Dolphins: Give Keyshawn the Damn Contract

With the 2007 season in the rear-view mirror,the free-agent signing period more than a week away, and the NFL draft still two months off, "news" out of the NFL these days seems to be long on rumor and short on cold, hard facts.

But one of the most intriguing rumors swirling up and down Dan Marino Boulevard is word that Keyshawn Johnson may be headed to Miami to join the Dolphins in 2008.

There has been no official comment about Johnson from Bill Parcells or Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland. Johnson acknowledges that he speaks regularly with Parcells about the pros and cons of returning to the NFL but insists the one thing they haven't discussed is him playing for the Dolphins.

So the question is this: Why would the Dolphins consider bringing in the 36-year-old Johnson?

First of all, Johnson is a Parcells guy, a professional who knows what is expected on a Parcells-led team. He works hard and will set an example for all the younger players, not just the receivers. Johnson also played in new offensive coordinator Dan Henning's system in Carolina and has called Henning the "best play-caller he's ever worked under."

Second, the Dolphins are in desperate need of wide receiver help. With the Panthers in 2006, Johnson had 70 receptions (42 for first downs) for 815 yards and four touchdowns. The trio of receivers remaining from last year's roster (Ted Ginn, Greg Camarillo, and Derek Hagan) combined for 71 catches (45 for first downs), 953 yards, and six TDs in 2007.

At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, Johnson is significantly bigger than the Dolphins' other receivers. Despite his (well-deserved) reputation as a loudmouth, Johnson took great pride in knocking linebackers and defensive ends on their backsides in support of the run. Not only will this help the Dolphins' offense in 2008, but it will also set the tempo for the other receivers this year and beyond.

Though Johnson will be 36 in July, there are numerous examples of wide receivers playing well into their late-30s and beyond. Jerry Rice played until he was 42 (though most would rather forget his Seahawk days) and Marvin Harrison will turn 36 a month after Johnson.

Despite the fact the Dolphins released Zach Thomas at least in part because of a concerted effort to get younger, there's a big difference between a 36-year-old middle linebacker and a 36-year-old wide receiver.

By all reports, Johnson has kept himself in great shape and the year away from the game may actually help him physically. Of course, he'll have to get himself in football shape, but that's far easier for a wide receiver to do than it is for a running back or linebacker.

Johnson has made no secret of the fact that he was unhappy at being unceremoniously dumped by Carolina after the 2006 season and would like nothing more than to prove that he can still play. As a result, he would be likely to come to the Dolphins for little more than the veteran minimum (with performance incentives, of course), just so he can have the last word on his career.

It remains to be seen if Parcells and Ireland will offer Johnson a contract. But there is certainly an argument to be made that the Dolphins will be better off in 2008 if they decide to just give Johnson the damn ball.