*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Apr 21, 1997: -- Dolphins Get 11 More Rookies --
The Dolphins announced today that they have agreed to terms
with 11 more rookie free agents. That brings the total number of new
players commited to the Dolphins in the last 3 days to 25.
The rookie free agents are linebacker Vince Bruno, cornerbacks
Melvin Cunningham and A.J. Johnson, wide receivers James Dye and
Dimitrious Stanley, safety Earl Little, defensive tackle Mike Mohring,
fullback Ray Nealy, guards Randy Wheeler and Donnie Young and
defensive end Latori Workman.
I wasn't able to find out much about most of these guys, but
here goes....
Vince Bruno is a 6'1", 235 pound senior linebacker from
Western Illinois University. He lead his team with 106 tackles and
broke up 6 passes last year.
Melvin Cunningham is a 5'10", 180 pound senior cornerback from
Marshall. Last season, he had 2 interceptions and returned both for
touchdowns in addition to his 27 tackles.
A.J. Johnson is another 5'10" senior cornerback who weighs in
at 170 pounds and who played at Maryland. During his college career
he had 11 total interceptions.
Wide receiver James Dye played his college ball at BYU, where
he was mainly a kick and punt return specialist. Despite his 5'8",
158 pound frame, he was third in the nation in punt return average
last year with a 17.6 yard per return average. He also averaged 26.2
yards on kickoff returns.
Dimitrius Stanley played wide receiver at Ohio State. He is
5'11" tall and weighs 189 pounds. He's not very fast, but is supposed
to be good in tight spots. He also returns kicks.
Earl Little (6'0" and 185 pounds) is listed by ESPN as a
safety, but has apparently also played cornerback at the University of
Miami. In 1996, he had 61 tackles, 7 passes defensed and 2
interceptions.
Mike Mohring is a 6'5", 280 pound defensive lineman who played
his college ball at the University of Pittsburgh.
At 5'11" and 222 pounds, Ray Nealy is a former quarterback who
converted to running back. During his senior year at Arkansas-Pine
Bluff, he rushed for 828 yards on 193 carries and scored 11 times.
Randy Wheeler is a 6'2", 296 pound offensive lineman from
South Carolina. He can play either tackle or guard and has been
inconsistent in college.
Donnie Young is another offensive lineman who can play at
either tackle or guard. He spent his college career at Florida, where
his 6'3" 314 pound frame helped him develop well and he finished the
1996 season strongly.
And last, but not least, there is defensive end Latori
Workman. The Dolphins had Workman in for a visit last weekend and
decided to take him as a free agent. At 6'3" and 285 pounds, Workman
managed to amass 12 sacks and 21 tackles for a loss last year.
My Comments:
The Dolphins are signing a bunch of free agents, whom they
would have picked if they had had more draft rounds to work with.
Ordinarily, most of these guys wouldn't make the team, but every now and
then a few work out.
Last year, the Dolphins got Anthony Harris and Larry Izzo as
undrafted free agents and they contributed enormously to the team.
Related Info:
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Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New England
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