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David Moulton: I Could Be Wrong, But ...
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Everyone is focusing on what the Dolphins are going to do with the first pick of the draft. Big mistake. Whether they sit tight, pass or trade down, they are going to get a very good player that can help them. The success of this draft will depend on what they do after the first round and whether they are going to trade defensive end Jason Taylor.
They should trade him and I think they will. He will be 34 by Opening Day. He is the past, not the future. Look for Miami to get an early second-round pick (and 1 or 2 more) to send the "Dancing with the Stars'' standout to Cincinnati or Arizona.
To me, the big question in this draft should be "Who is going to trade for disgruntled Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson?" The answer should be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They won't. The answer better be the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles are a wide receiver and a pass rush away from being the class of the NFC. Donovan McNabb will be 32 this year. No time to be patient. Trade your first-round pick and cornerback Lito Sheppard to Cincy for Chad Johnson. Then trade your second- and third-round picks to Miami for Jason Taylor.
Both teams would make those deals and the Eagles would make one of the next two Super Bowls.
***
It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that we have likely seen the last of Gerry Fleming as head coach of the Florida Everblades. His contract is up. He has spent seven years here and nine in the ECHL. The Blades may need to change direction to appease their fan base. Gerry knows he needs to get to the next level soon or else he is a minor league "lifer." The timing for both to go their separate ways is perfect. No hard feelings, just time for a change.
In his seven years, the Blades made seven playoff appearances, including three trips to the conference finals, two times making it all the way to the Kelly Cup Finals.
All in all, Pretty good.
But no ring.
Most fans blame Gerry Fleming.
I blame Shane Hnidy.
It was May of 2005 and the Blades were battling Trenton in the Kelly Cup Finals. Trenton won the first two games at Germain Arena and led Game 3 at home, 4-2, with seven minutes to play. Yet, the Blades rallied to tie Game 3 and then win it in OT! From there it was easy. The Blades cruised in Game 4 and led Game 5, 2-0 after two periods. The Everblades were 20 minutes away from coming home to play for (and win) the Kelly Cup. Trenton was lifeless. Put a fork in 'em, they are done!
Until ...
Two minutes into the third period, Shane Hnidy, an NHL defenseman loaned to the Blades that season during the lockout, misplays a puck at the blue line. It leads to a breakaway goal. Building erupts. Everything changed. Trenton scores four more in the third to win, 5-2. Two nights later at Germain Arena, Trenton won the Cup.
To this day, I am convinced the Blades were 18 minutes away ...
Shane Hnidy ...
***
Upon further review ...
How can Tiger Woods have a knee problem for months and have surgery after the Masters, yet no one in the golf media knows about it? Those Tour golf writers and the Golf Channel sure do cover golf well now don't they?
Anybody think Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Alex Rodriguez, Kobe Bryant or LeBron James could hide this injury from their media for 6-8 months?
The moral of the story: no one in the golf media has access to or knows Tiger Woods at all. They just talk about him a lot.
***
Ken Griffey Jr., unlike McGwire, Bonds and Sosa has been free of steroids allegations throughout his career.
Ken Griffey Jr. is about to hit his 600th home run!
No one seems to care.
That's not a good sign for baseball.
***
Finally, a memo to Craig Brush, President and GM of the Everblades: Don't ever meet in your office with the "bloggers" again. They can call you, e-mail you and find you on game nights if they have a problem. The minute you invite them into your office, you empower them. Instead, ignore them. If you can't, a once a year "fan forum" (which you have done before, for all fans) is respectful, professional and appropriate.
Craig, you run the best organization in the league. Your team is always competitive. When it comes to hockey, don't listen to a word they say.
Now if they start talking about the price of concessions ...
***
David Moulton co-hosts "Miller and Moulton in the Afternoon," weekdays 3-7 PM on SportsRadio 770/ESPN. His columns appear every Sunday. David can be reached at: millerandmoulton@sportsradio770.com




Tired of being stuck behind that cement mixer? Wondering if you need to buy stock in Bob's Barricades? 
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