Home
THIS SITE
  Sitemap
  About this Page
  Search Here
TEAM NEWS
  Team Info
  News Wire
  Features
  Training Camp
  On Porpoise
GAMES
  Recent Game
  Schedule
  Statistics
PERSONNEL
  Coaches
  Roster
  Transactions
  Depth Chart
  Draft
  Free Agents
  Salaries
FOR THE FANS
  Places To Watch
  Chat Board
  Mailing Lists
  Other Links
HISTORY
  Team History
  News Archive
  Past Games
  Past Transactions
  Past Rosters
 
Dolphins News: 20 College Players Visit
    News Wire | Roster | Last/Next Game | Schedule | Links  
         
Last Update:
Dolphins News: 20 College Players Visit
Back Home
Team News

*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Apr 11, 1997: -- 20 College Players Visit --

** 20 College Players Visit

The Dolphins hosted 20 college players for interviews and workouts last Sunday, in preparation for the NFL draft. The team is allowed by the NFL to fly in 20 players from outside the local area to interview with the team before the draft.

Players that the Dolphins interviewed include Florida State defensive end Reinard Wilson; Arizona State defensive end/linebacker Derrick Rodgers and offensive lineman Juan Roque; Kansas State cornerback Chris Canty and wide receiver Kevin Lockett; James Madison wide receiver Macey Brooks and tight end Ed Perry; Central State wide receiver Alonzo Johnson; Winston-Salem State defensive tackle Latori Workman; and Appalachian State linebacker Dexter Coakley.

** Yatil Green Gets Individual Attention

The Dolphins had Miami wide receiver Yatil Green in for a 2 hour individual interview and workout on Monday, fueling speculation that the Dolphins may be interested in drafting Green. So far, Green is the only college player that the Dolphins have had in for an individual interview.

Even though Green is a junior, he is widely regarded as the best wide receiver in the draft and is expected to be drafted long before the Dolphins' #15 pick. However, the Dolphins may be able to trade up to take him if they really felt he would be an asset to their team.

Despite Green's obvious talent, there are serious questions about his durability. Green has spent much of his college career on the injured list and has had chronic problems with hamstring pulls and other small, nagging injuries.

** Bernie Parmalee visits Vikings

Unrestricted free agent Bernie Parmalee talked with the Minnesota Vikings this week, as he shops his services around the league in search of a contract. The Vikes are apparently concerned about having a backup for Robert Smith.

The Dolphins would like to get Parmalee back at the league minimum salary, which is around $275,000.

** Derrick Atterberry waived

Free agent cornerback Derrick Atterberry was waived by the Dolphins earlier this week after having been with the team for just under 2 months. He was signed by the Dolphins back in February and has been playing with the WLAF in Amsterdam.

My Comments:

It's important to remember at this point that just because the Dolphins have players in to visit, it doesn't mean that they will be drafted. Last year, Anthony Harris was invited for a visit and wasn't drafted - of course, he was later signed as a free agent and ended up starting with the team by the end of the year.

Of the players listed for a visit, your best bet is to check my listing of player profiles below. However, besides Wilson, the ones that catch my eye include Juan Roque of Arizona State and Dexter Coakley of Appalachian State.

Roque is listed as 6'8" and 333 pounds. Because he's so big, he mere physical presence on the field can be intimidating. And we all know that JJ likes BIG offensive linemen.

Dexter Coakley was brought to my attention by Joshua Coplen, who is one of the many fans that writes to me (Thanks, Joshua!). I looked up Coakley and he's another small guy who plays much bigger than he is. He had 166 tackles in 11 games in 1996 and Pro Football weekly says that he "Could be the Zach Thomas of the outside linebackers if he gets into the right situation." PFW also says that he needs to play in a "Jimmy Johnson-type scheme". I think I know just the team for this guy....

As far as Yatil Green is concerned, I still don't think that the Dolphins will draft him. First of all, they'd have to trade up, which they don't want to do. And Green is a another talented guy with some questions about his dedication and durability.

My fondness for the underdog makes me hope that Parmalee stays in Miami. He already has contributed much more to the team than anyone had any right to expect and if there was any justice in the world, Parmalee would have had a 1000 yard season 2 years ago.

But the truth is that there may not be a place on the team for him and he might not be around next year.

Atterberry was a long shot to begin with and the only surprising thing about his being waived is that it happened so soon. He must not be playing very well in Amsterdam.

Related Info:

PLAYER PROFILES:


[Return to Dolphins News]
Curt Fennell, curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New England
     
   

Home TOP
Curt Fennell
curt@phins.com
DOLFAN in New England