*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Mar 11, 1997: -- Clayton Holmes to start? --
** Holmes Gets Chance to Start
According to a report in the Miami Herald last week, new CB
Clayton Holmes has already been penciled in as the starting right
cornerback in front of Calvin Jackson. Holmes was recently signed by
the Dolphins as a free agent from Dallas, where Holmes spent the last
year on suspension for drug abuse.
Holmes, easily the biggest catch of the free agent period so
far for the Dolphins was the starter for Dallas before Deion Sanders
was signed by the Cowboys, but was displaced by Deion and then
suspended in 1995.
** JJ and Coaches visit Virginia
Coach Jimmy Johnson and several of his assistants went to
Virginia last week to scout players from the University of Virginia
and Virginia Tech. Players that JJ looked at included Linebacker
James Farrior, defensive end Duane Ashman, linebacker Harry Sharper,
cornerback Ronde Barber, offensive tackle Jay Hagood, defensive end
Jon Harris and quarterback Jim Druckenmiller.
At least one report says that JJ and offensive coordinator
Gary Stevens are very impressed with Druckenmiller and there is
speculation that they may even want to draft him in the first round
with the #15 pick. Naturally, as soon as this was published, the
Marino trade rumors resurfaced again.
This visit to Virginia comes on the heels of JJ's visit to the
University of Miami last Tuesday to observe and interview players from
the U of M. During that visit, the Dolphins' staff talked to wide
receiver Yatil Green, defensive ends Kenny Holmes and Kenard Lang and
safety Tremain Mack.
** Free Agent Update
Dolphins free agents Randal Hill and Louis Oliver both worked
out for Kansas City coaches last week, while those coaches were in
Miami to visit the University of Miami.
Defensive end Danny Stubbs has been entertaining offers from
as many as 5 teams, including the Dolphins. It was expected that he
might make a decision last weekend, but that hasn't happened.
WR Kevin Williams' agent Drew Rosenhaus made a counter offer
to the Dolphins last week in hopes of getting the Dolphins to make a
better offer. Williams had declared that he was going looking at
other teams, but apparently hasn't received much interest.
** Dolphins To play in American Bowl
The Dolphins have accepted an invitation to play the Denver
Broncos in the American Bowl during the pre-season this summer. This
will give the Dolphins 5 pre-season games this year, the other 4
coming against Washington, Minnesota, Tampa Bay and Chicago.
The games is tentatively scheduled for August 4th in
Guadalajara, Mexico, but that date may change.
** Gardener Recovering - Won't have more surgery
The Dolphins have announced that Daryl Gardener, who was
injured in a shooting in Dallas on Feb 20th, won't need to have any
more surgery on his jaw. Gardener is participating with other players
in the spring conditioning program.
My Comments:
JJ must think pretty highly of Clayton Holmes if he's already
penciled him in as a starter. Between JJ's discipline and the
league's continuous drug testing, Holmes should be able to remain
clean. It will be interesting to see if he retains his starting slot
,however.
The coaching staff continues to evaluate players as potential
draftees and are spending a lot of time traveling and scouting.
Between that and the lack of serious pursuit of a lot of free agents,
it's more clear than ever that the Dolphins are planning on building
through the draft again this year.
Related Info:
[Return to Dolphins News]
Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New England
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