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Friday, April 25, 2008

Dolphins make trade but not the one you think


The Dolphins tonight acquired linebacker Akin Ayodele and tight end Anthony Fasano from the Cowboys for a fourth-round draft pick. The Dolphins are scheduled to have seven picks Saturday after giving selection No. 100 to Jerry Jones and Co.
Ayodele became expendable in Dallas when the Cowboys upgraded by signing, you got it, Zach Thomas. Fasano, a second round pick in 2006, had been lost behind Jason Witten. He will be able to compete with David Martin for a starting job in Miami which basically means he will be the starter in Miami.
It's a good deal as Ayodele is a pretty fair player with plenty of experience, yet young enough to get better. Fasano is merely so-so, having not yet lived up to his draft pedigree, but the Dolphins have very little at that position now anyway.
The trade was first reported by the Dallas Morning News.
Not the trade news you expected for Saturday, right?
Well, relax. There will be plenty of Jason Taylor trade drama Saturday. Much.

Travolta, I mean Taylor, has requested through his agent to be traded. Actually, a request is kind of soft. He pretty much has demanded a trade. That is the primary reason Miami general manager Jeff Irleand has been calling teams during the past week, shopping Taylor (pictured).

The most interested teams -- and thus most likely to make a trade for Taylor if one happens at all -- are Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, Dallas, Washington and Denver.

But there are problems: The Dolphins want a first-round pick for Taylor because they rightly argue that consistent right defensive ends -- the guys who go up against premier left tackles -- are in short supply.
They argue Taylor is one of only 15 players in the league that had double-digit sacks last year. They argue he has had no drop in production despite his advancing age.

And so they want a first round draft pick. Firm.

But as of this writing, no one is willing to make that deal, particularly considering Taylor is 33 years old and his desire to enter show business is not a secret around league circles. Remember that I reported Tuesday the Dolphins were firmly saying they are not trading Taylor? Don't take that necessarily as, "He's not on the market." He obviously is. Take it as, "We know what we want, we know what is being offered. It ain't happening."

It also isn't helping Miami's cause that Oakland is apparently shopping defensive end Derrick Burgess, who had eight sacks last season. Burgess is not as good as Taylor. But the Raiders aren't expecting a first round pick, either.

So we shall see what happens Saturday. But to assume this will pass into the night after Saturday is to forget my theory about the Dolphins: They are a circus.
The Dolphins don't lose if they don't trade Taylor this weekend. They can keep him for now and still can trade him before the October trade deadline for a 2009 first round pick. In fact, the market for a 2009 pick might be better than it is for a 2008 pick.

Also, if the Dolphins don't trade Taylor, they still win because they keep what is by all accounts a good player. And isn't stockpiling good players a goal in the NFL?

I would, nonetheless, tell you there is a definite drawback to keeping Taylor.

He definitely wants out. Very badly, in fact. And it remains unclear what he might resort to if he doesn't get his way.
If that sounds serious, it's because it is serious. It is more serious than those days when Taylor didn't like Nick Saban initially. It is more serious than when he didn't like Cam Cameron for not deferring to him.
Today Jason Taylor is a man who feels personally insulted by the Dolphins. That is a result of an incident last week when he visited the team while on break from his dancing. During that visit Taylor was treated coldly by both coach Tony Sparano and Bill Parcells. So now he apparently feels disrespected.
And that brush-off could lead to Taylor's send-off.
The Dolphins argue they're not thrilled about Taylor spending his spring dancing. They might say, "What did Taylor want us to do during his visit? Applaud that he has blown off the offseason work other players are doing?"
Taylor might counter he's always in shape and will remain that way regardless of whether he's dancing or lifting weights with the rest of his teammates. He might more vehmently and rightfully argue, "At least treat me like a man who has earned your respect over an 11-year career."
What there can be no argument about is that this is a broken situation.
And that means Taylor might have agent Gary Wichard turn up the public heat on Miami if a trade isn't made this weekend. It's not what Wichard, a classy agent, wants to do.

But it wouldn't surprise me one bit if we've not heard the last of this drama.

[I will be blogging live on Saturday once something important happens for the Dolphins. I figure I'll be on here around 5 p.m. So join me here then. Meanwhile, I'll be on 790 The Ticket from 1-3 p.m. if you need to insult me earlier than usual.]

52 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Armando -- it would be different if you weren't talking about Jason, who we have seen over the years.

Are you saying he has changed that much?

10:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bottom line: a 1st rounder or he stays. He will be a pro and give 110%. We cant have any more firesales.

Not excusing it, but, suppose alot of us might have an attitude if we gave all we had and kept seeing the organization run by clowns.

After all, his 1st take on Nicktator and Cam, wasn't he in fact right?

10:14 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I will always respect the work JT has done for the Phins but I have a hard time respecting him as a leader. He always seems to be stirring the pot and questioning the coaches. It's fine to question the coaches because as we all know they have been horrible since Shula left. The problem is with the way he goes about it. Complaints should never go down the ladder, they always go up. If you have a problem as a group leader, you question and complain to upper management. You never let the guys below you know something is wrong. It deflates productivity and it is true in ANY business. If the guy you are looking up to, the guy who is supposed to lead you is whining and bitching all of the time it is very easy to follow him. It is a terrible trait for any veteran player to have. NYScott

10:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Also, knowing JT is looking to be traded, isn't in the offseason workout program with his teammates,and is more worried about Hollywood than football, shows that he only cares about himself at this point. He stopped caring about the Dolphins when Saban slithered away. If we can get a low second round or a first round pick for him they have to jump on it. The bottom line is; the phins wont be contending for a championship for AT LEAST 3 years. JT will be gone by then. If we get the extra pick we could have someone groomed and ready for a run. Keeping him will not help the Dolphins in any way. And please don't anyone say that he can groom a young DE. We don't need someone who doesn't want to be here planting seeds of dissapointment in a rookies head. So if we keep JT it will be a waste to the Dolphins and Taylor. NYScott

10:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That was an awesome trade!A LB with 95 tackles last season and a decent TE who is probably better than Martin for a 4th rounder?! Ag was fourth on the Cowboys defense in tackles! I love it. NYScott

10:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What a STEAL for Miami!

WOW. Fasano was a 2nd rounder and was hurt last year. So its hard to say if he will/won't be good... but I am willing to bet be's better than Martin.

Not to mention a ILB with 95 tackles, good for 4th on the team, signed long term, through his prime, and could potentially even get better?? He's also very reasonable salary cap wise.

I absolutely LOVE this trade. Maybe my favorite move of the entire off season to date.

Great work Parcells, and thanks for the blog as always Mando!

Best of luck Miami in the draft tmw, Ill be glued to the screen watching and waiting!

11:11 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Don't get that overly excited about Ayodele. The reason he was expendable was because he was not productive in 2007, just 57 tackles.

11:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Love JT, best defensive player the team has had for a long time. But come on now guys, it is not like these guys are poor and broke! They get paid well, we should all have his problems. That being said, I believe there are benifits to keeping JT besides what he brings on Sundays. He would be a great mentor for Jake Long. Going up against JT every day in practice will exhilarate Longs learning curve...big plus for us. However if he wants to go, well, I think he deserves a shot a being on a winning team. But should we all feel sorry for he, I think not.

11:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why did u back time this post? I was checking your site after i saw Jay Glazer of Fox Sports had this at 9:45. Then saw it in the dallas papers and your competitor subsequently. You guys had nothing on your site or your blog yet as of 10 pm?? But, yet your post claims it was posted before 9pm. Didn't you credit the Dallas paper in this post? How does that make sense?

No need to roll back the odometer Mando.

12:04 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Armando

How about this:

Give up - the 32 pick (or 57) and Taylor to a team interested (perhaps the Jags)

Get - their late 1st round pick (to get whoever it is Parcells & co. think will not be available at 32; Henne? Harvey? if they fall) plus a 3rd round pick

Dolphins would end up getting the 1st round player they want plus an additional pick to get a G, CB, WR, whatever.

I'd pull the trigger. Especially to get Harvey - it would essentially make them younger at JT's spot (right?) plus get another pick.

12:21 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow. Great information on JT. Amazing. Thanks, Mando!

1:02 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love this tarde it makes the defense better because we pick up a quality guy and maybe a prospect at tight end. Lets go dolphins!

1:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

bye bye soul train...anyway armando are you nuts jared allen just got traded to minny for 1st and 3rd round picks and he is'nt better and worth more then jason taylor the dolphins will and should get a number 1 for him bryan in ohio

1:49 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

they should deal taylor to the bengals and try to get chad johnson. That way we improve offensively and can continue defensive rebuilding with our draft picks.

3:12 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Fasano isn't "so-so" and he's never had the opportunity to live up to his draft stock. He was drafted behind a Pro Bowler and has played two seasons as the No. 2. What do you expect him to do?

3:19 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

cylsyc#1 JT has 11 years of wear and tear on him, take a #2 or #3 & ? and be happy. No GM is giving a #1 pick for a player with three years left in his tank.

As for the 2 players for a #4 pick, these are good guys and will be instant upgrades to the Fins.

S.M (I may live in Dallas, but a Fins Fan first)

4:08 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

nice gossip column ann landers..i mean chipmunk face.

4:34 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

nice work ripping off the JT story from Joe Rose who said this at 5pm on Wqam

Just at least give credit where its due

4:36 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I will always take a wait and see (or hear)approach before commenting as many here and elsewhere have. Armando doesn't have any real knowledge of Jason Taylor the person and can only go by what he "hears" from others. I'm going to just chill and see what happens.

As a side note, if he is traded, I hope Jacksonville get's him. I lived there back when the USFL was born and remember my best friend and I trying to come up with a good name for their USFL franchise. We both agreed that the Jacksonville Jaguars would be a cool name.

The name chosen of course was Jacksonville Bulls and this was long before the NFL team was born. So I have a soft spot for the Jags and would love to see Jason wind up there. Since the Jags seem to be so close to Super Bowl contention it would be a good fit.

6:56 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Armando,

If Jason is not worth a 1st Round pick this year, what makes you think if we trade him before the deadline he will be worth a 1st for '09? The primary reason is his age and he won't be any younger! Please explain because this doesn't make sense to me.

8:05 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i think if the right team offers the a #2 pick you take it for taylor. the trade seems good although i will admit i dont know much about these players but.. 2 players for a 4 isnt so bad. especially if one once had a #2 grade. o before i go i heard over wqam or the ticket last night that the reason other teams wont give up a 1 is b/c it was spielman that gave up the 1 and 2 #3's so the entire league is saying to bill... ya allen got a 1 and two #3's but come on ... its spielman
lol
--CJ

8:23 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That was a good trade. The team got a lot better a lot faster. The Dolphins aren't going to get much better with a single fourth round pick.

Of course JT isn't going to be treated like one of the guys. He isn't there working as part of the team. Are we supposed to interupt the days programming for the second coming of Jason Taylor?

Now if this is all true, once again JT's ego steps over team. So, he becomes expendable and a nuisance on a rebuilding team. If he is traded it sends a message to the locker room. Right now the mindset is a work hard and win attitude. Everyone in the trenches and dig down deep.

Kevin in Halifax

8:43 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Don’t get too excited about Fasano.
Fasano is slow, not very athletic and has just decent hands.
He is another Justin Peelle without the blocking skills.
Inconsistent and underachieving David Martin is a much better athlete and receiver than Fasano.
The value in this trade is LB Akin Ayodele.
He is an active versatile LB who plays outside in a “43” and inside in a “34” scheme. He has 100+ tackles in all 5 years he has been in the league.
Channing Crowder will be a back-up on this team now behind Reggie Torbor and Ayodele unless he steps up his game.

9:30 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Joe Rose spends his career reading the newspaper and then regurgitating stuff on radio. He admits he does it all the time and yet doesn't credit Armando for the information.

And even if this one time, he got done sucking JT and was rewarded with some information, it doesn't mean he's the only one that heard the information. It doesn't mean Armando Hicks wasn't told also.

You guys at QAM are so desperate for attention it is sad.

9:53 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The reason you get more for Taylor at the trading deadline during the season is that teams in the hunt for the playoffs are more "loose" with draft picks....the day before a draft, teams assign more value to each pick. If Taylor is worth a low second or high third today (advanced age and big contract), a contending team may be willing to surrender a 1st in next years draft to get that piece of the puzzle that would put them over the hump.

9:53 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Who is Joe Rose? Is he that dude that played for the Dolphins like 30 years ago?

10:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great information Armando, as always. Big fan here.

I am in Orlando. Is your radio show online so I can listen? Please advise.

10:02 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So explain how this works.....the Dolphins made a trade with the DOLPHINS?!?!

That's what the first couple of lines in your blog say.....ever tried proofing your work?

10:07 AM  
Blogger smrzzy said...

Armando --- Shouldn't you proof read before you post?? Very professional, NOT!!

"The Dolphins tonight acquired linebacker Akin Ayodele and tight end Anthony Fasano from the Dolphins for a fourth-round draft pick."

10:20 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I disagree.

I would take a second and a third rd pick for Jason today.

He has become a prima donna and will pout his way through the season or worse... retire. Either way, we won't get much production from him as he is not looking to land a lucrative long term deal with his next team.

10:34 AM  
Blogger Armando Salguero said...

I have had a career chat with my personal copy editor and told this person, in no uncertain terms, that failing to catch typos is bad enough, but actually inserting errors is a personal affront to me.

I have been assured by this highly paid copy editor that the problem is resolved and no mistakes will ever be made again as long as Earth rotates around the sun.

10:43 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How about Jason Taylor for Chad Johnson? Both don't want to be with their teams and both would fill a position of weakness for the team they would go to. They are not bad guys or problem children - they just want out of their particular situation with their particular team. Thoughts?

10:44 AM  
Blogger doug collin said...

Armando The fins upgraded at linebacker with adoleye as if you look at his stats he was a tackling machine. Thomas had been living off of his reputation the past 2 yrs getting pushed around all over the field a plus plus for miami. fasano is a major upfrade in the running game as no longer will the fins fail on fourth and one. look at the 4th round last yr and the utal def tackle we drafted last yr solari is finally off of hios menstraul cramps, what a wuss. we get 2 starters from dallas for a 4th round pick. a steal. Taylor is an embarrassment, part of the soft old fins as he does the fox trot monday nites. Get a 2 and a 4 and be rid of him. Armando the fins are getting more physical and tougher before our eyes.

10:52 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

JT for Chad? The Bengals would laugh in our faces at that offer, then call the other 30 GMs in the league and laugh about it with them.

10:58 AM  
Blogger doug collin said...

Armando there is a difference between pro football shape and queer eye for the straight guy shape. being an nfl player is now fulltime 10 or 11 months.

11:05 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jason is the best DE in the league and is worth a 1st round pick. We (Ravens) pick at 8th and I'm pushing for a QB. I've suggeted my friends in San Diego to trade their 27th pick fo him. They have a shot to the Super Bowl this year, so it makes sense. Besides I've known Jason's family for many years.

11:45 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Armando,

I like the trade with Dallas! We need to stockpile all the LBs we can get! We are now one step closer to getting rid of the overrated and overpaid Joey Porter. I suspect that we will be taking a linebacker in the second round.

Jason Taylor does need to go at this point. When you are rebuilding, the last thing you want is to have your veteren players creating a disruption to your new system. Same can be said for Joey Porter.

I heard that managemnet now views Jason as a girlie man and his new nickname is "Mr. Softie". When properly motivated, Jason is still a dominating DE, but he took games off last year because he was on a losing team. Because Thomas was let go, he feels he should be accomodated. But mgmt should only give in to his demands if they get proper value in return - Thomas's career was almost over, a motivated Mr. Softie will significantly help the right club. Since Miami is just beginning a 3 year rebuilding process, we will have a losing team next year and Mr. Softie will not be properly motivated. A first round pick or high second round pick is needed for the trade. If we have to wait until the 2009 draft- so be it!

12:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

When trading Jason first came up wasn`t the price a second and a fourth to Jacksonville, I`d take that.
Jeremy in the Canadian Cowtown

1:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i dont necessarily agree with a 4th and 2nd rounder for jason taylor. Unless that 2nd rounder helped us move up to get someone we really want and we wont get unless we make the trade. otherwise i wouldnt accept anything higher then a late 1st or possibly swapping our first 2nd and jags 1st with another additional pick around the third. I dont really like the swapping trade anymore though, since we just signed adyeole (i know thats mispelled).. Before i was for trying to get lofton in the first round. But i dont think we'd do that anymore.

1:22 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I don't see how any Dolphins fan would be totally AGAINST trading JT. Think about it - JT wants out. We want to move him. And if we're not going to be good in 1-2 years (the likely length of JT's career) then what good is he here? If we can get picks to help build for the future and make JT happy in the process, it's a win-win.

1:29 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i never said im against getting rid of jason taylor. I'm all for it for good value. This isnt a charity case. We arent going to get rid of jason taylor just to make him happy.. Doing that would make us as soft as cotton tissue paper. I like that parcells isnt just giving in.. We want what is going to benefit the team. Not jason taylor... That being said i'm a huge fan of jason taylor and have his jersey. Hes been my favorite player since dan retired. But its time

1:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

God, I miss Jason Cole. Armando, you're a douche.

2:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey anonymous, go suck jason cole's ass for all we care.

4:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dude,

What is your problem with JT? You've been on the bandwagon to see him gone since...???. I never see you personally quote ANYTHING he's said - do you just have a problem with him since you can't get near him?

5:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey,I'm watching the draft right now.Chad Henne is a fatass.How can potential pros let themselves get outta shape.Don't draft this dude,go OLB.Take the kid from OU.Harvey went way too high,overrated.

6:23 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Henne's not fat, he just has a giant head.

6:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't know what's funnier,the Bills taking a CB from TROY STATE at #11,or,the Jets trading up to take a TE from PURDUE.I guess it's all good.HAHAHA...

6:33 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

You know what's even funnier than that? You thinking the Bills are idiots because you don't know who Leodis McKelvin, don't know he's the top corner in the draft and don't know it's Troy, not Troy State. THAT is funny.

6:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Where has all the loyalty gone, Jimmy Johnson drove Dan Marino out of town, now Bill Parcells and company cut the dolphins all time leading tackler Zach Thomas.Jason Taylor to get traded? Wes Welker leads the league in receptions, What next? Being a long time Dolphins fan I do not know what to expect next? I am happy about Jake Long being the #1 pick, He looks like he will pay dividends for years to come and he's a smart kid with no off field issues. The draft has gone pretty well in my opinion, and I am hoping we get Dan Connor at 64. He reminds me of Thomas who is a complete fans player by not signing with New England, Mark my words, Zach Thomas will have a much better year then any Dolphins linebacke, including the way overrated Joey Porter. Conner would be nice to start the third round along with a corner and a safety, someone with Chris Chambers potential would be nice as well. I watched 45 hrs of losing football last year, lets make this an enjoyable year!

1:46 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Loyalty? JT wants out jackass, so it'd be an amicable split. As for your other stupid crap:

Letting go Zach was the right move. He's getting old, he wasn't worth the money, he's not a good fit in the 3-4 (Dallas can disagree but it's true). It was time. He understood that, why can't you?

As for Welker, he freaking sucks and it's driving me crazy that everyone is all over his nuts now. I could have caught 80 passes in that role for New England last year, and there isn't a receiver in the NFL that couldn't duplicate what he did. I don't care how many passes he catches - he's not that fast, he's a mediocre returner, he can't take a hit or do anything after the catch. All he did in New England was catch short underneath routes while guys like Randy Moss took all the attention away. Eight yard catch, then fall down. That was Welker's whole season times 112. He's nothing special, and with Miami hauling in a very good starting center in Samson Satele through that trade, WE got the better end of the deal - not them.

1:52 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Chris Nelson is a douchebag---Welker doesn't suck-He was the dumbest move the Dolphins made to date excepr for letting Nelson on this bllog

5:03 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've always been a huge fan of JT. However, I am a Miami Dolphins fan first and foremost. This is a team sport. Because of his outstanding career, I believe JT deserves the respect he seems to be lacking from the Parcells regime. On the other hand, JT has clearly forgotten what the term 'team concept' actually means.

JT is the one who brought this whole drama upon himself and, unfortunately, the rest of the team. It's no wonder he wants to eventually get involved in show business. Don't get me wrong. I encourage JT to fulfill his Hollywood dream but the last time I checked, he was a Miami Dolphin. Not only a Dolphin but also a veteran team leader.

I question his desire to be part of an NFL championship team.

JT should have made it a point to reach out to Parcells right from the get go and establish communication. Instead, he waited for Parcells, who's got his hands full with trying to rebuild last year's laughing stock of the league, to come and tell him he respects his 11 year NFL career. Parcells is working around the clock to bring us a championship in the near future. Since he claims to always be in game day shape, it seems JT is not doing much except practicing Salsa dancing. Clearly, JT has more free time to reach out to Parcells than vice versa.

Despite Parcells' inability to make a connection between an All Pro defensive end and his artistic dancing side, JT should have been open about his dancing escapade plans. If I, who encourage JT to eventually follow his artistic talents and red carpet dreams, question his loyalty and leadership to this rebuilding process, imagine what Bill "old school-can't dance" Parcells thinks of him. JT would've gotten the cold shoulder from me as well. It shouldn't have been a surprise to him that this regime didn't throw a "Welcome back from Dancing Stars" party. Especially not enough of a surprise to dramatically shout "trade me".

Wasn't it enough that Parcells, himself, quickly put a stop to the rumors of the team going on without JT? As far as I'm concerned, that was an example of Big Tuna's respect for JT as a 11 year veteran. But I can't blame Parcells when he shows no respect for the same veteran leader who decides to go dancing with the stars instead of being the first one in line at the voluntary conditioning "TEAM" workouts. One last question for JT...What the hell does "Dancing with the Stars" have to do with an eventual career in show business? Is there a "Dirty Dancing" and/or "Saturday Night Fever" sequel we don't know about?

In case he still has the Rodney Dangerfield's "No Respect" blues, I'll remind JT of something. Regardless of how you've bailed out on us during this rebuilding process, Parcells stood firm by his "no first round draft pick-no trade" despite your shouting "trade me" ala Hollywood? That's showing your status and talent some respect in my book. Well, at least for the football player in you.

3:49 AM  

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