Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams Should Be Fully Healthy for Start of '08 Season - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

The earlier iterations of mock drafts -- those that came out after the Super Bowl but prior to the Combine -- had the Dolphins taking running back Darren McFadden first overall. Assuming that Ronnie Brown might not be completely healthy in 2008, and that you can never have too many kick-ass running backs, I suppose this makes sense. But since Miami has needs at just about every position, using the top pick on McFadden seems, well, stupid.

Luckily, most general managers outside of Detroit don't rely on the internets to build their draft board. Plus, in the last month or so, most mock draft nerds have the Dolphins taking either Matt Ryan or Chris Long. Whatever Miami decides to do, it sounds like Brown will be ready to go next season. Added bonus: Ricky Williams should be healthy too.

"[Brown] started running a while ago, is lifting weights, is in great spirits and on track," Brown's agent Todd E. France said Friday. "We don't see any obstacles in our way. ... He's got the drive to be ready."

"Ricky has just been cleared for all activities, other than heavy lifting," said Williams' agent Leigh Steinberg. "His exchanges with [Dolphins vice president of football operations] Bill Parcells have all been positive. Knowing Bill's track record, Ricky is encouraged and excited about the coming season.

The Sun-Sentinel's Harvey Fialkov speculates that the possibility that both backs could be ready for training camp has affected the Dolphins' free-agent strategy; Jesse Chatman signed with the Jets, and Samkon Gado is free to hawk his wares outside of South Florida.

And in case there's any confusion, this should also preclude Miami from drafting a running back with the No. 1 pick. Now Bill Parcells and his minions can go about the business of addressing the countless other holes on the team.