*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Jun 04, 1998: -- McDuffie Is MVP --
** McDuffie Selected MVP of 1997
OJ McDuffie was selected as the Dolphins' most valuable player
at the Dolphins annual awards banquet last night, Dan Marino won the
team leadership award and Jason Taylor was voted as the best newcomer
for the 1997 season. The MVP is voted on by sportswriters of South
Florida and the leadership award is selected by the team players.
In 1997, McDuffie caught 76 passes for 943 yards and two
touchdowns and was Marino's favorite target last season.
** QB Camp Continues
In action on the field yesterday, Patrick Surtain was singled
out by the Palm Beach Post as being a player who continues to impress
the coaches and observers who watched the team practice. Brock Marion
skipped practice yesterday with a minor groin strain that he suffered
on Tuesday, but Tim Bowens and John Avery were on the field, working
out. And Trace Armstrong was back on the field after leaving early
Tuesday because of dehydration.
Also of note, the Dolphins worked on a new snap count for the
offense that will go with the new offense that JJ and Kippy Brown are
installing this summer.
** Jerry Wilson Has Surgery
Cornerback Jerry Wilson had a second surgery on his knee in
less than a month yesterday to remove a blood clot that may have
formed as a result of the original surgery. The surgery yesterday was
successful and he should be completely healed in time for regular
training camp to open in late July.
** Dolphins Discuss Jones and Skrepenak
The coaching staff has been having discussions about a number
of veterans that were released around the league beginning on Monday
when the June 1st salary cap deadline passed. The two most prominent
names discussed were linebacker Robert Jones, who was released by the
Rams and offensive lineman Greg Skrepenak, released from by Panthers.
Jones was originally drafted by JJ in the first round of the
1992 draft and started for him as middle linebacker in his rookie
season. He has been to 3 SuperBowls and was selected to the Pro Bowl
in 1994.
Skrepenak was picked in the second round of the 1992 draft by
the Raiders and progressed with them to become a starting tackle in
his 4th season. He was the signed as a free agent by the Panthers and
started all 32 regular season games that he was with the Panthers at
right guard.
JJ did say that the team was not interested in either Bryan
Cox or Vinny Testaverde. He said that if the Dolphins did not have
Dan Marino or Craig Erickson, he would consider Testaverde.
My Comments:
We all know that Dan Marino has been the most valuable player
on the Dolphins since about 1983, so there really isn't much point in
giving him another award to emphasize that fact. I think that OJ was
a good selection and hopefully he will act as a mentor and example
this year to the young guys.
In addition to Dan, OJ and Jason Taylor, Shawn Wooden was given
the Community Service Award for his work around the city of Miami. It's
hard to imagine how he has enough time for all this work, but the press
release says that Wooden has been active with the with the Make-A-Wish
Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs, Daily Bread Food Bank, United Way and
Habitat for Humanity.
The team could use some more Shawn Woodens.
The news on Jerry Wilson is not encouraging, but as long as
he's healthy by the end of July, he should be able to compete in
training camp. Last year, Wilson was especially valuable on special
teams and as a blitzing cornerback and actually worked his way into the
starting nickel back slot by the end of the year.
And yesterday, I pointed out that Robert Jones and Greg
Skrepenak were the most interesting of the free agent releases that I
had seen so far.
Naturally, today I read in the Herald that the Dolphins are
looking at these two players with some interest. You don't suppose JJ
has time to surf the web, do you?
Nah....
Related Info:
[Return to Dolphins News]
Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
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