The Dolphins should know new responsibilities come along with the pleasantly surprising success they are now enjoying.

Now that they've beaten the two teams from last year's AFC Championship in consecutive games, the idea is also to beat one of the NFL's four winless teams on Sunday.

Now that they've ''turned over every rock,'' as coach Tony Sparano likes to say, in their search for 2008 talent, it's time to realize the year isn't over and looking behind a giant boulder in Detroit might be smart.

Now that they are threatening to become a good team, it might be time to think about becoming a great team.

In short, wouldn't it be great if the Dolphins did the audacious? Wouldn't it be great if they could do the unexpected? Wouldn't it be great if they could pry receiver Roy Williams from the Detroit Lions?

An NFL source said last week Williams likely would not be traded before Tuesday's NFL trade deadline and even if he is, too much would have to happen for Miami to become his landing spot.

RISKY MOVE

So the door of possibility is not locked, but neither is it swinging wide open.

Former NFL personnel man Michael Lombardi, who worked 23 years in front offices with the Raiders and Browns and now is an NFL Network analyst, puts a public face to the private reasons the Dolphins probably will not and, in his opinion, should not try to trade for Williams.

''Their thinking is that they have shown improvement this year and they know there are still areas they have to address,'' Lombardi said. ``But you can't do everything in one year. They will continue to improve in a steady way, but it's going to take time. You can't go crazy and try to add every player that comes available.

``You have to get good before you get great, and the Dolphins know that.''

If all that sounds like a bummer to you, it speaks to this sobering thought: Even as the Dolphins seem to have accelerated their progress with victories the past two games, their path to the playoffs or a championship probably won't be paved by the addition of one receiver.

PAST SUCCESS

Even one as accomplished as Williams.

Williams, you should know, might be available in trade because the Lions are a bad team with little chance of retaining one of their best players after he becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.

Williams has a 1,310-yard season on his resume and is on pace for an 830-yard season in 2008 despite Detroit's uncertain quarterback status. He is 26 years old. He is 6-3 and 211 pounds. He is fast.

And he would be the go-to receiver Miami lacks the second he were added to the roster.

So why might Detroit consider trading Williams? It's not that he is lazy. It's not that he's a locker room lawyer. It's not that Williams is failing on the field.

It would be a question of getting something for nothing. Williams will be free to negotiate a new contract with any team after this season, and the Lions would get nothing in return.

And because NFL teams recognize Detroit would not be dealing from a position of strength, it means Williams might be moved for a second- or third-round selection even if Detroit publicly asks for a first-round pick.

Any team interested in Williams would have to come to a contract agreement with him before making the trade because failing that would amount to leasing Williams for the remainder of the season.

So why should the Dolphins be interested?

FILLING A HOLE

Have you noticed Greg Camarillo is Miami's best receiver? Have you noticed Ted Ginn Jr. has not yet become the deep threat everyone hopes? Have you noticed Miami has only three receivers -- Camarillo, Ginn and Davone Bess -- Sparano is comfortable with?

''It's after the first three guys that the waters start to get muddy,'' Sparano said.

Lombardi doesn't buy the argument Williams would make an impact for the Dolphins this season.

''Even if you bring in a guy like that, it's not going to help the team right away,'' he said. ``It's going to take three or four games for him to learn the offense, and even then there are chemistry issues with the quarterback. There is no quick fix.''

LOOKING LONG TERM

But who could argue against Williams helping some this year then more next year? Who would disagree a step forward now could become a leap in the coming years?

The Dolphins' stated policy, a cynic might argue, is to build their team through the draft.

But have you noticed tight end Anthony Fasano, linebacker Akin Ayodele and nose tackle Jason Ferguson came in trades? And have you noticed the Dolphins have an extra second-round pick at their disposal should they wish to use it?

The idea is admittedly unorthodox. But now that the Dolphins have accomplished the unexpected the past two games, doing the unorthodox by Tuesday's trade deadline should be explored.

Join the discussion

Note: If this is your first time using our NEW commenting system, you will have to LOG OUT and then LOG BACK IN.

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.CommentBody@

@Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@