Dolphins
Dolphins Roundup 8/10/04
By The Source
Aug 10, 2004

Compiled from a variety of sources
Updated at 12:00 noon EST

-TRAINING CAMP

• When: Today, 9 a.m.-10:45 a.m., 7 p.m.-9 p.m.

• Where: Dolphins' training facility at Nova Southeastern University, Davie.

• Admission: Free.

INJURIES

S Shawn Wooden (back), RB Leonard Henry (left quadriceps), OT Damion McIntosh (ankle), G Eric Wilson (knee), CB Sam Madison (hamstring), FB Rob Konrad and WR Derrius Thompson did not practice Monday.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

Bobby Sippio is looking for a shot anywhere he can find one, literally. After spending the first week of training camp at defensive back, Sippio moved to wide receiver Monday. The move was done primarily because of all the injuries. But Sippio, who spent last season with the Dallas Desperados of the Arena League, will take it:

``Actually, it works out. Being that I was a DB, it helps you think about how the defense is looking at you as a wide receiver. It makes reading coverages easier. It's a different thinking, but it's a helpful thinking.''

WHO'S HOT, WHO'S NOT

• HOT: Kendall Newson caught five passes in the afternoon session and appears to be filling the role of third receiver, vacated when Derrius Thompson moved across of Chris Chambers in the second-receiver slot. Coach Dave Wannstedt praised Newson's work.

• NOT: The offensive line struggled with pass protection at times in the afternoon, causing coach Tony Wise to fume briefly.

-Wise also said he told coach Dave Wannstedt that it wasn't a good idea to consider moving first-round pick Vernon Carey to right guard at this point.

''He has to perform at right tackle. He has to lock it down,'' Wise said of Carey. ``That's better than running him in there at right guard. By rolling him in at guard, you dilute the whole process, and that's what I told Dave.''

At the same time, Wise said he believes John St. Clair is set as the starter at right tackle, meaning Carey will be a backup.

''[Wade Smith], Jeno [James], Seth [McKinney] and the right tackle [St. Clair] are locked in, in my opinion,'' Wise said. In April, the Dolphins gave up a fourth-round pick to move from No. 20 to No. 19 to get Carey because they wanted him so much.

Wannstedt said he still considers the right tackle job undecided, but again praised St. Clair's work.

-Taylor Whitley shared snaps with Greg Jerman at first-team right guard Monday as the Dolphins began preparing for Saturday's exhibition opener against Jacksonville.

Offensive line coach Tony Wise said the motive was to assess how Whitley fares in a first-string role.

"We're trying to find out who will play better leading up to the first game of the season," Wise said. "Jerman is not the lock-in starter and was never told he was. Taylor is playing very well."

The Dolphins hope Whitley can help improve pass protection, which coach Dave Wannstedt said Friday was a concern at the position.

"We're not a gigantic line, so pass protection is always going to be an edge type of thing," Wise said. "Greg gives good effort, but there's very little room for error in pass protection against good players."

A 2003 third-round draft choice, Whitley was inactive for all 16 games as a rookie.

"I have improved my play, but I need to get a feel for the guys on the first team," Whitley said.

Even though Wise said he regarded John St. Clair as "locked in" at right tackle, the Dolphins are still hesitant to shift rookie right tackle Vernon Carey to right guard. Wannstedt has said he would consider moving Carey if dissatisfied with German and Whitley.

"Rolling [Carey] in at guard and taking reps away from tackle would dilute the whole process," Wise said of the Dolphins' first-round draft choice.

-Sellout lifts blackout

The Dolphins-Jaguars game was declared a sellout and will be televised live at 7:30 p.m. Saturday on Channels 6 (WTVK-TV) and 34 (WTVX).

The Dolphins haven't had a blackout lifted for a home exhibition since Aug. 16, 1987, for the debut game at Pro Player Stadium.

-Freeman coming in

Ex-Green Bay wide receiver Antonio Freeman is to make a free-agent visit today. Depending on a physical and his conditioning, Freeman will likely be signed to replace David Boston (knee).

The Dolphins also worked out ex-University of Florida safety Daryl Dixon on Monday as a potential replacement for Chris Akins (knee), but a signing isn't imminent.

-Defensive tackle Larry Chester, who got into a scuffle with Jerman last Tuesday, thinks the offensive line could be nastier.

"They can get a little more aggressive," said Chester, who was upset that Jerman was still blocking him after the whistle. "I just like angry people. Angry people do great things."

Whitley doesn't argue.

"You have to go out there with a chip on your shoulder and be looking to put somebody on the ground," he said.

-Linebacker Zach Thomas practiced for the first time since training camp opened. Thomas, who led the Dolphins in tackles seven of the past eight seasons, had surgery a month ago to repair torn cartilage in his left knee.

-Injured receiver David Boston had successful surgery to repair a torn tendon in his left knee, but he'll miss the entire season.

-More front office news

• The Dolphins announced a new injury policy. The team will not comment on why players are out of practice or update what the injury is. In compliance with NFL guidelines, they will disclose injury information only during the regular season.

• After losing Chris Akins to a knee injury Saturday, the Dolphins had former University of Florida free safety Daryl Dixon in for a workout Monday.