now under contract with the Dolphins through the end of the 2011 season.

Polite broke into the NFL as an undrafted free agent for the Dallas Cowboys in 2004. After going to school at Pittsburgh, Polite played in Dallas from 2004 through 2007. During that time, his most notable play was a touchdown reception in the 2005 season. In the 2007 season, he spent time with the Chicago Bears.

After Bill Parcells, Polite’s former coach while at Dallas, landed with the Dolphins, the fullback was back in the NFL last year with Miami. In 11 games, he had 23 carries for 85 yards and six receptions for 24 yards.

At 27, Polite is known for being a hardworking fullback who is also a high character influence in the lockerroom.

Lousaka Polite, Miami Dolphins (Image: Newscom)

Jason Taylor had a lot of teams interested in acquiring his services. When it came down to it, Taylor decided to follow his heart. Reportedly turning down more lucrative offers, Taylor re-joined the Miami Dolphins when he agreed to a one-year contract.

After playing in Miami for the first 11 seasons of his career, Taylor was traded to the Washington Redskins last year. In Washington, Taylor’s performance fell off — totaling a career-low 29 tackles and a career-low 3.5 sacks. After he decided not to attend workouts in Washington, the Redskins decided to cut him.

While with the Dolphins, Taylor had a very successful run. From 2000 to 2007, Taylor had at least 8.5 sacks in each season. In 2002 he had 18.5 sacks, 14.5 sacks in 200 and 13.5 sacks in 2006. Back in Miami, the 34-year-old may have a few more sacks left in his 6-foot-6, 244-pound frame.

Said Taylor in a written statement: “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 Taylor (Image: Zuma Press)

After the 2009 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins released quarterback John Beck. With a number of teams interested in his services, Beck decided to ink with the Baltimore Ravens. Beck, who went to BYU and was the fourth quarterback taken in the 2007 draft, has played in five games in his NFL career.

The Dolphins no longer needed Beck due to having on their roster Chad Pennington and two young quarterbacks — Chad Henne (drafted in 2008) and Pat White (drafted in 2009).

With Baltimore, Beck could possibly win the backup QB gig. He’ll compete with Troy Smith and Todd Bouman for the job. Joe Flacco, the 2008 first round pick who played well last year and helped the Ravens make the playoffs, will undoubtedly remain the starter in 2009. Though Smith probably is the favorite to win the backup quarterback job, Beck does have a chance.

The 6-foot-2 Beck has completed 60 of his 107 pass attempts and has one touchdown to go with three interceptions. All of his action came in the 2007 season. The news of Beck signing with the Ravens was first reported by Deseret News of Salt Lake City.

Baltimore Ravens cheerleaders will cheer him on (Image: Flickr)

It’s hard to follow in the shadow of the #1 recruit for 2004, Adrian Peterson…especially when you’re drafted to the Miami Dolphins.

But the #2 recruit of 2004, Ted Ginn, Jr. is making a name for himself, even if his team has seen better days. Like Peterson, Ginn entered the draft in 2007, after making a name for himself at Ohio State. His college career ended on a somewhat sour note, with an injury during the 2006 BCS Championship Game, but overall, he was known for making big plays and finding opportunities.

With the Dolphins, he’s showed spirit, even after becoming their controversial first-round pick. Although many believed that Ginn should go early in the draft due to his incredible speed, most expected the Dolphins to choose quarterback Brady Quinn. Fans actually booed the announcement when Ginn was chosen.

The start of the 2007 season was slow for Ginn, but he did pick up a bit of momentum and really put up some incredible numbers against the Eagles in mid-November. He set a career high with four receptions for 52 yards, and, more importantly, returned a punt 87 yards for a touchdown, the longest in the franchise’s history. He won the Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week for that game, and was chosen as this year’s 3rd alternate for the 2007 Pro Bowl - a feat in my opinion, considering the stink-ousity of Miami.

So, he’s doing OK for himself. If the Dolphins rebuild or he is traded to another team, I think he’ll have a real chance to shine, barring any injuries. Entering the draft early has served him well.

For more “Where Are They Nows” of the 2004 recruiting season, check out THIS POST.