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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-flspdolphins01sbmay01,0,338412.story

Dolphins overlook legal issues for some

By Harvey Fialkov
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

May 1, 2008

Dolphins vice president of football operations Bill Parcells has emphasized that he wants players with good character, but that doesn't mean he won't give a few second chances.

The Dolphins agreed to terms with or invited eight more college free agents Wednesday to participate in this weekend's rookie minicamp, including former Purdue receiver Selwyn Lymon, who is on probation for his role in a fight outside a West Lafayette, Ind., bar in March 2007.

The 6-foot-3, 217-pound Lymon had 73 catches for 1,030 yards with five touchdowns over the past two seasons, but was dismissed from the team by Purdue coach Joe Tiller in November, two days after police arrested the junior receiver on a drunken-driving charge.

"He made some bad choices at the wrong time," said Terry Lymon, Selwyn's father and a former CFL running back. "Sometimes college kids throw caution to the wind, but the last incident left an indelible impression on the young man to be accountable and responsible.

"I appreciate Mr. Parcells for having the objectivity and subjectivity to give the kid another chance. He won't be disappointed."

Also expected to participate in the minicamp are Valdosta quarterback Willie Copeland, Akron tight end Kris Kasparek, Idaho fullback Rolly Lumbala, Purdue reserve cornerback Aaron Lane, Mississippi State defensive linemen Titus Brown, Sam Houston State cornerback Scorpio Babers and Virginia Tech defensive tackle Kory Robertson.

The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Brown, who had 28 tackles including eight sacks last season, was charged with disorderly conduct and arrested in July 2005 after a bar fight in which police had to subdue him with a stun gun.

Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland said recently that some players deserve second chances, such as former Broncos receiver David Kircus, who was signed by the Dolphins in February after being out of football in 2007 following an arrest for assault. He is scheduled to go on trial next month.

"It's all on an individual basis," Ireland said last month. "Sometimes those second chances are important because now the kid has something to play for. It is kind of his last chance."

Earlier this week, the Dolphins agreed to terms with Hawaii receiver Davone Bess, who according to his agent has kept out of trouble since serving a 15-month sentence in a juvenile detention facility for driving a car with stolen goods when he was 17. Bess said he didn't know the stolen property was in the car.

The Dolphins won't confirm any of the 16 college free agents added since the draft Sunday until they officially sign contracts.

Lymon plead guilty to the drunken-driving charge, along with counts of disorderly conduct, false informing and minor consumption of alcohol he faced from the bar fight, during which he was stabbed in the chest, according to the Associated Press.

It's rare that college free agents make the 53-man roster, with Cowboys Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo a notable exception.

"They are going to be extremely important," Ireland said. "It is just another way of expanding the draft."

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damn, thats a big boy.  david boston 2??

Every regime "ignores" the guidelines they established for certain players. Cameron was criticized for ignoring the guidelines and not punishing Porter for his fight in Vegas, yet really ripping into and releasing some players due to off the field issues. Parcells is doing the same thing. They will probably release Mauia due to his altercation, yet they invite kids to camp who have had legal issues.

Don't be too sure of that.  This is the only time we've seen him get in trouble.  Who's to say that Parcells and Ireland won't give him a second chance?  After all, he's still our starting fullback.

To be fair, Philly, altercations before you're on the team, and those while you're with the team aren't the same.

Once a thug, always a thug, probably, but giving a second chance to a guy you've never worked with before, and giving a chance to someone who's already screwed you are different.

I don't care if the coaches need to carry tasers as long as they can play.  A fight or two can hurt the team's PR a bit but nowhere near as much as sucking the big one.