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  • Dolphins check out ex-Packers star Freeman at WR

    Aug. 10, 2004
    SportsLine.com wire reports

    DAVIE, Fla. -- Receiver Antonio Freeman worked out for the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday, a day after David Boston had season-ending knee surgery.

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    A former Pro Bowler and once Brett Favre's No. 1 target in Green Bay, Freeman caught just 14 passes for 141 yards in 15 games with the Packers last season.

    He could be more help to the Dolphins, who have little experience opposite Chris Chambers at the receiver position.

    But the Dolphins were still considering whether to sign the 32-year-old player who has spent his entire career in the West Coast offense, which the Dolphins don't use.

    "He had a good workout, but no decision has been made," coach Dave Wannstedt said.

    "He's obviously still got it," said quarterback Clint Stoerner, who threw passes to Freeman during a workout Tuesday. "He runs well, he's really quick in and out of his breaks and he catches everything. And there's something to be said for the experience he has."

    Boston tore a tendon in his left knee Friday, moving Derrius Thompson back into a starting role. Thompson was a disappointment in his first season with the Dolphins, catching 26 passes for 359 yards.

    Behind Thompson are Terrence Wilkins, Kendall Newson, J.R. Tolver and Sam Simmons.

    Wilkins has just five catches in the last two seasons. Newson, Tolver and Simmons have two career receptions combined.

    In nine seasons, eight with the Packers, Freeman has 477 catches for 7,251 yards and 61 touchdowns. His best year was 1998, when he had 84 catches for 1,424 yards and 14 touchdowns and made his only Pro Bowl.

    "He's a savvy veteran," said quarterback A.J. Feeley, who played with Freeman in Philadelphia in 2002. "He knows the game in and out. He's played with a great guy there in Green Bay with Favre and he's still got some juice left. He can definitely help the team."

    The Dolphins have had little success bringing in veteran receivers in the past.

    Cris Carter caught just eight passes for 66 yards in 2002. Leslie Shepherd (2000), Brett Perriman (1997) and Fred Barnett (1996-97) were slightly more productive but still off from what they had done before joining the Dolphins.



    AP NEWS
    The Associated Press News Service

    Copyright 2004, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved

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  • Milan
    A Look at the Opponent - Miami
    by Milan
    By Duane Lewis
    stlouisrams.com

    The Miami Dolphins enter the 2006 season as one of the hottest teams in football, and potentially primed to battle for the division title in the AFC East.

    The Dolphins ended 2005 on a six-game winning streak and posted a 9-7 record under first-year coach Nick Saban. While they have lost several key pieces from that squad, including Rams' head coach Scott Linehan (former offensive coordinator), QB Gus Frerotte (who started for the Dolphins last year) and CB Sam Madison, the Dolphins have reloaded and retooled their lineup.

    Perhaps the primary reason for the optimism surrounding the Dolphins was keyed by the acquisition of QB Daunte Culpepper via trade from the Minnesota Vikings. The three-time Pro Bowl signal-caller is coming off a major knee injury in 2005, but has looked sharp in the 2006 preseason and appears ready to start the Dolphins' opener at Pittsburgh next Thursday night.

    At running back, Ronnie Brown, Miami's first-round draft pick out of Auburn from last season, is the unquestioned lead back after the suspension of RB Ricky Williams. Despite sharing time with Williams, Brown rushed for 907 yards and four touchdowns last season. The Dolphins' rushing attack should also be bolstered by another former Auburn player, bruising fullback Fred Beasley, signed as an unrestricted free agent from San Francisco.

    On the outside, WR Chris Chambers earned his first Pro Bowl invitation in 2005 after posting career highs in receptions (82) receiving yards (1,118) and tying a career-high in touchdowns (11). On the other side, veteran Marty Booker averaged 17.6 yards per catch last season. TE Randy McMichael is the Dolphins' all-time leader for in receiving yards by a tight end and caught 60 passes for 582 yards and five touchdowns last season.

    Manning the offensive line are three players who made a combined 46 starts up front. LG Jeno James and C Rex Hadnot started all 16 games on the Dolphins' offensive line, key cogs in a unit that yielded only 26 sacks in 2005, the fourth-lowest total in the league. RT Vernon Carey started 14 games anchoring the outside of the line.

    L.J. Shelton was acquired in the offseason from the Arizona Cardinals where he started 93 of 98 games at both tackle positions, and is currently the starter at left tackle for the Dolphins. St. Louis native Bennie Anderson, also acquired in the offseason by the Dolphins, is the starter at right tackle.

    The defensive line is arguably the strongest unit of the Dolphins' defense, anchored by four-time Pro Bowl DE Jason Taylor. His 76.0 sacks since 2000 ranks second in the NFL over that time. Commanding the other end spot is former Ram Kevin Carter. He was tied for second on the team in sacks, and has played in 176 consecutive games, fifth-longest active streak in the NFL.

    Inside, nose tackle Keith Traylor and defensive tackle...
    -08-31-2006, 06:58 AM
  • DJRamFan
    Dolphins sign former Kowboy Bobby Sippio for two years
    by DJRamFan
    01 Jul 2004
    By Rick Pedone News-Gazette Staff Writer
    Anyone who saw Bobby Sippio play football and basketball at Osceola High six years ago probably guessed that one day Sippio would be a star at the collegiate and professional levels.

    Although it took longer than expected, and the course was more circuitous than he would have liked, Sippio has made it.

    Last week he signed a two-year contract with the Miami Dolphins to play wide receiver and defensive back.

    “It feels great. It’s a dream to make it to the professional level. I know I speak for every athlete when I say that this is the dream for all of them; they all want to make it,” Sippio, 24, said from his parents’ home Monday.

    After coming out of Western Kentucky University as a junior two years ago only to be snubbed in the 2002 NFL draft, Sippio resurrected his career after two seasons of Arena football.

    During the 2003 season with the Dallas Desperados, Sippio caught 75 passes for 1,218 yards and scored 32 touchdowns. He had 28 tackles and two interceptions playing defense.

    In 2002, Sippio played for Greensboro of the AFL2 and caught 57 passes for over 1,000 yards. He made 66 tackles and had five interceptions there.

    Sippio’s receiving yards are impressive considering that he never played the position before the 2002 season.

    “The Arena League really helped me. It gave me a clue about receiving and how to run the routes because I had never played receiver before,” said Sippio.

    His agent, Marvin Prince, said from his California office that several teams sought Sippio, who also tried out for the Tampa Bay Bucs last week.

    “Dallas wanted Bobby to wait until July 8 before trying out so they could try to pick him up, but Bobby and I sat down and talked about it and since Dallas had the last (waivers) option on him it didn’t look like he’d be going there anyway,” said Prince.

    Tampa Bay also wanted Sippio, but it didn’t have a roster spot available.

    “They were trying to get us to wait before Bobby tried out somewhere else to give them time to clear a spot, but we didn’t want to take that chance,” said Prince.

    Sippio’s workout at Miami impressed both the offensive and defensive coaching staffs, said Prince.

    “Bobby had a plane to catch two hours after the workout, but they literally wouldn’t let us leave until they had a contract,” said Prince. “They finally decided to give him the offensive and defensive playbooks, and they are going to let him choose where he wants to play.”

    Sippio is unconcerned about learning two positions for the Dolphins.

    “It’s not as hard as you think. It’s basically just learning the pass routes. And there are only so many techniques you can learn on defense,” he said. “I’m not nervous about it at all.”

    Sippio,...
    -07-05-2004, 01:37 PM
  • RamDez
    Miami at a Glance
    by RamDez
    Miami at a Glance
    Friday, October 22, 2004


    By Nick Wagoner
    Staff Writer


    After a tumultuous offseason in which its best player suddenly retired, Miami has clearly been reeling from the effects.

    The Dolphins are off to a 0-6 start, worst in the league and appear poised to live the dream of the undefeated 1972 team in reverse, only this would be much more of a nightmare than a dream.

    Miami has struggled to create any kind of offensive cohesiveness in spite of solid defensive performances. It seems there is a new player starting at running back every week and the quarterback tandem in place has struggled to make any big plays.

    The offseason gave many fans in Miami hope that there could be improvements, but then running back Ricky Williams retired to go on tour with Lenny Kravitz and offseason acquisition David Boston went out for the season with an injury. The defense continues to be a mainstay, but without much offensive production, the Dolphins will continue to struggle and coach Dave Wannstedt’s seat will only get hotter.

    COACHING: Wannstedt is in his fifth season as Miami’s coach, making him the second-longest tenured coach in Dolphins’ history behind the legendary Don Shula. He is 3-3 in his career against the Rams and 0-1 against St. Louis with the Dolphins.

    Wannstedt’s teams have always played hard, but without the talent in place, it has been hard for Miami to generate any kind of momentum. Wannstedt could be in his final season with the Dolphins, barring a dramatic turnaround that would probably involve Miami somehow winning out. Wannstedt isn’t really to blame for the awful start this season, after all, it wasn’t his fault that Williams bailed on his teammates, Boston got hurt and the team made some poor decisions in the trade and free agency market.

    OFFENSE: This is clearly Miami’s biggest problem area. It isn’t just struggling to run the ball in Williams’ place or throw it without Boston, but the offense in general. The Dolphins are putting up just 243 yards per game and has scored just four touchdowns.

    Jay Fiedler starts at quarterback, but has fought off A.J. Feeley most of the season. Fiedler has an anemic passer rating of 51.1 with two touchdowns and six interceptions. Feeley wasn’t much better with a 57.2 rating, two touchdowns and five interceptions. That combination simply isn’t getting the job done and it will be difficult to improve with a depleted receiving corps and inexperienced offensive line.

    The running game has been the only area of the offense worse than the pass. The Dolphins have put up only 69.5 yards per game on the ground using a rotating door at running back. So far this season, former Ram Lamar Gordon, Travis Minor, Brock Forsey, Leonard Henry and Sammy Morris have gotten the bulk of the carries at various times. Henry leads the team in rushing with 136 yards,...
    -10-23-2004, 01:51 AM
  • Nick
    Packers sign safety Arturo Freeman
    by Nick
    Freeman played five seasons in Miami
    Tuesday, April 12, 2005
    By Len Pasquarelli
    ESPN.com

    Making a pre-draft move to bolster a position they will likely address in the lottery as well, the Green Bay Packers have signed unrestricted free agent safety Arturo Freeman, who had spent his entire career with the Miami Dolphins.

    The deal reunites him with defensive coordinator Jim Bates. Freeman, a five-year veteran, signed a one-year contract, financial details of which were not available. Bates, who was hired by the Packers as their new coordinator two months ago, held the same position in Miami for Freeman's entire tenure there. He was the Dolphins' interim head coach for the final two months of the 2004 season after the departure of Dave Wannstedt.

    The acquisition of Freeman, who visited with Green Bay coaches and team officials for two days last week, addresses a considerable area of need. The Packers almost certainly will further add to the safety depth chart in the draft and have met in recent days with at least two prospects at the position.

    Green Bay released starting safety and two-time Pro Bowl performer Darren Sharper last month in a salary cap move. The team had earlier released Michael Hawthorne and lost the versatile Bhawoh Jue as an unrestricted free agent. Jue signed with San Diego and Sharper with Minnesota.

    The exodus left veteran Mark Roman, who started 15 games in '04 but was disappointing in his first season with the club, as the lone experienced safety on the roster.

    Given his experience as a part-time starter in Miami, and his familiarity with Bates and his schemes, Freeman should challenge for a starting job in 2005.

    A former South Carolina star, Freeman, 28, was a fifth-round choice in the 2000 draft. He appeared in 72 games and started 29 of them, and finished his Dolphins career with 199 tackles, five interceptions, two forced fumbles and one recovery.

    In terms of pass coverage, Freeman is coming off his best season, having tied for the team lead in 2004 with four interceptions.
    -04-12-2005, 01:51 PM
  • MauiRam
    Could the 2009 Rams Duplicate the 2008 Dolphin's Season?
    by MauiRam
    One can only wonder how bad it is in the Rams locker room these days. One would imaginine that it is devoid of both group and individual self-esteem. Reading about the woes of last year's Dolphins when the team hit rock bottom, made me realize that we will have the same opportunity to improve. Sure Billy D. isn't in the same echelon as Parcells, (few are), but he'll have the chance to prove he belongs there .. We have a chance to tie last year's dismal record this Sunday, but it appears unlikely we'll get a win on the road in Atlanta .. The removal of Shaw and Zygmunt was our Xmas gift from the Chipster .. Let's hope Billy D. can hire the right coach and personnel gurus to lead us to the promised land.

    FOX Sports on MSN - NFL - Dolphins are one win from complete turnaround

    Dolphins are one win from complete turnaround by Alex Marvez.

    Alex Marvez is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com. He's covered the NFL for 14 seasons as a beat writer and is the president of the Pro Football Writers of America.

    The Miami Dolphins highlights airing on a locker room television caught Vonnie Holliday's eye.At this time last season, the Dolphins defensive end would have turned away. The only Dolphins footage being shown was future material for a "Football Follies" special. And now? Miami can complete the greatest turnaround in the NFL's 88-year history Sunday by defeating the host New York Jets.

    As Terrell Owens would say, getcha popcorn ready.

    "To be in December and have people talking about the Dolphins in a good way is what I'm most proud of this season," Holliday said Wednesday at team headquarters. "Here we are in the thick of things. Last year, we were the butt of jokes. This year, we're for real. "Really.. By defeating the Jets, Miami (10-5) would win the AFC East. Snow in South Florida seemed more likely entering the season. No one-win team had ever rebounded to post double-digit victories the following year, let alone make the playoffs.

    "I don't think if you would have looked at our roster at the beginning of the season that you would have seen a 10-5 team," Dolphins cornerback Andre' Goodman said. "But the fact is we are a team. We lift each other up. You didn't feel that last year. "Goodman admits he couldn't have fathomed such a reversal of fortune when the 2007 Dolphins were sitting at 1-14 heading into a season-ending home loss against Cincinnati. What a difference......a year makes. The Dolphins have gone from 1-15 to 10-5 and in the playoff race. A look at the statistical turnaround:

    Stat 2007 2008*
    Points scored 267 321
    Points allowed 437 300
    Turnovers 29 12
    TO margin -7 +14
    Pass YPG 207.4 237.4
    Rush YPG 98.1 118.1
    * -- through 15 games

    "You heard at the beginning of the season about what we can be, but...
    -12-27-2008, 01:38 PM
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