Dolphins GM Asks Personal Question

Miami Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland has received criticism, after reports surfaced that he asked WR Dez Bryant if his mother was a prostitute during interviews with teams and players. Ireland has publicly apologized for using "poor judgment." However, the media has not been too accepting of the fact that he asked that. Vinny Cerrato, former executive vice president of football operations of the Washington Redskins, publicly blasted Ireland for it as well.

While Ireland has received criticism for this, this is blown out of proportion. While it isn't Ireland's business if Bryant's mother was a prostitute, it was simply a question. Ireland was not implying that Bryant's mother was a prostitute. He simply asked him if she was. That's not that bad of a question. A lot of executives ask personal questions to potential employees all the time. It should not have affected Bryant in any way. It doesn't seem to be affecting Bryant at all because he hasn't even responded to the reports. It's a non-issue for him. He has to focus on football and that's it.

The fact that Cerrato is blasting him out of all people is a bit hysterical. While Ireland has had success putting together a good Dolphins team that went to the playoffs in the 2008 season, Cerrato and the rest of the Redskins brass has constantly failed at their jobs. Cerrato should look at the reason he isn't in football anymore. Cerrato needs to just enjoy his time away from the game, and not think about coming back.

As for Ireland and Bryant, the best thing to do is quickly forget about this and work at improving their respective teams. Bryant was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys with the 24th pick, and he probably knows better than anyone that he and WR Miles Austin can form a great receiver tandem for QB Tony Romo.

Blount Spurns 49ers, Signs With Titans

Oregon RB LeGarrette Blount had an agreement to sign with the San Francisco 49ers, but then changed his mind at the last minute and signed with the Tennessee Titans. Blount was not drafted, partly due to the incident with Boise State DE Byron Hout on the first game of the regular season. Blount punched Hout in the face at the conclusion of the game, and Blount was subsequently suspended for the rest of the season. Blount eventually had his suspension reduced and he was able to play in November and in their Rose Bowl appearance against Ohio State.

Blount decided his opportunity with the Titans was much better than an opportunity with the 49ers. The 49ers have two productive running backs already in RB Frank Gore and RB Glen Coffee. They also drafted RB Anthony Dixon from Mississippi State. The Titans have All-Pro RB Chris Johnson, but they traded their backup RB Lendale White to the Seattle Seahawks on draft day.

I don't blame Blount for what he did. The opportunity certainly presents itself with the Titans. Had he signed with the 49ers, he probably would've been cut before the regular season. That probably would've put him in a spot where he would've taken a while to find another team to land with. With the Titans, Blount has a legit shot at not only making the roster, but being the primary back behind Johnson.

While Blount will be looked at for that punch against Hout, I truly believe Blount is a good person who got very frustrated that night in Idaho. NFL teams should not be concerned about this guy on and off the field, especially early in his career. He wasn't even drafted, so there's no margin for error on his part. If his determination for being a productive running back presents itself, he'll strive behind Johnson and give the Titans a one-two punch like what they had with White.

Draft Moves

The top three picks of the NFL Draft wasn't surprising, but there were surprising moves later down the line. QB Tim Tebow got picked in the first round by the Denver Broncos, which surprised many. Tebow went ahead of QB Jimmy Clausen and QB Colt McCoy. Clausen went to the Carolina Panthers in the 2nd round and McCoy went to the Cleveland Browns in the 3rd round. S Myron Rolle, who left Florida State to attend Oxford University as a Rhode scholar, was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the 6th round.

In separate deals, the Seattle Seahawks acquired RB Lendale White from the Tennessee Titans, and RB Leon Washington from the New York Jets, on the final day of the draft. Also, the Oakland Raiders acquired QB Jason Campbell from the Washington Redskins, a move that was expected. White lost his starting job to RB Chris Johnson, and Johnson exploded in rushing yards this past season, leaving White expendable. Washington is recovering from a gruesome leg injury, which he suffered this past season against the Raiders. Washington and White should give the Seahawks a good 1-2 punch in the backfield to compliment QB Matt Hasselbeck and that offense.

How can so many great players go in the 2nd round, behind Tebow? This draft didn't make much sense at all. Teams got great deals in the 2nd round. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were able to get WR Arrelious Benn. The Baltimore Ravens were able to get LB Sergio Kindle. The San Francisco 49ers were able to get S Taylor Mays. The Seahawks were able to get WR Golden Tate. All in the second round? All behind Tebow? The Broncos were not smart to draft Tebow. They have QB Kyle Orton and QB Brady Quinn on their team right now. The Broncos are showing they don't trust Orton, despite a solid season, and Quinn is just awful. How can drafting Tebow make them any better?

Also, how can the Jets draft RB Joe McKnight and get rid of Washington. Washington is worlds better than McKnight, and McKnight is coming off of a gruesome throat injury. Washington is coming off of a gruesome injury as well, but he's been able to get it done at the NFL level on offense and special teams. This will set the Jets back a bit not having Washington and RB Thomas Jones. The Seahawks definitely upgraded their offense. They drafted Tate, and he's a sure-handed receiver who can be opposite WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh. The one-two punch of Washington and White will be tough for defenses to guard and Hasselbeck has certainly proved that he's a good quarterback. I look for the Seahawks to win the NFC West this year.

Roethlisberger Suspended 6 Games

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger was suspended 6 games by the NFL, becoming the latest victim of commissioner Roger Goodell's strict personal conduct policy. The Steelers afterward went as far as to inquire about deals for Roethlisberger, in who they invested $102 million over 8 years. The Steelers already traded WR Santonio Holmes to the New York Jets. Holmes was a productive receiver who ran into off the field problems during his career.

I have openly advocated for the suspension of Roethlisberger, feeling that Goodell has been unfair in his suspensions of Pacman Jones and Chris Henry. However, someone needs to step to the defense of the players. Roethlisberger certainly does not deserve a six-game suspension. All of the other players Goodell has suspended has also received hefty suspensions.

Goodell is only trying to go past the criticism former commissioner Paul Tagliabue received during the late stages of his tenure. It shouldn't even be Goodell's decision whether to suspend these players. It should be the team's decision. The Tennessee Titans invested a high draft pick on Jones. If the Titans see fit to suspend him because of their commitment to him, then they should do that. The same goes for the Steelers with Roethlisberger. Goodell should stay out of these matters.

Dolphins Trade Ginn to 49ers

The Miami Dolphins, who acquired WR Brandon Marshall from the Denver Broncos earlier in the week in a trade, decided to trade WR Ted Ginn Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers for a fifth round draft pick. The Dolphins were shopping Ginn Jr. even before they acquired Marshall, with some in Miami labeling him a bust. Ginn Jr. was the ninth overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. He is a speed receiver and an excellent return man, but never lived up to the expectations the Dolphins had for him.

This move is a fresh start for Ginn Jr., but a great acquisition for the 49ers. Pairing Ginn Jr. alongside WR Michael Crabtree can be great for the 49ers' offense, in addition to having RB Frank Gore in the backfield. The Dolphins had a chance to pair Ginn Jr. with Marshall, which would've taken pressure off of Ginn Jr. and allowed him to perform. However, they got impatient and made a very bad deal.

The expectations on Ginn Jr. were too high to begin with. At Ohio State, Ginn Jr. was known for his speed, but not necessarily his good receiving skills. He was also an excellent special teams player in college, and he's showing exactly that in the NFL. The Dolphins had a chance to have explosive receivers alongside QB Chad Henne. Now, the compliments to Marshall on the Dolphins are WR Davone Bess, WR Greg Camarillo, and WR Brian Hartline. The Dolphins won't be much better than last season, and the Jets and the Patriots will remain favorites in the AFC East.