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TODAY'S REPORT: As you probably know by now, the big news on Thursday was the end of the quarterback duel for the starting job - not by effort or talent on the part of either player, but by injury. Jay Fiedler had to have surgery on his hip to repair a labral tear and will be out anywhere from 3-5 weeks, depending on how well he heals. So, the result is that Damon Huard will be the Dolphins' starting quarterback on September 3rd against the Seattle Seahawks. For those interested, a "labral tear" refers to a tear of the labrum, which is a socket of soft tissue that sits in the socket of the pelvic bone and holds the hip bone in place. Normally, when you hear about this injury in athletes, it's related to the shoulder, but it can also happen in the hip. The injury is not serious and the surgery to repair the tear went well yesterday. In fact, it went well enough that Fiedler could be back on the practice field by the last pre-season game. However, the lack of practice eliminates Fiedler from the quarterback competition for the immediate future and that gives the job to Huard by default. On the field yesterday, the team had a walk-through in the morning, followed by a full practice in the afternoon. Orlando Steinauer had his third interception in two days, opening some eyes. Steinauer is competing for a roster spot, but his chances got slightly better yesterday when Jeff Harris was waived. Also impressing onlookers was FB Rob Konrad, who made a number of nice catches in the passing game and Lamar Thomas and Kenny Mixon, who continue to show why they were promoted to the starting unit. Players who didn't have such a great day (other than Jay Fiedler), included Leslie Shepherd, who had trouble getting open and Mike Quinn, who had trouble finding the open man from the quarterback position.
Dave Wannestedt had these things to say about the quarterback situation: "Damon [Huard] has been doing a nice job, so it's not like he didn't deserve the job . . . I think this is something where we can work through it and make the best of the situation." "This is one less question you won't have to ask me every press conference," coach Dave Wannestedt quipped to reporters. "This was a total shock to all of us. But, hey, better now than the second game of the season." About Jay Fiedler, Coach Wannestedt gave this update this morning: "Jay's surgery went well. I had a chance to talk with him this morning and he is resting comfortably without any pain. He is upbeat and positive, and is looking forward to returning to the field as soon as possible."
The team waived 7th round draft pick Jeff Harris, yesterday, and signed DT Noel Scarlett.
The team will travel to Pittsburgh today and face the Steelers in their first pre-season game tomorrow night at 6:00 PM, Eastern time. They will get Sunday off and be back at practice on Monday.
Other than Jay Fiedler's injury, there is very little change in any other player's status. CB Terrance Shaw (knee), TE Hayward Clay (knee), OT Keno Hills (knee), OT Richmond Webb (elbow), WR O.J. McDuffie (toe), WR Oronde Gadsden (finger), TE Ed Perry (knee), DE Adewale Ogunleye (knee), DT Tim Bowens (knee) and DT Antoine Simpson (ankle) missed practice. Right now, it looks like none of the players listed above will work against the Steelers, although Oronde Gadsden might get to play a few plays.
Sorry, still none.
I said yesterday that it would be better for the team for one quarterback to win the job sooner, rather than later. I guess that comment now falls under the heading of "be careful what you wish for - you may get it". Today I got my wish, although not exactly in the manner I would have preferred. We now know that Damon Huard will start the first game of the year against the Seahawks. Personally, I was kind of figuring that Jay Fiedler would be the one to step forward and claim the starting job. But, that's the way the cookie crumbles. Or the hip, in this case. Still, I do believe that this is better for the team - especially in September - than a continued battle for the starting job. Now that the issue has been settled, the offense can concentrate on working together from now until September. Huard will get plenty of work to prepare him for what he will face when the regular season starts. He can work on getting his timing down with his receivers, perfecting his knowledge of the offense and establishing himself as the leader of the offense. And that can't be anything but good. And certainly, Jay Fiedler will be back in plenty of time to take over for Huard if Huard falters at some point.
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curt@phins.com DOLFAN in New England |
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