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Dolphins News: Parmalee Released
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Dolphins News: Parmalee Released
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*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Sep 05, 1999: -- Parmalee Released --

The Sun-Sentinel announced yesterday that the Dolphins have released veteran running back Bernie Parmalee. If true, that would end an 8 year football career with the Dolphins.

Parmalee started his career in Miami as a UPS driver and was a walk-on player for the Dolphins, starting in 1992. Through sheer guts and determination, Parmalee worked his way up to lead the Dolphins in rushing in 1994 and 1995.

Parmalee averaged 4.0 yard per carry in 1994 in 216 carries for 868 yards. In 1995, he averaged 3.7 yards per carry on 236 carries for 878 yards, despite running on an injured knee for the last part of the season.

Since JJ came to town, Bernie has been primarily a special teams player, although he has played backup at running back and fullback for the team. For the past two years, Parmalee has been the captain or co-captain of the Dolphins' special teams.

My Comments:

The reason I'm writing this single article about the release of one player on this weekend where several hundred NFL players will end their NFL careers is that Bernie Parmalee represents both the best and the worst of what the National Football League is about.

On the one hand, Bernie Parmalee was the poster boy for opportunity in the league. He turned talent and drive into an NFL career without being drafted or even wanted very much.

On the other hand, he is now the latest victim of the combination of owner's greed, NFL leadership arrogance and NFL Player Association incompetence. That's where the 53 man roster limit, the current state of free agency and the salary cap come from.

In the late 60's and early 70's, the Pittsburgh Steelers kept Rocky Bleier on the roster when he couldn't play football to save his life. Eventually, he became as important to the team as any person in the Steeler's organization.

Today, Rocky Bleier would not make a team in this league. Nobody could afford to keep him on the roster.

Today, Bernie Parmalee is unemployed.

But Lawrence Philips has a job.

Now, tell me again about what a great game football is, because today, I seem to have forgotten.

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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