It appears Ricky Williams has found a home in the Bill Parcells backfield running behind Ronnie Brown in the 2008 season. Ricky was surprised that the Miami Dolphins Vice President of Football Operations Bill Parcells didn't cut him when he took over the team in December, because in his opening speech to the team he stressed having players with character, rather than characters. Ricky claimed he honestly had doubts he would be the type of player that Bill Parcells wanted on this team. Ricky was expecting Bill not to talk to him at all and really was expecting the Miami Dolphins organization to send him a letter advising he would be a free agent. You could imagine Ricky’s surprise when he finally saw Bill Parcells out at the training camp and was advised he would back up starter Ronnie Brown who is still recovering from a torn ACL.

The Sun Sentinel and other local reports advised, Ricky recently had lunch with Bill Parcells and said he liked Bill more than he thought he would. He further stated, He’s really different than I expected. Ricky was quoted in the Sun Sentinels article saying. "It seems to me his greatest joy is developing true friendships with his players, being a mentor and trying to help people, not just in football but in life." Ricky could learn a lot from Bill Parcells and I’m sure Bill Parcells will like Ricky a lot more if he returns to his old form. Ricky is a hard worker and great physical specimen. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams will benefit from the additions of Michigan Chad Henne and Jake Long. Let’s not forget about the addition of head coach Tony Sparano, his specialty is working with the offensive line.

One thing is for sure the offensive line on this team got a lot younger and will be much better than last year’s squad. Who knows what the quarterback competition will be like and who will actually win the starting job. This team will be much improved over the next season but don’t get crazy with your expectations because this new squad needs time playing together and may need the additions of one to two more drafts to really have the tools to get the job done. I think we are going to surprise a few teams out there especially because the beginning of the season brings the New York Jets to Dolphin Stadium. Our division teams don’t know what to expect because everything is new and the roster has been completely revamped. I think we can beat the Jets to open the season and then play New England two weeks later which we will be competitive against. We’ll just have to wait and see. Go Dolphins…

Staff Columnist, The Dolfanatic

Pre Season Schedule  

  The 2008 NFL Draft has been completed and the first mini camp sessions have gotten under full swing. The New England Patriots lost a first round draft pick because of their involvement in the spygate controversy during the 2007 season. The spygate saga continues with a video tape turned over by former Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh may show that head coach Bill Belichick's staff illegally recorded its opponent's offensive signals. The original spygate saga began when the New England Belicheat’s were caught video taping the defensive signals during a game against the New York Jets very early in the 2007 season. The NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was quick to destroy evidence and handed down what most believed to be a light punishment which may come back to haunt him.

The Belicheats have accomplished a great track record over the last decade but any further evidence of video taping could turn the Belicheat champions into Belicheat chumps. Its unfortunate the team’s accomplishments will forever be questioned by the league and football fans all over the world. The Kraft family and the New England fans will have to endure the embarrassment over the new information provided to the league by former Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh. The NFL Commissioner will have to handle this properly to avoid any negative effects to the league. The NFL has enjoyed their little boys club for many years; no one really knows how much money is brought in by the league with the exception of television and cable and satellite contracts which are public record.

If something should be substantiated and deemed new information with regard to the spygate situation the league may have to really punish the New England Patriots by suspending coach Belicheat for whatever time the Commissioner feels appropriate under the guidelines set forth under the original spygate incident. The Kraft family may choose to separate from coach Belicheat in the best interest of the team. Its been reported the new information turned over to the league by former Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh contains the offensive signals of the Miami Dolphins in a game during the 2001 season. This video taping scenario seems to have been going on for a very long time. It is unclear whether or not this new information had been disclosed by coach Belicheat in the original spygate investigation but we will hear more about this scandal in the coming weeks.

Staff Columnist, The Dolfanatic

  The first mini camp session has arrived one week after the 2008 NFL Draft, just like every year in the past. The fans are excited waiting to see their first glimpse of the 2008 rookie class. I took Friday, May 2nd off from work so that I could be one of the first out at the training facility. I went out and purchased about one hundred dollars in lithium batteries for my digital camera. I purchased some new Miami Dolphins gear out at the pro shop a few weeks before the 2008 Draft in anticipation of the first mini camp opening. I took my truck out to get detailed and shined the night before mini camp. I’ve got my Dolphins flags on the truck and the magnetic Miami Dolphins emblems on each side of the truck. My spirit is high and I can’t wait to get out to training camp, I’m giving my sons high five before leaving the house and the kids going to school.

My sons say they can’t wait to go out to training camp with me on Saturday morning. I know from years past the first session usually starts around 8:30 – 9:00 in the morning. I go back to my office to get my website visor because I know the sun is facing west, right into the grandstands out at training camp. While in my office, I decide to check out the South Florida Sun Sentinel sports page to see if they have listed the mini camp practice dates and times for this weekend. Much to my surprise, I read that yes in deed there is a mini camp starting on Friday morning but the training sessions are not open to the public. I’m really ticked off now and I let out a yell in anger, my wife responds with, “what happened…?” I explained those “blank, blanks” are not allowing the fans to see the team out at training camp because training camp is closed to the public.

I’m totally disgusted now and after the embarrassing draft weekend out at the stadium, I’m just perplexed about the changes with the administration out at the camp and the stadium. I invited several friends with children to come out to the stadium because the Miami Dolphins do everything first class when it comes to their little fans. I was describing the concourse events with the cheerleader and alumni signing tables with music and the referee and cheerleader on stilts. I really looked like an idiot and felt like one when the little girls were asking me for ice cream and none of the concession stands really had anything for children except popcorn, which I couldn’t get them to go for. The Miami Dolphins lost out on some potential season ticket sales. I can deal with all the negatives like not getting to see the mini camps and practice as long as the team turns 1-15 into 15-1 otherwise what are you doing to your fans. Did I mention there is another season ticket holder price increase…

Staff Columnist, The Dolfanatic