Posted on Wed, Jul. 31, 2002
DOLPHINS NOTEBOOK
Crowd watches strong workout
BY ETHAN J. SKOLNICK AND BOB EMANUEL
eskolnick@herald.com
An overflow crowd of 3,357 watched the season's first evening practice, with the turnout so large that the team removed screens behind the back fences so all could see what coach Dave Wannstedt was seeing -- a fourth straight strong workout.
''This was impressive, I tell you,'' Wannstedt said. ``I know it carried over to our players. When you look out there and you see them standing along the fence in the far end zone, and they are standing along the sides and the bleachers are full, this is a show to our players of the type of support and excitement that is going on out there.''
Much of that excitement is about running back Ricky Williams. It appears the fans missed by one day the return of quarterback Jay Fiedler, whom Wannstedt said likely will begin throwing today. Wannstedt also said Fiedler, who underwent hip surgery July 13, would not be at full strength until next week. Fiedler would participate in at least throwing drills Friday and Saturday with the Titans in Tennessee.
With that trip looming, Wannstedt let his players leave Rolling Hills and go home Tuesday night -- to see their families and pack up -- and then return in the morning.
IN GOOD SHAPE
The trip will be important for guard Jamie Nails, linebacker Justin Seaverns, running back Robert Edwards, tight end Randy McMichael and others who have impressed so far and have put themselves in position to make the roster. Edwards, after three years out of football with a knee injury, is much better than the coaching staff expected.
''I thought I would be a lot more rusty than I actually was,'' he said. ``I thought that I would be more sore, that I wouldn't be able to get up in the morning. I thought I was going to have to have help getting out of the bed. It wasn't like that.''
3,337 fans to watch practice!!!!!! Football is in the air!
