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Dolphins News: First Mini-Camp - Day 2
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Dolphins News: First Mini-Camp - Day 2
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*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Apr 26, 1998: -- First Mini-Camp - Day 2 --

** Dolphins Hold 2nd Day of Mini-Camp **

The Dolphins held the second day of their first mini-camp of 1998 yesterday and while there was very little real news, there was a rather sad episode involving false rumors about recent draftee defensive end Kenny Mixon.

A source contacted WQAM radio in Miami and reported that Mixon had a potentially career ending medical problem with his neck. WQAM broadcast this information to the public before checking on it with the Dolphins and caused a flurry of activity in the South Florida media before the rumor was squashed by an angry Jimmy Johnson, who got on the phone personally to WQAM.

It turns out that the source was a disgruntled medical professional who had either been rebuffed by the Dolphins in his/her attempt to get a job with the team or had been fired recently. The medical condition they were referring to is called stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal column in the neck that affects some people.

This condition is not life-threatening, nor does it inhibit players from playing in the NFL. Linebacker Bryan Cox and offensive lineman Billy Milner both have stenosis and neither have had problems playing in this league - that were related to stenosis, of course.

There was one positive result to the rumor, however. JJ was angered enough by the rumor that he immediately went to find Bob Ackles to tell him to clear up the problems that the team was having with the injury waiver that Mixon was asked to sign. It seems that Mixon's agent didn't like some of the language in the waiver and didn't want Mixon to participate in some of the drills.

When JJ wouldn't find Ackles, he walked into the locker room and ordered Mixon on to the field. Naturally, Mixon was dressed and out the door in a hurry.

Eventually, JJ resolved the problem with Mixon's agent and Mixon spent the rest of the day at practice.

WQAM, for their part, broadcast a retraction yesterday afternoon.

In other mini-camp news, Richmond Webb, Troy Drayton, and Tim Bowens all sat out all of the practices yesterday, while Shane Burton is still limited to only certain drills and Lawrence Phillips and Yatil Green participated in the morning practice, but missed the afternoon session because of injuries. Phillips is suffering from a hamstring pull and Green is experiencing some soreness in his knee.

In the good news department, draftee wide receiver Larry Shannon showed a noticeable improvement from Friday's practice. He is still recovering from a severe ankle sprain that he suffered last year in college, but he is practicing.

Also, JJ singled out wide receiver Kirby Dar Dar for praise, saying that not only had he recovered all of his speed and agility after his injury last summer, but that he actually seemed to be a better receiver than he's ever been. Dar Dar was a special teams standout for the Dolphins in 1996 and ran the second fastest time of any Dolphins player in the 40 yard dash last year, behind only Jerris McPhail.

JJ also talked briefly about running back Ray Nealy, who had "really picked it up", according to JJ.

As of yesterday, the Dolphins were starting Shawn Wooden at strong safety and Brock Marion at free safety, with Sam Madison and Terrell Buckley starting at cornerback. That leaves Calvin Jackson the odd man out of the "official" starting rotation, but he is currently the designated nickel back.

** Dolphins Sign Two Defensive Tackles **

After waiving defensive tackles Kelton Davis and Eric Dotson on Friday for failing their physicals, the Dolphins signed two undrafted rookies to take their place.

Defensive tackle Antoine Simpson played his college ball at Fort Scott Community College before moving on to the University of Houston for his last 2 years. At Houston, he bulked up to 315 pounds and played nose tackle for the Cougars all last year. His 1997 stats were 27 total tackles, with 5 tackles for losses, 2 sacks and a forced fumble.

Defensive tackle Raymond White played middle guard for the Clemson Tigers and started the last three years at that position. He was exceptionally productive, amassing 94 tackles in 1996 and 79 tackles in 1997. In the last three games of 1997, he averaged 12 tackles per game and had 18 tackles against North Carolina in the Peach Bowl.

He also had 16 quarterback pressures in 1997 and 2 sacks. Unfortunately, he's not very big for an NFL defensive tackle, standing 6'3", but only weighing in the 270 pound range.

My Comments:

The rumor fiasco in Miami yesterday should teach the media down there something important - but it probably won't. The current media hunger to be the first with a breaking story has really reduced the credibility of most reporters and news organizations. The drive to be first seems to have usurped the need to be right.

But enough media bashing, because I actually have something good to say about Armando Salguero, today.

Before you call the guys in the white coats to come and take me away or look under your table to see if Rod Serling is hiding in your living room, read his article entitled "Weak Spots are Few, If Any" in today's Herald. It's actually complimentary about the Dolphins.

Oh, and if you don't know who Rod Serling is - I don't want to know about it. I feel old enough already.

I'm glad Kirby Dar Dar is coming back strong. If he is really progressing and catching the ball as well as JJ says, he could be a force this season.

I just have one other thing to add - where did this guy Raymond White come from and how did he escape getting drafted? He had 18 tackles in a bowl game, fer cryin' out loud! And he's a defensive lineman.

Perhaps one of you ACC gurus out there can explain to me what's wrong with him, because there must be something. Yes, yes - I know he's too small to play defensive tackle in the NFL, but you'd think a guy who is that productive would have been drafted by someone.

Well, if there is something wrong with him, I'm sure we'll find out about it.

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

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DOLFAN in New England