Porter misses final practice
DAVIE - The Miami Dolphins managed to get out of their final minicamp without any major injuries, though linebacker Joey Porter did not take part in Sunday's session.
"He's fine. That was precautionary," Dolphins coach Cam Cameron said. "I told (trainer) Kevin (O'Neill) at this time of year, we've got to be smart. It was just back spasms. He had four outstanding practices."
Porter, who was wearing a sleeve on his right knee earlier in the weekend, rode a stationary bike at the beginning of practice and then watched the rest of the workout.
Defensive tackle Chase Page also was an injury victim, but Cameron didn't think it was serious.
"We ran a little play, a little bootleg naked in our inside run drill -- just to keep them honest -- and he re-directed," Cameron said. "He re-directed, and I saw it happen. I think he got a little hamstring (problem). I don't think he pulled it, but he just tweaked it a little bit."
No comparisons here
After a weekend of nothing but, there was only one Daunte Culpepper-related question Sunday. Did the Dolphins learn anything by watching the way the Kansas City Chiefs handled the saga that eventually led to Trent Green being traded to Miami?
"Yes, number one," Cameron said. "But secondly, I don't see -- and I'm not going to elaborate -- the situations being similar. They may appear similar, but they aren't and I can address it maybe a little better later."
For those who like to read between the lines, the health of Culpepper's surgically repaired right knee could be the main issue here.
Ted Ginn Jr.'s experience a factor
Cameron has made it clear a big factor in the Dolphins' selection of Ted Ginn Jr.. with the No. 9 overall pick was his ability to return punts. On Sunday, he offered more insight into that pick.
"A big part of playing in this division is that we wanted a guy who had handled punts in tough weather," Cameron said. "He's from Cleveland. He played in the Big Ten. You go to Buffalo, you go to New York, you go to New England . . . you can see it's natural. The first thing they've got to do is catch it.
"I thought for a first practice, he was everything I thought he was and then some. There are a ton of receivers in this league that have no interest in being that punt returner. That's why first and foremost he was brought here to be the punt returner."
Cameron conceded Ted Ginn Jr. is still a "work in progress" as a receiver. Though the Dolphins will try to move him around once the season starts, he spent this weekend on the line where he had to work his way off the line and develop his technique.
Satele's a tough guy
Rookie center Samson Satele worked throughout the minicamp after having five root canals this week.
Cameron said he wasn't even aware of it until someone told him.
"I'm talking about his toughness -- he never flinched, never said a word," Cameron said. "I haven't been around a guy yet that practiced a full practice with one root canal and he's had five in however many days. One thing is, we know he's smart, we know he's tough, which we know goes a long way at his position. We're very pleased with his progress."
Read more at www.floridatoday.com
|
