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Is Chad the Answer?

The Miami Dolphins took the next step on Friday toward what their fans hope will be a change in the "status quo".  Having struggled for the last seven years and missing the playoffs the Dolphins have infused a new front office, a new coaching staff, and an infusion of young talent into this once proud franchise. The whole lot of them took the field for the first Rookie Mini camp this weekend and the Dolphins Nation go their first look at the future of its team. No doubt about it there is an air of change and of excitement in the air in Davie.

Of course this is only a rookie mini camp for rookies and everyone looks good in shorts and pads. And I promise you the anxious and frustrated fans will provide plenty of hype to spare over Long's great footwork, and Henne's strong arm, and that sleeper WR from Hawaii Bess.  But on this day it was really not about the skills are how everyone performed. It was about a new beginning. With new Executive VP of Football Operations Bill Parcells roaming the field with new GM Jeff Ireland they began to groom thier litter and start to grasp the full scope of what they have and what is ahead of them.  And make no doubt about it there is much to do. As optimistic as everyone is, in the end the reality is that this team needs more drafts and more players ot return to the elite levels of the NFL. But you have to start somewhere. And this Rookie crop offers more hope, more talent than has been seen in these parts for many years.

The practice brought all of Miami's draft picks together and really set the environment about what the new Miami Dolphins should expect come July's training clamp. This is where they will get to line up with the veterans and make a bid to truly make this football team. It is where the beauty contest gives away to the brutality of the South Florida heat and full pad work outs bring exhaustion and pain. The two a days in the South Florida summer heat truly seperates the men from the boys. But for now It makes us the fan wonder when we get to that point, where will Jake, Phillip, and Chad be on this team? It makes us wonder where Jason, Joey, Ronnie and Ricky will be on this team. It makes you wonder if Tony Sporano will be able ot step out and be the face of this franchise.  To date we have heard very little about the man who is supposed to be leader of this team, but somehow rarely gets mentioned as he lives in the shadow of the legendary Parcells.  All in all many, many questions abound and this is truly the start of the longest part of the offseason.

I think this is the hardest part of the football year...and it is just begining. 

David Hyde is the long time sports columnist for the Sun-Sentinel. With Free Agency in session and the NFL Draft on the horizon we felt it was a good time to pick his brain. Recently Michael Oliva of www.FinHeaven.com sat down with David Hyde to discuss various topics surrounding the Miami Dolphins. Some of the topics discussed were Ricky Williams, Bill Parcells, Jason Taylor and what to do with the #1 overall selection in this month's draft.