Now The Fun For Parcells Really Begins | buschleague's Blog

Well, the Bill Parcells Era in Miami is underway, with a new GM, new coach, and a new era of hope in a city where the Miami U hoops team is the model of excellence. However, now is when the real test begins. Maybe the few souls who thought Cam Cameron was the difference between 10-6 and 1-15 will be anxiously waiting for the playoffs to arrive next year. But for the rest of us, it will bode down to the Dolphins' decision-making about players. Here are some helpful hints for Dolphins management to consider.

1. Don't Look For The Quick Fix Via Free Agency. In the free agent era, the free agent savior has been the exception rather than the rule. Productive players such as Edgerrin James and Ahman Green were rewarded with hefty contracts. Unfortunately, the time those two players took to achieve blockbuster contract status has taken a toll on their bodies. Alas, football is the least forgiving sport to older players. If the Big Tuna needs further proof, look no further than his team's starting QB on opening day last year.

2.Be Smart In The Draft....And Not Just In The First Round. With all the hype concerning Mario Williams and Reggie Bush in the 2006 draft, it is telling that neither player was their teams most valuable rookie. ON THAT SIDE OF THE BALL! Demeco Ryans for the Texans was a second round pick, while Marques Colston of the Saints was a seventh rounder. One needs to look no further than the current NFL MVP, Tom Brady, a sixth round pick. While the second day of ESPN's draft coverage may not warrant much attention to the average fan, that day is critical for separating the contenders from the pretenders. And along that line....

3.Pay Close Attention To The SWAC. Although it is composed of small schools most famous for its bands, this conference has produced stunningly great (and more importantly, clutch) players. From Walter Payton to Doug Williams to Jerry Rice to Steve McNair, SWAC players can hold their own against anyone. Even Prairie View, long the league and national laughing stock, went 7-3 this past season.

4.Pay Closer Attention To The Patriots. As a chess player, I know that the great ones plot their strategies 15 to 20 moves in advance. They don't make any moves without a reason. Same with the Patriots. If the Dolphin brain trust was smart, they should look over EVERY Patriot draft pick, free agent signing, waiver wire pickup, and trade that was made by them in the last ten years. See what the Patriots thought of them. Maybe it was their character. Maybe they knew how to step up their game in the 4th quarter. Maybe they all had an affinity for eating their vegetables when they were kids. Whatever their secret is, emulate them. Not many teams this decade have. And speaking of trades......

5.Don't trade with the Patriots. If let's say, New England offers a second and seventh round pick for one of your players, don't make the deal. If the Patriots see something in him, you obviously need to start seeing it too. And finally......

6.Let Ricky Williams Go. We felt sorry for you guys when he suddenly retired in 2004. We really did. And most of us commended you for giving him a second chance back in 2005. We really did too. Ricky seems like a nice guy, and he has a right to try to make a living in this league as much as anyone. However, at this point, it's time to part ways and let Ricky try to make a living elsewhere. I don't care if Ronnie Brown suffers a season ending injury on the first day of minicamp, it's best to let go. You can always find a good back elsewhere.

Like the SWAC