*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
May 25, 1998: -- Update --
** Jerry Wilson Has Surgery
Cornerback Jerry Wilson, who came out of relative obscurity
last season to secure himself a place on the team and who played
especially well as a blitzing cornerback and special teams flyer, had
arthoscopic surgery on his knee on May 14th to correct some minor
problems. The surgery was completed successfully by team doctor John
Uribe and Wilson should be back at full speed in plenty of time to
compete in training camp.
Last season, Wilson had 12 total tackles, including 2 sacks on
cornerback blitzes, 1 pass defensed and recovered a fumble. He also
has distinguished himself on special teams as a flyer on punt coverage.
** Dolphins Sign Fullback Larry Jones
The Dolphins have announced the signing of former Miami
Hurricane fullback Larry Jones to a one year deal for undisclosed
terms. Jones, who was selected by Washington in the 4th round of the
1995 draft, was a standout with the Hurricanes in college, where he was
selected as the MVP of the 1992 Orange Bowl against Nebraska.
After staying with the Redskins through the 1995 season, Jones
was cut in 1996 and spent the year idle. Last year, he went to
training camp with the Eagles, but was cut prior to the regular season.
Jones, at 6'0" and 257 pounds, will compete with Jim Kitts and
Landon Smith for a backup spot on the roster behind Stanley Pritchett.
** Tickets Go On Sale for Game Packages
The Dolphins announced that their "Kickoff Package" for
purchasing tickets will go on sale this weekend on Saturday, May 23rd.
This package allows fans to purchase 2 regular season and 1 pre-season
game for 2 dollars off the ordinary per-game price. However, fans
buying this package must buy all three games.
You can purchase this package from the Dolphins End Zone ticket
office at Joe Robbie Stadium or through Ticketmaster Charge-by-Phone at
(305) 358-5885.
The regular individual season game tickets will go on sale on
Saturday, June 13th at 1000 AM, EST. Tickets may be purchased through
either Ticketmaster charge-by-phone, Ticketmaster Retail Centers at
Sears, Specs, and Peaches Music, or in person at the Joe Robbie Stadium
Box Office.
For more information, you can call the Dolphins' ticket office
at (305) 620-257, check the Dolphins Endzone website or the
Ticketmaster website.
** Former Dolphin Gene Atkins Arrested
Former Dolphins' safety Gene Atkins was arrested last Monday
and charged with a plot to firebomb the home of a former business
partner. According to authorities, he hired 3 men to firebomb the
home of Alfred Simmons on March 29th. The men did hurl a molotov
cocktail through Simmons' window, but Simmons and his family did escape
unhurt.
Atkins, originally signed as a free agent by the Dolphins back
in 1994, was released by JJ in 1996 after he made a series of serious
errors in pass coverage during regular season games.
While on the team, Atkins had a history of behavior problems,
including an attack on Sun-Sentinel reporter Jason Cole in the locker
room in 1995.
** Curt Returns
Well known Internet Dolphins' reporter Curt Fennell apparently
vanished for 2 weeks in May, leaving fans stranded without any Dolphins'
news. However, he turned up unharmed in New Rochelle this weekend.
Upon resurfacing, Curt said that he had been away at a
conference in Monterey California 2 weeks ago and his internet
connection was unreliable from the left coast. Last week was
apparently spent recovering from a week of too much sun, food and good
weather.
"It took me a while to adjust to being back in New Rochelle",
Curt said. "But now that I've returned, both physically and mentally,
I'm ready to pick up where I left off."
My Comments:
Jerry Wilsons' injury is not serious and hopefully he'll be
back at full speed before training camp. While never a serious
contender to start, Wilson provided valuable backup coverage at the
nickel position last year and also was especially effective on the
cornerback blitz.
He also was effective as a flyer on the punt coverage team. He
knocked a couple of bouncing punts out of the endzone during the season,
allowing his teammates to pin opponents deep in their end of the field.
I don't know much about Larry Jones, but with the Dolphins only
having 3 other fullbacks on the team, Jones will certainly get a chance
to compete at that back position. However, it would surprise me to see
Jones on the team in September.
Gene Atkins never lived up to the hopes of the team and like
too many other fallen players, has apparently not been able to adjust
to life outside of football. Hopefully, he'll stay in jail a long
time and won't try to hurt anyone else.
As for me, well, all I can say is that I'm back now and ready to
do some serious work. I did have to go to a conference in beautiful
Monterey and it has taken me a while to get my head back on straight
and get back to work.
Sorry for the lapse.
Related Info:
[Return to Dolphins News]
Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
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