*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Apr 28, 1997: -- Final Day of April Mini-Camp --
** Last Day of Mini-Camp
The Dolphins had their final day of their first mini-camp of
the season on Sunday. The most surprising event of the day, however,
didn't really have anything to do with the mini-camp. The most
surprising event of the day was that the Dolphins worked out punter
Cedric Dunbar as a possible candidate to come in and provide
competition to veteran John Kidd.
Even though Kidd set a team record with a 46.3 yard per kick
gross average last year, the Dolphins want to have at least one other
punter on the roster to give Kidd a little competition. To that end,
they have schedule 3 more punters to work out with the team today.
Other news out of training camp also concerns special teams.
Apparently, JJ is going to give both Charles Jordan and Clayton Holmes
the opportunity to compete for the starting job as the punt returner
with OJ McDuffie. Jordan did an outstanding job as a punt returner
for the Packers, averaging over 11 yards per return when he was there
and Holmes is one of the fastest men on the team.
Kick return duties will still be handled by Jerris McPhail and
Irving Spikes.
Cornerback AJ Johnson was sent home by the team on Sunday,
after collapsing during practice on Friday. Johnson is a free agent
rookie out of Maryland who had trouble dealing with the heat and
humidity of South Florida and the vapors from the fresh tar being laid
during construction at the training camp.
Cornerback Earl Little, another rookie free agent signed by
the team just after the draft, will be switched to safety. Last year,
Shawn Wooden was switched from cornerback to safety after the first
mini-camp and wound up starting at safety for the Dolphins.
And last, but not least, offensive lineman Jerome Daniels
thought that he had pulled a hamstring after the second of ten 110
yards sprints he was asked to participate in. However, it miraculously
cleared up when he was told that he had to complete the sprints
anyway.
** Emtman May Not be Back
According to JJ, the Dolphins are not looking at any free
agents right now, including former Dolphin Steve Emtman. Emtman was
cut during the off-season because he refused to take a paycut.
However, there have been reports in recent weeks that the Dolphins had
offered a minimum salary contract to him with incentives and that he
was planning on signing with the team in the near future. That
appears to be in doubt now, however.
** Coaches Receive Extensions
All the Dolphins assistant coaches, except for the newly
signed Les Koenning, have been given 2 year contract extensions. This
solidifies the Dolphins' coaching staff for the next 2 years.
** Quarterback School Starts today
The Dolphins will continue practices today with their veterans
and free agents, while most of the rookies return to their colleges
for the rest of the school year. The Dolphins' quarterback school
will allow the Dolphins to work their new free agents in with their
veterans.
Players who can expect a lot of work this week are the new
free agents Corey Harris, George Teague, Clayton Holms, Cedric Davis,
Lawrence Dawsey, Tyrone Williams and Daryl Frazier. For some of them,
this may be their last week as Dolphins.
My Comments:
As I've said before, the first look at the rookies is always
exciting. From the reports that I've heard and read, Yatil Green, Sam
Madison and all 4 linebackers that were drafted have stood out and
impressed the coaches. This can only be good news for the Dolphins
who need these players to produce this year.
I was a little disappointed when I read about Jerome Daniels
dogging it in the sprints, but it must be mighty hard on him, trying
to lug that 355 pounds around in the Florida heat, especially since
he's been playing in New England. He's probably luck that he didn't
get heat exhaustion.
Speaking of heat exhaustion, if I remember my Marine training
correctly, once you've suffered a bout of heat exhaustion, that
actually increases your chances of suffering from it in the future.
That would seem to be bad news for Maryland cornerback AJ Johnson, who
was basically unable to handle the mini-camp this weekend. He was a
long shot anyway, but I always find it a little sad when the rookies
don't even get a chance to show what they can do.
The news on Steve Emtman was a little surprising, because I've
been hearing that he will be re-signed, but perhaps JJ was sending
Emtman a message. JJ said in the Herald that "He'd (Emtman) have to
give me a call....". May JJ just wants Emtman to show an interest in
returning to the team.
Related Info:
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Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New England
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