*** DOLPHINS TRAINING CAMP ***
Aug 01, 1997: -- Day 18 - July 31st --
TODAY'S REPORT:
The Dolphins had another day of practice yesterday consisting
of a walk through in the morning, followed by a full speed afternoon
practice. The most important piece of news that occured yesterday was
that no one was injured.
Sam Madison did have arthoscopic surgery to remove loose
bodies from his ankle, but the operation was a complete success and
Madison will only be out for about 2 weeks.
Madison, the Dolphins second round draft pick, has been
backing up Calvin Jackson on the right side and has been pushing
Jackson for the starting right cornerback position.
Defensive backs coach Mel Phillips says that he is surprised
that Madison has been able to pick up the coverages so quickly.
Philips also said that, for the time being, Tim Jacobs will take
Madison's place as the second string right cornerback and 5th
defensive back when the team goes to nickel or dime defensive
packages.
Also in the injury department, Fred Barnett is proving that
last year's near miraculous recovery was no fluke. Barnett has been
working 3 hours a day on rehabilitation and is, once again, much
farther along after only a week of sitting on the sidelines that he
has any right to be.
In fact, JJ has said that Barnett could play Monday night
against the Broncos if it was absolutely necessary.
The Dolphins also continued trimming their roster yesterday by
waiving draftee linebacker John Fiala and draftee defensive end
Nicholas Lopez.
According to the Herald, Dwight Hollier had quite a day for
himself yesterday, finding his way into the backfield on a number of
occassions to get to the running backs. Also, Tim Jacobs and Brian
Manning continue to impress onlookers with their play on the field.
TODAY'S EVENTS:
The Dolphins will practice once today and once more on
Saturday before leaving for Mexico City on Sunday to face the Broncos
on Monday night football.
INJURY REPORTS:
As mentioned above, Fred Barnett is recovering so fast from
his arthoscopic surgery that he could be ready to play next week if
the teams needed him.
Jerome Daniels (left leg) continues to miss practice and work
out on his own. Scott Miller (left knee) is in pretty much the same
shape, working out during the day and rehabilitating his knee.
WR Kirby Dar Dar (right knee), WR Yatil Green (right knee), LB
Larry Izzo (left Achilles' tendon), CB Sam Madison (left ankle), and
DE Daniel Stubbs (left fibula) sat out practice.
Madison is expected back in two weeks, while Stubbs is
expected back about 5 weeks, around the start of the season.
EYEWITNESS REPORTS:
I don't have any big eyewitness reports today, but I did want
to reprint some information that Ray Fullerton sent me with regards to
yesterday's coverage. Ray says that the Herald (and me, by extention)
reported that Shawn Wooden made an interception of a pass at the line
of scrimmage during Wednesday's practice.
However, the truth is that it was Norman Hand who grabbed the
batted ball in the air in Wednesday's practice and ran to the
sidelines with it. Then, as he lumbered towards the sideline, he
turned and lateraled to Corey Harris, who grabbed the ball and took
off before being whistled dead. The crowd apparently got a big kick
out of it.
My Comments:
Having Madison get injured is just one more aggravating little
event in a training camp filled with aggravating little events. By
itself, it's not serious, but added to the weight of all the other
injuries, it's depressing.
It was sad to see my pick for surprise defensive rookie of the
year (Nicholas Lopez) get cut yesterday, but all things even out. My
pick for most surprising offensive rookie was Brian Manning, who may
yet live up to that distinction.
And thanks are due to Ray Fullerton for setting me straight on
my reporting errors yesterday. If I was independantly wealthy, I'd be
at every practice, but since I must work for a living, I can't watch
the practices myself, so I depend on people like Ray and the rest of
you for eyewitness reports.
Related Info:
[Return to Training Camp]
Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New England
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