NFL Draft 2011: Ryan Mallet Has Cheese Steak With Tony Sparano, Jeff Ireland

Barry Jackson from the Miami Herald reported that, while the front office is doing its homework on a quarterback in the draft, the Dolphins have taken a special liking to Ryan Mallett. 

Coach Sparano and Jeff Ireland met with him "recently" over lunch. Mallett is now scheduled to meet with coaching staff on Thursday and Friday. He has had one previous physical workout with the Dolphins and, they seem to really, really like him...a lot. Enough for Ireland to have an impromptu meeting with a teammate of Mallett's. 

I'm starting to accept the reality. No matter where the Dolphins pick, let's begin to assume that Mallett is their man. 

Good. Because I'm ready for the Dolphins to make their decision on the future of the franchise. 

Let's accept, for a moment, that Mallett is their guy. Chad Henne's future with the Dolphins is at risk, he may be trade bait when the lockout is over.

One reader made a comment on Henne: "He's never actually earned the position."

It's true, Henne never won the starting position from Pennington, he took over because of injury. And, while he's shown promise, the coaching staff staff may deem it necessary to start fresh—with Mallett. 

I'm going to examine the pick for a minute or two: It's a strange pick considering that the Dolphins want (or wanted to run) a spread-like offense. Henne could roll out, move well. I don't know if Mallett has that same kind of motion.

I can't tell you that Mallett is better than Henne. Henne has shown NFL promise, but Mallett is a college quarterback. 

Nevertheless, Mallett has a freakin' cannon of an arm. He is better quarterback than mock draft morons, like myself, are giving him credit for. Dave Hyde from the Sun Sentinel ran an extensive article on Mallett, check it out.

I like Mallett. If the Dolphins are going to focus on him. Focus, commit and move forward. 

Does Henne remain the backup? Is the quarterback an open position? Henne can then become the veteran backup the Dolphins want in the wings. I know the Arizona Cardinals would love to have quarterbacks in Henne, Mallett and Brandstater. 

Mallett ran a pro-style offense at Arkansas. Miami will need to still revamp their offensive line and backfield. They still need a second-round pick. 

I'm a fan of this decision. I like to see a vision for this draft coming into focus. 

Even if his name won't be Andrew Luck.