*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Apr 26, 1998: -- First Mini-Camp - Day 2 --
** Dolphins Hold 2nd Day of Mini-Camp **
The Dolphins held the second day of their first mini-camp of
1998 yesterday and while there was very little real news, there was a
rather sad episode involving false rumors about recent draftee
defensive end Kenny Mixon.
A source contacted WQAM radio in Miami and reported that Mixon
had a potentially career ending medical problem with his neck. WQAM
broadcast this information to the public before checking on it with
the Dolphins and caused a flurry of activity in the South Florida
media before the rumor was squashed by an angry Jimmy Johnson, who got
on the phone personally to WQAM.
It turns out that the source was a disgruntled medical
professional who had either been rebuffed by the Dolphins in his/her
attempt to get a job with the team or had been fired recently. The
medical condition they were referring to is called stenosis, which is
a narrowing of the spinal column in the neck that affects some
people.
This condition is not life-threatening, nor does it inhibit
players from playing in the NFL. Linebacker Bryan Cox and offensive
lineman Billy Milner both have stenosis and neither have had problems
playing in this league - that were related to stenosis, of course.
There was one positive result to the rumor, however. JJ was
angered enough by the rumor that he immediately went to find Bob
Ackles to tell him to clear up the problems that the team was having
with the injury waiver that Mixon was asked to sign. It seems that
Mixon's agent didn't like some of the language in the waiver and
didn't want Mixon to participate in some of the drills.
When JJ wouldn't find Ackles, he walked into the locker room
and ordered Mixon on to the field. Naturally, Mixon was dressed and
out the door in a hurry.
Eventually, JJ resolved the problem with Mixon's agent and
Mixon spent the rest of the day at practice.
WQAM, for their part, broadcast a retraction yesterday
afternoon.
In other mini-camp news, Richmond Webb, Troy Drayton, and Tim
Bowens all sat out all of the practices yesterday, while Shane Burton
is still limited to only certain drills and Lawrence Phillips and
Yatil Green participated in the morning practice, but missed the
afternoon session because of injuries. Phillips is suffering from a
hamstring pull and Green is experiencing some soreness in his knee.
In the good news department, draftee wide receiver Larry
Shannon showed a noticeable improvement from Friday's practice. He is
still recovering from a severe ankle sprain that he suffered last year
in college, but he is practicing.
Also, JJ singled out wide receiver Kirby Dar Dar for praise,
saying that not only had he recovered all of his speed and agility
after his injury last summer, but that he actually seemed to be a
better receiver than he's ever been. Dar Dar was a special teams
standout for the Dolphins in 1996 and ran the second fastest time of
any Dolphins player in the 40 yard dash last year, behind only Jerris
McPhail.
JJ also talked briefly about running back Ray Nealy, who had
"really picked it up", according to JJ.
As of yesterday, the Dolphins were starting Shawn Wooden at
strong safety and Brock Marion at free safety, with Sam Madison and
Terrell Buckley starting at cornerback. That leaves Calvin Jackson
the odd man out of the "official" starting rotation, but he is
currently the designated nickel back.
** Dolphins Sign Two Defensive Tackles **
After waiving defensive tackles Kelton Davis and Eric Dotson
on Friday for failing their physicals, the Dolphins signed two
undrafted rookies to take their place.
Defensive tackle Antoine Simpson played his college ball at
Fort Scott Community College before moving on to the University of
Houston for his last 2 years. At Houston, he bulked up to 315 pounds
and played nose tackle for the Cougars all last year. His 1997 stats
were 27 total tackles, with 5 tackles for losses, 2 sacks and a forced
fumble.
Defensive tackle Raymond White played middle guard for the
Clemson Tigers and started the last three years at that position.
He was exceptionally productive, amassing 94 tackles in 1996 and 79
tackles in 1997. In the last three games of 1997, he averaged 12
tackles per game and had 18 tackles against North Carolina in the
Peach Bowl.
He also had 16 quarterback pressures in 1997 and 2 sacks.
Unfortunately, he's not very big for an NFL defensive tackle, standing
6'3", but only weighing in the 270 pound range.
My Comments:
The rumor fiasco in Miami yesterday should teach the media
down there something important - but it probably won't. The current
media hunger to be the first with a breaking story has really reduced
the credibility of most reporters and news organizations. The drive
to be first seems to have usurped the need to be right.
But enough media bashing, because I actually have something
good to say about Armando Salguero, today.
Before you call the guys in the white coats to come and take
me away or look under your table to see if Rod Serling is hiding in
your living room, read his article entitled "Weak Spots are Few, If
Any" in today's Herald. It's actually complimentary about the
Dolphins.
Oh, and if you don't know who Rod Serling is - I don't want to
know about it. I feel old enough already.
I'm glad Kirby Dar Dar is coming back strong. If he is really
progressing and catching the ball as well as JJ says, he could be a
force this season.
I just have one other thing to add - where did this guy
Raymond White come from and how did he escape getting drafted? He had
18 tackles in a bowl game, fer cryin' out loud! And he's a defensive
lineman.
Perhaps one of you ACC gurus out there can explain to me
what's wrong with him, because there must be something. Yes, yes - I
know he's too small to play defensive tackle in the NFL, but you'd
think a guy who is that productive would have been drafted by
someone.
Well, if there is something wrong with him, I'm sure we'll
find out about it.
Related Info:
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Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
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