*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Sep 08, 1998: -- Gadsden To Start This Week --
** Gadsden To Start
Following his 44 yard touchdown catch against the Colts on
Sunday, Oronde Gadsden has been elevated to the starting wide receiver
position opposite OJ McDuffie, according to JJ's comments yesterday.
That means that Charles Jordan, who had been the starter all summer,
will be dropped to third or fourth on the depth chart.
The obvious reason for the change was that Jordan lined up for
27 plays on Sunday and didn't catch a pass. Gadsden, on the other
hand, lined up for only 4 plays but had the best reception and run
of any Dolphins' player.
Gadsden was originally signed by Dallas in 1995 and made their
practice squad that year. He was activated at the end of the year to
the regular roster, but didn't see any action. He was injured in 96
and let go by Dallas and couldn't make the Steeler's roster last year.
However, this spring Gadsden caught 38 touchdown passes for
the Portland Forest Dragons of the Arena Football League, earning
rookie of the year honors. When Larry Shannon tore his ACL in
training camp, receivers coach Robert Ford apparently suggested that
they call Gadsden's agent and have him come to Miami for a tryout.
After having the best pre-season of any receiver in camp,
Gadsden made the 53 man roster and had his first reception in a real
game on Sunday. And now, he'll start against the Bills this Sunday.
** Roster Changes
The Dolphins announced 3 roster changes today. First, they
waived backup fullback Jim Kitts from the regular roster. They also
released defensive tackle Antoine Simpson from the practice squad and
will probably sign Kitts to the practice squad if he clears waivers.
Also, running back Ray Nealy had arthoscopic surgery on his
knee to remove loose bodies and a torn portion of the lateral
meniscus. He was placed on the Practice Squad/Injured list today.
These changes leave the Dolphins with 52 players on the
roster, one open roster spot on the regular roster and one on the
practice squad. The team is reportedly having between 6 and 8 players
work out today for the team, but may not sign any of them.
However, Horace Copeland and Alvin Harper worked out for the
Dolphins last week and are still available. JJ said last week that he
wouldn't sign either player until this week, if he was going to sign
them at all.
My Comments:
The move of Gadsden to the starting lineup is a pleasant
surprise. Football is a business and it's about the bottom line.
You can't argue with production, especially in light of Charles'
Jordan's complete invisibility on Sunday.
But perhaps more important than the stated reason for Jordan's
demotion is his fumble on the punt return. We know that JJ hates -
with a deep passion - turnovers by his players. Especially in
situation where they can hurt the team as Jordan's fumble did on
Sunday.
He has proved that time and again, from the time he released
Curvin Richards ( is that the guy's name? - I'm not sure ) just before
the playoffs for fumbling twice in a meaningless game to yesterday,
when Charles Jordan got benched for - I believe - not protecting the
ball properly when he was running into a crowd of defenders deep in
Miami territory on Sunday.
Now, you can't argue Gadsden's one play on Sunday was not
spectacular, but that alone does not justify Jordan's demotion. If
you want more Gadsden, you just give him more snaps as the number 3
guy. No, I believe that JJ is benching Jordan more for fumbling than
because Jordan was invisible as a receiver. That is the JJ way.
I'm disappointed about Jim Kitts moving off the regular
roster. I had hopes that he would contribute this year as the backup
fullback, but his groin strain plus the fact that he was inactive
against the Colts seem to have forced his move off the regular roster
to make room for....
... someone. We don't know yet who the Dolphins are going to
sign, but I would bet that it's either Copeland or Harper. I just
can't see JJ letting one or the other of those guys get away without
at least trying them out.
Unless someone really dazzled him today in workouts. One
thing about JJ that is becoming increasingly obvious this year is that
he'll give anyone a shot at playing, if they'll help the team.
Since they'll want the new guy (whoever that may be) to be at
practice tomorrow, I suspect we'll find out tonight or tomorrow
morning who that will be.
Related Info:
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Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
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