*** DOLPHINS TRAINING CAMP ***
Jul 16, 1997: -- Day 6 - July 15th --
TODAY'S REPORT:
The Dolphins got back to work yesterday after taking Monday off
to recuperate from the hard-hitting scrimmage on Sunday. There were
two practices yesterday and, as usual, a number of players stood out.
Yatil Green got some positive notice yesterday, sailing down
the sideline past Cedric Davis and catching a deep Dan Marino pass.
Then he held on to the ball despite being drilled by safety Earl
Little.
Also, Mike Crawford had a nice play when he shot the gap from
the linebacker position and nailed Jerris McPhail in the backfield for
a loss.
Other players who have been catching the attention of observers
include linebacker Larry Izzo, who the Dolphins are trying to work more
into the regular depth chart at linebacker instead of using him just as
a special teams player. Izzo has been very active during practices and
made some nice stops during the middle drill on Tuesday.
And although it comes as no surprise, it is always encouraging
to hear that Dan Marino can still throw the football with strength and
accuracy.
Other players who got received special notice from JJ yesterday
included offensive linemen John Elmore and Mike Sheldon. Elmore was
taken by the Patriots in the draft last year and spent the season on
the Dolphins' practice squad.
Sheldon also joined the Dolphins last year and spent time on
the practice squad, before he was sent to the WLAF this spring. He
started for the Rhein Fire and was one of the reasons that they were
the best offensive line in the World League.
Unfortunately, the Dolphins' offensive linemen who were drafted
are not doing nearly as well. JJ has said that he is disappointed with
the practices of draftees Brent Smith and Jerome Daniels. Both have
been playing as tackles and were doing so poorly that offensive line
coach Larry Beightol is reported to have chewed them out badly.
Also, Hudhaifa Ismaeli supposedly had some trouble with
one-on-one drills on Tuesday. He may still be having trouble with his
bruised sternum.
And rookie free agents Donnie Young and Randy Wheeler had
trouble blocking, getting knocked on the ground a couple of times.
In the good news department, Irving Spikes returned to practice
for the first time since his surgery two weeks ago. He participated in
all the drills except for the full contact portion of the practice.
Going back a few days to the scrimmage on Sunday, JJ pointed
out that even though Sam Madison got beaten deep once by Yatil Green,
he generally had an outstanding scrimmage. JJ also singled out
cornerback Tim Jacobs and defensive tackles Tim Bowens and Norman Hand
for praise.
Following the scrimmage, there were no big changes made to the
depth chart, despite rumors that rookie linebacker Derrick Rodgers
would be made the starting weakside linebacker. It's likely that JJ
will wait a little while longer before making any changes of that
nature.
TODAY'S EVENTS:
The Dolphins are practicing twice today, from 9 to 10:45 and
from 4:15 to 6 PM.
INJURY REPORTS:
Missing practice yesterday was running back Brandon Bennett (hamstring),
Guard John Bock (ankle), receiver Kirby Dar Dar (knee), receiver Lawrence
Dawsey (hamstring), tight end Troy Drayton (ankle) cornerback Clayton Holmes
(personal) and fullback Stanley Pritchett (knee).
As I mentioned above, Irving Spikes returned to practice as did
Donnie Young.
TRANSACTIONS:
The Dolphins waived rookie defensive end Latori Workman
yesterday. Workman was signed as a rookie free agent after the draft.
EYEWITNESS REPORTS:
Sorry, but there are none today.
My Comments:
The news on Larry Izzo and Dan Marino is very encouraging and
bodes well for the coming season. However, the news on Brent Smith and
Jerome Daniels is less encouraging. The Dolphins need to have a good,
strong offensive line in order to have a good offense and it was hoped
that Daniels and Smith would help provide some youth and aggressiveness
to the offensive line.
However, it looks as if that help will have to come from the
veterans and guys like Elmore and Mike Sheldon. Not that I care where
it comes from, but if the offensive line doesn't become more aggressive
this year, the running game won't develop the way that we all want it
to.
The fact that Yatil Green seems to be improving his play as
training camp progresses is encouraging, as are JJ's comments
concerning Sam Madison. According to JJ, Madison has a lot of work to
do, but has great instincts and played very well on Sunday.
Related Info:
[Return to Training Camp]
Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New England
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