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Dolphins News: Lamar Thomas to Start
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Dolphins News: Lamar Thomas to Start
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*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Oct 07, 1997: -- Lamar Thomas to Start --

** Lamar Thomas Wins Starting Job **

This morning's Miami Herald is reporting that wide receiver Lamar Thomas will replace Fred Barnett as one of the Dolphins' starting wide receivers. Barnett had been the starter since the end of last season, but despite being 2nd on the team in number of catches so far this year, he hasn't produced nearly as well as was expected.

Barnett was originally signed to be the Dolphins' deep threat, but a series of injuries, as well as a lack of concentration this fall has caused his production to drop well off of what was expected of him.

Lamar Thomas, on the other hand, joined the team last year as an afterthought after being dumped by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has been in repeated trouble with the police for domestic abuse and even missed some of spring training camp while in jail.

Thomas was inactive for the first 4 games this year, but over the last 3 weeks has apparently had a change of heart that impressed coaches enough to earn him a spot in the receiver rotation this Sunday against the Chiefs. He took advantage of his first playing time of the year by catching 3 passes for 43 yards despite dislocating his finger before the game.

In contrast, Barnett only caught 1 pass for 10 yards and had at least one drop that should have been an easy catch.

The irony of all this is that Barnett and Thomas are good friends and Barnett has been a steadying influence on Thomas this summer and fall. Thomas reportedly spends much of his free time at Barnett's house and Barnett has encouraged Thomas to better performance.

** Richardson May be Waived **

The Herald is further reporting this morning that punter Kyle Richardson, whom the Dolphins signed several weeks ago to fill in for John Kidd, may be waived today while Kidd is brought back. Richardson did not punt very well in Sunday's win over the Chiefs and his net average so far is 4 yards less than Kidd's.

Kidd was waived last week to make room for Joe Nedney after Olindo Mare' injured his hamstring. Kidd has spent most of the season with nagging injuries and was not punting as well as last season, when he was able to punt at all.

When healthy, Kidd can punt with the best punters in the league and many felt that he was unfairly denied a pro-bowl berth last season.

** Jim Kitts May Play **

Newly acquired fullback Jim Kitts may see action against the Jets on Sunday in a special teams role. The Dolphins have lost a number of key special teams players this year to injuries and Kitts was signed off the Packers' practice squad to act as both a backup fullback and a special teams player.

My Comments:

Last year, the Dolphins tried a rotating set of wide receivers while Fred Barnett healed his knee. That experiment didn't work out well as none of the receivers (which included Lamar Thomas) were able to keep the starting job.

When Fred Barnett came back, he played well enough that he secured the starting job for himself. I thought that Barnett would build on last year's success and play even better this year. However, as has become painfully obvious, Barnett is not playing well at all.

This, of course, has opened the door for another receiver - in this case, Lamar Thomas - to come in and take the starting job.

The irony of this change should be lost on no one. Barnett has been Thomas' mentor and friend and this spring, it looked like Thomas would be let go after he got into more trouble with the law. Barnett, on the other hand, ran the fastest time he has ever run in the 40 and looked like he might produce in a big way.

Now the tables are turned and it's Thomas who is performing well and Barnett who is having problems.

I just hope that this change is best for the team. While a change at wide receiver is definitely needed, it remains to be seen if Thomas is the man to fill that need.

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Curt Fennell, curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
     
   

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Curt Fennell
curt@phins.com
DOLFAN in New England