*** DOLPHINS TRAINING CAMP ***
Aug 03, 1999
: -- Day 6 - Aug 1st - Scrimmage --
The Dolphins held their first scrimmage of the season on Sunday
and, unlike last year, this year's team showcased the offense instead
of the defense. In last year's first scrimmage, it was the defense
that put on the best show in the opening scrimmage, holding the offense
scoreless.
This year, however, it was the offensive players who stole the
show, scoring 4 TDs and unveiling some new weapons to use against their
foes this season. 3 players caught TD passes and one player ran for a
40 yard touchdown.
Dan Marino showed that he's ready for his 17th year in the
league, completing 5 of 8 passes for 37 yards and an 11 yard touchdown
to Yatil Green. Of course, his job is not in question.
The backup job behind him is still at stake, but if Sunday is
any indication, then Damon Huard is going to keep his backup job and
Craig Erickson will be the third string QB. Huard completed 12 of 16
passes for 148 yards and a touchdown to Nate Jacquet. Erickson
completed 6 of 12 for 77 yards and a touchdown to Derrick Steagall, but
his performance didn't come close to Huard's. Dan Gonzalez threw 5
passes, but only completed one. It doesn't look like Gonzalez has much
of a future with the Dolphins.
At running back, the star of the day was Cecil Collins. In his
first 6 runs, he gained 6, 4, 4, 40, 0 and 11 yards. The 40 yard run
was to the outside and it went for a touchdown, with Collins outracing
safety Brian Walker to the endzone. That ended up as 6 carries for 65
yards.
Collins was impressive enough behind the backups that he
eventually got to start behind the first string offensive line.
Unfortunately, when he faced the first team defense, he found out that
it's not as easy against the starters and ended up with minus yardage
on his last 7 carries - and a fumble.
Despite the disappointing ending, there was no question that
Collins - who also had a 4 yard run on 3rd and 2 - was the best running
back of the scrimmage.
Karim Abdul-Jabbar was the second most impressive running back,
picking up 34 yards on 3 carries, including one that went for 31 yards.
However, the major difference between Collins and KAJ was that KAJ was
caught from behind on his 31 yard run by Jason Taylor - whereas Collins
was not caught.
James Johnson did not blow open any big runs, but did some
tough work between the tackles, picking up 15 yards in 9 carries. Juan
Johnson also had a good day, gaining 31 yards on 5 carries. Tyrone
Wheatley continues to bring up the rear with 7 carries for 18 yards
with another fumble.
From the fullback position, Rob Konrad displayed some
outstanding talent, catching 4 passes (including one particularly touch
catch) for 52 yards and running twice for 10 yards. John Avery, while
showing very little as a runner, caught 5 passes for 54 yards. The two
running backs caught the most passes of the day.
No receiver caught more than 2 passes, although Yatil Green
caught 2 passes for 17 yards (one of which was a touchdown) and was
open deep on a third pass that Marino overthrew. Troy Drayton caught
2 passes for 21 yards and while Nate Jacquet only caught 1 pass, it was
for 36 yards and a touchdown.
The defense, for it's part, picked up 6 sacks and recovered 2
fumbles even though they gave up some scores. Zach Thomas led the
defense in tackles with 10 (including 1 sack), but right behind Zach
Thomas was newcomer Rich Owens, who racked up 9 tackles and 1.5 sacks
from the defensive end position. When you compare this to Jason Taylor,
who only had 3 tackles and no sacks, it raises the question of whether
or not Owens will push Taylor out of that starting spot.
On the other end of the defensive line, Trace Armstrong had a
terrific day, picking up 6 tackles and 3.5 sacks. With Mixon playing on
running downs, it looks like Armstrong has found his niche as a pass
rushing specialist.
Authors Note: I'd always been kind of lukewarm about Trace
Armstrong until last year's playoff game against Buffalo. The most
memorable play from the 1998 season for me (and the one that will
stick in my mind forever) was Armstrong coming around right end and
crushing Doug Flutie. That play has to rank as one of the most
memorable in Dolphins' history.
Other defensive players who had good days included Derrick
Rodgers who was 3rd in total tackles with 7 and Calvin Jackson, who
boosted his stock at the strong safety position by taking down John
Avery in the backfield. Calvin Jackson had 5 total tackles, compares to
Shawn Wooden's 2, which probably puts Jackson ahead of Wooden at this
point.
On special teams, Olindo Mare' hit 5 out of 6 field goals, all
from over 40 yards. In the punting duel, each punter got 3 kicks, with
Nick Gallery having a big edge in distance, but with Brent Bartholemew
being a lot more consistent.
Overall, the only bad event of the day was the fight that broke
out between Terrell Buckley and Hunter Goodwin. It was a major event
that caused JJ to halt the scrimmage and lecture the team. JJ commented
afterwards that he'd tolerate the occasional scuffle in practice, but
fighting in a scrimmage or a game could cost the team 15 yards - and he
wouldn't tolerate it.
Following the scrimmage, JJ said "Overall, I am really happy
with the scrimmage in that we showed that we have some playmakers. That
is the thing we were looking for. . . . We've had some playmakers on
defense, but now we are sure that we have some playmakers on offense."
ROSTER MOVES:
The team signed DT Dwaine Robinson, a free agent who spent last
season on Jacksonville's practice squad.
FUTURE EVENTS:
The Dolphins have Monday, August 2nd off and will resume a
normal practice schedule on Tuesday.
INJURY REPORT:
OT Joe Wong left the field on crutches and with his knee in a
brace. He will be evaluated Monday. LB Dixon Edwards missed the
scrimmage and will have tests done Monday for an irregular heartbeat. DE
Lorenzo Bromell (knee) and DT Antoine Simpson (back) missed the
scrimmage. LBs Sammie Burroughs (back) and O.J. Brigance (back) are out
indefinitely.
EYEWITNESS REPORTS:
Don, our most prolific reporter from last summer, continues
his reports with his first-person account of the scrimmage. Take it
away, Don:
The first team offense did a good job against the defense. The first
series stalled, but Yatil was open and was overthrown. Martin wasn't
there.
The second series, Jabar had a great 30 Yd run but WAS CAUGHT FROM
BEHIND by Jason Taylor. A few more plays and a fight broke out
between Buckley and some offensive lineman. [Ed Note: It was TE
Hunter Goodwin] I thought it was Brown, but other people said Gogan
was involved. Anyway, a brawl breaks out like in baseball - Defensive
players fighting offensive players. Jimmy stopped the scrimmage and
yelled at the players a while. I think that's the last fight of pre
season.
Play resumes and Marino hit Yatil on a 15-20 yard "in" in the back of
the end zone. The stands went bonkers. Yatil was great today.
During the drive, he had several outstanding catches and was wide open
on other occasions. marino and yatil left the scrimmage after the
second series.
Brent Smith was the starting left tackle and Mixon the starting right
guard(over gogan). [Ed Note: I think he means Dixon over Gogan and
left guard].
The second unit came in with JJJ the running back and Huard the QB.
Collins eventually gets in the game and looks outstanding against the
2nd team defense. His last play was breaking through the defensive
line on a outside pitch to the right side and then out running the
secondary breaking a last tackle for a TD. The Stands Just Went Nuts.
Spontaneous chant" "Cecil! Cecil! Cecil!".
I'll add this here because it's relevant. At the end of practice the
first units went back into the scrimmage with Cecil at running back.
Not nearly the same results from Cecil. Zach really clobbered him
several times. His one catch opportunity out of the backfield was
good however. In these series, he had the only fumble of the day.
Konrad really exceed my expectations of him. He caught everything
near him. One play he caught a tough ten yard pass, turned it up
field, and ran over two players for another ten yards. He had at
least one good run from scrimmage.
Yesterday, I went to practice and thought I saw Owens playing
defensive tackle in Bowens place. I woke up this morning doubting
myself, and then I read Jason Cole's article that said Owens would be
playing left defensive tackle. Sure enough, he was rotating in with
Bowens today on passing downs. Owens number was called all day by the
PA announcer for tackles. Twice I watched him go in for Bowens on
passing downs and twice he dropped back in Zone coverage. I think the
Dolphins are really serious about Owens playing defensive tackle on
passing downs. The second time he dropped back in zone coverage, he
got stuck covering Avery. No contest. Avery with a twenty yard
reception.
Nate Jacquet had a great catch(Play of the Day) from a ball thrown by
Huard. He smoked the DB and made a terrific grab over the shoulder
five yards into the endzone. I've seen Jacket in practice burning the
DBs, but this time he did it for real. His special team's abitlity of
be the flyer and avoiding containment should help in the bump and run.
I think he would be real good as the 4th, 5th back against a winded
DB. He would make my roster.
Back to the scrimmage.
As far as the quaterbacks went, Marino was awesome. He and Yatil
looked unstopable. Huard really stepped in and looked good. He had
confidence and MADE PLAYS - one being the pass to Jacket. I would
feel very comfortable if Dan went down and Huard replaced him.
Erickson didn't do anything special and like yesterday in practice, I
didn't see him throwing any long passes.
Players:
Steagall: One opportunity and one great catch. I'd like to see
more of him.
Gonzalez: Had the scrubs to work with but was still short 5 yards on
passes.
Shannon: On nice catch. He wasn't getting open.
Potts: Quiet today.
Wheatly. Opportunities, but no results. He's at the most #4 on the
Half back list.
Derrick Rodgers. Nothing to point at, but tackles aplenty.
Zach was Zach; He's looking pretty healthy. Got a good closeup of
him. I think that personal trainer he got is working.
Gadsden(have to say something good about my man) had one opportunity
and didn't let it slip away. Pulled in a bullet behind him on a
crossing route.
Goodwin - Heard he was the guy who started the barwl with Buckley.
Owens: Got tired of hearing his name on the PA ;)
My Comments:
As a rule, I hate to try and analyze any scrimmage where the
Dolphins are facing themselves. Whenever one part of the team makes a
great play, I don't know if I should be happy about the great play or
worried about the fact that the other part of the team didn't play
well.
But this year, the fact that the offense scored 4 touchdowns
doesn't make me worried about the defense. We know we have a good
defense and it should even get better this year.
In fact, the performances of Yatil Green, Cecil Collins and
Rob Konrad are very encouraging. About the only real disappointment
on offense was Tyrone Wheatley - who has worked his way off the team.
Right now, it's pretty clear from the results of the first week
of training camp who the leaders in the running back derby are: Cecil
Collins, Karim Abdul-Jabbar, James Johnson and John Avery. Now, Avery
won't be starting, so that leaves KAJ, James Johnson and Cecil Collins
as the possible starters for the coming season.
Of course, it's still too early to go casting any rosters in
stone and one injury could really change the whole picture - but it
looks like the early favorite to start is KAJ with James Johnson
backing him up and Collins being the spare. Avery will be a special
teams and third down back.
The fullback picture is less clear, but it appears that Konrad
is just playing too well to release and Stanley Pritchett is ahead of
Potts. Of course, we haven't heard much about their blocking
abilities.
At wide receiver, Yatil Green seems to be leading the pack for
the 3rd wide receiver spot, behind OJ and Tony Martin. But Nate
Jacquet had a nice catch on a TD pass and Lamar Thomas made a nice
grab also. Unfortunately, it's beginning to look as if Larry Shannon
won't be on the team much longer. Perhaps he'll be practice squad
material.
On the defense, it's obvious that Rich Owens will be a valued
addition and will more than fill Danny Stubb's shoes. Whether or not
he'll start remains to be seen, but at the very least, I think we'll
see him rotate in a lot to give Jason Taylor frequent rests during the
game.
Overall, I'd have to the team an A for their first scrimmage
and just hope that they keep improving as the summer wears on.
Related Info:
[Return to Training Camp]
Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
|
