*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Aug 25, 1997: -- Quadry Ismail Acquired in Trade --
The Dolphins announced yesterday that they have traded a
conditional 1998 draft pick to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for
wide receiver/kick returner Qadry Ismail.
The Dolphins have been trying to find good special teams
talent ever since they lost Kirby Dar Dar and Larry Izzo to injuries
and Qadry Ismail is known for his special teams ability. Also, the
Dolphins had left room on the roster for an additional wide receiver
when they waived veteran Lawrence Dawsey.
Ismail was originally drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in
1993, and played with them for 4 years, but was signed by the Packers
as a free agent this year to possibly replace Desmond Howard.
However, the Packers were apparently more impressed with one of their
rookies.
In his 4 years with the Vikings, Ismail caught 118 passes for
1856 yards and 12 touchdowns and returned 147 kickoffs with a 22.3
yard per return average.
To make room for Ismail, the Dolphins waived safety Sean Hill.
Hill was a 7th round draft pick of the Dolphins in 1994 and had stayed
on the team primarily because of his special team ability, although he
did start a few games last year after JJ fired Louis Oliver.
In non-related news, Nando.net sports news is running a story
that suggests that Richmond Webb could be traded to the Oakland
Raiders for two players - rookie fullback Chad Levitt and second-year
defensive lineman La'Roi Glover. The Dolphins wanted to draft Levitt
this year, but were beaten to the draw by the Raiders and Glover was a
standout in the WLAF this year.
However, the story goes on to say that there have been no
indications that the Dolphins would trade Webb. While the Raiders do
need an offensive tackle, the Dolphins are also thin on the offensive
line and could probably not afford to trade Webb.
My Comments:
So *this* is why JJ only had 5 receivers on the roster on
Saturday. I should have known....
Before we all go getting all excited about Ismail, I think we
need to look a little closer at his stats. Yes, he is fast and he has
been the Vikings' primary return man for the last 4 years, but 22.3
yards per return, while good, isn't amazing.
For example - last year, Irving Spikes averaged 24.3 yards per
return and while he was near the top of the NFL return average, he
wasn't a league leader.
Which is not to say that Ismail won't be a great return man,
but I don't think we should all go getting too excited just yet. He
averaged just 18.8 yards per return last year and has never returned a
kickoff for a touchdown in the pros. Plus, the Packers think they can
get along without him this year, which isn't very comforting.
As for Sean Hill, he became expendable when Bracey Walker came
in and played well on Thursday. He can now back up Corey Harris at
free safety.
About the story on Richmond Webb - can you believe that
someone actually got paid money to write this stuff? The author, in
his (*ahem*) wisdom, forgot to ask the most important question: Who
would fill in for Webb if he was traded? No one on the Dolphins'
offensive line has looked capable of playing in Webb's place this
summer.
Right now, Webb's backup is Brent Smith, who looked terrible
against the Redskins on Thursday night. There is no way that Smith
would fill in for Webb. Whether you are a fan of Webb's or not, you
still have to ask the question about who would take his place. Since
there is no one to fill in for him, Webb won't be going anywhere.
Related Info:
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Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
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