For the past five years I’ve CONSISTENTLY heard about “the makeup” the Miami Dolphins use to minimize risk when putting together their draft board.

Jimmy Wilson is the perfect case study of “the makeup.”

General Manager Jeff Ireland finally explained the process that allows him to assess a player’s off the field makeup.

“I always tell player you reach in your pocket for two cents because I’m going to give you my two cents of advice whether you like it or not. I always try to tell them a little bit about [Miami's approach]. We have this thing called the makeup,” Ireland said. “Basically, I ask my scouts to grade the ability of the player, and the makeup of the player.

“I ask them grade their ability in a system. Let’s say 1 through 10, you’re a 9.5. You’re an 8.6,” Ireland said, giving an example of his points system, which determines where a player is slotted on the Dolphins’ draft board.

For the record, most first-round picks don’t have 8.0 grades. In fact, Stanford’s Andrew Luck has the highest draft grade in this draft class, and I’m told he’s a 8.5. Most first round picks struggle to crack a 7.0.

The players with the second highest rating according to ProFootball Weekly is Alabama tailback Trent Richardson and LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne, who both have 7.0 grades.

Now comes the player’s off the field evaluation, which also factors into most team’s grades.

“With the makeup of the player I’m trying to grade whether he has it or not. It’s passion. It’s heart. It’s toughness. It’s competitiveness. It’s football intelligence. It’s integrity. It’s character,” Ireland said, breaking down theplayer makeup he’s looking for. “It’s a yes or no answer. Either you have them ALL or you don’t. Some of those [traits] you can develop and some you can’t. And that’s the way my scouts answer that question.

“It’s a yes or no? Does he have all or he doesn’t? If he’s missing one of those, he doesn’t because that’s a margin of failure,” he continued. “It’s more than just heart. It’s the entire makeup of the person that allows a player to be successful.”

After spending the past decade covering football, I completely agree with Ireland, who clearly learned this approach from former Dolphins czar Bill Parcells.

Say what you want about the Stinky Tuna, but he knew how to build winning teams. Not title contending teams ANYMORE, but winning franchises.

Everyone who gets to that level has talent. But the difference between the Zach Thomas, Jason Taylor and Cameron Wake’s of the NFL world is “the makeup.”

It is the commitment to the game. Their focus. Intelligence. And the drive to be great.

Are you satisfied with just doing enough, or will you go the extra mile. Despite what many think, you can tell with some players before taking them in the draft.

If you’ve been following me for a while you should know I firmly believe the successful executives limit their risk factor in the draft, and that’s what “the makeup” is about.

Does it guarantee a certain player will come off your draft board, or get overlooked? In some instances yes. Especially when drugs are involved. That’s the easiest, sure-fire way to come off Miami’s draft board I’m told.

But then there are others, like cornerback Vontae Davis, who had rumors of character issues entering the 2009 draft, and cornerback Jimmy Wilson, who had a troublesome legal past before Miami selected him in the seventh-round of the 2011 draft. Wilson made it through despite spending two years in jail for murder charges because the Dolphins did their homework.

No matter how many times you knock Wilson down I’m certain he’ll get back up. That’s why Wilson is the ideal case study of “the makeup.”

There’s something driving Wilson to overachieve, and if you could give that something to Phillip Merling he’d be a elite starter.

Brian Hartline’s football intelligence is another example of the makeup. He was leading the Dolphins’ draft room as a rookie. If you put his brain and instincts into Clyde Gates body you’d have a Pro Bowl receiver.

That’s the makeup. That’s why its better to select player with it than one without.

G.G.G.

The Miami Dolphins’ bizarre offseason just got a little bit stranger. They announced the signing of Les Brown, a 26-year-old former college basketball player who hasn’t played competitive sports since he dropped out of college to work for a private equity firm.

Brown will compete in Dolphins camp with Anthony Fasano, Charles Clay, Jeron Mastrud and Will Yeatman for one of three tight end slots on the 53-man roster, despite not having played football since he was 18-years-old.

Brown was recruited out of high school to BYU for football and Harvard for basketball; he was also an excellent baseball player. He chose basketball in the end, but after a late decision not to go on his Moron mission trip he enrolled at Westminster College, a small liberal arts school in Utah.

He played for three seasons for the Griffins, before an internship at Huntsman Gay Global Capital turned into a full time job offer and so he left college early.

Fast forward three years, and the 6’4″ Brown is now a flabby 215, up from the 190 pounds he was during his playing days. He had returned to Utah, and was helping his younger brother try to find a professional trainer as he attempted to get to the NFL when things changed.

His brother had a meeting with Chad Ikei, a trainer based in Honolulu, when Ikei suggested that the elder Brown would make a great NFL tight end if he was willing to work with Ikei.

Brown rebuffed him initially, but eventually moved to Hawaii to train full time under Ikei with 11 other NFL prospects. In six weeks, Brown transformed from a flabby 215, to the 240 pounds of NFL player that his is now. The change is documented in an incredible video.

BYU allowed Brown to participate in their pro-day where he ran a 4.43, jumped a 39-inch vertical and maxed out at 365 on the bench press. It obviously impressed the Dolphins enough to extend him the invitation to camp.

While Brown was an excellent high school player, it is a long way from the Utah state tournament to an NFL regular season game. It remains to be seen if Brown has the ball-skills and football I.Q. needed to play at the NFL level, but he certainly looks like a great story in the making.

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DAVIE—

Jeff Ireland prefers to be coy during his annual pre-draft press conference, and finds enjoyment in sending out smoke screens that throw other NFL executives off the scent of his true intentions.

That’s why the Miami Dolphins’ General Manager opened his press conference by saying “you can think what you want to think,” when asked about trading Miami’s first-round pick. “I like the speculation!”

When asked about offering up the No. 8 pick and possibly extras to acquire a draft pick that’s earlier, or possibly moving down to pick up extra selections, Ireland gave his typical message that Miami’s open for business.

“Anything is possible,” said Ireland, who has made at least one draft day trade since joining the franchise in 2008. “Trading back, trading up.”

Ireland believes there are elite players available within the top 10 picks, which puts Miami in an ideal spot.

However, there’s widespread speculation Cleveland might pick Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill with the fourth pick in next week’s draft, or a team like Minnesota (which possesses pick No. 3) or Jacksonville (No. 7) might trade their first-round selection to another club pursuing Tannehill.

Ireland didn’t seem too fazed by the elevated draft stock of Tannehill, the draft’s third-best quarterback, whom the Dolphins are high on.

Ireland labeled Tannehill “a great kid. Smart, tough,” and pointed out he comes from a good family. But his comment Thursday about the team’s draft needs didn’t make it sound like taking a quarterback with the No. 8 pick was a lock.

“I’m certainly not going to get into that decision here today from a strategy standpoint,” Ireland said. “There are times that you should try to go after one, but I certainly don’t feel like you should be pressured into doing that either.”

Ireland said the Dolphins’ draft board is set, and the team has a list of possibilities with the No. 8 pick. The goal is to take the highest rated player who fits a team need. Ireland said Miami has contingency plans for their contingency plans.

“Depends on if the guy you think is going to be there,” Ireland said. “Obviously there could be a scramble. I’ve been in a couple of scrambles before and it is always interesting. When you’re picking high in the draft every pick leading up to that is anticipation.”

According to Ireland, the trade value chart most teams use as a framework for draft day-trades “is really ambiguous,” and should be used as a starting point for discussions. But Ireland points out that a pick’s value typically depends on the team that wants to move up “and what they are willing to give up, and how bad they want it.

“How bad do you want to keep it? If you’re trading back you’re looking for value,” Ireland said. “You’re trying to get more than what you think the pick is worth. Sometimes it is for the future. … The circumstance has to be the right circumstance.”

There’s also a possibility that the Dolphins could trade back into the first round using the team’s second round pick (No. 42), and possibly one of a combination of Miami’s two third-round selections, which are picks No. 72 and 73. Ireland labeled the back-to-back third-rounders “extremely valuable.”

Home opener moved up

To accommodate the start of Rosh Hashana, a Jewish holiday, the NFL has moved the Dolphins’ home-opener against the Oakland Raiders to a 1 p.m. kickoff.

When the NFL schedule was released earlier this week, the Sept. 16 game against the Raiders was the only home contest on the schedule that started at 4:15 p.m.

The ONLY mock drafts I personally put ANY stock into are those done by NFL beat writers.

Can the Dolphins survive another draft that lacks sex appeal?

Guys like myself spent hours, weeks, years….and sometimes decades….studying a particular franchise’s history and habits.

I can tell you the 53th best player on the Dolphins roster, and break his game down. I can also share with you how the team feels about Mr. Long Shot, guys like Julius Pruitt. Most fans can’t do that, and other analysts certainly can’t.

Beat writers also study the habits of executives like General Manager Jeff Ireland, the prototypes of coaches like Joe Philbin and Mike Sherman, and tracking the word on the street regarding the team’s we cover, and the prospects they might like.

It’s unrealistic to think the Mike McShay Jr’s of the world – yes I combined their names – know what’s best for all 32 teams. That’s why having a beat writer pick for the team he covers during a mock draft makes the most sense.

I once did a first-round mock with every beat writer, but I stopped because it required too much work (and for me to be too friendly).

However, I do participate in a few on-the-beat mocks, which an executive from one team told me they actually monitor just to get a pulse of what’s the buzz.

This week I’ll be making the Miami Dolphins’ selection at No. 8 for Pro Football Weekly, which I believe produces the best draft guide (no offense to any other draft guides out there. I read them all. But PFW gives me the dirt, and I cross check it with the stuff I know about prospects on my own, and it is usually on-point).

For the PFW mock I’ll be on the clock once the seven teams ahead of Miami make their selection. I have no clue how long that will take, but it shouldn’t take THAT long considering the first two picks of the 2012 draft (Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III) are already written in pen.

Here’s what I’ll be considering as the fill-in for Jeff Ireland.

1. The Dolphins have four MUSTS when it come to team needs, which is how Ireland usually attacks the draft. The Dolphins must add a pressure player because the only way to beat Tom Brady is to get pressure on him, and Miami doesn’t have enough pass rushers.

Miami must also add a big receiver with deep speed, a starting caliber offensive lineman (either tackle or guard for the vacant right side), and a quarterback suited to play in the west coast offense, and has the potential to become a franchise player.

2. Will QUALITY draft prospects be available in the second round for WHATEVER position I decide not to selection in the first. If Miami doesn’t select Tannehill at No.8, how comfortable are they with the quarterback options – Brandon Weeden, Brock Osweiler and Kirk Cousin – available at pick No. 42. If Miami doesn’t take a pass rusher, how certain are we that a player like Marshall’s Vinny Curry or Syracuse’s Chandler Jones will be there at 42?

3. Does the franchise’s lust for a first-round quarterback overshadow Ireland’s desire to stick to his draft board. This decision will become a factor if Tannehill isn’t selected by the Cleveland Browns with the No. 4 pick. Could/should the Dolphins pass on Tannehill to take one of the elite pass rushers?

4. Even though Stanford guard David DeCastro is a top 10 prospect, and does indeed fill a major need for Miami, he won’t be considered because the Dolphins have already invested a great deal of assets (four first round picks this decade) in the offensive line, and Miami needs young impact players. Impact players are those who produce touchdowns, sacks or turnovers.

5. As enticing as drafting a receiver early might be (think Ted Ginn Jr.) the difference between Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd and LSU’s Rueben Randle, who might be there in the second round, isn’t much. Therefore, it is better to wait on a receiver.

The Dolphins have taken few chances early in the draft since the Trifecta arrived in 2008, and as a result they’ll landed solid players, but no stars, no difference makers via the draft.

It is time for Ireland to make a bold move, putting his stamp on this franchise because that’s the only way he’ll silence his critics, which already have their stones in hand and are prepared to throw it no matter the selection.

So, what other factors do you think should be debated when making the first-round selection?

G.G.G.

The Miami Dolphins have signed linebacker Gary Guyton to a one-year contract, according to a league source. 

Guyton, 26, played four seasons for the New England Patriots though his final season resulted in being listed as a healthy scratch for the playoffs including a 21-17 loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI.

Guyton (6-3, 245 pounds) was initially signed as an undrafted free agent in 2008 out of Georgia Tech. He made an early impact in New England on special teams.

Guyton started all 16 games for the Patriots in 2009 following the retirement of Teddy Bruschi, and collected a career-high 85 tackles with 1.5 sacks en route to a two-year contract extension.

The Dolphins worked out Guyton and linebackers Jonathan Goff, Quentin Groves and Bryan Kehl this week. Former Miami Hurricanes linebacker Rocky McIntosh also recently visited the Dolphins.

Last year, he played in 13 games with 47 tackles, one interception and one pass deflection. He started six games, and did not record a tackle after making his final three in a 31-24 win over Indianapolis in Week 13.

Guyton joined Dolphins signee Jamaal Westerman as additional linebacker help. Westerman said after he signed last month his role would be a combination defensive end/outside linebacker role. 

For Twan Russell, helping the annual Miami Dolphins Girls High School Flag Jamboree, presented by Under Armour, is a rewarding experience. As the director of youth and community programs, Russell got it done on March 31 at the Dolphins Indoor Training Facility in Davie.

“It was an amazing day,” Russell said. “Any time you get 400 ladies in a room playing football at the Dolphins’ facility, it is a great day for the organization.”

Since the event’s inception in 1997, Russell has seen everything take off.

“We started with five to six teams, and now we have over 20 teams in the county playing football,” Russell said, “and it is because of the partnership between the Miami Dolphins and the BCAA [Broward County Athletic Association].”

The Dolphins hosted a girls’ high school football clinic in February to help prepare teams for their season and jamboree tournament. Russell was one of 12 former Dolphins who helped provide instruction during the clinic.

The jamboree tournament featured Broward high schools teams, as the sport continues to become a popular one for girls to participate in at the varsity level.

“We had no idea it would turn into this,” Russell said. “This is one of our prouder achievements, because we were here since the beginning. It is just exciting to see how women’s football has evolved and changed. I really believe in the next 10 years that women’s football is going to be a collegiate sport and it is going to explode because women really want to play the game.”

The Dolphins’ involvement has pushed the clinic and event to new heights.

“This is a great opportunity for the kids to come out and compete at the Miami Dolphins Training Facility,” said Rocky Gillis of the BCAA. “This day was very important, because it gives our students great exposure. They were very excited to walk through the door and go onto the field.”

In the morning, Coral Glades defeated Plantation, 13-0; Monarch edged Miramar, 7-6; Coconut Creek beat South Broward, 20-0; and Northeast upended Flanagan, 7-0, in two overtimes.

Subsequent action saw Pembroke Pines Charter knock off Deerfield Beach, 18-6, and in a triple-overtime thriller, Boyd Anderson defeated McArthur, 24-18. Fort Lauderdale then cruised past Cooper City, 32-6.

Later in the day, Taravella edged Cypress Bay, 12-6; Blanche Ely squeaked out a 6-0 win over Stranahan, Everglades defeated South Plantation, 32-0; Hallandale earned a 7-0 victory over Nova; Western defeated Coral Springs, 44-0; and West Broward knocked off Piper, 26-6.

The jamboree was a tournament of regular-season games without a champion crowned.

For the players involved, the chance to step onto the field in the Dolphins’ facility was something they will never forget.

“It was an incredible experience to be here knowing this is where all the action is with the Miami Dolphins,” said Northeast High School’s Chelsea Mills. “It was just an honor to play a competitive sport. A lot of people say that girls shouldn’t play football, but we get to show that we do belong and can take part in the game.”

The Miami Dolphins hosted a number of former Miami Hurricanes, Florida International and Florida Atlantic players at the team’s Davie facility for its annual local Pro Day.

Each NFL team is allowed to invite local draft prospects to a combine style camp that features workouts, interviews, medical tests, and black board work. But the prospects must be from a nearby college or university, or live within a 40-mile radius for the visit to not count against the team’s 30 in-house visits from draft prospects.

This year the Dolphins split the workouts up, hosting local colleges on Wednesday, and will workout local prospects on Thursday.

The Dolphins wouldn’t list which players participated, but I’m told “all of them” were there, referring to UM’s numerous draft prospects, which include receivers Tommy Streeter, Travis Benjamin, Laron Byrd, defensive lineman Olivier Vernon, Micanor Regis, Marcus Fortson, tight end Chase Ford, offensive lineman Brandon Washington, linebacker Sean Spence, quarterback Jacory Harris, and long snapper Chris Ivory.

I’m sure I left out a few.

Expected to attend Thursday’s workout is former Utah cornerback Conroy Black, who was rated the 44th best cornerback prospects by ProFootball Weekly, but is quietly moving up many draft boards.

Black is originally from Miramar, where he had 13 interceptions in three years for Everglades High School.

He’s been gaining some momentum on the scouting circuit after reportedly running a low 4.3 time in the 40-yard dash. He also did well in his agility drills and has decent size for his position.

Numerous teams have already worked Black out, or have scheduled workouts. The Dolphins clearly wanted an up close and personal look at this late-round prospect.

Despite what UM fans think, and what the team’s draft history proves, the Dolphins ALWAYS do their due diligence when it comes to investigating UM’s draft prospects.

Problem is the team’s position needs, and the player’s makeup has to match what the Dolphins are looking for.

This year it appears there are four Hurricanes who fit the criteria. Receiver Tommy Streeter and Travis Benjamin are both receivers the Dolphins covet because of their ability to stretch the field.

FIU’s Ty Hilton also fits the mold of the speedy, and athletic run-after-catch type receiver the Dolphins crave. At this time its unclear if Hilton participated in the workout, but the Dolphins could easily put him through drills at his school’s facility. There is no limit on the amount of draft prospects you workout at their facility.

Streeter is projected as a prospect worthy of a second-round pick, but Benjamin and Hilton should be on the board in day three.

Brandon Washington is one of this draft’s top rated offensive guards. Even though he could shed a few pounds (more like 20-30), Washington fits the athletic mold coach Joe Philbin is looking for from his offensive linemen.

And Olivier Vernon is the type of “pressure player” the Dolphins could invest a fourth-round pick in and unearth a gem of a prospect based on his raw athleticism.

So, if you had to pick one local prospect the Dolphins should draft, who would it be?

The Miami Dolphins continued its pickaxe campaign at what once was a perceived wall of secrecy.

Miami Dolphins coach Joe Philbin

On Tuesday, first-year coach Joe Philbin participated in a teleconference with season-ticket holders taking select questions from fans.

On multiple occasions since Philbin’s hire in January, the Dolphins have made Philbin, general manager Jeff Ireland, chief executive officer Mike Dee and owner Steve Ross available to fans and reporters to answer questions.

Here is a synopsis of Philbin’s key talking points during the 45-minute call:

* Philbin’s No. 1 goal taking over as Dolphins’ head coach was to assemble a coaching staff. He noted the success of offensive coordinator Mike Sherman and defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle. Philbin said the Dolphins tried to reach out to fans, and media members. He also mentioned his home is filled with a lot of moving boxes, and quipped he would welcome volunteers to assist in unpacking.

* On the West Coast Offense: Philbin said it’s an offense with a lot of diversity, one he hopes the Dolphins can utilize to stay unpredictable in games. He said he’s confident in his coaches’ ability to teach the offense, and his players’ ability to learn it.

* What about the Wildcat? Philbin said he spends the offseason studying opponents, and looking to adapt to newer trends. But regarding the Wildcat, he said, “Don’t know if we’re gonna turn into a Wildcat team.”

* On the wide receiving corps: Philbin was asked a few times about the Dolphins wide receivers. Basically, he said at this point he will look to develop the players currently on the roster. He did not rule out signing a free agent receiver, or using one of the Dolphins’ eight picks in the NFL draft to add one to the roster.

* On in-game coaching: Philbin said Sherman will call the game, but that all facets of coaching will use a collaborative approach. Philbin said he will help install the offensive game plan. “This is not gonna be a one-man operation on any side of the ball,” Philbin said.

* On taking advantage of Reggie Bush’s versatility: Philbin said Bush is very talented. The Dolphins want Bush to be a running back, but that he can do things as a wide receiver. Philbin said he wants to create mismatches. “With Reggie, we want to be multiple – not just hand the ball off to him,” Philbin said.

* On the quarterback position: Philbin said he’s pleased with Matt Moore, David Garrard and Pat Devlin. He said all three want to win the starting job, and all three are good locker room guys. He said Moore and Garrard have proven they can play winning football in the NFL. Philbin pointed to next Tuesday as the start of the Dolphins’ offseason program when the position battles will begin. “We haven’t promised anyone anything,” Philbin said welcoming the competitive environment. “…It’s gonna be fun.”

* On red-zone offense: Philbin said he wants to be aggressive in the red zone, but he also preached patience.  ”You have to take your shots, no question about it,” Philbin said. “…You have to be aggressive, but patient.”

* On this year’s expectations: Philbin wouldn’t commit to a win-loss total, or even predict a playoff berth or declare he has a Super Bowl roster. That would be foolish. He said it’s been his experience teams often forge their identity through adversity. “One of the great parts about my job, you’re never sure exactly what you have,” Philbin said. “…Your job as a coach is to get the maximum out of the players. To say we’re gonna be 7-9, 9-7 … we have a broader prospective at this point. This team has a lot of character. The key is how quickly we can forge this group into playing like a team.”

* What will be the Dolphins’ focus in the draft – offense or defense?: Philbin said it would likely be a combination of the two. He said the Dolphins are in final preparations, and focused on the final three weeks heading into the draft.

* On choosing to coach the Dolphins: Philbin said he interviewed for other NFL coaching jobs, but he picked the Dolphins because owner Steve Ross showed a commitment to winning in a first-class manner. Philbin said Ross vowed to do the things necessary to win the right way. And there was one more reason: “After being in Green Bay, I like palm trees,” Philbin said.

* More on wide receivers: Philbin said he wants his offense to be balanced, and he wants various players involved. He wants to spread the ball around. “It will make us less predictable, harder to defend,” Philbin said.

* On middle-round draft picks: Philbin said they can be the heart and soul of an NFL team. The Dolphins have two third-round picks this year. Generally, what he expects from middle-round picks is significant contribution starting in their second and third seasons.

Look for a full report on Philbin’s teleconference later from Omar Kelly.

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