Dolphins Optimistic About Season

Friday, August 20, 2004
Robert Henderson
MDBW Staff Writer

The first annual Miami Dolphins Web Weekend kicked off today at the Dolphins training facility at Nova Southeastern University. Fourteen Dolphins fan sites, including miamidolphinsbahamas.com, were invited to attend this event. The weekend will be an “annual event when we bring all our web brothers in,” said the team President, Eddie Jones.

In a meeting that lasted about two hours, Seth McKinney (starting Center), Dave Wannstedt (Head Coach), George Payton (Director of Pro Personnel), Greg Soloman (of NFL.com), Brian Wiedmeier (Exec. Vice President/Chief Operating Officer), and Scott Stone (Senior Director-Internet and Publications) spoke to all the fan sites.

McKinney, Wannstedt, and Payton seemed very optimistic about the upcoming season. McKinney said, “A lot of people may be down on us, but I’m excited…and you can’t help but be emotional and motivated after what we’ve been through.” After suffering through the loss of Ricky Williams (retirement) and David Boston (knee injury), the Dolphins have certainly been through a lot in a short span this off season. Hopefully the adversity will make them more motivated. Payton added that this camp has been “the best camp we’ve had since I've ,been here in four years, and we think we have the best talent in our division even with losing Ricky and David.” Payton also said to look out for Rex Hadnot – that he will be a starter in this league and could possibly be this year with the Dolphins. Then, the surprise of camp has been John St. Clair, having not given up a sack all camp long.

Wannstedt spoke to the websites, telling them to “make sure it’s factual and make sure it’s positive,” because whatever we, as fans, play a big part in the life of this team. Then, as he was leaving the room he turned around and noticed Casey Matthews’s jersey of FantasticFins.com, saying, “I’m seeing a 4 on your jersey, I’m glad it’s 84.”

Seth McKinney, in response to a question from MDBW, had the only other comment on the Ricky Williams’ retirement, reflecting that “he’s the nicest guy in the world, but it’s a shame what he did and I meant what I said,” referring to his comments about Williams immediately after his retirement.

LOOKING AHEAD TO TOMORROW AND THE SEASON

George Payton talked about the current roster for about twenty minutes and answered any questions we had. On making a decision on who the final five will be who start on the offensive line, he said Wannstedt will play the best five and fit them into appropriate positions. It was gathered that Wade Smith will most likely stick at LG while Seth McKinney should be Center. He also said that Damion McIntosh could be ready by the start of the season, and should be at full speed by at least the sixth game, which is much better than his original projected return of around the tenth game. Jacob Childrey and Casey Matthews of FantasticFins.com who have been here for a few days to attend this week’s practices both said that McIntosh is looking great and well ahead of schedule.

Payton emphasised that the Dolphins expect great things from Derrius Thompson this year and that Antonio Freeman has been looking very good and will play well in the slot. Larry Chester is also playing a lot better due to his health and weight loss of 30 lbs this off season. Will Poole is felt to be the steal of the draft.

As an organization, the Miami Dolphins are a very class act who answered all of our questions and were very interested in ours. They remain very optimistic about the upcoming season and think that the team is better off than last season. However, it is their job to remain optimistic as an organization. This tends to make us as fans compelled to be pessimistic so as to level out the playing field (no pun intended), but I urge you as a Miami Dolphins fan to take a closer look at who we still have, rather than who we have lost. Jay Fiedler, Jay Feeley, and Sage Rosenfels are all very capable quarterbacks who have each had great camps. Chris Chambers is probably the best in the AFC East with Derrius Thompson who is poised to have a better season than last and Antonio Freeman, a Pro Bowl receiver who played with Brett Favre for eight seasons (and will be wearing the number 4 during the pre season). At running back, Travis Minor, although he may not be a four-down back, is very capable in a co-role with someone else, namely Sammy Morris, who matches Ricky Williams power-house style of running. The offensive line, after a very good off season and draft, is young and at its best could be up there among the top in the AFC (I won’t go as far as to say the NFL just yet). Then on defense, ten of eleven starters are back.

The fans though should take credit where it is due. Both home pre season games have been sold out which hasn’t happened since the 1980’s. So, perhaps the optimism is rubbing off.