Players have opportunity to fill star void

[DolFan619]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-flspskolnick26sbjul26,0,2168834.column

Players have opportunity to fill star void

Ethan J. Skolnick
Sports columnist

July 26, 2008

Imagine speeding on I-95 earlier this decade, sneaking a peek at a new Dolphins billboard and seeing these three faces representing the fabled franchise:

Eddie Jones. Rick Spielman. Dave Wannstedt.

You would have been forgiven for rubber-necking. Why not use a popular star, like Jason Taylor or Zach Thomas, to publicize the product? Why choose the team president, general manager and coach instead? Had the marketing department created the campaign in a rubber room?

Yet, as 2008 training camp opens today, it is widely understood why the serious faces of Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano are shadowing South Florida from high above every highway. By design? Moreso by default.

Franchises promote executives and coaches when they have no face on the field.

For the first time in a quarter-century, that is the case for this franchise.

The Dolphins once played perfectly with a No-Name Defense. While these Guys Without a Face don't figure to fare nearly as well, the absence of star power does present a rare opportunity. It offers an opportunity for the aforementioned trio to develop some signature stars from the current roster, or else find them in an upcoming offseason. It offers an opportunity for several players to find the ability, charisma and character within themselves, so they perform well enough on and off the field to warrant acclaim.

For season after season, Dolphin after Dolphin privately moaned that Dan Marino — and later Taylor and Thomas — commanded the majority of the public and media attention.

Well, anyone could get noticed now.

Dolphin Nation, after looking away in horror last season, is ready to turn its lonely eyes to … well, who?

For 17 years, this was easy. The face was boyish, then grizzled, but always Marino. His was a nearly impossible face to replace, so it took a mismatched duo to do it. When the quarterback retired after the 1999 season, Thomas and Taylor had not only established their places in the community and the league, but had earned Marino's appreciation and endorsement.

With quarterbacks flailing and Ricky Williams flaking, Thomas and Taylor shared the burden virtually alone for most of a decade. Thomas was Everyman, beloved for his grit and guile. Taylor was Superman, admired for his gifts and grace. They took the tough questions, sold the most jerseys, endured the endless frustration. It's not much fun being a face of the franchise when that face is frequently rubbed in the dirt. Last season, Taylor took to covering his with a towel.

Both sought a change. Thomas' exit came early and simply, by release. Taylor's departure was complicated and contentious, mercifully coming by trade. Thomas is in Dallas. Taylor is in Washington. Each will be in the Dolphins' Honor Roll.

Not bad for former third- and fifth-round picks from Akron and Texas Tech, respectively.

So, you see, anyone could be a face. It could be someone on the field this morning, like Phillip Merling or Kendall Langford. Or it could be someone currently preparing for his final collegiate season, rather than any of the flawed candidates here.

Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams and Joey Porter are arguably the Dolphins' most notable veterans nationally. Yet Brown is returning from a torn ACL, Williams tends to tear hearts apart, and many fans would gladly tear up Porter's contract. Jake Long was drafted first overall but, on the offensive line, anonymity is assumed and even esteemed. Ted Ginn Jr. and Jason Allen were first-round picks, but still overcoming second-guessers.

Channing Crowder, Jay Feely, Vonnie Holliday and Jason Ferguson talk the best games. But how many memorable plays has Crowder made? How many kickers make media guide covers? How many productive seasons do Holliday and Ferguson have left?

Quarterbacks usually serve as NFL franchise faces, with LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Urlacher among the few exceptions. Even Terrell Owens has been upstaged by Tony Romo. Yet it is difficult to envision fans rallying around journeyman Josh McCown, any more than Joey Harrington, A.J. Feeley or Gus Frerotte.

So who becomes the face? Who knows? But, as camp opens on this "New Beginning," the best-case scenario is clear: either John Beck or Chad Henne develops into a solid starter at the most critical position within a short amount of time. If that occurs, you won't see Parcells, Ireland and Sparano in many more billboard campaigns. And even if you do, there's a fair chance those faces will be smiling.