*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Jan 06, 1998: -- Team Fined for Buckey's Jersey --
** Team Fined for Washing Buckey's Jersey
The league announced yesterday that they have fined the
Dolphins $40,000 for laundering Jeff Buckey's jersey in the Detroit
game after he was told to remove it because the the referees suspected
that there was an illegal substance on it.
NFL rules prohibit the use of any slippery or adhesive
substance on the uniforms of players. During the Detroit game, the
referees confiscated Jeff Buckey's jersey because they believed that
there was an illegal substance on it.
However, during the game, the jersey was taken from the
referee's locker area and washed by Dolphins' personnel. As a result,
there was no way to determine if any kind of illegal substance was
used on the jersey.
The NFL found that Dolphins' team personnel acted on their
own, without direction from the coaching staff or management, when the
decided to wash Buckey's jersey. One member of the team staff claimed
that the referees told them to wash the jersey.
If there was a substance on the jersey, both Buckey and the
team could have been fined. However, without any evidence the fine
was for tampering with the jersey and was levied against the team
only.
** Lawrence Phillips Has Knee 'Scoped
The Dolphins announced yesterday that running back Lawrence
Phillips had his left knee operated on last Friday to remove scar
tissue. Phillips has had problems with his knee swelling all season.
He should be ready for spring mini-camp in April.
According to a report in this morning's Sun-Sentinel, Lawrence
Phillips may already be in JJ's doghouse. He reportedly didn't show
up for a post-season physical that the team had scheduled for all
players after the final playoff game. See the article below for more
details.
** Shane Burton has Shoulder Surgery
The Dolphins have also announced that defensive lineman Shane
Burton has surgery on his right should on Monday to repair a torn
rotator cuff. Burton is expected back in time for the full training
camp in July.
** Rumor Persist about Coaching Changes
A number of sources are claiming that JJ will make some
coaching changes this week, before traveling to Alabama on Monday for
a week of Senior Bowl practices.
JJ spent last week on vacation while contemplating the future
of his offensive staff. While it's not clear what changes will be
made, it appears that offensive coordinator Gary Stevens will
certainly be fired in the next week and that offensive line coach
Larry Beightol may also be asked to leave.
A lot depends on who is available to take Steven's place.
Leading candidates are rumored to be Philadelphia offensive
coordinator Jon Gruden, Dallas offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese,
former Colts head coach Lindy Infante, the Dolphins' own running backs
coach Kippy Brown and even former Bills' offensive coordinator Dan
Henning.
Possible replacements for Larry Beightol are Raiders head
coach Joe Bugel and Dallas offensive line coach Hudson Houck, although
if neither one of those coaches become available, JJ may keep
Beightol. Both are expected to be fired by their teams shortly.
** More Rumors
According to a confidential source in Miami, the Dolphins may
want to see if they can hire back offensive lineman Chris Gray. Gray
was cut by the Dolphins early this year, but was signed to a one year
deal by the Chicago Bears. Gray, however, reportedly does not want to
stay with the Bears and the Dolphins may be interested in re-signing
him to help bolster their run offense.
My Comments:
The whole controversy over the jersey just strikes me as
funny. With all the problems with players, coaches and other things
that the league has to worry about, they spend time worrying about
whether or not Jeff Buckey sprayed himself with silicone before a
game.
Personally, I don't think that the washing of the jersey is
necessarily an admission of guilt. It's more likely to be an
expression of stupidity on someone's part. I can just see some
equipment flunky going "Oh, they don't want that smelly old
jersey. I'll just wash it for them before they take it.".
Never attribute to malice what can be adequately explained by
stupidity.
I remember the days when the Raiders' defensive backs (Lester
Hayes?) would put so much adhesive on their arms that it would drip
off of them and they would look like their arms were melting. They
did this supposedly to make it easier to hold on to interceptions, but
I think it was mostly an intimidation thing. It made them look crazy.
Moving right along, Phillips needed surgery and it was just a
matter of time until he got it. Burton is a bit of a surprise,
because I hadn't heard anything about his shoulder problem, but
hopefully he'll be back in time for training camp.
As for Chris Gray, this came as something of a surprise to me,
but if you look back on his time with the Dolphins, the team almost
always ran the ball better when he was playing. In fact, in 1995,
you can trace the end of the running game that year directly to the
injuries that sidelined him and Ron Heller.
Have I mentioned lately that I miss Ron Heller? I'd like to
put his heart and attitude in Richmond Webb's body. That would make a
great offensive lineman.
As to the coaching rumors, JJ is obviously waiting for Dallas
and Oakland to make their moves before he makes any decisions. He's
trying to figure out who's out there before he fires Stevens.
Related Info:
[Return to Dolphins News]
Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
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