*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Aug 20, 1997: -- Bracey Walker and Eddie Sutter Signed --
The Dolphins have claimed two veterans off the waiver wires
today - safety Bracey Walker and linebacker Eddie Sutter - to help
shore up the Dolphins' special teams in the absence of Larry Izzo and
Kirby Dar Dar.
Walker was a 4th round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 1994
and played on their team until October of that year, when he was
waived. The Bengals picked him up off waivers that fall and he has
been with them ever since.
In 1995 he won the starting safety job and has since started
every game he has played in for the past two seasons, missing two
games in '95 and one in '96 due to injuries.
In 1996, Walker collected 116 tackles, two interceptions, two
fumble recoveries and one forced fumble and in 1995 he collected 4
interceptions. He is a good sized defensive back, standing 6'0" and
weighing in at 200 lbs.
Linebacker Eddie Sutter entered the league as an undrafted
rookie free agent and was signed by the Vikings in 1992. He was
waived by the Vikings in August of '92 and was picked up by the Browns
and placed on their practice squad that fall. He was on and off the
Browns' practice squad 3 times that fall and was eventually released
and signed by the Patriots in the spring of 1993. They waived him in
August of '93 and the Browns re-signed him.
He stayed with the Browns (and then the Baltimore Ravens)
until March of this year, when he was signed by the Bengals as an
unrestricted free agent. At 6'3" and 240 pounds, Sutter is not huge
for a linebacker, but he is a respectable size and the Ravens actually
did allow him to start 4 games last season.
Sutter has made a career of playing backup and special teams,
while Walker has been a starter up until recently.
To accomidate Walker and Sutter, the Dolphins waived wide
receiver Jasper Strong today. Strong was signed just a few weeks ago
to provide some depth at wide receiver.
My Comments:
It's unusual for a guy who has started the past 2 years to be
cut so abruptly in August - unless that guy plays for Jimmy Johnson.
The word seems to be that rookie safety Tremain Mack had a great camp
and has pushed Walker out the door. Also, as someone pointed out,
Walker is known more for run support than for pass defense.
Overall, I'd say that this spells the end of the line for Earl
Little and either OJ Brigance, Ronnie Ward or Mike Crawford. That's
assuming that both Walker and Sutter make the team.
Presumably, we'll be seeing these guys for the first time
Thursday (yes, that's Thursday) night against the Redskins.
Related Info:
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Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
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