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Dolphins News: First Mini-Camp - Day 1
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Dolphins News: First Mini-Camp - Day 1
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*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Apr 25, 1998: -- First Mini-Camp - Day 1 --

The Dolphins had their first mini-camp of the season yesterday and there was some good news and some bad news from the mini-camp. The team worked hard in one-on-one and passing drills, but no serious contact drills are allowed during the first mini-camp.

The most notable event of the mini-camp was the voiding of the trade between the Chicago Bears and the Dolphins for running back Rashaan Salaam. Reports vary as to what actually took place, with one report stating that he failed the physical, while another report says that he passed the physical, but was rejected because of damage to his ankle from last season that still hasn't healed.

The bottom line is that Salaam was sent back to Chicago because the Dolphins didn't feel that he was healthy enough to contribute to the team at this time. However, Bears personnel director Mark Hatley indicated that the trade might be made again later if Salaam recovers adequately from this ankle injury.

Last year's first round pick Yatil Green was in camp yesterday, but did not fully participate because of some lack of flexibility in his knee. According to Green, his right knee is actually stronger than his left knee, but lacks the flexibility it had before the accident. He claims that his knee is about 85% healthy and that he's concerned about his speed.

As a result, Green participated in route-running drills but not in one-on-one drills or in most of the team drills. In one of the route-running drills, however, he beat new cornerback Patrick Surtain by three steps and caught a 60 yard bomb from Craig Erickson. It was the kind of performance that the Dolphins hope to see much more of in the coming season.

A rumor being circulated by the Herald's Armando Salguero says that Green had to have a second knee surgery a few weeks ago. According to Salguero, Green needed to have arthroscopic surgery on his healing knee to remove loose bodies that were causing him some pain. Green has been working on rehabilitation about 6 hours a day since last summer, but this may have set him back a few weeks.

Other players that didn't fully participate in the mini-camp included tight end Troy Drayton, defensive lineman Shane Burton, linebacker Larry Izzo, offensive tackle Richmond Webb, new draftee defensive end Kenny Mixon, and defensive tackle Tim Bowens.

Drayton sat out the entire day because he is recovering from arthoscopic knee surgery that he had three weeks ago to remove a torn piece of cartilage from his knee. The surgery was not serious and it was originally thought that he could participate in this camp, but was held out as a precaution.

Left tackle Richmond Webb also sat out this day of training as he recovers from his knee surgery. Again, his recovery is going well and given his experience and seniority, he was held out as a precaution.

Shane Burton and Larry Izzo are both recovering from major injuries and while both did participate in some drills, they were held out of others. Burton is recovering from rotator cuff surgery to his shoulder and it was originally thought he might not be back until training camp this summer. Larry Izzo is recovering from his Achilles rupture last summer.

Defensive end Kenny Mixon, on the other hand, is not injured but was held out of certain drills because of a disagreement between the Dolphins and his agent about the injury waiver he was required to sign. Mixon's agent apparently wants Mixon to earn more money if he is seriously hurt in mini-camp than the Dolphins have offered. JJ said yesterday that they should have the dispute resolved by today.

And defensive tackle Tim Bowens stayed at home because he is not technically under contract and, according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus, he didn't want to risk getting injured while not under contract.

In the good news department, Lawrence Phillips has worked off 7 pounds since joining the Dolphins last fall and is now at 224 pounds. He has pleasantly surprised most of the staff with his off-season work ethic and participation in the conditioning program and is working to get down to about 218 pounds.

Phillips did suffer a hamstring pull in a workout last week, but fully participated in all the drills yesterday.

And Ray Nealy is apparently back at running back now that Rashaan Salaam is gone. He is down to 222 pounds, which is about 10 pounds lighter than he would like to be at if he was at fullback.

Two players were signed yesterday and two were cut. Veterans Tim Jacobs and Bracey Walker were signed back to the team yesterday with one year deals. They had been unrestricted free agents. And rookie signees Kelton Davis and Eric Dotson were cut after failing their initial physicals.

Last, but certainly not least, draftee WR Larry Shannon is still recovering from a severe ankle sprain last season and while he apparently participated in all the drills, he does not have his native speed back. And Armando Salguero reported that Patrick Surtain was the best looking cornerback on the field yesterday, despite being beaten deep by Yatil Green.

My Comments:

Well, there are a lot of little tidbits in the news above, but nothing really substantial. Don't get too concerned about all the little dings and dents that the players have. It's still very early and there are more than 4 months to go before the season starts.

Yatil Green is feeling hesitant about his knee and that's understandable. However, his 60 yard pass reception can't help but make him feel better and while it will take some time for him to recover mentally, I get the feeling that he is well on his way.

The loss of Rashaan Salaam is no loss at all. In fact, I think that it's better this way, with Phillips, KAJ and John Avery getting more playing time.

There were no reports about Avery's performance yesterday, but both the Herald and Sun-Sentinel reported that Avery is very excited and enthusiastic about playing for the Dolphins and wants to contribute right away. While he may or may not be able to do what he says, his attitude certainly seems to be right.

The news on Phillips is encouraging but we're a long way from being able to pass judgement on Phillips. But at least he's stayed out of trouble and is working hard.

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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