*** DOLPHINS TRAINING CAMP ***
Aug 08, 1997: -- Days 21 & 22 - Aug 6th and 7th --
TODAY'S REPORT:
The Dolphins held their first practice on Wednesday after
their Monday night 38-19 victory over the Denver Broncos. The
Dolphins were forced to make some changes to their plans in the wake
of Zach Thomas' injury, but no one lost their starting positions due
to performance on Monday night.
The most important news from Wednesday was that although it
was unclear just when Zach Thomas would be back, it was clear that JJ
has decided not to make any serious changes in the lineup at this
point. For the time being, rookie Mike Crawford will take Zach's
place at middle linebacker, leaving Dwight Hollier at the strong side
linebacker position.
Hollier will get some work in practice at the middle
linebacker position, but for the most part, will continue to be the
starting strong side linebacker. When Hollier does move to the
middle linebacker position, rookie Ronnie Ward will be taking his
place at strong side linebacker. Apparently, Ward has been
continuning to progress at that position, while Derrick Rodgers,
although still competitive, has seen his progress slow down.
Also, as long as Mike Crawford is in the middle, the Dolphins
will run a higher percentage of nickel packages on defense than they
have in the past. In the circumstances where there is only one
linebacker playing, that linebacker will be Anthony Harris.
Harris, by the way, got effusive praise from JJ on Tuesday for
his play in the Monday night game against the Broncos. JJ was very
happy with the play of Harris and spent more time praising him than
he did talking about Brian Manning or Jason Taylor.
Of course, this is all assuming that Thomas can't start by the
season opener in Indianapolis. It already appears that Thomas' injury
was less severe than Danny Stubbs' leg and Thomas is already off of
his crutches on the sidelines and walking on his own.
Also garnering extra attention was Dewayne Dotson, the
linebacker-turned-fullback who has been making a good impression with
his blocking and who caught a pass for a touchdown on Monday night.
The practice on Wednesday was conducted in the afternoon and
the play of the day, according to the Miami Herald, was made by Brian
Manning. Not content with his 4 catches, 120+ yards and 2 touchdowns
on Monday night, Manning felt that it was necessary to come back to
practice on Wednesday and impress everyone with a diving, one-handed
catch that he made while fighting cornerback Tim Jacobs for the ball.
Also on Wednesday, JJ said that tight end Troy Drayton had his
best day of practice all summer. That may be a bit of a JJ
exagerration, but it bodes well for Drayton's return.
On Thursday, the Dolphins cancelled their practice in the
afternoon when a full fledged lightning and thunderstorm parked itself
over the Dolphins practice facility and refused to move. The team
will resume practice on Friday in preparation for their game against
the Bears on Sunday.
In other news, there is no word on what will happen with
Clayton Holmes reported positive drug test for cocaine. For the time
being, he will continue to practice and play until the NFL makes a
determination on his appeal.
His appeal is based, at least in part, on the fact that the
amount of cocaine supposedly detected was very small and that none of
his other drug tests have turned up any indication of abuse. The
fact that the league hasn't taken any action yet seems to indicate
that there is at least a question about the testing, but until a the
league makes a decision there is nothing to be done but wait.
Also in the news today, there is increasing speculation that
JJ may go with just two regular quarterbacks and allow punter John
Kidd to be the emergency third string quarterback. So far, neither
Damon Huard or Spence Fischer have been particularly impressive and
the word in south Florida is that Kidd is doing a little signal
calling in practice.
TODAY'S EVENTS:
The Dolphins continue to practice with a mornin walk-through,
followed by a full speed practice in the afternoon.
INJURY REPORTS:
Rookie offensive lineman Jerome Daniels has returned to
practice on a limited basis, but probably won't see action this
Sunday.
Fred Barnett and Scott Miller are not back at practice yet,
despite reports that Barnett's injury is healing rapidly.
Also, rookie tight end Ed Perry sprained his ankle and left
practice early on Wednesday, but the injury is not serious and with
Drayton returning to the field, Perry can afford to take a rest.
Zach Thomas' broken fibula is healing nicely and he is walking
without crutches. The word is very uncertain on Thomas, with the team
still saying that it could be anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks. However,
JJ did say that Thomas might be back for the opener.
Other players still recovering from wounds are Danny Stubbs
(broken fibula) and Sam Madison (ankle).
Players out for the year are rookie WR Yatil Green, WR Kirby
Dar Dar and LB Larry Izzo.
EYEWITNESS REPORTS:
Sorry, still nothing.
My Comments:
Of course, it's up to JJ how he will play the defense, but it
makes sense to me for him not to change the lineup if Zach is only
goin to miss one or two weeks. It's a long season and it's better to
plan for the later part of the year than to make adjustments that are
going to have to be undone later.
As to the question of whether or not Zach should be playing
special teams, my opinion is this - the best special teams players
should be on special teams.
Given that logic, it's easy to see why Marino and Erickson
would be exempt from special teams. They would be lousy special teams
players.
Football is a dangerous game, as we have all seen this summer.
Personally, I think that the benefits of having your best special
teams players on the field outweighs the possibility that you will
lose one to an injury.
But it's all moot anyway, because JJ is going to do what he
likes, regardless of what I think.
Related Info:
[Return to Training Camp]
Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
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