Dolphins 'laying down the law'

[DolFan619]

http://www.miamiherald.com/614/story/619349.html

Dolphins 'laying down the law'

BY JEFF DARLINGTON
Miami Herald

They might not have seemed all that important, the minor roster moves made by the Dolphins on Saturday that sent two undrafted college free agents looking for new jobs.

Not as important as rookie quarterback Chad Henne's arrival to camp after he ended a brief contract holdout. Not as important as linebacker Joey Porter's addition to the nonfootball injury list, which held him out of both practices Saturday.

Not even as important as the potential acquisition of former Cowboys receiver Terry Glenn, which might occur in the coming days or might not occur at all.

But Miami's choice to cut two players on the first day of training camp still sent an important message from this new tough-love regime to the rest of the team: Either get it together or get out.

''These new guys, they're laying down the law and they're holding people accountable. The two guys that weren't in shape got waived,'' running back Ricky Williams said of tackle Dan Gore and receiver Justin Wynn. ``Coach [Tony Sparano] is making us accountable, so everyone is stepping to the plate.''

For as much as Sparano's staff is playing it tough, the new regime also is making sure those who are working hard will be rewarded.

That is why during Miami's first meeting Friday evening, Sparano said he made sure every player realizes how important his presence on this team is, whether they were on the roster last year or not.

'One of the things I told my players [Friday] night is, `We picked you to be here,' '' Sparano said. ``I think that's important for them to know that. Every one of those guys, there is 80 of them in that room right now, they're all mine. We picked them.''

FAMILIAR WITH GLENN

It's now worth wondering whether the Dolphins might be willing to add one more player to the mix. Glenn, who played for vice president of football operations Bill Parcells in New England and Dallas, is on the market as a vested veteran free agent.

Given the team's situation at wide receiver (a few added playmakers surely wouldn't hurt), as well as a flexible salary cap with some room to spend, Glenn might become an attractive target given his success in the NFL.

Sparano, who helped coach Glenn in Dallas, said Glenn still showed his typical talent during the final two games of last season after he missed most of the season as a result of two surgeries to his right knee.

When asked about Glenn's potential health concerns, Sparano said: ``When Terry came back at the end of the year, he looked like the Terry Glenn I knew. That's the way he looked at that time.''

However, Sparano also warned it is difficult for him to comment, not knowing what kind of shape Glenn is in. Sparano said he was not even aware that Glenn had been waived by Dallas until a reporter told him during Saturday's morning news conference.

Although Sparano might not have known about Glenn's release (he is focused more on his current roster these days), general manager Jeff Ireland and Parcells did. But any potential discussions about Glenn were kept quiet Saturday. Glenn's agent, James Gould, could not be reached.

HENNE IS HERE

The attention was steered back toward the competition at quarterback upon Henne's arrival at the evening practice. Henne is expected to immediately join the mix with Josh McCown and John Beck, who split first-team repetitions Saturday.

At Sunday's 2 p.m. practice, Henne, who signed a four-year deal worth $3.5 million with $1.5 million guaranteed, will get his chance to work with the first team.

On the injury front, Porter and cornerback Michael Lehan were idled by ankle issues Saturday, causing Lehan to land on the physically-unable-to-perform list and Porter to be added to the nonfootball injury list.

Porter's absence from team drills was unexpected, but the linebacker said he does not think he will be out long.

''If I really had to play [Saturday], I could,'' said Porter, who rolled his left ankle a few weeks ago while working out on his own. ``We're just being smart with it.

``When it's time to go, I'll be ready to go.''

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Like I said in another thread.  This is pure proof that coach Sparano and the new regime isn't fucking around.  You don't wanna work hard and take care of yourself, you'll find yourself out of a job pronto. 

I'll bet these two guys will have a lot of trouble hooking up with other teams. 

[fyo]

I'll bet these two guys will have a lot of trouble hooking up with other teams. 

I think anyone cut from the 1-15 Dolphins "will have a lot trouble hooking up with other teams".

[Jim Gray]

I think anyone cut from the 1-15 Dolphins "will have a lot trouble hooking up with other teams".

QFT.  Teams may watch the Cowboys and Pats to see what kind of talent ends up on the scrap heap, but Miami?   I don't think you will be hearing this from the coaches -

"PlayerX has a lot of talent and we really wanted to keep him, but we are so deep at POSITIONX there just wasn't room."