A team that needs wide receivers can dream about better days but the Miami Dolphins live in an NFL that doesn't allow for patience. Given their haul of draft picks could they find a way to get Victor Cruz out of the Big Apple?
Ryan Tannehill has few targets heading into first NFL season
Head coach Joe Philbin walked into a pretty good situation when he took over in Miami. He had a good defense and a stable offensive line with a surprise workhorse at running back in Reggie Bush. Throw in Brandon Marshall at receiver and all Philbin needed was a quarterback. Before he could even find one though the Dolphins went about cleaning up the roster by trading Marshall then signing and releasing Chad Johnson. Instead of stepping into an offense filled with some nice pieces rookie Ryan Tannehill suddenly stares down a regular season without weapons. All preseason the Miami receivers have done nothing spectacular despite playing in an offense Philbin broke records with in Green Bay. Not even the return of Brian Hartline from injury or pickup of Anthony Armstrong in free agency will fix the problem. They still lack a difference maker that they had in Marshall. It's hard seeing them doing much about it this season but a few moves via trade may become possible. One of them sounds too crazy to think about.
New York Giants rich with young receivers like Reuben Randle
Before the last five years or so the New York Giants weren't always a team known for their passing offenses. They were a defensive squad teamed with a good running game. However with the rise of Eli Manning the G-men suddenly have hit a gold mine of receivers. Their first Super Bowl in 2007 featured a pairing of Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer. Then in a rare feat they completely reloaded and won the title again last year with Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and Mario Manningham. If they were able to reload once, is it that far of a stretch to think they can do it again? Experts see serious depth on the Giants roster with veterans like Domenik Hixon and a rookie sleeper named Reuben Randle. New York has a history of hesitating to pay its players big deals, which explains why they let Manningham go in free agency. Next season Cruz will become a restricted free agent himself. After a major breakout in 2011 his skills are what teams love to have on their roster. It's hard seeing the Giants let him go but given their depth might choose to listen to any offers that come their way. Miami is one team that could have the ammo to do it. Through several trades they have piled up draft picks for 2013, all of them in the top three rounds. New York has an excellent draft history. It's not too hard to see them taking a couple of top draft picks for sending the 26-year-old to South Beach.
If the Miami Dolphins are serious about making Ryan Tannehill into an NFL star then they need to start by giving him actual weapons. The New York Giants don't let players go easily but with youngsters like Reuben Randle on the roster, a pending free agent like Victor Cruz is not too crazy to consider.
recommend
Facebook
Twitter
bookmark 
print
