*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Aug 30, 1997: -- Zach Thomas Out for Opener --
** Zach Not Ready To Start **
It has been announced that Dolphins middle linebacker Zach
Thomas will not be ready for the season opener against the
Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Zach sustained a broken fibula early in
the preseason and even though he's back practicing, he's not ready to
start for the Dolphins this Sunday.
According to the Dolphins, he's running well straight ahead,
but he's have a lot of trouble on cutbacks and turning. According to
Thomas his leg feels about 60% of it's normal capability.
Other players who have already been designated as inactive for
Sunday include OL Andre Johnson, S Bracey Walker and OL Brent Smith.
** Frank Wainwright Sprains Shoulder **
The Dolphins' designated long-snapper, TE Frank Wainwright,
sprained his shoulder in practice this week and may not be active for
Sunday's game against the Colts. As of right now, Wainwright is
listed as questionable to play, which indicates at 50-50 chance that
he'll be able to play.
The injury isn't serious, but it will be a game time decision
by coach Jimmy Johnson as to whether Wainwright will play. If
Wainwright can't play, rookie TE Ed Perry will be the designated punt
snapper and OT Jeff Buckey will snap on field goals and extra points.
** Dolphins Extend Bock's Contract **
The Dolphins signed backup center/guard John Bock to a one
year contract extension on Thursday, extending his contract through
the end of the 1998 season.
Bock was signed last year as a free agent and has managed to
work his way up through the ranks until he made the team this summer
as the backup center to Tim Ruddy.
** Dolphins Sign Denorse Mosley **
The Dolphins have signed free agent cornerback Denorse Mosley
to the practice squad. Mosley played at Pahokee High before moving on
to the University of Pittsburgh. While at Pitt, he played for 3 years
and in 1994, started all 11 games and recorded 6 interceptions that
year.
Mosley also had two interceptions for Pitt against the
University of Miami at the Orange Bowl in 1994.
Mosley, at 6'1" and 180 lbs is taller than most of the
Dolphins defensive backs and JJ said that he felt that Mosley "showed
some quickness".
Unfortunately, to sign Mosley, the Dolphins had to release one
player and that person turned out the be safety Earl Little.
My Comments:
It's never good when you lose your starting middle linebacker,
but I think that the Dolphins are much better off resting him and
getting him healthy than they would be if they used him against the
Colts. Zach is the kind of guy who would come back too quickly, just
because he loves to play so much and sitting on the bench must be
driving him crazy.
The news about Wainwright is not good, but I'm sure that if he
can play, he will play. Fortunately, John Kidd is a pretty savy
veteran and he will be handling both the punting duties and the
holding on kicks, so he should be able to deal with the new guys.
John Bock played well during the pre-season and is the kind of
backup you want to keep around. I was pretty impressed with his
performance against the Redskins, where he started most of the first
three quarters and he seems to be a good, steady backup.
I know nothing about Mosley, but if nothing else, his size and
1994 performance at Pitt seem to indicate that giving him a tryout is
a good idea.
Related Info:
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Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
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