*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Jun 19, 1998: -- Josh Taves Agrees to Deal --
The Sun-Sentinel is reporting this morning that the Dolphins
have reached agreement on a 2 year contract with Josh Taves, a 6'7",
285 pound defensive end, who was voted as this year's Most Valuable
Defensive player in NFL Europe, following a season in which he
recorded 9 sacks in 10 games.
Taves is entering his 4th year in the NFL, having entered the
league in 1995 with the Detroit Lions. He was on their practice squad
for most of 95, getting to play in one game at the end of the 1995
season.
The following summer, the Lions cut him and he was picked up
by the Jacksonville Jaguars, who kept him through 1996. However, he
was cut by them and wound up with the Patriots last year, until he
injured his ankle and was eventually cut by New England at the end of
training camp.
Taves attended college at Northeastern University, but other
than that there is very little information about his college career
available. He did enter the league at 260 pounds and has since bulked
up to 285, which helps explain his new found success.
Taves will compete with Trace Armstrong, Danny Stubbs and the
rookies for a position on the defensive line.
My Comments:
While Taves looks like a good pickup, I would caution everyone
not to put too much hope in him. There was a reason that 3 teams
passed on him over the last 3 years and while NFL Europe is a pretty
good proving ground, it still isn't the NFL.
Still, he is a big guy at 6'7" and is reportedly fast, strong
and aggressive. Dolphins QB Damon Huard, who faced Taves in Europe
has some good things to say about him, including the fact that he
never takes plays off and was constantly in his (Huard's) face.
You would think that, at 6'7", he could at least get some
passes batted down and it will be interesting to see what happens this
summer at the defensive end position battle. After the battle for the
starting running back spot, the defensive end position may be the most
hotly contested spot on the team.
Related Info:
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Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
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