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*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***

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Dec 12, 1996: -- News and Rumors --

DOLPHINS NEWS:

The NFL named their ProBowl teams today and the only player named to the AFC team from the Dolphins was offensive tackle Richmond Webb, who was named as a reserve offensive tackle. None of the other Dolphins were named to the team in any capacity.

Also in the news, the Miami Herald is reporting this morning that JJ is unhappy with Charles Jordan and JB Brown for not attending the game on Sunday, even though they were inactive. In Browns' case, this transgression may spell the end of his career as a Dolphin. The Herald is reporting that JB Brown will remain inactive throughout the rest of the season and will be waived as soon at the season is over.

Also in the news, JJ has decided that the Dolphins' playbook is much too complicated and that it will be trimmed extensively for the last two games. He has also stated that the playbook will be completely scrapped and rewritten in the off-season to make it simpler.

JJ apparently believes that many of the offensive troubles of the past 2 weeks have been due to problems with players understanding the intricacies of the Dolphin offense. According to JJ, this has lead to players running the wrong routes and missing blocking assignments.

RUMORS:

Standard Disclaimer: Remember that these are rumors and should be treated with skepticism until proven true. Most of these rumors are unverifiable and only time will tell if they are true or just fantasies.

The Trenton Times reported last week that JJ is seeking to set up a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles that would send Ricky Watters to Miami in exchange for Richmond Webb and a draft pick. According to writer Mark Eckel, a writer for the Times, JJ has told some people privately that he would do "whatever it takes" to get Watters into an Aqua and Coral uniform.

The word that I've gotten out of Miami is that Webb will be traded in the off-season, but not to Philadelphia and that there will not be a deal for Watters.

Also in the rumor department, the Miami Herald is reporting that a number of players will be asked to take pay cuts next year or be waived. On the short list of players in that situation are Steve Emtman, Lamar Thomas, Randal Hill, Chris Singleton, Bernie Parmalee and Louis Oliver.

On the other hand, JJ wants to keep Dwight Hollier and Trace Armstrong. Hollier is a free agent after this season and the Dolphins will try to re-sign him. Armstrong may be asked to take a pay cut, however, if the Dolphins do decided to keep him.

JJ also made some pronouncements about the draft yesterday, although speculation about the draft at this point of the year must still be classified as rumor, even if it comes from JJ himself.

According to the Herald, JJ has said that he'll be looking first at a big-play receiver, followed by defensive backs, defensive ends, offensive linemen and outside linebackers - in other words, just about every position on the team will get attention.

And in the wake of the rumors about the firing of Gary Stevens, the current word out of Miami about his replacement still centers on Marc Trestman, who is currently the offensive coordinator of the 49ers, but who is reportedly unhappy there. However, if Trestman is unavailable, the next man mentioned as a possible offensive coordinator is Bernie Kosar.

On defense, the current rumor is that an unnamed college defensive coordinator will be the likely choice.

My Comments:

I think that Richmond Webb being voted to the ProBowl is a mistake and shows just how players can get on the ProBowl squad without having a great (or even a very good) year.

There were two players on the Dolphins whom I felt should have been elected that weren't - Zach Thomas and John Kidd. Thomas should have gone because he's playing at least as well as any other middle linebacker in the league.

Kidd actually has a better punting average than the starter for the AFC - Chris Gardocki of the Colts - and I think that it was a shame that he was overlooked.

In the rumor department, I don't think that the rumor about Ricky Watters is true, at least not literally. I doubt very much that JJ said that he would do "whatever it takes". He may well be interested in Watters, but I doubt he would do a whole lot to get Watters on the team.

As far as the rest of the rumors are concerned, I would expect that most of the players listed above will be asked to take pay cuts or leave the team. JJ has shown no hesitation to get rid of people.

Another rumor that I heard is that JJ stated in a team meeting this week that "half of you won't be here next year". I don't know why he supposedly said that, but in looking at what has happened to-date, it could very well be true.

Related Info:

• Miami Herald: It's cut-and-dry - Less pay or good day