Just this evening, Jason LaCanfora of CBS Sports posted an article detailing the possibility of Branden Albert being traded to Miami.  Should the Dolphins pursue this avenue, they will and must be prepared to pay Albert a little more for his services than what Eric Winston is seeking as well as a second round draft pick.  Albert is due 9.83 million on a one year deal which he recently signed.  

The talk of the beginning of the week, was Miami looking to trade up to get versatile tackle Lane Johnson of Oklahoma.  By midweek, various outlets reported Kenny Vaccaro being high on Miami's list because of his recent visit to Davie. What's next is a report of the Dolphins in talks with the Chiefs.

In reality, the Dolphins can bide their time until the middle of the top 10 whether the guy they covet in the first round will be there for them at 12.   Should the Dolphins have a deal in place for Albert, then it could be a fit since tackle is the lone hole on the Dolphins roster after losing Jake Long to the St. Louis Rams.

My thought on an Albert trade, is pass because there are good cheap tackles in the draft in rounds 1 and 2.  Secondly, why would the Dolphins take more from their dwindling cap room?  Re-signing Albert to a new deal would be counter everything the Dolphins would do after signing a bunch of players, eight to be exact in free-agency.  However, Albert could take less if he plays his more natural position of left tackle, something the Dolphins could be seeking in this year's draft.

The Dolphins are going to make the best decision that will support the offense up front and if that means protecting Ryan Tannehill then getting Albert will make the first round very interesting with all of the ammunition that Jeff Ireland claims to have to move up in this year's draft!

Phins up! The draft is one week away!

Could the Miami Dolphins end up leaving Florida?

As an out of town fan and blogger at Phins Phocus, I have wondered about this turn of events that is the eventual vote on renovating Sun Life Stadium.  Just down the street, I have noticed how the 49ers have put themselves in position to have a state of the art stadium with naming rights for years to come and flush with cash.  On the other hand, I have seen great flagship sports franchises turned into ATM machines with their owners siphoning cash from the team and using it for their personal bank accounts (see the LA Dodgers and NY Mets in recent years).  Surely, Stephen Ross faces a conundrum if the Dolphins do not win the public referendum in Dade County Florida on May 14: pay for the renovations with his own money or sell the team.

One of the most interesting bits of information to make news last week was a peak at the Dolphins financial statements.  Based on an article by Douglas Hanks of the Miami Herald, it was reported that the Dolphins have earned over “25 million in operating profits in recent years.”  In fact, the article depicted a financial picture that seems somewhat bleak if the Dolphins cannot win this referendum as evidenced by two consultants charged with the task of reviewing the team’s financials.  In fact, the Miami Dolphins franchise, according to these two consultants cannot afford the 350 million dollar cost without the help of Dade County.  This fact alone should make longtime Dolphins fans worry about the future of the franchise, especially with the current owner, Stephen Ross. 

By spring of 2014, some estimates show that the Dolphins will be operating at a loss of $14 million due to payroll costs.  However, by 2014, this number of 14 million pales in comparison to the 70 million dollars in cash losses.

While Mike Dee, can claim it’s attributed to payroll, it’s flat out worrisome when the Dolphins are on the verge of taking the steps necessary to secure financing from the county because they cannot support the efforts themselves.

 Taking on future payroll of almost $200 million in new contracts signed by the Dolphins free agent signees, shows the Dolphins commitment on the field, but off the field paying for those contracts will be in question.  Where will the revenue come from to pay for the high cost of signing players in free agency?

For all of those pundits who believe that Stephen Ross is a billionaire owner who can afford any free-agent or any future contracts, think about this: all contracts are always based on future dollars.  Whether or not the Dolphins have those dollars in the future remains to be seen.

Dolphins fans that either don’t know or don’t care, should because last weeks’ hearing by the county of Dade showed that the Dolphins “need help” to afford the cost of renovating.

These statistics should wake up the Dolphin faithful a bit:

•  Dolphins have the third highest debt amongst NFL franchises of 380 million dollars (70 million in interest payments in the 2011-2012 season.)
•  Profits for the foreseeable future fall from 1.8 million to at least 5 million (What’s the incentive for Ross to keep a franchise that isn’t earning a profit?)
•   2008 and 2009 included 50 million in cash infusions for Ross to buy the team from H. Wayne Huizenga

Even if the Dolphins do win this public referendum and are set to renovate Sun Life Stadium, just merely having the improved venue is not enough. The Dolphins fans have to come through the turnstiles and enjoy Fanvision and all the amenities the Dolphins offer. 

However, if the Dolphins fans don’t start selling out games, the future of the Dolphins looks might bleak and this owner could be viewed as a thief in the night that leaves town for another project real estate venture.

With the 12th pick of the 2013 NFL Draft the Miami Dolphins select.....

While we are a bit behind in the mock draft world, we decided to wait until the dust settled with free agency and see how this roster looked before assembling a mock draft here at Phinsphocus.com. Now that the new draft hats featuring the new logo are available to the public we decided it was time we launch our very own mock draft. 

The Dolphins are loaded at the top end of the draft with 5 picks in the first 3 rounds. We did this mock draft based on the assumption the Dolphins wouldn't trade up or down.

1st round, Pick 12

@PhinsDaniel ( Daniel Eliesen )

TE Tyler Eifert

With Lane Johnson and Dee Milllner both most likely being off the board, I think the Dolphins continue with the trend of trying to find Ryan Tannehill weapons. Eifert is a tight end that can help spread the field and brings another pass catcher to this offense. With Dustin Keller brought in on just a 1 year contract coming off and injury the Dolphins could look to adding 2 TE packages adding a new aspect to this offense. While corner back is need, after Millner no CB really warrants being taken in the top 15 and I believe Ireland's faith in the guys on the roster currently is very understated.

@DolphinMick ( Michael Serrania )

S  Kenny Vaccaro

Dolphins have a need for getting to the quarterback, but the best available player at 12 in my opinion is Kenny Vaccaro.  Vaccaro brings some of that swagger, ball skills, and closing speed sorely needed to keep up with the tight end in the NFL.  Not to mention, Vaccaro fits Kevin Coyle’s defense and could fill that void nicely if he beats out Chris Clemons in training camp.  Assuming the Dolphins are re-tooling the defense, Vaccaro makes sense and has been considered and compared to the late Sean Taylor.  Vaccaro’s numbers in college were spectacular his final season with 98 total tackles and 2 interceptions and five forced fumbles.  When you watch the film, he has a knack for finding the ball carrier and delivers bone-crushing hit after hit.  The draft gurus are mixed on what Miami will do at 12, but Vaccaro is starting to become a favorite amongst some critics of what Miami will do at 12.  Vaccaro has a meeting scheduled with Miami Dolphin coaches and front office in the near future.  If he’s available, I’d say take him.  He’s a can’t miss prospect and a the kind of guy that receivers on opposing teams will fear for years to come.

@DolfanDaniel  ( Daniel Monardo )

CB Desmond Trufant

The Dolphins must improve on their 27th ranked pass defense from a year ago and selecting Trufant is a step in the right direction. Drafting Trufant at 12th overall is a slight reach, however after considering the players the team currently has at the cornerback position, its a move that makes a lot of sense. Despite the signing of Brent Grimes, the Dolphins still need a defensive back opposite of him and Trufant has the speed and natural instincts in coverage to make an immediate impact. This selection also prepares Miami for the possibility that Grimes may not be healthy enough to play in the first few weeks of the season as he continues to recover from an Achilles injury.

2nd Round,  Pick 42:

PhinsDaniel:  OT/G  Justin Pugh

There is no question the Dolphins are going to have to address their needs on the Oline at some point, it's more a question of when. It seems the Dolphins aren't keen on adding Eric Winston and feel the price tag on Brandon Albert is too high therefore I think the Dolphins attack their biggest draft need in the second round. Pugh who might not even be available at pick 42 can moved around at guard or right tackle which could give the Dolphins more options this seasons. 

 " Experienced player who started every game he played over three seasons. Effortless mover for a 290-pound tackle with good body control and coordination to take on blocks and mirror rushers in space. Good combination of speed and athleticism enables him to reach the second level as fast as any offensive lineman in this class. High ceiling. "  - Dane Brugler

Mick: TE Jordan Reed

The Dolphins are looking to upgrade almost every position of need in this year’s draft.  Tight end is one of them.  Reed could be a redo for Jeff Ireland and Joe Philbin who took a chance with Michael Egnew.  Egnew has yet to show his ability to block nor has he shown toughness.  Reed brings the Dolphins another pass catcher for Ryan Tannehill and a guy that can make big plays.  The Dolphins have an H-back type of guy already in Charles Clay, but getting Jordan Reed could be a significant upgrade.  I see the Dolphins going tight end either way in the second round.  There should be plenty to choose from and they can be flexible.  The question is, are the Dolphins looking for a tight end that blocks and catches the ball in the red zone or a guy like Jordan Reed that can run a seam route like the best of them.  Think Aaron Hernandez explosiveness.

DolfanDan: DE Alex Okafor

Miami already has one of the best pass rushers in the league in Cameron Wake, however they are still in search of a complementary piece opposite of him. Jared Odrick is better suited playing inside at defensive tackle so the Dolphins use their first second round pick on an upgrade. Okafor is stout against the run and takes advantage of his speed to get to the quarterback. He can also play either left or right end, which ensures the Dolphins can keep Wake on his dominant side. 

Mick: RB Le’veon Bell

In the 2011 draft, the Dolphins selected Daniel Thomas in the second round.  Daniel Thomas has been a turnover and concussion prone machine.  Bell brings some of that downhill running missing in this offense.  He has the ability to be more of a plodder, but can break tackles and shows acceleration given the right blocking scheme.  He turned out to be a workhorse back carrying the ball for 1,793 yards and 12 touchdowns in his junior season at Michigan State.  With his weight hovering around 230, the Dolphins need a guy that can move the pile.  Last year, the Dolphins failed to convert several 3^rd and short plays.  Having a guy like Bell could be a game changer at the end of the game when running the clock and grabbing first downs is a must.  Bell can run the ball well and often.  The Dolphins won most of their games last season when they ran the ball well.  Look for them to address running back in the draft.

Round 3, Pick 82:

Mick: OT Menelik Watson

Should the Dolphins not sign a free-agent prior to the draft, expect them to go tackle at some point with their 5 picks.  If Watson is available, he’s the perfect fit for the Dolphins offensive line and the zone-blocking scheme installed as of last year.  Watson is raw, but athletic and possesses quick feet. He can take out cornerbacks and linebackers on run plays and keep the defensive end and linebackers away from the QB.  He’d be a fit on the right side of the line and can pass block. Since Jonathan Martin appears to be moving to the left side of the line, Watson is one of those guys that could step right in on the right side.  His athleticism is why I like him at this position.  He seems like a perfect third round pick, but he could fall further given concerns that he is more finesse than a tough blocker.  Given Watson’s raw ability, he could be a starter in a couple of years if that is what the Dolphins envision for him. 

The Miami Dolphins continue their aggressive approach to free agency as the team has signed cornerback Brent Grimes to a one year, $5.5 million deal with $3 million guaranteed.

After suffering a torn achillies tendon in last year's season opener, Grimes was struggling to find a new home before agreeing to terms with Miami. Before the injury, Grimes appeared in 44 of the last 48 games, recording 12 interceptions and 175 tackles.

The Dolphins now get the best remaining cornerback on the market and a player that has starter capabilities. Grimes, 29, instantly becomes the top cornerback on the Dolphins roster and fills the void left by Sean Smith who left in free agency. 

This is another step forward in an already impressive offseason for General Manager Jeff Ireland. He stuck to his initial price with Grimes' health concerns in mind and ensured the contract does not put the team in a diffcult position in the future. In the case that Grimes isn't ready for the season, the Dolphins have the option to cut him and only pay $3 million of his total deal.

The signing won't affect the Dolphins draft strategy considering that they still need a cornerback opposite of Grimes. Its likely that the position will be addressed in the first two rounds however the signing gives the Dolphins more flexibility with the 12th overall pick.

With the draft about 28 days away, the Miami Dolphins added a solid option at guard by signing Lance Louis this evening. The deal was first reported by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and Michael C. Wright of ESPN Chicago expanded on the signing.

Louis played in Chicago for 4 seasons from 2009-2012.  In 2012, Louis started 11 games before being placed on IR following a torn ACL in his left knee. Prior to his injury, he was the 47th best offensive guard according to Pro Football Focus.

The signing doesn't exactly jump off the page, but the Dolphins could be looking to add to this position in the draft given that the deal is for only one year.

In addition, after rumors swirled all over twitter that John Jerry might be on the outs after the draft, even after filling in admirably this year, the Dolphins can ill afford to be patient with Jerry's conditioning this offseason.  Rumor has it that his weight at the start of camp was closer to 360 pounds or more and not even close to the weight that Joe Philbin wants for a fast and athletic line.

The signing of Lance Louis should bring this added depth to the line and a lineman who compete with Jerry and play in this system.  Keep in mind, the Dolphins also have draft picks to use on quicker and cheaper players as well as Nate Garner who does have guard play experience.  

As the draft gets closer and closer, things could get might interesting in South Florida.  Only time will tell with what direction the Dolphins go on April 25th!