Dolphins news for the week of 8/4

[BillsFever]

Post Dolphins news here!

[The_Philster]

Defense tries new schemes
NASHVILLE - Coach Dave Wannstedt searches for the most generic terms when asked about the subject. Defensive coordinator Jim Bates tries to use a bait-and-switch tactic rather than answer directly.

So, what's up with the Dolphins' new defensive tactics against the pass?

A grin crossed Bates' face as he answered....

more (http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/6452981.htm)

[The_Philster]

Terrell Buckley is wearing a different number than he did in his previous Dolphins incarnation, and that's about the only obvious sign this is a new day for the old cornerback.

But talk with Miami's most experienced defensive back -- the player the Dolphins are counting on to help solidify their pass defense against multiple-receiver formations -- and you will see other signs Buckley has changed, and indeed, matured.

How mature?

Buckley went AWOL from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last preseason before he was waived because he was disenchanted with his lack of playing time....

more (http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/football/6459995.htm)

[The_Philster]

Safety Knight on first team
Cornerback Patrick Surtain and defensive end Rob Burnett could miss the next several weeks of the preseason as both might undergo knee surgeries as early as this week.

Neither player will participate in Friday evening's preseason opener against Tampa Bay, said coach Dave Wannstedt, who added the injuries are not serious enough to prevent either from being ready for the season opener Sept. 7 against the Houston Texans at Pro Player Stadium.

Burnett has cartilage damage to his left knee, and Surtain is feeling discomfort in his left knee, which was operated on during the offseason....

more (http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/football/6459993.htm)

[The_Philster]

DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -- Miami Dolphins cornerback Patrick Surtain underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Tuesday for the third time in two years, but he's expected to be ready for the start of the regular season Sept. 7.

Former first-round draft pick Jamar Fletcher will replace Surtain in the lineup for Friday's opening preseason game against Tampa Bay.

Surtain, who played college football at Southern Mississippi, earned a Pro Bowl berth for the first time in 2002 even though his knee bothered him most of the season. He sprained it last September and missed two games, ending his streak of 66 consecutive games played....

more (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2003/08/05/dolphins_surtain_ap/)

[The_Philster]

DAVIE -- Generally he's too zoned out to hear much. But during one game at the friendly neighborhood stadium, sound slipped through.

Odd, this noise.

"One of the first times I've missed and heard the crowd boo," Olindo Mare said months later, though the 30-year-old doesn't know exactly how many months, because he isn't sure what miss it was....
more (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/orl-sptdolphins06080603aug06,0,2505394.story?coll=orl-dolphins)

[The_Philster]

Knee surgery to idle CB Surtain
Cornerback Jamar Fletcher will get plenty of opportunities to prove himself once and for all.

On Tuesday, Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Surtain had surgery to rid his left knee of loose fragments and is expected to be out three to four weeks. The surgery was performed by Dr. George Caldwell at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, and the team is hopeful Surtain will return for the start of the regular season Sept. 7 against Houston.

Surtain is still having problems from an injury he suffered to his posterior cruciate ligament last season against Indianapolis on Sept. 15. This is the second surgery he has had on the knee since the end of last season. The first was in February after Surtain felt pain during practices for the Pro Bowl....
more (http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/6467137.htm)

[The_Philster]

COMMENTARY / JEFF MILLER
He ``presided over the darkest period in [team] history. His contribution to the demise of the franchise . . . was beyond debate.''

His ''outrageous overspending,'' ''bizarre game plans'' and ''daffy drafts'' helped alienate the fans, plunge the owner deeper in debt and ultimately force the team to flee town.

He was publicly called ''a boob.'' More than once....

more (http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/columnists/jeff_miller/6467138.htm)

[The_Philster]

Return likely for season's start
Defensive lineman Rob Burnett will have a surgical cleaning-out of his left knee today and said he expects to miss three or four weeks but will be ready for the season opener.

''It's just going to be a clean-out. There's just a slight problem with the meniscus,'' Burnett said, referring to the cartilage in the knee. ``The doctor just said that it might flare up during the season, so I might as well take care of it now.''...

more (http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/6467146.htm)

[The_Philster]

DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -- Dolphins starting quarterback Jay Fiedler was unable to finish the team's morning practice Wednesday after suffering what the team described as back spasms.

Fiedler said he would be examined by team physicians later Wednesday in an effort to find the injury's source. He didn't practice during Miami's afternoon workout and it was not known whether he would practice Thursday or play in Friday's exhibition opener. ...

more (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2003/08/06/dolphins_fiedler_ap/)

[The_Philster]

Expects team to reach title game
Wayne Huizenga, tan and trim after a vacation cruise on his new private ship, visited the Dolphins training facility Wednesday for the first time since camp opened and set the highest of expectations for the team he owns.

''I want to see them in the Super Bowl, are you kidding?'' Huizenga said. ``Every year you start, you only start at one place, you want to go all the way. There's always a disappointment factor if you don't go to the Super Bowl.

``Don't get me wrong, if you're a team on the mend, or a team that had to redo it's team and has a three-year goal, that's something different. We don't have that here. We're not a team that is in a turnaround situation. So when you're a team like that, you have to reach for the sky right off the bat.''...

more (http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/6476027.htm)

[The_Philster]

MIAMI (AP) -- Bob Griese's uniform is displayed in the lobby of the Miami Dolphins' training complex, along with his photo from the 1973 Super Bowl, and his plaque hangs over the front entrance.

"I make sure I come through the side door," Brian Griese said with a smile.

Following family footsteps is tough enough without daily reminders about dad's accomplishments. Bob Griese made the Pro Football Hall of Fame, while his son is just trying to get comfortable in his new job as Miami's backup quarterback....

more (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2003/08/07/dolphins_qbs_ap/)

[BillsFever]

Dolphins | Fiedler Has Inflammation, Limited - from www.KFFL.com
Sun, 10 Aug 2003 10:48:38 -0700

The Sun-Sentinel reports Miami Dolphins QB Jay Fiedler (back) sat out the Friday, August 8 pre-season game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after suffering back spasms preparing for practice on Wednesday. A source said a second test on Saturday, August 9 showed inflammation but no damage and that Fiedler is expected to practice on a limited basis Sunday, August 10.

[BillsFever]

Dolphins | Royals Injures Hamstring - from www.KFFL.com
Sun, 10 Aug 2003 10:48:17 -0700

The Sun-Sentinel reports Miami Dolphins P Mark Royals (hamstring) injured his hamstring during the Friday, August 8 pre-season game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dolphins head coach Dave Wannstedt said that Royals should not miss any time.

[BillsFever]

Dolphins | Simmons Injures Neck - from www.KFFL.com
Sun, 10 Aug 2003 10:46:42 -0700

The Sun-Sentinel reports Miami Dolphins WR Sam Simmons (neck) suffered a neck injury during the Friday, August 8 pre-season game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dolphins head coach Dave Wannstedt said that Simmons should not miss any time.

[BillsFever]

Dolphins | Moore Sprains Foot - from www.KFFL.com
Sun, 10 Aug 2003 10:42:41 -0700

Updating previous reports, the Sun-Sentinel reports Miami Dolphins LB Eddie Moore (foot) suffered a foot sprain during the Friday, August 8 pre-season game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dolphins head coach Dave Wannstedt said Saturday, August 9 that he did not know the severity of the injury.

[BillsFever]

Dolphins | Season-Ending Injury To Perry? - from www.KFFL.com
Sun, 10 Aug 2003 10:40:18 -0700

Updating previous reports, the Sun-Sentinel reports Miami Dolphins TE Ed Perry (knee) tore the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee, which means he will miss the 2003 season, according to an unnamed source. Perry was injured covering a punt in the second quarter during the Friday, August 8 pre-season game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His knee buckled as he stepped from the dirt of the baseball infield onto the grass at Pro Player Stadium, leaving a sizable divot in the turf.

[BillsFever]

Dolphins | Team Looking For Long Snapper - from www.KFFL.com
Sun, 10 Aug 2003 10:39:30 -0700

The Sun-Sentinel reports the Miami Dolphins are looking for a new long snapper due to the injury suffered to Dolphins TE Ed Perry (knee) during the Friday, August 8 pre-season game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dolphins head coach Dave Wannstedt said the team already was looking for a replacement for Perry, whom he considers among the best in the league. "You would kind of like to get a guy who can do a little bit more than long snap, [and] that is where it becomes a problem," Wannstedt said. "That is easier said than done."