*** DOLPHINS TRAINING CAMP ***
Aug 27, 1999: -- Day 31 - Aug 26th --
TODAY'S REPORT:
The big news in Dolphins training camp on Thursday was the
complete acquittal of Tony Martin on all charges relating to his
association and financial dealings with Rickey Brownlee. This removes
a major stumbling block for the Dolphins this year and tremendous load
off of the shoulders of everyone on the team.
The news reached the team before practice and the resulting
enthusiasm made the practice one of the best ones the Dolphins have
had. Tony Martin was able to make it to the practice in time to work
out with this teammates.
Receivers coach Robert Ford is doing some extra work with
Martin in order to get him ready for the Detroit game on Saturday
night. Martin will get at least a full half of playing time,
especially with injuries to OJ McDuffie, Oronde Gadsden and Lamar
Thomas limiting the availability of the other receivers.
Also getting extra attention is Shawn Wooden, who is trying to
get back into shape after his knee surgery last year. He has been
having a tough training camp so far, but is improving. He had a good
day on Thursday and will get more playing time on Saturday night
against the Lions.
Olindo Mare' has been doing extra work on his onsides kicks
after the bad one that he hit on Saturday against the Chargers. You
can expect the Dolphins to try it at least once against the Lions this
weekend.
John Avery spent some time on Thursday lining up at the wide
receiver position. According to the coaches, Avery was working at
receiver because of his increased importance to the passing game and
this would give him the chance to catch more passes. Also, the fact
that many of the receivers are injured has caused the team to ask
Avery to help fill in the gaps.
JJ'S COMMENTS:
Most of JJ's comments on Thursday were related to Tony
Martin's acquittal. He stated that he had confidence in Martin and in
the outcome of the trial but was glad to have it over and happy that
the distraction had been removed from the team.
JJ also said that Shawn Wooden had had his best day of
practice since getting injured last fall and is really coming on
strong.
ROSTER MOVES:
There were no roster moves on Thursday.
FUTURE EVENTS:
The team will have one practice each day this week until
Saturday, when they will host the Detroit Lions in Miami at 7:00 PM
local time.
The Lions game will take place at 7:00 PM on Saturday night at
Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami. It will be broadcast live in South
Florida on WFOR-TV (CBS 4) and in West Palm Beach on WTVX-TV (Channel
34), both on a two-hour delayed basis starting at 9:00 p.m. (ET).
It will be rebroadcast on Sunday night at 7:00 PM by
SportsChannel Florida, but will almost certainly be blacked out to
viewers who live outside of Florida. SportsChannel Florida is channel
634 on DirecTV.
As for Internet RealAudio broadcasts, it may be available on
WQAM, even though WQAM is not doing the radio broadcast in Miami. But
the best way to find the RealAudio broadcast of the game is to go to
the NFL Broadcast Page
and find the Dolphins section or the Lions section. This page has a
list of RealAudio broadcast sites for each NFL team. Then, all you
have to do is to click on the site you want and it connects you to the
RealAudio broadcast.
INJURY REPORT:
S Rayna Stewart (sore ribs) worked in a limited capacity in
today's practice and is expected to play in Saturday's game against
Detroit. WR Oronde Gadsden (back) worked in a limited capacity and is
day-to-day. RB JJ Johnson (left hamstring), WR Nate Jacquet (sprained
right big toe), WR OJ McDuffie (left thumb), DE Walter Scott (right
knee), and S Brian Walker (left knee sprain) did not practice
thursday.
LB Sammie Burroughs (back) remains on the club's
Active/Physically Unable to Perform List. LB Anthony Harris (groin) is
expected to be out 10-12 weeks as he recovers from surgery performed
on August 3.
EYEWITNESS REPORTS:
Unfortunately, there will be no more eyewitness reports this
summer because the Dolphins have closed training camp to outside
visitors.
My Comments:
Having the Martin trial over and done with certainly takes a
great weight off of everyone's back, especially Tony Martin's. That
can't but help the Dolphins' passing attack this year.
Of course, it doesn't immediately make everything perfect.
Lamar Thomas will be limited this year and it remains to be seen what
happens with the rest of the receivers. And while Martin and McDuffie
will form a legitimate starting tandem, they are not ultimate pair of
receivers in the league.
Still, having Martin available and not having to worry any
more about going to jail is a positive thing for the entire team.
I am also glad to see that Shawn Wooden is improving. He has
had a tough training camp after last year's knee injury and I was
concerned that he might not return to full speed and strength. Of
course, he's still a backup, but if he stays healthy and keeps
improving, he might move into the starting position at strong safety
by the end of the season.
The game against Detroit on Saturday night is the last chance
that many of the players will have to make the team. The Dolphins
must cut the roster to 60 players by Tuesday afternoon, so the
upcoming will be the last for about 20 players in a Dolphins'
uniform.
Guys like Larry Shannon - who seems to be this year's poster
child for inconsistent talent - will have to have a good night on
Saturday to stay on the team. Shannon, fortunately, will have plenty
of time to play with only 5 healthy receivers on the roster.
Sure seems like a long way from having 12 receivers, doesn't
it?
Related Info:
[Return to Training Camp]
Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
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