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Dolphins News: Gadsden To Start This Week
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Dolphins News: Gadsden To Start This Week
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*** 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.

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

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DOLFAN in New England