| The least-known player in this year's draft was the Dolphins'
first seventh-round selection, Jermaine Haley, a defensive tackle from the Toronto
Argonauts of the CFL. Haley, whose estimated size is 6-foot-2 1/2, 285 pounds, with 5.0
speed, attended Butte College, a California junior college, but did not have the grades to
go to a four-year university. So, with the help of his father, whose connection was
then-former and now-current Toronto GM Eric Tillman, he signed with the Argos for the 1998
season, plus an option year.
Haley may very well have been the best rookie defensive lineman in the CFL. However,
when Toronto exercised its option, his window of opportunity to go south closed for the
1999 season, contrary to what his agent, Angelo Wright, has told people. In fact, no NFL
team was even allowed to have contact with him, without Toronto’s permission.
Nevertheless, the Dolphins, with a very strong CFL connection in director of football
operations Bob Ackles, chose to draft Haley, knowing there was a good chance he would not
be eligible for the NFL until after the 1999 CFL season.
The scouting report on Haley is that he is very powerful and quick for his size and has
stretches when he plays with great emotion and intensity. The knocks on him are that he is
short, with short arms, is very immature and may have a hard time playing in a structured
defense.
When asked about Haley's concentration, one CFL source said Haley will maintain it for
about five seconds, if you are lucky. |
