*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Apr 25, 1998: -- First Mini-Camp - Day 1 --
The Dolphins had their first mini-camp of the season yesterday
and there was some good news and some bad news from the mini-camp.
The team worked hard in one-on-one and passing drills, but no serious
contact drills are allowed during the first mini-camp.
The most notable event of the mini-camp was the voiding of the
trade between the Chicago Bears and the Dolphins for running back
Rashaan Salaam. Reports vary as to what actually took place, with one
report stating that he failed the physical, while another report says
that he passed the physical, but was rejected because of damage to
his ankle from last season that still hasn't healed.
The bottom line is that Salaam was sent back to Chicago
because the Dolphins didn't feel that he was healthy enough to
contribute to the team at this time. However, Bears personnel
director Mark Hatley indicated that the trade might be made again
later if Salaam recovers adequately from this ankle injury.
Last year's first round pick Yatil Green was in camp
yesterday, but did not fully participate because of some lack of
flexibility in his knee. According to Green, his right knee is
actually stronger than his left knee, but lacks the flexibility it had
before the accident. He claims that his knee is about 85% healthy and
that he's concerned about his speed.
As a result, Green participated in route-running drills but
not in one-on-one drills or in most of the team drills. In one of the
route-running drills, however, he beat new cornerback Patrick Surtain
by three steps and caught a 60 yard bomb from Craig Erickson. It was
the kind of performance that the Dolphins hope to see much more of in
the coming season.
A rumor being circulated by the Herald's Armando Salguero
says that Green had to have a second knee surgery a few weeks ago.
According to Salguero, Green needed to have arthroscopic surgery on his
healing knee to remove loose bodies that were causing him some pain.
Green has been working on rehabilitation about 6 hours a day since
last summer, but this may have set him back a few weeks.
Other players that didn't fully participate in the mini-camp
included tight end Troy Drayton, defensive lineman Shane Burton,
linebacker Larry Izzo, offensive tackle Richmond Webb, new draftee
defensive end Kenny Mixon, and defensive tackle Tim Bowens.
Drayton sat out the entire day because he is recovering from
arthoscopic knee surgery that he had three weeks ago to remove a torn
piece of cartilage from his knee. The surgery was not serious and it
was originally thought that he could participate in this camp, but was
held out as a precaution.
Left tackle Richmond Webb also sat out this day of training as
he recovers from his knee surgery. Again, his recovery is going well
and given his experience and seniority, he was held out as a
precaution.
Shane Burton and Larry Izzo are both recovering from major
injuries and while both did participate in some drills, they were held
out of others. Burton is recovering from rotator cuff surgery to his
shoulder and it was originally thought he might not be back until
training camp this summer. Larry Izzo is recovering from his Achilles
rupture last summer.
Defensive end Kenny Mixon, on the other hand, is not injured
but was held out of certain drills because of a disagreement between
the Dolphins and his agent about the injury waiver he was required to
sign. Mixon's agent apparently wants Mixon to earn more money if he
is seriously hurt in mini-camp than the Dolphins have offered. JJ
said yesterday that they should have the dispute resolved by today.
And defensive tackle Tim Bowens stayed at home because he is
not technically under contract and, according to his agent Drew
Rosenhaus, he didn't want to risk getting injured while not under
contract.
In the good news department, Lawrence Phillips has worked off
7 pounds since joining the Dolphins last fall and is now at 224
pounds. He has pleasantly surprised most of the staff with his
off-season work ethic and participation in the conditioning program
and is working to get down to about 218 pounds.
Phillips did suffer a hamstring pull in a workout last week,
but fully participated in all the drills yesterday.
And Ray Nealy is apparently back at running back now that
Rashaan Salaam is gone. He is down to 222 pounds, which is about 10
pounds lighter than he would like to be at if he was at fullback.
Two players were signed yesterday and two were cut. Veterans
Tim Jacobs and Bracey Walker were signed back to the team yesterday
with one year deals. They had been unrestricted free agents. And
rookie signees Kelton Davis and Eric Dotson were cut after failing
their initial physicals.
Last, but certainly not least, draftee WR Larry Shannon is
still recovering from a severe ankle sprain last season and while he
apparently participated in all the drills, he does not have his native
speed back. And Armando Salguero reported that Patrick Surtain was
the best looking cornerback on the field yesterday, despite being
beaten deep by Yatil Green.
My Comments:
Well, there are a lot of little tidbits in the news above, but
nothing really substantial. Don't get too concerned about all the
little dings and dents that the players have. It's still very early
and there are more than 4 months to go before the season starts.
Yatil Green is feeling hesitant about his knee and that's
understandable. However, his 60 yard pass reception can't help but
make him feel better and while it will take some time for him to
recover mentally, I get the feeling that he is well on his way.
The loss of Rashaan Salaam is no loss at all. In fact, I
think that it's better this way, with Phillips, KAJ and John Avery
getting more playing time.
There were no reports about Avery's performance yesterday, but
both the Herald and Sun-Sentinel reported that Avery is very excited
and enthusiastic about playing for the Dolphins and wants to
contribute right away. While he may or may not be able to do what he
says, his attitude certainly seems to be right.
The news on Phillips is encouraging but we're a long way from
being able to pass judgement on Phillips. But at least he's stayed
out of trouble and is working hard.
Related Info:
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Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
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