Gunzlingr
03-02-2005, 08:11 AM
It is guaranteed. Done. Bet all you have, then borrow against your mortgage and bet more: Edgerrin James is coming back to Miami.
To his condo on Key Biscayne, I mean, eventually. He lives here.
As for his returning to the city of his University of Miami exploits to play for the Dolphins, what am I, Nostradamus?
All that's certain is the deal would be as good as done -- maybe even today, the first day of NFL free agency -- if it were up to James and the Dolphins.
The player would have his wish to bolt Indianapolis and head home. New coach Nick Saban would have his offensive stud to saddle up. And Dolfans would be thrilled -- especially those who bucked the local trend and refused to burn their Ricky Williams dreadlock wigs in effigy, on a wild hunch the next ballcarrier would be similarly coifed.
The Colts are in the triangular equation, too, unfortunately. In control, actually. And it says here they are likely to play hardball with James and consider any reasonable offer for him, including Miami's, to be not good enough.
In other words: Don't get your hopes up, Dolfans.
COLTS SERIOUS
Indy slapping a ''franchise player'' tag on James was your first hint the team plans to hang on to the running portion of its offensive triumvirate with Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison.
It means another team would have to give the Colts two first-round draft picks to get James, unless another deal was agreed upon.
Forget the two 1's, to start. Saban was hired to be the head coach, not the town lunatic. Ever heard of a lesson learned? Miami, remember, gave up a pair of numero unos for Williams, the reluctant football player/aspiring holistic healer with whom the team made zero playoff appearances.
As a quick aside, no team more than Miami should be cautious with its first-round pick. Consider: Since moderate success with 1996 top pick Daryl Gardener, the Dolphins in the eight drafts since either haven't had a No. 1 pick at all (on four occasions) or have spent dubiously with little to show (Yatil Green, John Avery, Jamar Fletcher, Vernon Carey). Gee, do you think the accumulation of all that might have played its part in the downward spiral to last season's 4-12?
But back to the future.
The only way for the Dolphins to have James is to agree on a trade, such as Miami getting James and Indy's No. 29 overall pick in April's draft in exchange for Indy getting cornerback Patrick Surtain and Miami's No. 2 overall pick.
Simple. Neat. Tidy. Right? Half-right.
I think the Dolphins would make the swap in a nanosecond, acquiring a premier runner while still maintaining a first-round presence.
Alas, I think the Colts would react by whinnying incredulous laughter.
It says here Indy will demand more. Not a sixth-round pick and a used 1976 Rob Konrad. Much more. Enough to make the Dolphins say no and change plans.
On both sides, the shape of the draft also seems to discourage a deal.
The Colts need defensive help, yes, especially at cornerback. But that position corners the draft market, with as many as seven CBs projected as first-round picks. Even at 29th, Indy might figure it can get a cover corner who can start right away.
Likewise, the running back-needing Dolphins will have tempting options in the likes of Texas' Cedric Benson (a likely top five pick) or Auburn's Ronnie Brown, who weighs 233, flies a 4.32 40 and was the hottest thing at the recent NFL combine.
The Dolphins might be able to trade down slightly from the second pick and still have either -- plus save millions vs. what James would get in signing bonus alone.
more (http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/columnists/greg_cote/11028509.htm)
To his condo on Key Biscayne, I mean, eventually. He lives here.
As for his returning to the city of his University of Miami exploits to play for the Dolphins, what am I, Nostradamus?
All that's certain is the deal would be as good as done -- maybe even today, the first day of NFL free agency -- if it were up to James and the Dolphins.
The player would have his wish to bolt Indianapolis and head home. New coach Nick Saban would have his offensive stud to saddle up. And Dolfans would be thrilled -- especially those who bucked the local trend and refused to burn their Ricky Williams dreadlock wigs in effigy, on a wild hunch the next ballcarrier would be similarly coifed.
The Colts are in the triangular equation, too, unfortunately. In control, actually. And it says here they are likely to play hardball with James and consider any reasonable offer for him, including Miami's, to be not good enough.
In other words: Don't get your hopes up, Dolfans.
COLTS SERIOUS
Indy slapping a ''franchise player'' tag on James was your first hint the team plans to hang on to the running portion of its offensive triumvirate with Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison.
It means another team would have to give the Colts two first-round draft picks to get James, unless another deal was agreed upon.
Forget the two 1's, to start. Saban was hired to be the head coach, not the town lunatic. Ever heard of a lesson learned? Miami, remember, gave up a pair of numero unos for Williams, the reluctant football player/aspiring holistic healer with whom the team made zero playoff appearances.
As a quick aside, no team more than Miami should be cautious with its first-round pick. Consider: Since moderate success with 1996 top pick Daryl Gardener, the Dolphins in the eight drafts since either haven't had a No. 1 pick at all (on four occasions) or have spent dubiously with little to show (Yatil Green, John Avery, Jamar Fletcher, Vernon Carey). Gee, do you think the accumulation of all that might have played its part in the downward spiral to last season's 4-12?
But back to the future.
The only way for the Dolphins to have James is to agree on a trade, such as Miami getting James and Indy's No. 29 overall pick in April's draft in exchange for Indy getting cornerback Patrick Surtain and Miami's No. 2 overall pick.
Simple. Neat. Tidy. Right? Half-right.
I think the Dolphins would make the swap in a nanosecond, acquiring a premier runner while still maintaining a first-round presence.
Alas, I think the Colts would react by whinnying incredulous laughter.
It says here Indy will demand more. Not a sixth-round pick and a used 1976 Rob Konrad. Much more. Enough to make the Dolphins say no and change plans.
On both sides, the shape of the draft also seems to discourage a deal.
The Colts need defensive help, yes, especially at cornerback. But that position corners the draft market, with as many as seven CBs projected as first-round picks. Even at 29th, Indy might figure it can get a cover corner who can start right away.
Likewise, the running back-needing Dolphins will have tempting options in the likes of Texas' Cedric Benson (a likely top five pick) or Auburn's Ronnie Brown, who weighs 233, flies a 4.32 40 and was the hottest thing at the recent NFL combine.
The Dolphins might be able to trade down slightly from the second pick and still have either -- plus save millions vs. what James would get in signing bonus alone.
more (http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/columnists/greg_cote/11028509.htm)