Submitted by Brian Whittaker from Cayman Islands

Q: How much of the fact that there aren't any top centers that will be available in free agency played a role in the dolphins choosing pouncey?

Answered 04/29/11 17:47:11 by Jeff Darlington

A: The Dolphins place a heavy emphasis on "marrying" the talent in the NFL Draft to the talent in free agency. That's a term Jeff Ireland likes to use when describing this process, which essentially calls for the team to make the considerations your suggesting within your question. The organization most certainly knows what centers will be available in free agency, and it'd be tough to convince me that such awareness didn't play into this pick. That said, I don't think they would have picked Pouncey with such an early pick unless they had some very independent conviction about his talent.

Submitted by Anthony from Miami, FL

Q: Hey Jeff, i am a big fan of your stuff man. Quick question, any chance we may pursue DeAngelo Williams, or maybe Darren Sproles? Also what are the chances that we pursue Carson Palmer? Thank for the response in advance and take care!

Answered 04/29/11 17:40:58 by Jeff Darlington

A: Thanks, Anthony. Like I recently told another reader, I think it's important we wait to see what the Dolphins do tonight with their third-round pick. There's a very good chance they'll address the running back position. (Taiwan Jones, anyone?) I'm not saying they won't consider Sproles or Williams even if they draft a running back, especially since they could use more than one athlete with starting potential. But I think their target in free agency will likely depend on their acquisition in the draft. They'll want to provide complimentary talent, so stay tuned...

Submitted by Kevin Scott from Washington, DC

Q: Hey Jeff - I'm concerned the drafting of Mike Pouncey has a downside. Doesn't this pick potentially weaken the offensive line by forcing Richie Incognito back to guard, where he has shown that he is not a very good puller?

Answered 04/29/11 17:36:00 by Jeff Darlington

A: The Dolphins' experiment with Richie Incognito at center late in the season last year didn't seem to give Miami any hope of using him at the position for the long-term future. Here's why I say this: When Tony Sparano was asked at the NFL's owners meetings a few months ago about the center spot, he noted the team currently didn't have a "starter" on the roster. Keep in mind, he wasn't forgetting about Joe Berger or Incognito. Instead, he simply recognized the need for an upgrade at the spot -- something the team believes they accomplished by selecting Pouncey.

Submitted by tzey from left coast

Q: There are mixed opinions from fans & local media re: miami's 1st pick. Where do u stand? If not pouncy, who do u think fins should've selected w/1st pick?

Answered 04/29/11 17:31:45 by Jeff Darlington

A: I wouldn't have been surprised by any number of players winding up in that 15th slot. Without a doubt, Mike Pouncey is the safest pick among those options. I'm guessing if you are among the fans who still respect the Dolphins' decision to select Jake Long over Matt Ryan in 2008, you're probably also among the fan base who believe Pouncey was the right pick. But if you still think Miami should have taken Ryan, you're probably especially disappointed with this selection. Either way, given the desperate need for a high-end center in 2011, I personally find it difficult to object to this selection, especially when considering the other players available when the Dolphins made the pick.

Submitted by malcolm from MIA

Q: hey jeff what are the chances we wait on a QB this year give henne one more try and then try to draft either luck or barkley or trade up for them

Answered 04/29/11 17:27:50 by Jeff Darlington

A: For the last few weeks, I've been repeating this message quite a bit: Begin to prepare yourself to see Chad Henne as the starting quarterback in Week One of the regular season. For some of you, that's going to be tough to accept. For others, you'll be fine with it. Whatever the opinion, it's looking more and more like Henne will indeed get an opportunity to prove once and for all whether he's a legitimate starter in the NFL.

Submitted by Phil from Brussels

Q: Who on the current roster do you see taking the biggest step forward next season?

Answered 04/29/11 17:25:58 by Jeff Darlington

A: In my opinion, two players will have some heightened expectations entering next season: Linebacker Koa Misi and cornerback Sean Smith. If the Dolphins don't add any new pass rushers to their roster, Misi especially will have some pressure on himself to make that step forward. Smith is also on the brink of success -- but he needs to bring down more of those interceptions.

Submitted by godolphins from Miami, Florida

Q: Do you think we will target Darren Sproles, DeAngelo Williams or Reggie Bush to fill that need for speed?

Answered 04/29/11 17:23:08 by Jeff Darlington

A: Tough to say. Let's see who Miami picks up tonight before we make any predictions here. If the Dolphins can somehow grab Eastern Washington's Taiwan Jones in the third round (should he slide that far), Jones might fill the need for speed you're referencing.

Submitted by j mclelland from statesville, nc

Q: is there a realistic chance that we land reggie bush in free agency?

Answered 04/29/11 17:21:49 by Jeff Darlington

A: Since last night when Reggie Bush sent out the tweet that has caused many to anticipate his departure following the Mark Ingram pick, Sean Payton has been pretty specific that he still has plans for Bush on his roster. I'm not saying that will stick, given the amount of money the running back will merit. But I think we'll first need to see what happens with his fate in New Orleans before we begin contemplating any other future destinations. I will say this: Miami needs speed. They need dynamic players. Even if Bush isn't a three-down back, he is most certainly dynamic. (UPDATE: It's sounding like Bush might indeed be on the way out. Check out this link: http://bit.ly/jpvluZ. I'll be sure to keep you posted if anything changes in the future.)

Submitted by Mike from Bristol,RI

Q: Hey Jeff what are you hearing about us getting back into the second round? At this point if they think there is a franchise type of qb they have to go for it although I presume they would have taken one at 15 if they thought that.

Answered 04/29/11 17:19:08 by Jeff Darlington

A: I'm not really expecting the Dolphins to move into the second round -- but I'm not negating the possibility, either. To do so, the team would really need to give up a bulk of its remaining picks. The team currently has a third-round pick, a fourth-round pick, a fifth-round pick, a sixth-round pick and three seventh-round picks. So true, they do have a little bit of ammunition to make a move. But they'll really need to have a solid level of conviction about a particular player to jump up to the second round to get him.

Submitted by godolphins from Miami, Florida

Q: Do the coaching staff view Nate Garner as a guard or a tackle?

Answered 04/29/11 17:15:53 by Jeff Darlington

A: Great question. I think it'll be important to see where they put him at the start of training camp since they tried him out at both positions last year in August. I tend to think he's more of a tackle, but he was really starting to make some progress at guard. Since that's probably the place he'll be able to provide the most competition for a starting job, I'd guess he'll get quite a few repetitions there during camp. Then, if injuries occur at tackle, they can push him to the outside.

Submitted by Andrea from New York

Q: Hi Jeff :) I'm a huge dolphins fan. I know Manny from the Bandits and have done some work for them. I was wondering how you came to be a dolphins fan? Were you before you started covering them? ~Andrea

Answered 04/29/11 17:14:08 by Jeff Darlington

A: I'm actually not a Dolphins' fan, Andrea. I know that is sometimes strange for fans to digest -- but it's actually the best thing for everyone. It allows me to cover the team with an impartial, fair perspective. I don't become overly sensitive to any of the team's moves -- good or bad. As a result, I like to think I'm able to give you the news without any spin, allowing you to form your own opinions about the situations. I'm not really a "fanatic" of any sports team, probably because I've been a sports writer since the first day I got to high school. I'm still a fan of good people who succeed in sports. I get more satisfaction by covering human interest stories than the average game story.

Submitted by chris from erie, pa

Q: What is the status of AJ Edds and Jared Odrick? Are they 100% and ready to play this season? Or are they the next busts from the Dolphins Parcell era. I would expect them to be 100% by now and be able to fight for a starting spot on the defense. Anything less would be a bust to me at this point.

Answered 04/29/11 17:07:40 by Jeff Darlington

A: I attended a private workout that included 20 Dolphins players practicing on a soccer field around the corner from the team's facility -- and A.J. Edds was among the group. When he finished his workout, which included some intense agility drills, he was drenched in sweat. I can't tell you how he feels because I didn't talk to him, but I can certainly attest to what my eyes saw: A linebacker who appeared to be healthy and ready to make an attempt at having an impact in 2011. (Unfortunately, I haven't had any contact with Odrick, so I've got no update for you there.)

Submitted by Clay Gilbert from Louisville, Ky

Q: I am a big fan of the Dolphins, and have always been. My hope is that Chad Henne will learn from the past 2 years and develop into a top-notch quarterback this year. What are your thoughts on this? Also, will Brandon Marshall behave and actually help the team's offense this year? Thank you.

Answered 04/29/11 17:05:31 by Jeff Darlington

A: Consider me among those who believe your hope remains a distinct possibility. I think plenty of other players deserved equal (or more) blame for the offense's ineptitude in 2010. With the proper improvements, Henne will have an opportunity to develop his skill sets as he grows more comfortable with his role in the NFL.

Submitted by Maxfield from Augusta, Maine

Q: Now that Carson Palmer has requested a trade, do you think that the Dolphins might try to go after him? How do you think Carson Palmer trying to leave the Bengals will effect the draft? Do you think the Bengals are forced to draft a QB with their first round pick?

Answered 02/10/11 21:46:40 by Jeff Darlington

A: Too many things would need to transpire before Carson Palmer's availability becomes a possibility. In particular, the Bengals would need to feel they had a sufficient replacement at the position. Should this turn into a formidable option, I could certainly see the Dolphins looking very deep into Palmer. Let's hold off on this one before we get into too much speculation, but I'll definitely be keeping a close eye on everything that happens with Palmer in Cincinnati.

Submitted by Lee from Key West, FL

Q: Hello Jeff, My question is about the Dolphins QB situation. Specifically, the available FA QB's. I have not heard Marc Bulger's name mentioned at all, does he have anything left??? He seemed to be pretty decent before the sacks, and injuries started piling up his last couple of seasons with St. Louis. Thank you for your time. Lee

Answered 02/10/11 21:42:51 by Jeff Darlington

A: Sorry, Lee. I don't think Bulger is the answer. The Dolphins have surely been down that road before. He falls into the same category as Gus Frerotte and Trent Green, a couple of guys who Miami hoped would channel their inner youth for some remaining success.