Home
THIS SITE
  Sitemap
  About this Page
  Search Here
TEAM NEWS
  Team Info
  News Wire
  Features
  Training Camp
  On Porpoise
GAMES
  Recent Game
  Schedule
  Statistics
PERSONNEL
  Coaches
  Roster
  Transactions
  Depth Chart
  Draft
  Free Agents
  Salaries
FOR THE FANS
  Places To Watch
  Chat Board
  Mailing Lists
  Other Links
HISTORY
  Team History
  News Archive
  Past Games
  Past Transactions
  Past Rosters
 
Dolphins News: Dolphins Say No To Skrepenak
    News Wire | Roster | Last/Next Game | Schedule | Links  
         
Last Update:
Dolphins News: Dolphins Say No To Skrepenak
Back Home
Team News

*** 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:


[Return to Dolphins News]
Curt Fennell, curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
     
   

Home TOP
Curt Fennell
curt@phins.com
DOLFAN in New England