Miami Dolphins Rookie Mini Camp Results

By Mike Medina  |   Monday, May 02, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

Miami Dolphins
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DAVIE. After watching all the draft picks for three days, Dolphins coach Nick Saban was enthusiastic on the final day of a three-day minicamp.

CHANNING CROWDER
"I think Channing Crowder did a fantastic job, not only as a football player and showing that he has the ability to do things, but this guy's got some natural leadership qualities," Saban said of the former University of Florida linebacker.

"People kind of respond to him a little bit when they're out there playing."

Crowder was easy to spot throughout mini-camp in his debut, alwasy swarming to the football.

But while high-energy play was one of his trademarks the past two seasons at the University of Florida, how long Crowder can stay on the field in the NFL is subject to him staying healthy.

Crowder has had three surgeries on the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, the first during his sophomore year of high school, as well as an arthroscopic procedure on the same knee. Crowder also has had surgery on his left anterior cruciate ligament.

"I probably shouldn't be walking, but I'm blessed," said Crowder.

One NFL franchise that was surveyed said it was concerned enough about Crowder's right knee that he was not ranked as a first-day pick. Another gave him bad marks for medical and character issues stemming from several college arrests.

Dolphins coach Nick Saban said Friday that Crowder's medical history made Crowder a "moderate risk." But the Dolphins did their own medical research when contacting Gators physician Dr. Pete Indelicato, a knee specialist and former Dolphins team physician who vouched for Crowder's health.

Saban said the fact Crowder can lift 300 pounds on a quadriceps exercise machine with one leg also is encouraging.

"I played two years in college on them, and for a couple of years I was respected at Florida," said Crowder, who had 179 tackles in 2003 and 2004. "People can't look past that. I understand people have to put a red flag on me with some of the injuries. I'm just glad the doctor here took a chance on me."

RONNIE BROWN
Saban also noted Ronnie Brown for his intelligence and field vision.

"He was able to pick things up at several positions," Saban said of the running back out of Auburn. "He caught the ball well and ran it well."

MATT ROTH & TRAVIS DANIELS
Saban also said that second-round pick Matt Roth showed "pass-rush ability" and "power" at defensive end and that fourth-round selection, cornerback Travis Daniels, was ahead of the learning curve because of their LSU ties.

STAND OUTS
Saban said he was interested in six to eight of the 29 tryout players and hopes to sign some of them in the near future.

Hoping to catch on is former University of Miami and Plantation High receiver Kevin Beard, who went undrafted last year.

"It was a lot of adversity, but being from Miami, they teach you mental toughness," Beard said.

Saban lauded USC 6-foot-2, 285-pound tight end Alex Holmes, a recent free-agent signee.

"Holmes is a good blocker. He's not as big a guy as some of the other guys [Joe Munson and Victor Sesay], but he's a very smart effective player," Saban said.

MORE STAND OUTS
Marshall standout wide receiver Josh Davis had a good camp as did the UCF's Luther Huggins.

"[Former Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich] molded me into a great receiver," said Davis, whose 306 receptions ranks second in NCAA history.
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