Last night I watched the NFL shortcut from all the Dolphins victories last year(the Baltimore game)and I had forgotten how impressive both RBs Gado and rookie Booker were in that game and other spots of last season. Booker is quick and especailly in the Baltimore game, must have juked several players out of their socks on about 10 seperate occasions, and was clearly the MVP of the Fins lone victory. Camarillo had the catch, but Booker made multiple exciting big plays.
So the RB position for Miami is probably the deepest on the roster, although it is not without its concerns as I mentioned in my case for drafting McFadden article early this week.
Brown faces a steep challenge to overcome a severe knee reconstruction in less time that it usually takes to do so. Camp will open nine months from his surgery, so do not expect to see him at all this preseason. If history is any indicator, Brown has missed an average of 4 games per year due to injury in his three year career.
Ricky Williams is much older and about three years removed from his last days as a stud runner in the NFL. His 07 campaign ended after six carries last year, so he has a little something to prove in 2008. Maybe some sucker team out there will be willing to fork over a third round pick for Williams in 2008, and Miami uses the pick to replace Williams with a younger RB with no off field concerns.
Although Brown, WIlliams, Booker, Gado shore up an impressive RB roster on paper, its not without concerns for the quadsters to be successful in 2008. The article a lso mentions that Gado may join Chatman being signed by another team this offesesaon. Do not worry however, i am convinced Parcells will draft a RB on day two of the draft.
Below is a article written the morning in the Sun Sentinal about an update on Ricky Williams and ROnnie Brown.
Story below from Sun-Sentinal
written by Harvey Fialkov
Despite losing their top two running backs to season-ending injuries last season, the Dolphins haven't signed a tailback in free agency and seem confident that both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams will answer the bell on opening day next season.
So do their agents.
"He's started running a while ago, is lifting weights, is in great spirits and on track," Brown's agent Todd E. France said Friday.
"We don't see any obstacles in our way. … He's got the drive to be ready."
Brown was off to a Pro Bowl-caliber start before tearing the ACL of his right knee in game seven against the Patriots in October. He averaged a career-high 5.0 yards per carry and was leading the NFL in total yards with 991 before injuring his knee while attempting to tackle then-Patriots cornerback Randall Gay after he intercepted a pass thrown by Cleo Lemon.
When Williams finally returned from his 18-month suspension for repeatedly violating the league's substance abuse policy last November, he would only get six carries against Pittsburgh before getting stepped on and tearing a chest muscle.
"Ricky has just been cleared for all activities, other than heavy lifting," said Williams' agent Leigh Steinberg. "His exchanges with [Dolphins vice president of football operations] Bill Parcells have all been positive. Knowing Bill's track record, Ricky is encouraged and excited about the coming season.
"You could say he's chomping at the bit."
Williams, 30, is scheduled to make $730,000 in the final year of his contract, while Brown is in the fourth year of his five-year, $34 million rookie deal.
Although the Dolphins' hierarchy refuses to comment on all matters, the rapid recoveries of both Brown and Williams seem to have had a direct impact on the team's free-agent strategy.
Thus far, the Dolphins have not signed a running back with any of their recent 11 free-agent additions, while allowing Brown's primary backup, Jesse Chatman, sign with the Jets last week.
They've also shown no interest in retaining free-agent running back Samkon Gado, who had 35 carries for 104 yards in two starts last season. The Dolphins did tender exclusive rights free agent running back Patrick Cobbs, who had 15 carries for 47 yards, in parts of five games last season.
All signs point to the Dolphins not using any of their first three draft picks on high-profile running backs such as Arkansas' Darren McFadden or Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall.
Parcells has a history of drafting talented running backs in later rounds, such as Marion Barber (fifth round), Curtis Martin (third) and Dave Meggett (fifth).
Ex-Cowboy Jones signs
The Dolphins continue to raid the Cowboys' roster and bolster their special teams unit with the signing of cornerback Nathan Jones to a two-year deal.
The 5-10, 183-pound Jones is the eighth former Cowboy to be reunited with either Parcells or General Manager Jeff Ireland, who both had a hand in drafting him in the seventh round in 2005. Jones, 25, has one start in 51 games, and has 58 tackles.
Last year, Jones was used mostly as a blitzer in the nickel package. He had 19 tackles, five quarterback hurries and a sack. On special teams, Jones has 26 tackles over the past four seasons, and last year also returned six kickoffs, averaging 23 yards per return.
Pope signs with Vikes
The Dolphins lost another starting linebacker from last season when free agent Derrick Pope signed with the Vikings Friday.
While filling in for former Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas last season, Pope registered career-highs in tackles (57), interceptions (2) and starts (nine). Pope, 25, was also one of the Dolphins most productive special teams players with 30 tackles over four seasons. … The Dolphins acknowledged Friday that long snapper John Denney signed a three-year extension at the end of last season and wasn't a free agent.
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