*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Nov 19, 1997: -- Dotson Waived --
The Dolphins announced yesterday that they have waived
fullback Dewayne Dotson. Dotson was originally signed by Miami back
in 1994 as a linebacker and played in 15 games in 1995 for Miami,
although he didn't start as a linebacker.
In 1996, he was switched to fullback and eventually cut from
the team, but he was re-signed in 1997 as a fullback and made the team
as a backup to Stanley Pritchett. He started 2 games this year after
Pritchett went down with a knee problem, but did not perform all that
well.
In related injury news, fullback Stanley Pritchett is expected
to return to practice this week for the first time since he injured
his knee in the second game of the year. JJ has said that he doesn't
expect Pritchett to be able to play this weekend against the Patriots,
however.
Derrick Rodgers will play against the Patriots this weekend,
although he may not start. He was running well before the Monday
night game against the Bills, but he was scratched at game time. He
is expected to play 20-25 snaps against the Patriots and be used as a
pass rusher.
And Jerry Wilson, who had moved into the dime defensive back
slot, should be also be able to play against the Patriots on Sunday.
Wilson injured his knee against the Bills, but the injury is much less
severe than was originally thought. An MRI given yesterday showed
only a contusion.
My Comments:
The signing and play of Roosevelt Potts this week made Dewayne
Dotson expendable and JJ wasted no time in releasing him. It's just
the business of football, of course, and it could be that JJ is doing
him a favor in the long run, but it's always a little sad when the
underdogs who made the team are cut.
The news on Pritchett is encouraging, but it does raise the
question of who will end up being the starter once Pritchett is back
and healthy. At first glance, Potts seems to be a better fit for the
type of offense that JJ likes to run. JJ has been singing the praises
of Daryl Johnston all year and Potts looks more like a Daryl Johnston
player than Stanley Pritchett does.
The Dolphins do need Rodgers back for the game against the
Patriots, if only to rush the passer. Bledsoe can be deadly, but he
can also be completely rattled by a strong pass rush.
Related Info:
[Return to Dolphins News]
Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
|
