Sorry for the delay
Here is the report since AJ won't get it up righta way probably.
Today the Miami Dolphins officially kicked off Training Camp 2002, as the rookies and selected veterans stepped on to the field, ready to give their all. Many of them knowing they will probably be cut, but still going in hoping, just maybe the team will give them a shot to play football on Sunday's. As coaches bring out their evaluation sheets today to evaluate the players, the rookies and some veterans know that one slip up could cost them their dream they have been longing for since they first strapped on a helmet in pee-wee football.
Rookie Contract Breakdown:
As I reported yesterday that Wide Receiver Sam Simmons, I did not yet have the financial terms. The financial terms are: A three year contract worth $994,500. The deal also included an $89,500 signing bonus and minimum base salaries for all three years.
3rd Rd Pick Center Seth McKinney from Texas A&M has still not yet been signed to a contract that would allow him to participate in camp today with the other rookies.
News Before Camp:
Dave Wannstedt stated that Wide Receiver Oronde Gadsden is the starter opposite of Chris Chambers going in to Training Camp. However he also stated he expects Wide Receiver's James McKnight and Dedric Ward to put up good numbers this year backing up the starters.
As for Tight Ends, Jed Weaver will open training camp as the starting tight end, replacing the departed Hunter Goodwin, who signed with Minnesota. Weaver, who led Dolphins tight ends with 18 receptions in 2001, will receive his stiffest competition from Alonzo Mayes and rookie Randy McMichael.
The starting left defensive end position remains open after Friday's release of Daryl Gardener. Recently acquired end Jay Williams is the front-runner, but the Dolphins will work Rob Burnett, David Bowens and Adewale Ogunleye at the position during camp to determine a rotation.
Wannstedt also stated there will be no change in the starting offensive line (tackles Brent Smith and Todd Wade, guards Mark Dixon and Todd Perry and center Tim Ruddy) entering camp. But the unit will be monitored closely the first week of camp, and changes could be made following next weekend's joint practices with the Tennessee Titans in Nashville.Guards Jamie Nails and Leon Searcy were making strong pushes in offseason camps to crack the starting lineup, which could trigger other changes along the line.
Top Play From Practices:
Quarterback Ray Lucas hits Wide Receiver Chris Chambers down the field for a 45-50 yard pickup off a playaction fake. Chambers had to fall forward to get it, because Ray put alittle to much air under it.
Training Camp Quotes:
Morning Practice Quotes:
(Fielder On Wide Receivers)
``They looked great,'' Fiedler said. ``You've got speed guys and you've got possession guys. You mix up the top four guys, and you're talking about a team of receivers that can do everything.''
(Fiedler On The Dolphins)
``We haven't even cracked the surface with what Ricky can do,'' Fiedler said. ``His game is when the pads go on and we get physical and he bangs into someone and knocks them over. That's when the excitement level of seeing Ricky back there is going to build.''
(Wannstedt On Receivers)
``It was great today from a receiver standpoint just to see that whole group together,'' coach Dave Wannstedt said. ``That group should be as strong as any position on our team. We've got good depth.''
(Wannstedt On Fiedler)
"Jay is in all of the meetings and he is in early," Wannstedt said. "He's walking through what he can walk through and learning and asking questions. That's Jay. He'll be out here as quick as he can and the plan is to get him throwing the football Tuesday or Wednesday of next week and then we'll go from there. This has given us a great opportunity to evaluate these young quarterbacks."
(Wannstedt On Camp)
"We are keeping it real basic," Wannstedt said. "We are giving the young guys a lot of reps and that will give them a better chance in the preseason games. Plus, most of these guys are going to be playing a majority of the time against Tampa Bay anyway."
(Wannstedt On Lowe and McMicahel)
"Omare Lowe did some nice things out there," Wannstedt said. "He had a good showing. Randy McMichael caught just about everything that was thrown to him. He was just outstanding. Arturo (Freeman) also had a good day. He made one interception and almost had a second one. It is good to see him get off to such a good start."
(Chambers On Training Camp)
``I wasn't as nervous,'' he said. ``Last year I didn't know what to expect. Now I feel a lot more comfortable, and I can bounce around a little bit.''
Afternoon Practice Quotes:
(Wannstedt On Fullback Position)
"The fullback position is kind of funny," Wannstedt said. "Rob has talent and he has had a nice offseason, but because of the style of offense that we've run, he hasn't had many opportunities. So there's a little bit of an unknown there."
"Rob, Deon and Femi will have get the opportunity to show what they can do," the coach said. "Is it open? I don't know. I'm not positive how those are going to do. That makes it exciting. I guess it would be open for competition.
"It's going to be the guy that I feel, and that the coaches feel, gives us the best chance to win."
Eyewitness Reports:
Here I have collected other peoples eyewitness reports for the fans here at Finheaven.com to read. It will give you an idea of how other people view the practices, instead of just one.
(A Short Eyewitness Report From My Friend TheTwelthMan From Morning Practice)
Just got back from camp,here are some of the things I saw.
Chris Chambers, up to his old self, making great catches already....heavily taped ankles, didnt make alot of cuts
Ray Lucas, struggled in the first half of practice, got his throws back in the 2nd
Casey Roussel, this guy can punt....50-60 yarders constantly, throw in a 65er' now and again. Dont know how he does inside the 20 though.
Tim Levcik....I like this guy, great arm, couldn't really tell on accuracy....mobile guy for 6'6".
Alonzo Mayes.....He is definitely in shape. I couldnt believe how much thinner he looked. For a good 20-25 minutes of straight crunches, then maybe another half an hour on the stationary.....He is looking good......I think his attitude is going to be a problem though.
Robert Edwards....bursting through holes....good speed and cuts, Travis Minor the same
Dedric Ward.....impressive.....all over the field, showed the most hustle on the day.
Oronde Gadsden......same ol' same...best hands in the NFL
James Atkins......this guy is a monster!!!!!!!!!!!!! DG Who?
Vitaly Pisetsky.....needs more distance on kickoffs.....field goals, so/so.....He is definitley no MARE!
Leonard Henry, I hope we keep this guy...he is quick, hard to tell if he can find the hole though.
Two guys who just have that look about them, they look and act like NFL players, and definitly got the skills, are Omare Lowe (who has actually taken Fletchers #) quick and good anticipation, and Justin Seaverns, has that linebacker mentality.....maybe another 10-15 lbs, I would love to watch this guy play.....Kind of old school looking, long hair, intense knows where the ball is....
Jay Fiedler was there, not participating.....they say Tuesday or Weds.
James McKnight was not there!
Tim Bowens showed up during the middle of practice in street clothes and had about a 15 min conversation with Wanny, I wonder what that was about?
NOTE: THERE WILL BE A FEW MORE EYEWITNESS REPORTS FOR YOU TO READ THAT WILL COME IN ANOTHERA RTICLE LATER TONIGHT.
My Take On Morning Practice:
Early on you could tell the players were still trying to shake off the rust from offseason. Although this was the first practice of the 2002 Season, so anybody would be alittle rusty. As for when the players got warmed up, they looked great. Chris Chambers was back to making his incredicle catches, eventhough he was still somewhat limited because of his ankle injury. As for the Running Backs, I sure hope they keep four guys because I wouldn't know who to cut between Robert Edwards and Leonard Henry. I wouldn't be suprised if they did keep four, although for some strange reason, I heard rumors of Minor possibly being released. I don't see that happening though after the way he played. I wondering what those draft critics were thinking when they said Henry wouldn't be good in the NFL, because of him playing in Conference USA. Boy were they wrong, this guy has some excellent speed. If he improves on finding the hole quicker, he could move from back battling to make team to 2nd string back behind Williams. Then there was Omare Lowe, this guy looks like he belongs. He doesn't look like a rookie, nor play like one. If the coaches see what I saw this guy will definitely knock Jamar Fletcher off the depth chart. As for the other rookies, Simmons and McMichael, neither one of them played too much, but I expect to see more out of them when the full squad practices start with the veterans and all. Then there was Ray Lucas, who is taking most of the snaps due to Fiedler being out after the hip surgery. Lucas looked shaky in the beginning, but later started getting better. He did make one good throw to Chambers about 45-50 yards down the field off a playaction fake, however if he would have caught him in stride, he would have had a touchdown pass. As for a few free agents today, Casey Roussel looked great, booming one punt after another. As I said in my Training Camp preview, this guy could win the starting job away from Punter Mark Royals. Then their was Searvens, this guy has a passion for this game. He looks alot like Zach Thomas, when he was a rookie. As for competition for the 3rd string Quarterback job, Tim Levicik looked really good. He is more mobile than you would think at 6 6'. His accuracy though is alittle off, but should improve once he gets use to the Wide Receivers. As for Dedric Ward, he looked really good, playing every snap just as hard. I think he wants to show the coaches that he wants to be a starter, as he was with the Jets in 2000. The comeptition at DE and DT really didn't heat up at all today. It was more a fundemental day than anything. I expect them to heat up during the full squad drills, but until then I think they will just be going over plays until the crafty vets get there.
My Take On Afternoon Practice:
The afternoon practice was much like the morning, there wasn't alot of stuff going on besides passing and catching drills, along with some workouts. But here are a few notes from the afternoon practice. Wide Receiver Sam Simmons after leaving the morning session came back in the afternoon and made some nice catches, but nothing spectacular. TE Randy McMichael looked great, catching almost every pass thrown to him. If he plays like this in the Regular Season, he will definitely be an upgrade from last years Tight End. RB's Leonard Henry, Robert Edwards, and Travis Minor all looked spectacular, hitting the holes and making some nice cuts. However most likely one of the will be cut and if I had to say it would probably be Leonard Henry, but I'm hoping and praying Miami decides to keep all three guys. As for Punter Casey Roussel, who might have a slight edge on Punter Mark Royals, looked great as he did in the morning. I'm anxious to see how he will do with some of the more crafty veterns charging his punts. As for the DE position, Adewale Ogunleye really stuck out today, he was very quick off the ball and looked really good in the drills he participated in. As for the QB competition, Jay Fiedler was coaching Zak Kustok and Tim Levicik to help them try and win the 3rd string job. Overall I think the competition looks to be alot of fun and I look forward to seeing it heat up when full squad scrimmages start up. In a final note from the afternoon session, Wide Receiver Margin Hooks looked pretty good, nevertheless it will all be for not, as we all know he won't beat out Simmons, Ogden, Baker, or Johnson for that 5th string spot.
Quick Notes:
QB Jay Fiedler and TE Alonzo Mayes were placed on the Active Pysically Unable To Perform List
WR Sam Simmons left practice with stomach sickness and didn't return. He returned for the afternoon session.
Their are reports that the Miami Dolphins have called DT Sam Adams in for a visit and really would like to sign him.
Check Out Photos:
Remember to check out all the photos from todays action at
http://tcreports.finheaven.com/fincamppics02.php
Next Practice:
The Dolphins will have another two-a-day with thr rookies and selected veterans. The first one will be from 9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. and the second one will be from 4:15 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Sorry for the delays guys I got caught up in a little mess and would like to apologize. As for the following reports they will all be on time.
I will have a few more eyewitness reports up later tonights from friends. Eventhough you will probably find them on the internet, but i will post them all here for you guys to read them and get someone else's perspective.