*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Jun 19, 1998: -- Dolphins Say No To Skrepenak --
** Dolphins Don't Want Skrepenak
The Miami Herald is reporting today that the Dolphins have
decided not to pursue veteran guard Greg Skrepenak, who was released
by the Carolina Panthers in a salary cap move on June 2nd. Skrepenak
is a 6 year veteran of the NFL who has started consistently for the
last 4 years.
According to Skrepenak's agent, Charles Giacometti, Dolphins'
director of pro personnel Tom Heckert called him and told him that the
Dolphins have no interest in Skrepenak.
Giacometti expressed disappointment and said that they thought
that Skrepenak would have been a "perfect fit" for the Dolphins.
Skrepenak, a 6'7", 330 pound giant who has started the last 2
years for the Panthers at right guard, was signed by them as a free
agent after 4 years with the Raiders. He was brought in initially to
play right tackle, but was shifted to guard in his first year.
Apparently he is considered a powerful blocker, but there are
rumors that he is not quick enough on his feet and that he has
resorted to a lot of grabbing to contain defensive linemen.
** Calvin Jackson Back To Cornerback?
It looks like Calvin Jackson may be switching back to
cornerback after dropping 12 pounds in the off-season conditioning
program. JJ had said that Jackson would play safety if he weighed in
at more than 200 pounds and he reported to the first mini-camp at
208.
However, Jackson has since dropped to 196 and is said to
prefer playing cornerback. No official announcement has been made,
but if he weighs in at less than 200 pounds for training camp, he will
probably not be big enough to be an effective safety.
** John Avery Adds 5 Pounds
John Avery has been bulking up in the off-season, adding 5
pounds to his weight so that he will be more capable of taking the
pounding that a starter must endure. He has gone from his draft
weight of 184 to 189 and wants to add more before training camp.
In private workouts for the Dolphins, he has run a 4.30 on
grass in the forty and has kept his body fat down to less than 4%.
His personal goal is to compete for the starting job with the Dolphins
this fall.
In addition to the added weight on his body, Avery has picked
up a funny looking bulge under his arm. It seems that Avery was
disappointed when defensive lineman Shane Burton stripped him of the
ball during drills in the last mini-camp, so he is carrying a football
everywhere he goes - even on dates - to teach himself not to fumble.
Avery has vowed to never fumble again and is carrying the ball
with him everywhere, including to bed with him at night. He will
play catch with you if you see him, though - on one condition: You
must give the ball right back.
My Comments:
I think that JJ is making a mistake in not at least giving
Skrepenak a workout. According to the Herald, he is satisfied with
letting Jeff Buckey and Brent Smith battle it out for the starting
left guard job, with Jim Bundren, Scott Shaw and Randy Wheeler all
getting a chance to prove their stuff and maybe win the job.
If Skrepenak really has slowed down, they should be able to
tell that by having him down to Davie and running him around for
awhile. But JJ likes youth and speed and I guess Skrepenak doesn't
fit that mold.
And while we're on the subject, I have had 3 people tell me
that Randy Wheeler did a great job in the World Bowl for the NFL
Europe champion Rhein Fire. They all said that he was very
aggressive, very tough and always attacking. JJ also had good things
to say about Wheeler before he sent to Europe, so that throws another
possibility into the mix.
I haven't talked much about Scott Shaw yet - but I will in the
next "On Porpoise". I think Shaw is easily the most impressive of the
rookie linemen and will definitely be pushing Buckey and Smith this
summer, once the pads go on.
But even though it looks like there will be plenty of
competition for the left guard position, I think that Skrepenak would
have been useful.
The word on Jackson is interesting, to be sure. Probably his
best position on the field is nickel back and if he does move back
there, there will be a veritable logjam of talent at cornerback -
which is certainly a nice change from past years.
And John Avery is certainly showing that his heart is in the
right place for a first round draft pick. You've got to like his
dedication. Now, if his production matches his attitude, he'll be
terrific.
Related Info:
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Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
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