DAVIE— A rich blend of ingredients in South Florida has made this region known nationwide for cultivating some of the world's most promising football talent.
Universities burn through stacks of cash so they can flood the area, and mine the high school fields for future stars.
The NFL's no different when it comes to sifting through annual player evaluations to prepare for the draft.
This year, the Miami Dolphins again traveled the country to determine the dimes from the duds.
Turns out two Dolphins draft picks were found relatively close, just 30 miles south at the University of Miami.
For eight years, the Dolphins had plucked their prospects elsewhere.
In the past few days, Olivier Vernon and Lamar Miller became the first Hurricanes drafted by the Dolphins since 2004 when they took Vernon Carey with the 19th overall pick.
Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland indicated there is a strengthening bond between the two programs, which could mean more opportunities for some Hurricanes in the future.
"We want to try to create a relationship with the Hurricanes and Al Golden," Ireland said. "He's been very good to me. I respect him very much as a head football coach and I know the way he coaches. I like the way he coaches his players. I believe in his program. I believe in him."
That sparkling endorsement of Golden should be a boost for the man who guided the Hurricanes through a tumultuous 6-6 season in 2011 that followed an NCAA investigation.
Last August, the NCAA suspended eight Hurricanes for taking extra benefits from former Hurricanes booster Nevin Shapiro. Vernon was one, suspended six games and forced to repay $1,200 in benefits. He said Friday that the suspension kept him from fulfilling his collegiate goals, but that "everything happens for a reason."
Golden was not the head coach when the infractions occurred. Instead, he represents hope for 'Canes fans, who believe he can return the program to prominence.
Golden acknowledged Sunday in an email that working on relationships with NFL teams is not new. When he was Temple University's head coach, Golden worked to repair relations with the Philadelphia Eagles that had soured before his arrival in 2005. He hopes those efforts in turn created a bond of trust between the teams he believes helped at least three Owls earn opportunities with the Eagles.
"Without question we want the same relationship with the Dolphins," Golden wrote. "We try to accommodate their scouts as much as possible and make sure we always keep our players in front of them, especially the less-heralded candidates in the later rounds or in (undrafted free agents). There is great value in this part of the draft annually and our aim is to provide the Dolphins with a distinct home field advantage."
Ireland attended the Hurricanes' pro day in March, then hosted a local prospect workout before the draft. That provided the Dolphins more time to inspect the Hurricanes, which ultimately led to the two picks and possibly more opportunities for UFAs.
Miller (5-10, 212 pounds) is a speedy running back, who was considered a bargain by some as a fourth-round pick. He decided to leave UM early after rushing for 1,272 yards and nine touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore.
"We look at Lamar Miller as a back that has an opportunity to create explosive plays," Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said. "...If you looked at our board ... it was hard to ignore the guy."
Vernon (6-2, 261) is a defensive end/outside linebacker, and was a third-round pick by the Dolphins. He should address the Dolphins' pass-rushing needs as they move toward a new 3-4 scheme.
"We had good long talks about each of these players we drafted," Ireland said. "From Al's prospective and my prospective, I think we're just scratching the surface of the ability of the two players from the University of Miami. Obviously, Olivier and Lamar, I think they're two tremendous prospects. The ceiling is endless."
Former 'Canes quarterback Jacory Harris and offensive lineman Joel Figueroa were invited to the rookie minicamp. A strong performance could earn them contract offers.
(orlandosentinel.com)