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Dolphins News: Team Fined for Buckey's Jersey
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Dolphins News: Team Fined for Buckey's Jersey
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*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Jan 06, 1998: -- Team Fined for Buckey's Jersey --

** Team Fined for Washing Buckey's Jersey

The league announced yesterday that they have fined the Dolphins $40,000 for laundering Jeff Buckey's jersey in the Detroit game after he was told to remove it because the the referees suspected that there was an illegal substance on it.

NFL rules prohibit the use of any slippery or adhesive substance on the uniforms of players. During the Detroit game, the referees confiscated Jeff Buckey's jersey because they believed that there was an illegal substance on it.

However, during the game, the jersey was taken from the referee's locker area and washed by Dolphins' personnel. As a result, there was no way to determine if any kind of illegal substance was used on the jersey.

The NFL found that Dolphins' team personnel acted on their own, without direction from the coaching staff or management, when the decided to wash Buckey's jersey. One member of the team staff claimed that the referees told them to wash the jersey.

If there was a substance on the jersey, both Buckey and the team could have been fined. However, without any evidence the fine was for tampering with the jersey and was levied against the team only.

** Lawrence Phillips Has Knee 'Scoped

The Dolphins announced yesterday that running back Lawrence Phillips had his left knee operated on last Friday to remove scar tissue. Phillips has had problems with his knee swelling all season. He should be ready for spring mini-camp in April.

According to a report in this morning's Sun-Sentinel, Lawrence Phillips may already be in JJ's doghouse. He reportedly didn't show up for a post-season physical that the team had scheduled for all players after the final playoff game. See the article below for more details.

** Shane Burton has Shoulder Surgery

The Dolphins have also announced that defensive lineman Shane Burton has surgery on his right should on Monday to repair a torn rotator cuff. Burton is expected back in time for the full training camp in July.

** Rumor Persist about Coaching Changes

A number of sources are claiming that JJ will make some coaching changes this week, before traveling to Alabama on Monday for a week of Senior Bowl practices.

JJ spent last week on vacation while contemplating the future of his offensive staff. While it's not clear what changes will be made, it appears that offensive coordinator Gary Stevens will certainly be fired in the next week and that offensive line coach Larry Beightol may also be asked to leave.

A lot depends on who is available to take Steven's place. Leading candidates are rumored to be Philadelphia offensive coordinator Jon Gruden, Dallas offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese, former Colts head coach Lindy Infante, the Dolphins' own running backs coach Kippy Brown and even former Bills' offensive coordinator Dan Henning.

Possible replacements for Larry Beightol are Raiders head coach Joe Bugel and Dallas offensive line coach Hudson Houck, although if neither one of those coaches become available, JJ may keep Beightol. Both are expected to be fired by their teams shortly.

** More Rumors

According to a confidential source in Miami, the Dolphins may want to see if they can hire back offensive lineman Chris Gray. Gray was cut by the Dolphins early this year, but was signed to a one year deal by the Chicago Bears. Gray, however, reportedly does not want to stay with the Bears and the Dolphins may be interested in re-signing him to help bolster their run offense.

My Comments:

The whole controversy over the jersey just strikes me as funny. With all the problems with players, coaches and other things that the league has to worry about, they spend time worrying about whether or not Jeff Buckey sprayed himself with silicone before a game.

Personally, I don't think that the washing of the jersey is necessarily an admission of guilt. It's more likely to be an expression of stupidity on someone's part. I can just see some equipment flunky going "Oh, they don't want that smelly old jersey. I'll just wash it for them before they take it.". Never attribute to malice what can be adequately explained by stupidity.

I remember the days when the Raiders' defensive backs (Lester Hayes?) would put so much adhesive on their arms that it would drip off of them and they would look like their arms were melting. They did this supposedly to make it easier to hold on to interceptions, but I think it was mostly an intimidation thing. It made them look crazy.

Moving right along, Phillips needed surgery and it was just a matter of time until he got it. Burton is a bit of a surprise, because I hadn't heard anything about his shoulder problem, but hopefully he'll be back in time for training camp.

As for Chris Gray, this came as something of a surprise to me, but if you look back on his time with the Dolphins, the team almost always ran the ball better when he was playing. In fact, in 1995, you can trace the end of the running game that year directly to the injuries that sidelined him and Ron Heller.

Have I mentioned lately that I miss Ron Heller? I'd like to put his heart and attitude in Richmond Webb's body. That would make a great offensive lineman.

As to the coaching rumors, JJ is obviously waiting for Dallas and Oakland to make their moves before he makes any decisions. He's trying to figure out who's out there before he fires Stevens.

Related Info:


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Curt Fennell, curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
     
   

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Curt Fennell
curt@phins.com
DOLFAN in New England