Q: Since the Dolphins are “willing” to trade the No. 1 pick,  who has the ammo for the deal? And are the Dolphins trading because there is no high-caliber quarterback?
— Jarrod Caswell, Parker, Ariz.

A: I asked new Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland about trading the top pick, and he said the team won’t do it if they determine there is a player available they believe they must have.

So far, there is no consensus for the top spot. Teams are split between quarterback Matt Ryan, running back Darren McFadden, defensive end Chris Long and defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey. My guess is the Dolphins would love to unload the first pick, but they won’t be able to pull a deal. 

As far as who they could trade with, the best possibility would appear to be the Cowboys. They have two No. 1 picks and could have an interest in moving up. The Patriots would have been a possibility if they had not lost their first-round pick because of Spygate. They also have the seventh overall pick, as a result of a trade with the 49ers.

Q: Do you think [Donovan] McNabb will be the starting quarterback with the Eagles or with another organization?
— Daniel Roque, Beltsville, Md.

A: I don’t think McNabb is going anywhere. The Eagles need him, and it wouldn’t make a lot of sense for them to trade him at this point. If, in a year or two they develop confidence in Kevin Kolb, and McNabb regresses, then I could see them trading or cutting McNabb. But not now. He’s still too good to let go, and they don’t have a potential replacement they can be sure of.

Q: I am a die hard Raiders fan, and I was wondering if there was any way the NFL can take Al Davis out of the front office of the franchise. He is dragging this team into a worse hole they have ever been in. Lane Kiffin did a good job his first year as coach and should not be replaced. This will negate all of JaMarcus Russell’s progress with himself and with the team.
— Rocco, Clifton Park, N.Y.

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A: The NFL wouldn’t and couldn’t tie the hands of one of its team’s owners, even if it might be in the best interests of the league. If the NFL decided to try a power play on Davis, he undoubtedly would challenge the NFL in court. By the time such a case were resolved, Davis’ great, great grandchildren might be running the team. 

Q: What is the reasoning for having a 53-player roster and only dressing 47 on game day?
— Rick Costa, Greenville, S.C.

A: The main reason is to give a team with injured players options. The NFL doesn’t want more than 47 players available. So if a player can’t go, a team has a potential replacement available. If all 53 were allowed to play, a team with no injuries would have a significant advantage over a team with a number of injuries.

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