*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Apr 26, 1999: -- MiniCamp 1 - Day 2 and 3 --
The Dolphins finished up their first mini-camp of the season
on Sunday, April 26th amid a lot of enthusiasm and hope for the new
season. The new players impressed the coaches with their talent and
work attitude and the veterans have shown that they have not lost the
talent that propelled the team to the playoffs last year.
Two practices were conducted on Saturday and two on Sunday,
with the players wearing helmets, jerseys and shorts. No contact is
allowed in the mini-camps, so all drills were of the non-contact
variety. Players ran routes, caught passes, covered receivers and did
strength and agility drills on the field.
Only Richmond Webb was not on the field for any of the
practices over the weekend, having been given this first mini-camp
off. He will, however, participate in this week's quarterback camp
with the other veterans.
WR Yatil Green was somewhat limited in practice over the
weekend, but not held out entirely. There appears to be nothing wrong
with him, but he was held out of the second hour of both morning
practices to rest his knee. However, he is reported to have returned
to the afternoon practices. WR Larry Shannon is getting the same
treatment as JJ said that injured and rehabilitating players will have
repetitions reduced during the morning session of most two-a-day
practices.
RB Cecil Collins had some hamstring pain on Sunday and as a
result, sat out the second half of the morning practice and all of the
afternoon session. JJ also said he wants Cecil to lose about 10
pounds and get down to about 205 pounds.
TE Hunter Goodwin continues to impress, working extensively
over the middle and on short patterns for the offense. He is not
known for his receiving talents, but if he continues to work well, he
could get more receptions for the Dolphins than he did in Minnesota.
Players who stood out at one point or another over the weekend
with exceptional plays included Yatil Green, Zach Thomas, Lamar
Thomas, Larry Shannon, Shane Burton, Patrick Surtain, Nate Jacquet,
Oronde Gadsden, Tyrone Wheatley and Cecil Collins. It doesn't mean
much until the hitting starts, but it's good to know that there are
some playmakers on the team.
The end of this mini-camp means that the coaches will not see
the rookies again until mini-camp in June. The veterans continue
their camp from Tuesday to Thursday of this week, but there are no
camps scheduled for any players until June this year, unlike last
year.
EYEWITNESS REPORTS:
Unfortunately, I have none for today.
My Comments:
From what I've heard so far, it sounds like the first
mini-camp was a resounding success. Apparently the players put on
quite a show for the coaches and with all the competition at running
back and wide receiver, the players are highly motivated to make a
good impression.
Some of the coaches (especially Kippy Brown) have gone so far
as to say that the Dolphins have enough talent to go all the way.
While I, personally, would be hesitant to make such a
prediction just yet, its very encouraging that the coaches and JJ are
very happy with what's gone on so far.
Clearly, the talent level at running back has improved and
there are enough playmakers among the wide receivers for one (or maybe
even a couple) of deep threats. That should improve the offense this
year.
I wouldn't read anything into the fact that JJ was letting
Yatil Green sit out for part of the practice. With all the receivers
currently on the roster, the coaches will want to get a look at the
new guys and they don't really need to see Yatil on the practice
field.
While JJ would deny it, I'm sure that he remembers last summer
and the charges that he forced Yatil along too quickly. Whether or
not he agrees with those charges, he isn't taking any chances with
Yatil at this point in the season.
It would be ironic indeed if Hunter Goodwin turned out to be
the steal of the free agency period. With Troy Drayton not living up
to his potential the last 2 years, Goodwin could challenge for that
starting job.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves. There's plenty of
practice ahead before September and anything we say now could end up
seeming totally silly by then.
Wasn't it last year at this time that JJ was saying that Kirby
Dar-Dar could start?
Related Info:
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Curt Fennell,
[email protected], DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
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