Miami Dolphin Talk

DAVIE — The ball was firing out Ryan Tannehill's hands as if he were playing a game of hot potato.

The decisions made during the one OTA practice the media watched this week were quick, and the passes were more precise.

A dig to Dustin Keller delivered right on the back shoulder of a linebacker.

A quick hitch to Mike Wallace arrived swiftly.

Tannehill noticed Brian Hartline had gotten behind the starting safeties during 11-on-11 drills and floated a deep ball to last year's leading receiver, allowing him to catch it in stride, putting Hartline in a foot race to the end zone just like the one they teamed up for in last year's record-setting performance against the Cardinals.

Tannehill was sharp in that game. He looked like a franchise quarterback, right up to his final snap — a game-sealing fumble in overtime.

During this week's practice, the first where the offense faced the defense, Tannehill looked like a quarterback ready to take that next step. And it was refreshing, exciting to witness.

It is clear Tannehill feels comfortable in year two. This is his offense. These are his new weapons.

The Miami Dolphins are his team. And now he's no longer a green, inexperienced rookie.

Tannehill has turned the page from this time last year, when Miami's 2012 first-round pick looked like he needed a diaper during OTA sessions.

Back then he was being sacked every fourth throw, and was spraying the ball all over the field to long shot receivers he wasn't familiar with. He wasn't Pat White bad, but after watching him in OTA last year few of his teammates felt he was in David Garrard's league, despite running an offense he knew the best.

"Last year at this time my head was spinning. I was just trying to figure out how things worked. I didn't really know how the day went, how the offseason went, how practices went," Tannehill said. "So being in it a year, I am completely comfortable. Now I can go out and focus on all the little things that go into the game."

The biggest question is how far can he take the Dolphins?

We've been on this road before. The Dolphins were supposed to be Chad Henne's team in 2010. Management got him a Pro Bowl receiver in Brandon Marshall and he was expected to take a drastic step forward.

He never did.

The next offseason they got him Reggie Bush, a better center in first-round pick Mike Pouncey and a new offensive coordinator.

But he was still a dud woodbooger.

The organization propped Henne up as a new and improved leader. Problem was few on the team truly believed in him, and fewer followed.

By now we should know what fabricated hope sounds like.

"One way to describe him is he's a gym rat. He loves football. He's been here an awful lot," coach Joe Philbin said of Tannehill, the quarterback whom he's attached his wagon to.

"He's been working out with the guys on their own, nothing orchestrated by us, well before the offseason program began. Those are all good indicators that somebody wants to be good. That's kind of step one.

"If you don't have players that want to be great, it's hard for them to keep climbing and keep accelerating their development. That's point number one that we're excited about."

Tannehill needs to show us what real hope looks like, and he needs to present it to South Florida by leading the Dolphins to a winning record for the first time since 2008, which means nine or more victories.

This second-year starter can get there by improving his completion percentage, throwing more touchdowns than interceptions, and performing better in the fourth quarter, when wins and losses are typically decided in professional sports.

Fourth-quarter performances are what separates the mediocre from the average, average from good, and good from great.

Last year Tannehill was mediocre in that department (finished 23rd with a 83.0 fourth-quarter passer rating), and as a result he produced just one fourth-quarter victory is six tries.

If he improves in those areas Tannehill should produce an 85-plus passer rating, and during the past three decades when the Dolphins have a starting quarterback behind center with that type of efficient, solid play the franchise has produced just one losing season in 12 years.

An 85-passer rating would have made Tannehill the NFL's 17th best quarterback last season.

Is that really too much to ask for from a player we all hope shows signs he's a franchise quarterback?

When the Miami Dolphins added Brandon Gibson through free agency, I thought it was a move that had potential to be a solid pick-up. I was surprised to see many Dolfans aggressively upset with the move. Some were upset because it likely meant the end of the line for fan-favorite Davone Bess, but the truth is he was in the Joe Philbin doghouse and was on the outside already. That ship was about to sail regardless so I agreed with the idea of being aggressive in bringing in a potential replacement for Bess. Others were upset because Gibson’s four-year career has been pretty pedestrian, and he is not a guy that can make a big play by racking up yards after the catch. ‘Phins phans were clamoring all offseason for the team to add playmaker-type additions to surround second-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill, and Gibson is not that guy. Despite that, I still see a guy that can bring value and production to the 2013 Dolphins (and going forward).

In his rookie season, we saw Tanny connect for some nice plays on second down with Bess, and I look for that to go to the next level with Gibson who does the majority of his damage on second down. When first down plays don’t yield much we will see Gibson make catches as a possession-type of WR. Again, we won’t expect much after the catch, but the 6-footer can be effective making possession-type catches on 2nd down. The hope is that translate to him being a legit red-zone threat as well.

2012 was Gibson’s best season, and he played very well vs. AFC East teams. He had his first ever 100-yard game last season (against the Buffalo Bills … six catches), plus he had three catches for 46 yards vs. the New England Patriots. Although he only had three catches for nine yards vs. the New York Jets, two of those catches were touchdowns. Against the ‘Phins, Gibson had seven catches on nine targets for 91 yards.

The rival Jets heavily pursued Gibson, but he chose Miami. It is worth noting that he has increased his average yard per catch in every season. Is he a difference maker like I feel Mike Wallace is? No (unless he can develop into a legit red-zone threat) … but … I do feel he is a guy who can help the team move the chains (2012 Dolphins were a putrid no.26 overall for earning 1st downs) and a guy who can and will contribute. I can’t see a lot of Gibson jerseys being sold, but the haters will come around when Gibson contributes.

I recently interviewed O.J. McDuffie for my show @RantingBenCraig and that interview will air on the Saturday May 25 show. OJ had some good things to say about Gibson, and OJ was clearly excited about what Gibson can do in this offense … when OJ talks WR play — I listen!

One of the biggest changes for the Miami Dolphins this coming season will be at the running back position. For the last two seasons Reggie Bush has fulfilled the role of lead back, but they allowed him to go through free agency, and he will be carrying the ball for the Detroit Lions next season.

This leaves a hole in the Dolphins’ backfield that should be filled by third-year back Daniel Thomas, but his performance over the last two seasons and the acquisitions via each year’s draft say different.

Thomas shows flashes of competence, such as the 107-yard debut in Week 1 of the 2011 season, but whether due to injury or shared carries, that was the only game in which Thomas was able to break the century mark. His 3.54 yards a carry over two seasons is not the greatest number to have on a resume, and he now has an extensive history of concussions.

Coming in to Miami, the knock on Bush was his durability, but during his two years with the Dolphins it was Thomas who continued to be sidelined by injuries. This is one of the biggest reasons he may not be the answer in 2013.

The other big reason is the other options the Dolphins have at the position. In last season’s draft, Miami stole Lamar Miller in the fourth round, and although he saw limited action in his rookie year, Miller was very fun to watch when he was on the field. He led the team in yards per carry (4.9) and his one touchdown came on an impressive 15-yard scamper through the Oakland Raiders defense. The Dolphins allowed Bush to sign elsewhere knowing they had a young player with a similar skill set in Miller.

Miami may have gotten another steal in last month’s draft when they took Mike Gillislee with the 164th overall pick, late in the fifth round. Gillislee spent four years in the Florida Gators‘ backfield, but he made very little noise until last season when he racked up 1,152 yards and 10 touchdowns. How his game will translate to the NFL is still unknown, but early rumors have him in line to be Miller’s backup this season.

If Miller starts and Gillislee backs him up, then where does Thomas fit into the equation?

With OTAs and training camp just around the corner, there is still the possibility Thomas could win over the coaching staff. But there is no guarantee he will still be on the roster at that point, and it is becoming clear that he will be among the many veterans who will be fighting for a spot on the final 53-man roster.

Ellerbe had been in talks with the Ravens throughout Tuesday, but they were unable to reach a compromise.

Now, Ellerbe heads to the Dolphins, a move that may cost incumbent linebacker Karlos Dansby his job.

A former undrafted free agent, Ellerbe had expressed hope to the Baltimore Sun last week that he might rejoin the Ravens.

He recorded a career-high 89 tackles and 4.5 sacks last season, leading the Ravens with nine tackles in a Super Bowl victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

“There's always a chance, and that's what I'm hoping will happen,” Ellerbe said last week. “The Ravens are a perfect situation for me. Hopefully, it's a perfect situation for me to sign on the dotted line.”

However, it didn't work out. Now, the Ravens have a big hole in the middle of their defense with Ellerbe gone and Ray Lewis retired.

The conventional wisdom around the league right now is that teams looking for quarterback help in the offseason aren’t going to have much to choose from.

There’s no standouts coming out of college, no one’s sure what the 49ers and Seahawks will do with Alex Smith and Matt Flynn and there aren’t any clearcut starters headed for free agency other than Joe Flacco. Flacco’s not getting there, of course, which means that lesser names like Matt Moore could be in high demand due to the dearth of supply on the market.

Despite that, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports that Ryan Tannehill and others from the Dolphins have been reaching out to Moore to try to sell him on the idea of staying in Miami. Getting Moore to pass up at least a shot at a starting job will be no easy task, especially if Jackson is right about one of the teams that might have Moore on the radar.

Jackson writes that Browns offensive coordinator Norv Turner is a “big fan” of Moore, a theory that has some support in the Chargers’ 2011 pursuit of Moore before he wound up signing with the Dolphins. That scenario is very similar to this one as Moore passed on a chance to back up Philip Rivers so he could play behind a far less secure starter in Chad Henne.

List of potential UFAs according to NFLPA

The National Football League Players Association annually releases the list of potential unrestricted and restricted free agents coming to market in March. That release comes during the Super Bowl.

Today, the NFLPA released the list. And I have it for you.

Remember this list can change as teams typically try to sign their own players they have targetted prior to the start of free agency. So some players on this list won't hit free agency. But most will.

By the way, many of you have asked for an update on the Brian Hartline negotiations because those talks with the Dolphins wide receiver affect what Miami does both in the draft and free agency at a position of utmost need. I'm told the talks continue. But nothing is imment.

So there's that.

The list by team:

2013 Potential Unrestricted Free Agents by Team

TEAM PLAYER NAME POSITION ACCRUED (includes 2012 season)

Arizona Cards Adams, Michael CB 5

AC Batiste, D'Anthony OL 6

AC Eason, Nick DE 10

AC Groves, Quentin LB 5

AC Holliday, Vonnie DE 15

AC Hoyer, Brian QB 4

AC Johnson, Rashad S 4

AC Lenon, Paris LB 11

AC McQuistan, Pat OL 7

AC Ohrnberger, Rich OL 4

AC Sanders, James S 8

AC Stephens-Howling, LaRod RB 4

AC Toler, Greg CB 4

Atlanta Falcoons Baker, Sam OL 5

AF Cox, Mike RB 5

AF Gonzalez, Tony TE 16

AF Grimes, Brent CB 5

AF Hope, Chris S 11

AF McClure, Todd OL 14

AF McCown, Luke QB 9

AF Moore, William S 4

AF Owens, Christopher CB 4

AF Peterson, Mike LB 14

AF Reynolds, Garrett OL 4

AF Sidbury, Lawrence DE 4

AF Svitek, Will OL 7

AF Walker, Vance DT 4

Buffalo Bills Byrd, Jairus S 4

BB Choice, Tashard RB 5

BB Jackson, Tarvaris QB 7

BB Johnson, Spencer DE 9

BB Levitre, Andy OL 4

BB Martin, Ruvell WR 7

BB McIntyre, Corey RB 8

BB McKelvin, Leodis CB 5

BB Merriman, Shawne LB 8

BB Moore, Kyle DE 4

BB Morrison, Kirk LB 8

BB Rinehart, Chad OL 4

BB Scott, Bryan LB 10

BB Thigpen, Tyler QB 6

Baltimore Ravens Bajema, Billy TE 8

BR Brown, Ricky LB 7

BR Considine, Sean S 8

BR Cundiff, Billy SF 7

BR Ellerbe, Dannell LB 4

BR Flacco, Joe QB 5

BR Ihedigbo, James S 6

BR Johnson, Chris CB 8

BR Kemoeatu, Ma'ake DT 10

BR Kruger, Paul DE 4

BR McBean, Ryan DE 4

BR McKinnie, Bryant OL 11

BR Reed, Ed S 11

BR Williams, Cary CB 4

CH Bears Bell, Kahlil RB 4

CHB Bowman, Zack CB 5

CHB Campbell, Jason QB 8

CHB Hayden, Kelvin CB 8

CHB Hayes, Geno LB 5

CHB Idonije, Israel DE 10

CHB Knox, Johnny WR 4

CHB Louis, Lance OL 4

CHB Mare, Olindo P/K 15

CHB McCown, Josh QB 10

CHB Melton, Henry DT 4

CHB Moore, D.J. CB 4

CHB Nolan, Troy S 4

CHB Okoye, Amobi DT 6

CHB Rachal, Chilo OL 5

CHB Roach, Nick LB 6

CHB Scott, Jonathan OL 6

CHB Spencer, Chris OL 8

CHB Urlacher, Brian LB 13

CL Browns  Brown, Sheldon CB 11

CLB Cribbs, Joshua WR 8

CLB Dawson, Phil P/K 14

CLB Fujita, Scott LB 11

CLB Hodges, Reggie P/K 6

CLB Jackson, Brandon RB 6

CLB Johnson, Josh QB 4

CLB Maiava, Kaluka LB 4

CLB Massaquoi, Mohamed WR 4

CLB Parker, Juqua DE 12

CLB Smith, Alex TE 8

CLB Ventrone, Bubba S 5

CLB Watson, Benjamin TE 9

CN Bengals  Brown, Josh P/K 9

CNB Clements, Nate CB 12

CNB Crocker, Chris S 10

CNB Geathers, Robert DE 9

CNB Gilberry, Wallace DE 5

CNB Gradkowski, Bruce QB 6

CNB Harris, Clark OL 4

CNB Howard, Thomas LB 7

CNB Huber, Kevin P/K 4

CNB Johnson, Michael DE 4

CNB Jones, Pac-Man CB 6

CNB Lawson, Manny LB 7

CNB Leonard, Brian RB 6

CNB Maualuga, Rey LB 4

CNB Newman, Terence CB 10

CNB Nugent, Mike P/K 8

CNB Peerman, Cedric RB 4

CNB Roland, Dennis OL 5

CNB Scott, Bernard RB 4

CNB Sims, Pat DT 5

CNB Skuta, Dan LB 4

CNB Smith, Andre OL 4

CNB Tate, Brandon WR 4

Carolina Panthers Anderson, Derek QB 8

CP Applewhite, Antwan DE 5

CP Barnidge, Gary TE 5

CP Edwards, Dwan DT 9

CP Hartsock, Ben TE 9

CP Martin, Sherrod S 4

CP Munnerlyn, Captain CB 4

CP Murphy, Louis WR 4

CP Phillips, Jason LB 4

CP Pollak, Mike OL 5

CP Senn, Jordan LB 5

Denver Broncos Bannan, Justin DT 11

DB Brooking, Keith LB 15

DB Bruton, David S 4

DB Clady, Ryan OL 5

DB Hunter, Jason LB 7

DB Koppen, Dan OL 10

DB Leonhard, Jim S 8

DB Porter, Tracy CB 5

DB Stokley, Brandon WR 13

DB Vickerson, Kevin DT 7

DB Warren, Ty DT 10

DB Willis, Matt WR 4

Dallas Cowboys  Butler, Victor DE 4

DC Coe, Michael CB 6

DC Coleman, Kenyon DE 11

DC Dockery, Derrick OL 10

DC Frampton, Eric S 6

DC Jenkins, Mike CB 5

DC Jones, Felix RB 5

DC Ladouceur, L.P. OL 8

DC Moorman, Brian P/K 12

DC Ogletree, Kevin WR 4

DC Peprah, Charlie S 7

DC Phillips, John TE 4

DC Poppinga, Brady LB 7

DC Sims, Ernie LB 7

DC Spencer, Anthony LB 6

Detroit Lions Avril, Cliff DE 5

DL Cherilus, Gosder OL 5

DL Delmas, Louis S 4

DL Durant, Justin LB 6

DL Florence, Drayton CB 10

DL Fluellen, Andre DT 4

DL Gandy, Dylan OL 7

DL Hanson, Jason P/K 21

DL Harris, Nick P/K 12

DL Harrison, Jerome RB 7

DL Heller, Will TE 10

DL Hill, Sammie Lee DT 4

DL Hilliard, Corey OL 4

DL Houston, Chris CB 6

DL Jackson, Lawrence DE 5

DL Lacey, Jacob CB 4

DL Lee, Patrick CB 5

DL Levy, DeAndre LB 4

DL Logan, Stefan WR 4

DL Muhlbach, Don OL 9

DL Osgood, Kassim WR 10

DL Smith, Kevin RB 5

DL Williams, Corey DT 9

GB Packers Benson, Cedric RB 8

GBP Driver, Donald WR 14

GBP Grant, Ryan RB 6

GBP Jennings, Greg WR 7

GBP Jones, Brad LB 4

GBP Walden, Erik LB 5

Houston Texans Ball, Alan S 5

HT Barwin, Connor LB 4

HT Butler, Rashad OL 7

HT Caldwell, Antoine OL 4

HT Casey, James RB 4

HT Cody, Shaun DT 8

HT Demps, Quintin S 4

HT Dobbins, Tim LB 7

HT Forsett, Justin RB 5

HT Fox, Keyaron LB 9

HT Graham, Shayne P/K 11

HT Harris, Ryan OL 5

HT James, Bradie LB 10

HT Jones, Donnie P/K 9

HT McCain, Brice CB 4

HT Nading, Jesse DE 4

HT Quin, Glover S 4

HT Routt, Stanford CB 8

HT Ruud, Barrett LB 8

Indy Colts  Avery, Donnie WR 5

IC Butler, Darius CB 4

IC Collie, Austin WR 4

IC Fokou, Moise LB 4

IC Freeney, Dwight LB 11

IC Hills, Tony OL 5

IC Johnson, Antonio DT 6

IC Justice, Winston OL 7

IC McAfee, Pat P/K 4

IC Moala, Fili DE 4

IC Moore, Mewelde RB 9

IC Powers, Jerraud CB 4

IC Stanton, Drew QB 6

IC Westerman, Jamaal DE 4

Jax Jags  Britton, Eben OL 4

JJ Cox, Derek CB 4

JJ Jennings, Rashad RB 4

JJ Jones, Greg RB 9

JJ Knighton, Terrance DT 4

JJ Mathis, Rashean CB 10

JJ Meester, Brad OL 13

JJ Middleton, William CB 4

JJ Molden, Antwaun CB 4

JJ Palmer, Jordan QB 4

JJ Parmele, Jalen RB 4

JJ Smith, Daryl LB 9

JJ Vallos, Steve OL 5

KC Chiefs Albert, Branden OL 5

KCC Bowe, Dwayne WR 6

KCC Colquitt, Dustin P/K 8

KCC Daniels, Travis CB 8

KCC Dorsey, Glenn DE 5

KCC Elam, Abram S 7

KCC Gafford, Thomas OL 5

KCC Hillis, Peyton RB 5

KCC Hochstein, Russ OL 12

KCC Jones, Edgar TE 6

KCC Lilja, Ryan OL 9

KCC O'Connell, Jake TE 4

KCC Pitoitua, Ropati DT 4

KCC Quinn, Brady QB 6

KCC Siler, Brandon LB 6

KCC Smith, Shaun DT 8

KCC Williams, Leon LB 4

Miami Dolphins Bush, Reggie RB 7

Miami Dolphins Clemons, Chris S 4

Miami Dolphins Fasano, Anthony TE 7

Miami Dolphins Garner, Nate OL 5

Miami Dolphins Hartline, Brian WR 4

Miami Dolphins Kaeding, Nate P/K 9

Miami Dolphins Long, Jake OL 5

Miami Dolphins McDaniel, Tony DT 7

Miami Dolphins Moore, Matt QB 6

Miami Dolphins Smith, Sean CB 4

Miami Dolphins Starks, Randy DT 9

Minn Vikings Aromashodu, Devin WR 5

MV Berger, Joe OL 8

MV Brinkley, Jasper LB 4

MV Felton, Jerome RB 5

MV Henderson, Erin LB 5

MV Loadholt, Phil OL 4

MV Mitchell, Marvin LB 6

MV Sanford, Jamarca S 4

MV Schwartz, Geoff OL 4

MV Simpson, Jerome WR 5

NE Pats Allen, Will CB 12

NEP Arrington, Kyle CB 4

NEP Barrett, Josh S 5

NEP Brace, Ron DE 4

NEP Branch, Deion WR 11

NEP Chung, Patrick S 4

NEP Cole, Marquice CB 4

NEP Edelman, Julian WR 4

NEP Fiammetta, Tony RB 4

NEP Koutouvides, Niko LB 9

NEP Martin, Derrick S 7

NEP Pryor, Myron DT 4

NEP Richard, Jamey OL 5

NEP Scott, Trevor DE 5

NEP Talib, Aqib CB 5

NEP Thomas, Donald OL 5

NEP Vollmer, Sebastian OL 4

NEP Waters, Brian OL 13

NEP Welker, Wes WR 9

 NEP White, Tracy LB 10

NEP Woodhead, Danny RB 5

NO Saints  Bushrod, Jermon OL 6

NOS Casillas, Jonathan LB 4

NOS Daniel, Chase QB 4

NOS Ellis, Sedrick DT 5

NOS Henderson, Devery WR 9

NOS Humber, Ramon LB 4

NOS Mack, Elbert CB 5

NOS McBride, Turk DE 6

NOS Robinson, William OL 4

NOS Roby, Courtney WR 7

NOS Shanle, Scott LB 10

NY Giants Barden, Ramses WR 4

NYG Beatty, William OL 4

NYG Beckum, Travis TE 4

NYG Bennett, Marty TE 5

NYG Bernard, Rocky DT 11

NYG Blackburn, Chase LB 7

NYG Boothe, Kevin OL 7

NYG Carr, David QB 11

NYG Hixon, Domenik WR 6

NYG Johnson, Bruce CB 4

NYG Locklear, Sean OL 9

NYG Lumpkin, Kregg RB 4

NYG Phillips, Kenny S 5

NYG Rivers, Keith LB 4

NYG Rogers, Shaun DT 12

NYG Tryon, Justin CB 5

NYG Tynes, Lawrence P/K 9

NYG Umenyiora, Osi DE 10

NYG Witherspoon, Brian CB 4

NYJ Bell, Yeremiah S 9

NYJ Devito, Mike DE 6

NYJ Edwards, Braylon WR 8

NYJ Folk, Nick P/K 6

NYJ Greene, Shonn RB 4

NYJ Hilliard, Lex RB 4

NYJ Keller, Dustin TE 5

NYJ Landry, LaRon S 6

NYJ Moore, Brandon OL 10

NYJ Schilens, Chaz WR 5

NYJ Slauson, Matt OL 4

NYJ Smith, Jason* OL 4

NYJ Thomas, Bryan LB 11

Oakland Raiders  Barnes, Khalif OL 8

OR Bryant, Desmond DT 4

OR Carlisle, Cooper OL 13

OR Carter, Andre DE 12

OR Gaither, Omar LB 7

OR Giordano, Matt S 8

OR Goodson, Mike RB 4

OR Hagan, Derek WR 7

OR Hanson, Joselio CB 8

OR Lechler, Shane P/K 13

OR Leinart, Matt QB 7

OR Mitchell, Mike S 4

OR Myers, Brandon TE 4

OR Seymour, Richard DT 12

OR Shaughnessy, Matt DE 4

OR Spencer, Shawntae CB 9

OR Wheeler, Philip LB 5

Philly Eagles Dorenbos, Jon OL 10

PE Dunlap, King OL 5

PE Jordan, Akeem LB 6

PE Landri, Derek DT 6

PE Rodgers-Cromartie, Dominique CB 5

PE Scott, Jake OL 9

PE Tapp, Darryl DE 7

P Steelers Allen, Will S 9

PS Batch, Charlie QB 15

PS Burress, Plaxico WR 11

PS Foote, Larry LB 11

PS Foster, Ramon OL 4

PS Hampton, Casey DT 12

PS Johnson, Brandon LB 7

PS Johnson, David TE 4

PS King, Justin CB 5

PS Leftwich, Byron QB 10

PS Legursky, Doug OL 4

PS Lewis, Keenan CB 4

PS Mendenhall, Rashard RB 5

PS Mundy, Ryan S 4

PS Pope, Leonard TE 7

PS Starks, Max OL 9

PS Wallace, Mike WR 4

PS Warren, Greg OL 8

SD Chargers Barnes, Antwan LB 6

SDC Battle, Jackie RB 6

SDC Brown, Ronnie RB 8

SDC Carr, Chris CB 8

SDC Cason, Antoine CB 5

SDC Dombrowski, Brandyn OL 4

SDC Franklin, Aubrayo DT 10

SDC Green, Tyronne OL 4

SDC Guyton, Gary LB 4

SDC Hadnot, Rex OL 9

SDC Jammer, Quentin CB 11

SDC Lynch, Corey S 5

SDC Martin, Vaughn DE 4

SDC Novak, Nick P/K 5

SDC Phillips, Shaun LB 9

SDC Rosario, Dante TE 6

SDC Spurlock, Micheal WR 5

SDC Vasquez, Louis OL 4

SDC Wells, Reggie OL 10

SDC Williams, Demorrio LB 9

SF 49ers Davis, Leonard OL 12

SF Ginn, Ted WR 6

SF Goldson, Dashon S 6

SF Gooden, Tavares LB 5

SF Grant, Larry LB 4

SF Haggans, Clark LB 13

SF Jacobs, Brandon RB 8

SF Jean-Francois, Ricky DT 4

SF Moss, Randy WR 14

SF Sopoaga, Isaako DT 9

SF Walker, Delanie TE 7

SL Rams Amendola, Danny WR 4

SLR Clemens, Kellen QB 7

SLR Dahl, Craig S 6

SLR Fletcher, Bradley CB 4

SLR Gibson, Brandon WR 4

SLR Haggan, Mario LB 10

SLR Hayes, William DE 5

SLR Laws, Trevor DE 5

SLR McIntosh, Rocky LB 7

SLR Richardson, Barry OL 5

SLR Smith, Steve WR 6

SLR Turner, Robert OL 5

SLR Williams, Chris OL 5

S Seahawks Branch, Alan DT 6

SS Hauschka, Steven P/K 4

SS Hill, Leroy LB 8

SS Jones, Jason DE 5

SS Morrah, Cameron TE 4

SS Omiyale, Frank OL 8

SS Trufant, Marcus CB 10

TB Bucs Barber, Ronde S 16

TBB Bennett, Michael DE 4

TBB Biggers, E.J. CB 4

TBB Clark, Dallas TE 10

TBB Economos, Andrew OL 7

TBB McDonald, Brandon CB 6

TBB Miller, Roy DT 4

TBB Parrish, Roscoe WR 8

TBB Stroughter, Sammie WR 4

TBB Trueblood, Jeremy OL 7

T Titans Adibi, Xavier LB 5

TT Ball, Dave DE 8

TT Bironas, Rob P/K 8

TT Cook, Jared TE 4

TT Dawson, Keyunta DT 5

TT DeVan, Kyle OL 4

TT Diles, Zac LB 6

TT Douzable, Leger DT 4

TT Harris, Leroy OL 6

TT Johnson, Quinn RB 4

TT Lutui, Deuce OL 7

TT Marks, Sen'Derrick DT 4

TT McRath, Gerald LB 4

TT Mouton, Ryan CB 4

TT Reynaud, Darius RB 4

TT Ringer, Javon RB 4

TT Witherspoon, Will LB 11

TT Wynn, Jarius DE 4

Wash Redskins Alexander, Lorenzo DT 6

WR Balmer, Kentwan DT 5

WR Black, Jordan OL 8

WR Brown, Jammal OL 8

WR Cooley, Chris TE 9

WR Davis, Fred TE 5

WR Golston, Kedric DE 7

WR Griffin, Cedric CB 7

WR Grossman, Rex QB 10

WR Jackson, Tanard S 5

WR Kehl, Bryan LB 5

WR Lichtensteiger, Kory OL 4

WR Polumbus, Tyler OL 5

WR Rocca, Saverio P/K 6

WR Williams, Madieu S 9

WR Wilson, Chris DE 5

* Could potentially VOID at end of 2012 League Year

Posted by Armando Salguero at 06:20 PM | Permalink

In a week of Super Bowl build up, including more coverage of Ray Lewis and the brothers Harbaugh than you could ever want, the Newark Star-Ledger has brought us possibly the greatest, and funniest, news story possible. According to their report, the New York Jets are working to improve their quarterback position - and somehow, the conversation turned to former number one overall pick turned massive bust JaMarcus Russell.

And massive actually describes Russell. The quarterback, who was floating around the Senior Bowl last week trying to drum up interest and, possibly, a try out, told people that, since starting his comeback six weeks ago, his cardio regimen has him down to a svelte 308 pounds.

Sounds like exactly what the Jets need, right?

According to the Star-Ledger report, the team had "very exploratory, informal discussions" about Russell. To be fair, the Jets seem to be turning over every possible quarterback rock, despite head coach Rex Ryan's "support" of his tattoo, I mean quarterback, Mark Sanchez. The team was seen spending time with North Carolina State quarterback Mike Glennon, as well as having scouted West Virginia's Geno Smith, Syracuse's Ryan Nassib, and Virginia Tech's Logan Thomas (who decided to return to to school this year).

While new general manager John Idzik is doing his due diligence in finding some competition for Sanchez, you know you are laughing at the idea of Russell with the Jets.