NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Last Saturday we passed along a story from the Miami Herald in which that former Dolphins great Dan Marino quasi-endorsed the idea of Carson Palmer being traded to Miami. "I've always liked Carson," Marino was quoted as saying. "For a third-rounder, I'd do it."  Of course, the Dolphins cannot publicly acknowledge such a notion as it violates the NFL's anti-tampering rules and without a CBA, no player trades can happen.  Add to that Mike Brown's historic stubborness and we figured it was mostly pie-in-the-sky speculation; hardly worth noticing.

It probably still is, but Almondo Salguero at the Miami Herald is pushing for it to happen. In his latest offering that can be read here, Salguero says that he's talked to various Dolphins officials who have been seemingly open to the idea.

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The Miami Herald has the following on Gators center Mike Pouncey, who says that he’s all about thinking he will be in a Cowboys uniform in 2011.

The Dolphins need to upgrade the center position. Among the most obvious ways the team is likely to do that is either by moving Richie Incognito from guard to center or drafting someone good enough to take over the job as a rookie — someone like say … Mike Pouncey.

Except that Mike Pouncey doesn’t seem to be exceedingly prominent on the Dolphins’ radar and he seems to think he’s headed to another NFL team when the draft gets underway later this month. “… Would be shocked if I wasn’t in a Dallas uniform next year!” Pouncey tweeted earlier this afternoon. “The draft is April 28 so we will see.” Obviously Pouncey, who was in Dallas for private meetings with the Cowboys on Tuesday and Wednesday, has gotten the idea that team really, really, really likes him. So he thinks that’s where he’s headed.

Adam Caplan of FOXSports.com reports Ravens WR Derrick Mason has always been one to speak his mind. So it shouldn't come to a surprise that he made his feelings known about the job NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is doing, especially in regard to drug testing.

“I mean you want to do whatever you have to do to make sure there's not a competitive edge in the sport. You know blood tests? I don't know," he told 105.7 the Fan in Baltimore earlier this week. "They've been crying for a blood test for the longest (time) and I think that's too intrusive. There's other ways and other methods I think to go about testing for it.”

“You know he didn't stop crying about blood tests and HGH. He needs to try to get a (new CBA) deal done. That's what he needs to do. He's been on the crusade about HGH, but he needs to be on a crusade about getting these owners together and trying to work out a deal," the veteran wide receiver said. “He's to me is just to me, he's a joke. He's a joke because every time I look he's talking about performance enhancements instead of trying to figure out a way to make sure football is played in August.”

Ryan Grant is feeling as good as can be, telling the Green Bay Press Gazette he would be able to play today if there was a game.

The back, who was lost for the season in Week 1 with a torn ligament in his ankle that required surgery, said that he feels great and could take the field today.

“I feel great. This is actually the best I've felt in a long time," Grant said. Grant was part of an 11-player Packers contingent that threw out the ceremonial first pitches at the Milwaukee Brewers' home opener.

WR Larry Fitzgerald probably isn’t thinking much about his future in Arizona at present while on safari in Africa. But when he returns, team sources tell us money is not likely to be a drawback in any negotiations for a new contract.

“The thing with Fitz is not pay; the Cards will come up with enough money,” one team insider said of Fitzgerald, whose current deal expires after the 2011 season. “The big thing is the direction of the offense and the quarterback. He has a lot of trust in Whiz (head coach Ken Whisenhunt), but he could be a tough sell.”

Of course, all the fun speculation on the NFL Draft is around who the Lions will take with their first pick.  I cannot improve on Anthony's excellent overview of Detroit's first round options, so I will take a stab at the second round.

The Lions have been known to trade up and down a lot with their second round pick, so there is a decent chance that they will not be picking there.  But, for argument's sake, let us assume that they are on the clock with the 44^th pick.  Who might be there?  Who might they take?

Before we speculate, two other assumptions must be made.  First, that the collective bargaining stalemate continues through April, therefore denying teams the chance to fill gaps via free agency.  Second, that the Lions used their first round pick on an offensive tackle.  Although Lions beat reporter Tom Kowalski thinks they will choose an OT even if Prince Amukamara is available, I agree with Anthony that if Prince is there at 13, the Lions will take him.  However, I think Amukamara will be long gone by then, so Tyron Smith will likely be the choice.

With all those completely unscientific assumptions out of the way, here are some of the possibilities for the Lions in Round 2:

Aaron Williams, CB Texas

Although this collegiate program has produced some high quality cornerbacks in recent years, Williams' career has been spotty enough that he might fall to the Lions here.  He has good speed, excellent quickness and agility and possesses skills that should translate well to the NFL.  His tackling is also good enough to make teams take notice.  On the negative side, he takes a lot of chances and when he guesses wrong bad things happen.  He will remind Lions fans a lot of Dre' Bly – both the good parts and the bad.

Bruce Carter, OLB North Carolina

Blessed with fantastic speed and strength, Carter might have gone in the first round if not for his being slightly undersized for the position combined with a lengthy injury history (and he still could get snatched up before the 44^th pick).  Lions fans might be reminded of Ernie Sims in Carter's tenacity and athleticism.  Unfortunately, they will also be reminded of Sims by Carter's average instincts and so-so tackling.

Ras-I Dowling, CB Virginia

Dowling has the size and speed to start at corner in the big leagues, and is known as a good student of the game as well.  He is a decent tackler with average hands.  He has suffered from injuries in the past, so his durability is suspect.  Best case scenario is that he could evolve into a journeyman cornerback.  At the very least he could make an impact on special teams.

Mikel Lashoure, RB Illinois

The Lions like this bruising power runner enough to have had him in for an individual visit recently.  Lashoure's size and tough running style could possibly be the "Thunder" to Javid Best's "Lightning" and offer a scary 1-2 punch for the Leos.  The knock on Lashoure stems from conditioning issues, his unfamiliarity with a pro-style offense and the fact that his combine workout was less than spectacular.

Randall Cobb, WR Kentucky

A converted quarterback, Cobb might be the elusive third wide receiver the Lions have been looking for.  Explosive as a playmaker, Cobb's speed and agility make him exciting in the open field.  He could also back up Stefan Logan in the return game.  He needs to work on his hands, as he will drop some balls.  Has great natural feel for the game, but still a little raw as a receiver.

Johnny Patrick, CB Louisville

Patrick doesn't have pure speed (4.55 in the 40-yard dash), but his agility and burst make it seem like he does.  A solid cover corner, some character concerns stemming from an arrest last year may make the Lions shy away from him.  However, if he can assure Mayhew and Co. that he has cleaned up his act, he has plenty of upside.  Patrick is a player who could fall to the third round, so even if the Lions like him, they could try to gamble and land him later.

Ingram’s punishing running style would add an extra dimension to an already potent New Orleans offense

If Miami passes on the Alabama product at 15, could a 2008 New York Giants-like three-headed backfield find its way in the Big Easy?

Some mock drafts have Mark Ingram being selected in the 2nd round.  Imagine a talent like Ingram being bypassed by all 32 NFL teams?  Some, even passing up the ‘Bama back twice?  Shocking, to say the least.  If Miami doesn’t take Ingram with its first pick, could he drop to New Orleans at 24?  Not beyond any realm of the imagination, seeing the clubs ahead of the Saints are focusing on addressing more pressing needs outside the running back position.

The 2009 Heisman Trophy Winner is visiting the team today.  With Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory already on the roster, adding Ingram could make not only the Saints offense, but defense a force to be reckoned with.  As much as the Saints defense, especially the back seven, needs improvement, could the answer to their woes be a well-constructed rushing attack?  It would eat up time, thus keeping the defense more fresh and rested.  The more the offense is on the field controlling the rock, the less you see Gregg Williams’ 11-man squad.  This is a good thing, seeing Williams’ unit gave up nearly half a 100 points to Seattle in their playoff loss; which begs the question -can they win the way they did during their Super Bowl run?  I think it’s time for a change.

Either way you look at it, the Dolphins stand in the way of the Saints offensive plans, and possibly their overall game plan.  With Ingram, the Saints could bolster the run game and go to a more conventional approach when they have the ball.  It would be a change that would benefit the offensive line, Drew Brees, and of course, the defense.  You may counter this method with the Packers won the Super Bowl without much of a run game, but let’s keep in mind their defense was loaded with playmakers.  It’s not to say the Saints should draft Ingram because they can’t go far with Brees slinging the pigskin 35 times a game, as it’s more of a damage control pick, where you could spare the defense if you upgrade the run game.  As for the defense, it has some holes but is not as bad as it showed itself against Seattle.

So with Miami, they are looking for a running back to run the show in place of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams.  Brown and Williams are both free agents, their futures remain up in the air.  The former is injury-prone, the ladder is getting up there in age.  The Dolphins are stuck in “no-man’s land” at pick 15. In a draft filled with potential high-caliber first round defensive linemen, the team finds themselves in a jam because their front seven is already solid.  This leaves them looking for upgrades on the offensive side of things.  QB?  Will Newton or Gabbert be there, no way.  Locker?  I don’t think they will head that direction.  WR?  A.J. Green and Julio Jones are likely off the board.  Is there another receiver worth taking in the 1st round?  Probably not.  That leaves the offensive line, where there’s a lot of a “good” but not great big men available for the taking.

With all things taken into consideration, who the Dolphins draft seems like it could come down to who falls from the Top 10 and how much the South Beach boys like Mark Ingram.  So with the Saints nine slots below the Dolphins at 24, they may be heavily influenced by what Miami does with their first round pick.  Are the Saints draft day aspirations on hold, waiting for the ‘Phins and their move at 15?  This is, assuming they are sold on Ingram bringing them the most bang for their buck with their choice in the 1st round.  I’m sure all eyes in “Who-Dat” nation will be glued to the television set once the Rams are off the clock at pick 14.  You could possibly know the direction of the Saints future and offensive plans once Miami’s draft card is turned into Commissioner Goodell.  All I know is Mark Ingram will be making a difference in the Big Easy, whether he will be donning aqua or gold digs, wherever he lands he will impact Sean Payton’s gang.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera told Cam Newton’s adviser Warren Moon that he’s “convinced” the Auburn quarterback is a good enough passer to be worthy of the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.

“I’ve seen all I need to see as far as him throwing a football,” Rivera told Moon. “I’m already convinced.” Moon emerged from the conversation believing that Carolina is “sold” on Newton, and that they’ve “locked onto” him as the top pick in the draft. “It’s just a matter of whether they want to go defense or offense,” added Moon. “If they go quarterback, it’ll be Cam.”