Dolphins Notebook: Free agent Bess turning heads

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http://www.palmbeachpost.com/dolphins/content/sports/epaper/2008/05/04/a12b_fins_notes_0504.html

Dolphins Notebook: Free agent Bess turning heads

By EDGAR THOMPSON
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Sunday, May 04, 2008

DAVIE — Offensive coordinator Dan Henning, a veteran of 28 NFL seasons, likes what he has seen from rookie wideout Davone Bess.

Sure hands. Sharp routes. Nice dreads.

Henning, 65, looked to narrow the generational gap when he complimented Bess' signature blond-tipped dreadlocks during Saturday's practice.

Henning, who even asked Bess for the name of his hairdresser, may have been joking. But for Bess, it was nice to be noticed again.

During last weekend's NFL draft, Bess was ignored for two days.

When the Dolphins offered a free-agent deal, Bess jumped at the chance, especially since no one on Miami's current roster caught more than two touchdowns or had more than 425 receiving yards.

"They didn't have any receiver that was contributing," Bess said.

Bess is a bit small (5-foot-10, 195 pounds) and a bit slow (4.63-second 40-yard dash) by NFL standards.

He also has a sketchy past. Bess was caught with stolen property a month out of high school and served 15 months in a juvenile detention center before heading to Hawaii.

Bess, who caught 108 passes in 2007 and 41 touchdowns in three college seasons, looks to make the most of his chance with Miami.

He has stood out among the 30 undrafted players in this weekend's rookie mini-camp.

"I see a player that has pretty good ball skills," coach Tony Sparano said.

Following Saturday's morning practice, Sparano questioned all the rookies' conditioning. But Bess showed his endurance during a strong practice in the afternoon.

Bess, 22, can run pass routes all day. He had no choice in Hawaii's high-scoring passing offense, but he left school a year early when coach June Jones bolted for SMU and quarterback Colt Brennan headed to the NFL.

"I decided I was ready to move on to the next phase of my life," Bess said.

Sparano said the Dolphins, who have three receivers 6-foot-2 or taller on the roster, could use a smaller receiver who can line up in the slot, get open and move the chains.

"For us it was just a combination of finding enough big receivers out there and certainly some guys that can create a little bit," Sparano said.

No change in JT saga: For the second time in a little more than a month, Sparano said things are fine between him and defensive end Jason Taylor.

Sparano reportedly has been upset that Taylor is in Los Angeles appearing on Dancing With the Stars while his teammates are back in South Florida in the off-season conditioning program.

Sparano said those reports have "been overblown."

"I understand what Jason is doing," Sparano said. "Jason and I have spoken and that's really all that matters. As long as I know what's going on with Jason and he knows what's going on with me, I think we're in good shape."

Dolphins sign DT: The Dolphins continued to add depth to the defensive line, signing free-agent tackle Anthony Toribio.

Toribio, who played college football at Carson Newman, is trying out with the Dolphins this weekend. A Miami native, Toribio had 111/2 tackles for loss, including 51/2 sacks as a senior in 2007.