Miami Dolphins talking points: Wes Welker trade looks worse every week

New England Pro Bowl wide receiver Wes Welker spent three seasons in South Florida. Following a trade during the 2007 off-season, Welker comes back to haunt the Dolphins twice a season for the arch-rival Patriots. Welker enters Sunday’s matchup and kicks off today’s talking points in the midst of his best two-game stretch in two years. 1. Welker trade tops list of bad moves under ex-GM Randy Mueller. Mueller drew some rare praise in these parts on Tuesday when San Diego released wide receiver Chris Chambers. Mueller’s mid-season trade of Chambers in 2007 yielded a 2nd-round pick eventually used on QB Chad Henne. Well, a day later, Tony Sparano discussed the tear Welker is on, rekindling memories of arguably Mueller’s worst move in a stint filled with plenty of missteps. (Welker was traded for a second- and seventh-round pick that yielded Samson Satele and Abe Wright.) Welker has 20 catches for 257 yards and 3 TDs in the past two games as the Patriots’ high-powered passing game gets back on track. Sparano called Welker’s numbers “staggering.” Meanwhile, Miami’s wideouts have 20 catches for 211 yards and no scores in the past two games. Welker has the benefit of QB Tom Brady, whose accuracy and knack for finding the open man have earned him a place in the Hall of Fame. Even so, WR-starved Dolfans have to think of what could have been, especially when Welker, a Dolphin from 2004-06, lines up against Miami. 2. Is nose tackle Jason Ferguson showing signs of age? An elbow injury limited Ferguson during Wednesday’s practice, a week after coaches let him rest a foot injury. Few Dolphins are stronger, tougher and more durable than Ferguson, a

13-year veteran who is off to a fast start with 19 tackles, just three less than he had in 16 games in 2008. Ferguson might be banged-up, but showed what he’s made of when he left Sunday’s game holding his right arm early in the third quarter. He returned a couple of plays later and stoned Jets’ Pro Bowl RB Thomas Jones for no gain. But Ferg also turns 35 on Nov. 28 and can’t play forever. The timing could not be better for back-up Paul Soliai to have a career game (6 tackles, forced fumble, pass defensed), but the Dolphins need Ferguson in there to continue to be a top-10 run defense. 3. Rookie safety Chris Clemons is making up for lost time. Following an impressive training camp and pre-season, Clemons was inactive during the first four games even though the team’s safeties were struggling. Given his chance, including his first career start Sunday, Clemons has made an impact. Clemons played 48 snaps (25 on defense, 23 on special teams) against the Jets and had three defensive tackles and two on special teams. “That is a pretty good dose to go from nothing to 48 plays,” Sparano said. Now, coaches want to see how Clemons builds on it. “You have to watch giving some of those guys too much too fast,” Sparano said. “I like the way he is coming along.” Either way, Clemons has provided a nice contribution from a 5th-round pick, while his 4.3 speed in the 40 and a nose for the ball bode well for a bright future.

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Miami Dolphins talking points: Wes Welker trade looks worse every week

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