Rookies test waters

DAVIE — Next to the name of William Delahoussaye on the Miami Dolphins' training camp roster are the letters LS. No, they do not stand for long shot, though the kid wears the designation well.

"I have to be perfect every day," said the only player under Miami contract as a long snapper, and nothing but a long snapper. "I can't give them a reason to let me go. I can't get the ball back there even a little bit to the left or a little to the right or a little high or a little low. It's got to be perfect every time or you hear it from your punter, your coaches, everybody who's watching everything you do. 'This is your job, do it right,' that's what they say. It's a lot of pressure."

This is the stark reality of training camp for rookies, the little people who have no particular personal interest in the retirement of Ricky Williams, who have no time to waste worrying about the Jay vs. A.J. debate, who, in other words, have helmet-rattling problems of their own.

Delahoussaye, for instance, bounced from his chair Tuesday after sharing with a reporter his thoughts on being a one-trick pony in a roomful of highly versatile athletes. There was a smile on his face and an enthusiastic message for some other Dolphins free agents. "Hey, guys, I got an interview," said the former Ragin' Cajun from Louisiana-Lafayette.

Not much of a training-camp highlight, but then in this business, you never know.

The rest of the story

By Dave George
PalmBeachPost