Even when talking about his friends, ex-Miami defensive end Vonnie Holliday didn't pull any punches during a Sirius NFL Radio interview conducted last Friday by me and co-host Dan Leberfeld. Because of projected replacement Phillip Merling's inexperience, Holliday said he was a "little surprised" at being released earlier this offseason after refusing to take a pay cut. "He's a guy I think would have benefited from another year or two of tutelage and not having to have the responsibility of being a starter," Holliday said of Merling, a 2008 second-round draft choice.
Holliday also said the returning Jason Taylor "shouldn't have had to eat some humble pie" by asking Dolphins executive Bill Parcells for the chance to rejoin the team. Holliday wonders how Taylor and fellow outside linebacker Joey Porter will co-exist on the same defense. "With the success Joey had last year, I just didn't think J.T. was a fit back in the role he was in before," said Holliday, referring to Porter's 17.5 sacks in 2008. "Now they're talking about him playing the opposite side, the left side, which he is not as comfortable with. If [Porter] comes out and has a slow start compared to last year, what's going to happen? Are you going to try and move J.T. into that role and have a problem with a very outspoken Joey Porter? It will be very interesting to see how this unfolds.
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