*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***

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Aug 17, 1995: -- Chuck Bullough Released --

Linebacker Chuck Bullough, who started one game with the Dolphins last year, was released yesterday by the Dolphins.

Bullough, who spent most of last year on the injured reserve list, was also injured briefly this year in training camp and apparently has not been able to regain his previous form.

Also in the news, Safety Gene Atkins apparently got into a minor altercation with reporter Jason Cole in the locker room on Wednesday. Cole, who works for the Ft Lauderdale Sun Sentinel, published a column earlier in the week stating that many players on the team were raising questions about Atkin's new contract - specifically, his signing bonus.

Atkins, who took exception to Cole's comments, knocked Cole down when he entered the locker room and later grabbed Cole by the throat when Cole went over to talk to him.

Atkins has been fined an undisclosed amount by the team for his actions and has apologized personally to Cole.

My Comments:

I guess the release of Bullough was inevitable, with the new talent (Jeff Kopp in particular). But it's always kind of sad to see players like him, who survived on guts and drive, get released.

As far as Atkins is concerned, obviously he let the press get to him. That's not smart and shouldn't be condoned.

While the exact amount of his fine is unknown, Don Shula did say that it was enough to get the message across that such behavior was unacceptable and would not be tolerated.