Just Release Him, Already

I have some unsolicited advice for Matt Millen. Look, Matt, Joey Harrington is going to be a member of the Miami Dolphins. It's just a matter of when, not if. So, do us all a favor and just release the guy.

Oh, sure. You can try to make a trade, but you have zero leverage. You aren't going to get a first rounder (what Harrington was). You aren't going to get a second rounder. Third and fourth rounders seem pretty unlikely, too. To save face, you might plead with Miami and land a seventh round choice, but who are we kidding? That's window dressing, not a trade.

The problem is the Dolphins, and everyone else in the world, knows what's going on here. Harrington doesn't want to be here. Your new coaching staff doesn't want him here, either. You've already moved on by acquiring not one, but two guys to replace him. You also don't want to pay him his big bonus that comes due before camp opens.

Knowing this, as everyone in the world does, why on Earth would the Dolphins send you anything in return? They can just sit back and wait. Eventually, with your shiny new replacement quarterbacks already signed on the dotted line, you are going to have to cut Harrington to avoid paying out that bonus money. Then, the Dolphins can get their new back-up QB for nothing. No bonus. No old contract. No traded draft picks.

Stop the dog and pony show, Mr. Millen. Let Harrington walk. Don't drag it out just to land a draft pick that probably won't even play in the CFL, let alone the NFL. Try to do something with a degree of class and just release him. Cut your losses. Cut his losses. Start anew.