Miami Dolphins Tick Off New England? & Other Notes
By Brian Miller
Update: The Dolphins have added guard Garrett Chisolm to the practice squad. D.J. Jones has also been added. More updates at the bottom.
The Miami Dolphins are in the process of forming their practice squad today. Word out of Miami is that Phillip Livas will not be joining the Phins PS but TE Brett Brackett will be. Reports earlier indicated that Brackett chose Miami over several other NFL teams. No word on other practice squad signings.
The big news of the day for Miami may be the claiming of former New England TE Will Yeatman. Yeatman was apparently headed to the New England practice squad when Miami claimed him off waivers. It was reported earlier by members of the Boston media that Yeatman had caught the eye of Patriot coach Bill Belichick and that he was actually on the verge of making the final 53.
The Dolphins are not deep at TE by any means and the team may opt to release Jeron Mastrud instead of simply adding Yeatman as a third TE. The Dolphins will almost assuredly keep him on the 53 as he would be unprotected on the practice squad. The claiming of Yeatman will also benefit defensive coordinator Mike Nolan who will now be able to cull information out of the former Patriot. The Dolphins of course open a week from tomorrow at home against their division rival.
Yeatman was set to sign with the Patriots as a PS addition when the league informed the team and his agent that the Dolphins had claimed him. Yeatman is a former lacrosse star and is known more for his blocking ability than his hands. However, word out New England camp this summer indicated Yeatman was having no problem picking up the playbook. He had 5 receptions for 30 yards during pre-season and is considered a high end project but a project nonetheless.
In other NFL news, two former New England Patriots have found homes. The same cannot be said thus far of the recently released “former” Miami Dolphins scattered around the league. Brandon Meriweather, a hot forum candidate to join the team, has signed a one year deal with the Bears and Brandon Tate, the speedy kick returner and WR has signed with the Bengals.
It just goes to show how little we all know when it really matters. Unless you spend countless hours breaking down film and conducting interviews with players over and over again, you simply don’t know how a player will pan out. Two years ago, myself and fans alike were clamoring for DE Everett Brown to become a Miami Dolphin. Instead, we watched the 2009 draft tick by and the Carolina Panthers trading up with San Francisco in round 2 to grab the big DE. Today, the Panthers have decided that Brown is not the guy for them. Releasing him after two short seasons. The cost? A 2010 first round draft pick. Ouch.
UPDATE: 2:13 PM – The NY Jets have added QB Kevin O’Connell to their roster. The former Dolphin camp QB was released yesterday.
UPDATE: 2:22 PM – A couple of former Dolphin camp participants have been claimed. Mickey Shuler is now a Bengal and Quenton Spears is now a Brown.