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.

Should the Miami Dolphins trade Jason Taylor?

Yes. He doesn't want to be here. More importantly, considering this team is a couple seasons away at the very best from thinking of contending, it's hard to see how a 34-year-old Jason Taylor might fit into the plans when he's 36 or 37 or 38. One good thing Parcells has done is get younger this off-season through free agency. The real question is when Taylor should go: At the draft? Or in mid-season? Because those are the two best options for swinging a valuable deal. If Chris Chambers doesn't go to a contending team in mid-season, is he worth a second-round pick? Remember, Booger McFarland got a second-round pick from Indy. So just because Taylor isn't traded now doesn't mean he won't be traded at some point.


What are your thoughts on the rumor from the St.Paul Pioneer Press about a potential Bryant McKinnie for Jason Taylor trade? Would you make it?

I don't know McKinnie's contract, but yes, considering the Dolphins need a LT and considering youre lookng at a second-round pick for Taylor, McKinnie would be a good trade.


How does Ricky Williams survive in Miami? We have another head coach and front office willing to give Ricky another chance. How does Ricky do it? He has burned everyone over and over again yet he is still here.

He survives now, just like he did with Cameron and Mueller, because this team is (a) desperate for talent, and (b) has little risk with Williams now. They don't need to invest anything more. He'll help them get through this year, perhaps, as Ronnie Brown comes back. There's nothing to lose by keeping Ricky at this point.

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When Bill Parcells took the Miami job he said he wanted no "thugs or hoodlums" on his team. How long do you think Parcells will stick with that statement?

What coach wants thugs or hoodlums, given the choice? None of them do. But it's a risk-reward situation depending as we all know on talent. Lawrence Taylor was coked up and helped win Parcells some Super Bowls. So it will last as long as the reward for getting a player outweighs what Parcells views as the risk, same as it does for any coach or GM.

The Dolphins were very active early in the free agency process. While they didn't go after any big names or big money players they went out and added a plethora of new players. Does anyone they signed stick out in your mind as someone who might come in and make a big impact?

Guard Justin Smiley is the guy that has to make an impact right away, because he comes to an offensive line that has major holes. They obviously think he can play, too, because they gave him a bigger contract than they gave anyone else in free agency.


With the NFL Draft on the horizon if the Dolphins are unable to trade out of the #1 overall pick who would you pick?

First of all, I'm not a draftnik and really haven't seen enough of everyone to make a comparison. So I'm not going to pretend I know who they should draft. I'd be surprised if they take QB Matt Ryan, considering he adds to the QB situation but doesn't necessarily seem to improve it. Glenn Dorsey, Vernon Ghoulston, Jake Long, Chris Long --- you can make a case for each. If it's a draw, I'd negotiate with a few of them and see who you can come to a resolution with before the draft. The amount of money being thrown at them can be so damaging to a franchise if you don't get a guy who can play for 10 years that it's in the best interests to consider contracts when picking these guys.

If the Dolphins do draft a quarterback somewhere in the first two rounds this April is that a sign that John Beck's days are numbered in Miami? Wouldn't exactly be a vote of confidence from the new front office.

No, not necessarily. Again, I don't think they'll take Ryan. But quarterback is a tough position to judge, as you've seen through the years. Jimmy Johnson took Aikman and Steve Walsh in Dallas with first-round picks (Walsh in the supplemental) just to be sure. It wouldn't be a vote of confidence. But it also wouldn't mean they're done with Beck.


You wrote a book on the 1972 Miami Dolphins a few years back and this past year their perfect season was almost matched and passed by New England. What are your thoughts on the Patriots season this past year and how the 1972 Dolphins handled themselves in the media throughout the whole "chase for perfection"?

I have no problem with it. They're asked a question by the media, they answer the question -- and then people get upset. They aren't out looking for fame, but they're going to take advantage of it if it comes. I know people got tired of their hopign the Patriots lost. Big deal. Why wouldn't they hope the Patriots lost? As it turned out, it was the perfect season (lower case) for them, because they were re-invented to a new generation and they kept their undefeated mark .... anyone want to buy a book?