*** DOLPHINS TRAINING CAMP ***
Jul 30, 1997: -- Day 15 & 16; July 28th and 29th --
TODAY'S REPORT:
In the wake of the numerous injuries to the team throughout
training camp, JJ decided to end the 2-a-day practices that the team
has been going through prematurely and replace that second practice
with a team walk through every day.
The team will still hold a full speed practice every day, but
the 2-a-day routine is over for this year. When JJ announced the
change, the Dolphins only had 3 days of 2 practices left on the
schedule, so the actual effect on the team will be minimal.
On Monday, the team practiced in the afternoon and there was
at least one change to the starting lineup following the game Saturday
night. Keith Sims regained his starting left guard spot after playing
better than Jeff Buckey against the Packers.
In fact, Buckey was so disappointing, that not only did he
lose his starting job, but he was moved outside to tackle to backup
Richmond Webb. John Elmore, who was the third string center has been
moved to 2nd string left guard behind Sims.
There were no other changes of note to the lineup following
the game Saturday, as the competition between Chris Gray and Everett
McIver for the right guard spot and between Shawn Wooden and George
Teague for the starting strong safety position continue.
During Monday practice, Charles Jordan shone once again by
making a deep sideline reception while matched against Clayton
Holmes. Also, Lamar Thomas looked good, improving on his previous
poor performances during practice.
Troy Drayton returned to practice for the first time in two
weeks on Monday, but was a little rusty and sore from sitting out so
long. He participated in one-on-one and passing drills, but skipped
the middle drills and the full team practices as a precaution.
The Dolphins also got a scare on Monday when starting
defensive end Trace Armstrong left practice early with pain in his
left ankle. His left ankle has been a source of problems for him
throughout his career, but X-rays turned up no problems on Monday
night and Armstrong was cleared to practice again on Tuesday.
Fred Barnett and Scott Miller did show up at the practice
field on Monday following their surgeries, but the most they did was to
catch passes from passing machines.
On Tuesday, the Dolphins held a walk through in the morning
and had a full practice in the afternoon. Trace Armstrong
demonstrated that he was fully healthy when he manhandled rookie
offensive lineman Donnie Young in a one-on-one drill.
Also gaining attention on Tuesday was newly signed free agent
wide receiver Jasper Strong, who surprised everyone when he beat
veteran cornerback Terrell Buckley on a fly pattern during practice.
Strong was signed as a placeholder while the other wide receivers
heal and has been on at least 2 other teams.
Defensive lineman Shane Burton is having a disappointing camp
for the Dolphins, and with Danny Stubbs out, is having to move back
and forth between the defensive end position and his normal spot at
defensive tackle.
Burton, himself, acknowledges that he is not working with the
fire that he had a year ago. With his outstanding conditioning during
the off-season, a lot was expected of Burton, but so far he hasn't
played up to expectations.
And last, but not least, JJ's latest favorite rookie is Ronnie
Ward, whom JJ continues to praise after his performance in the
pre-season game against the Packers. Ward is now the backup strong
side linebacker behind Dwight Hollier and will almost certainly make
the team.
FUTURE EVENTS:
The Dolphins will have one practice and one walk through on
Thursday and Friday of this week and will practice once more on
Saturday morning before leaving for Mexico City on Sunday.
INJURY REPORTS:
Rookie offensive lineman Jerome Daniels continues to miss
practice while working on his leg and ankle. He missed both Monday's
and Tuesday's practices.
Safety Charles Anthony left practice early on Monday with back
spasms, but returned on Tuesday, along with Trace Armstrong.
Tight End Troy Drayton was back at practice, but only
participated in a limited practice on Monday. He was working better
on Tuesday.
Wide receivers Lamar Thomas (thumb) and Lawrence Dawsey
(hamstring) continue to practice while battling nagging minor injuries.
Wide receivers Fred Barnett (right knee) and Scott Miller
(left knee), worked on rehabilitation on Monday and Tuesday and Kirby
Dar Dar (right knee), WR James Dye (right thumb), WR Yatil Green
(right knee) and LB Larry Izzo (left Achilles) continue to sit out.
EYEWITNESS REPORTS:
None today, but I expect to have one or two by the end of the
week.
My Comments:
Boy, I thought I'd never get to this report. Life has a way
of sneaking up on you, ya' know?
But to comment on the practices, let me start by saying that I
think that JJ did a smart thing in canceling the two-a-day practices.
First of all, there were only 3 days left on the schedule where there
were two practices scheduled. By eliminating those practices, JJ
reduces the chance of injury without losing much in the way of
practice time.
Also, this pre-season is longer than average for the Dolphins,
so they don't really need the extra practice time to get ready for the
season.
And, I think that the players will appreciate JJ for it.
Moving on, it was inevitable that Keith Sims would move back
into the starting lineup, but I didn't expect it to happen quite so
soon or so dramatically. Jeff Buckey's disappointing performance was
a little bit of a surprise to me after he played well in relief of
Sims last year. I had thought that he might be a starter for the
future, but it looks as if he's having a sophomore slump.
The news on Shane Burton is also disappointing. Let's hope
that he can get his head together by the time the season starts.
However, I finally got to breathe a sigh of relief after an
injury this week when it turned out that Armstrong's ankle was not
injured at all. Armstrong stands a chance to have a great season
this coming year if he can stay reasonably healthy.
Related Info:
[Return to Training Camp]
Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New England
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