Dolphins Cancer Challenge VI Caps Successful Event To Raise Funds for Cancer Research
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Feb. 20, 2016
Dolphins Cancer Challenge VI Caps Successful Event To Raise Funds for Cancer Research
Miami, FL – The Miami Dolphins capped another successful Dolphins Cancer Challenge (DCC) today. The sixth edition of this annual community endeavor boasted more than 3,300 cancer fighters who biked, ran, walked, volunteered and donated throughout all of South Florida with a goal to tackle cancer. The event culminated with a Concert Celebration presented by Pepsi at the stadium on the Hard Rock Stage by Grammy Award winners Sheryl Crow and Melissa Etheridge.
“The Dolphins Cancer Challenge is about everyone working together to fight cancer,” Miami Dolphins President & CEO and DCC VI Chair Tom Garfinkel said. “100 percent of participant fundraising goes directly to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center for essential cancer research that changes lives.”
Participants in 2016 had the option of six bike routes, the 5k run/walk and attending the Concert Celebration presented by Pepsi. The DCC continues to solidify its position as the largest event fundraiser in the NFL. Participants included Grand Marshals and Dolphins Executive Vice President of Football Operations Mike Tannenbaum and Head Coach Adam Gase, as well as Dolphins players and alumni such as Dan Marino, Nat Moore, Dick Anderson, A.J. Duhe, Kim Bokamper, Chris Conlin, John Offerdahl, Mark Duper, Michael Thomas and Ndamukong Suh.
“We are tremendously grateful to everyone who participated in the Dolphins Cancer Challenge today,” Sylvester Director Stephen D. Nimer, M.D. said. “We are so excited the community has embraced and supported this remarkable event to raise critical funds for cancer research at Sylvester. Finding new treatments and cures for cancer is a challenging task and every dollar makes a difference in helping us to develop more pinpoint diagnostic tests and targeted treatments.”
The Dolphins Cancer Challenge will donate 100 percent of the participant-raised funds to innovative cancer research at Sylvester. Funds are still being collected through March 31, 2016. As the DCC’s beneficiary, the University of Miami had a team of more than 800 participants which included Head Football Coach Mark Richt to kick off the Hurricanes Hundred loop.
For the first time, the DCC ended with a Concert Celebration presented by Pepsi at the AutoNation Finish Line with artists Sheryl Crow and Melissa Etheridge performing in front of a crowd of more than 5,000.
“It was an honor to play in front of thousands of cancer fighters today,” Grammy-Award winner Sheryl Crow said. “The electric atmosphere at the stadium, surrounded by people all united for one cause – what an amazing day.”
The Dolphins Cancer Challenge will continue raising funds for cancer research with its inaugural DCC Celebrity Golf Tournament hosted by Turnberry Isle Resort & Golf Club on April 4, 2016. Co-Chaired by Don Soffer and James Caan, the tournament will offer cancer fighters a chance to golf and interact with athletes and other celebrity guests. One hundred percent of the funds raised from the golf tournament will benefit Sylvester.
For more information, visit www.DolphinsCancerChallenge.com.
MIAMI DOLPHINS SIGN TWO TO FREE AGENT CONTRACTS
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February 19, 2016
MIAMI DOLPHINS SIGN TWO TO FREE AGENT CONTRACTS
MIAMI – The Miami Dolphins today announced that the team has signed cornerback Chimdi Chekwa and wide receiver A.J. Cruz to free agent contracts.
Chekwa played four seasons (2011-14) for the Oakland Raiders and appeared in 32 games with four starts. He totaled 32 tackles (28 solo), four passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Chekwa was signed by New England as an unrestricted free agent in 2015 and later signed with the Raiders again before training camp but did not participate in any games. He entered the league as a fourth round (113th overall) draft choice by the Raiders in 2011 out of Ohio State, where he was a first team All-American as a senior.
Cruz originally entered the NFL with the Chicago Bears when he signed a free agent contract on July 28, 2015. He was waived by the team after the final preseason game. He played the past two seasons in the Arena Football League where he led the league in kickoff return average both seasons as a member of the Arizona Rattlers in 2015 and the LA KISS in 2014. In 2015, Cruz caught 27 passes for 220 yards (8.1 avg.) and five touchdowns and rushed 11 times for 46 yards (4.2 avg.) and three scores. On defense, Cruz totaled 57 tackles (34 solo), six pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He also returned 51 kickoffs for 1,221 yards (23.9 avg.) and six touchdowns. As an AFL rookie in 2014, Cruz led the league in kickoff return average (22.5) with 58 returns for 1,305 yards.
MIAMI DOLPHINS ANNOUNCE COACHING AND PERSONNEL STAFF CHANGES
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February 12, 2016
MIAMI DOLPHINS ANNOUNCE COACHING AND PERSONNEL STAFF CHANGES
MIAMI – The Miami Dolphins today announced Daronte Jones has been named assistant defensive backs coach and that the organization and Eric Stokes have mutually agreed to part ways. Stokes served as the team’s senior personnel executive and assistant general manager for the past two seasons.
Jones arrives in Miami after serving the 2015 season as the defensive backs coach at Wisconsin. In his lone season, Jones helped the Badgers lead the nation with just seven passing touchdowns allowed. Additionally, Wisconsin’s defense ranked second in the Big Ten and seventh nationally in passing defense, allowing just 173.2 passing yards per game. Safety Michael Caputo earned All-Big Ten honors with 65 tackles (36 solo) and two interceptions.
Prior to Wisconsin, Jones spent three seasons (2012-14) as the secondary coach at Hawaii and added assistant head coach responsibilities in 2014. Jones helped improve Hawaii’s pass defense by 62.1 yards per game as the Rainbow Warriors went from 85th nationally in 2011 to the 11th-best passing defense in 2012. Cornerback Mike Edwards was an All-Mountain West selection with 43 total tackles (38 solo), 15 passes broken up, five tackles for loss and two interceptions in 2012. Jones spent the 2011 season as the defensive backs coach for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League and was a graduate assistant for UCLA in 2010. Jones was the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Bowie State for five seasons (2005-09) and previously served as the defensive coordinator at two Louisiana high schools – Franklin High School (2004) and Jeanerette High School (2003). He also spent one season coaching safeties at Nicholls State (2002) and began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Lenoir-Rhyme (2001). Jones played four seasons at Morgan State before graduating in 2001. He is a native of Capital Heights, Maryland.
Stokes originally joined the Dolphins on May 15, 2014 after spending two seasons (2012-13) with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the director of college scouting. With the Buccaneers, he was responsible for coordinating and compiling the evaluations of all draft-eligible players, while overseeing the entire college scouting staff. Stokes came to the Buccaneers after 14 seasons of playing and scouting experience in the NFL. He worked 12 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks as assistant director of college scouting (2010-11), area scout (2000-01, 2005-09) and as an assistant in the pro personnel department (2002-04). Stokes played two seasons as a safety for the Seahawks after being selected in the fifth round (121st overall) of the 1997 NFL draft. He also was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 1999 expansion draft. Stokes graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in sociology.
MIAMI DOLPHINS MAKE ROSTER MOVES
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February 12, 2016
MIAMI DOLPHINS MAKE ROSTER MOVES
MIAMI – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have terminated the contracts of defensive end Quinton Coples and cornerback Brice McCain.
Coples was acquired by the Dolphins off waivers from the New York Jets on Nov. 24, 2015 and played in six games for Miami during the 2015 season. He tallied one quarterback hurry in his Dolphins debut at the Jets on Nov. 29.
A first-round draft pick (No. 16 overall) by the Jets in 2012, Coples has played 62 games and made 32 career starts. He has made 114 total tackles (77 solo) and 16.5 sacks during his four-year NFL career and was a two-time first team All-ACC selection at North Carolina.
A seven-year NFL veteran, McCain played one season for the Dolphins, participating in 14 games and starting 11 for Miami in 2015. He totaled 39 tackles (31 solo) and had one interception and 10 passes defensed.
McCain joined the Dolphins from Pittsburgh as an unrestricted free agent on March 11, 2015. He entered the league as a sixth-round draft pick (188th overall) by the Houston Texans in the 2009 NFL draft and played five seasons for the Texans. McCain has played 100 career games, totaling 169 tackles (135 solo) and nine interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns.
Dolphins Cancer Challenge Announces Inaugural DCC Celebrity Golf Tournament hosted by Turnberry Isle Resort & Golf Club
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February 12, 2016
Dolphins Cancer Challenge Announces Inaugural DCC Celebrity Golf Tournament hosted by Turnberry Isle Resort & Golf Club
Miami – The Dolphins Cancer Challenge (DCC) today announced an additional exclusive opportunity for the South Florida community to be cancer fighters. On April 4, 2016, the DCC will hold its inaugural DCC Celebrity Golf Tournament hosted by Turnberry Isle Resort & Golf Club. Co-Chaired by Don Soffer and James Caan, the tournament will offer cancer fighters a chance to golf and interact with athletes and other celebrity guests. One hundred percent of the funds raised from the golf tournament will benefit Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami.
The golf tournament will follow DCC VI, scheduled for Feb. 20, 2016. Participants can choose from a bike ride 13-100 miles and a 5k run/walk, with all routes leading to the stadium. DCC VI will culminate with a concert celebration featuring Grammy-Award winners Sheryl Crow and Melissa Etheridge.
“The participants, donors and partners of the Dolphins Cancer Challenge are dedicated to improving people’s lives through the financial support of innovative cancer research,” Miami Dolphins President & CEO and DCC VI Chair Tom Garfinkel said. “We wanted to expand the scope of ways for anyone to be a cancer fighter. This golf tournament provides an additional opportunity – along with our bike ride, 5k run/walk, Fall Family Fest and concert to help in this fight.”
Players will enjoy a complimentary, VIP shopping experience at the Pro Shop onsite exclusively for the DCC Celebrity Golf Tournament. Signature food and drinks will be served on the course with a cocktail reception and awards ceremony to end the day. Golfers will tee off for a round of scramble-golf on the world-famous Soffer Course, home to a number of LPGA and PGA events. Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available. To register for a foursome, please visit DolphinsCancerChallenge.com.
About Dolphins Cancer Challenge
The Dolphins Cancer Challenge (DCC) was founded in 2010 by the Miami Dolphins organization as the signature initiative of the Foundation’s health pillar. In part inspired by Dolphins alumnus and long-time radio voice Jim “Mad Dog” Mandich’s courageous battle with cancer, the DCC’s mission is to improve people’s lives through financial support for innovative cancer research at South Florida’s only academic-based cancer center – Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami. Since its inception, the DCC has raised more than $11.55 million, donating 100 percent of participant-raised funds to Sylvester. For additional information, call (305) 943-6799 or visit www. DolphinsCancerChallenge.com. DCC can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/RideDCC and on Twitter at @TackleCancer.
MIAMI DOLPHINS SIGN MURPHY TO RESERVE/FUTURE CONTRACT
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January 28, 2016
MIAMI DOLPHINS SIGN MURPHY TO RESERVE/FUTURE CONTRACT
MIAMI – The Miami Dolphins today announced that the team has signed wide receiver Tyler Murphy to a reserve/future contract.
Murphy entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015 and spent a total of four weeks on the Steelers’ 53-man roster. Murphy, who played in two games, recorded one catch for 16 yards in Pittsburgh’s season opener against New England on Sept. 10. He was on the Steelers’ practice squad for the remainder of the season.
Murphy played one season at quarterback for Boston College in 2014. As a graduate transfer, he broke the Atlantic Coast Conference’s single-season record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 1,184, a mark that led the team that season. He earned the Walter Camp Connecticut Player of the Year and All-New England honors. A graduate of the University of Florida, Murphy started six games under center for the Gators in 2013. He was 112-of-185 passing (60.5 percent) for 1,216 yards and six touchdowns as a junior.
GRIMES AND JONES NAMED TO PRO BOWL
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January 25, 2016
GRIMES AND JONES NAMED TO PRO BOWL
NEW YORK – The National Football League today announced that Miami Dolphins cornerback Brent Grimes and safety Reshad Jones have been selected to participate in the 2016 Pro Bowl. The annual game will be played on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016 at 7 p.m. ET and televised live on ESPN from Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The addition of Grimes and Jones gives the Dolphins five Pro Bowl selections (including tackle Branden Albert, wide receiver Jarvis Landry and center Mike Pouncey, who will not play in the game due to injury) for the first time since following the 2002 season when the team had seven players selected to the NFL’s annual all-star contest. Overall, this is the 13th time in team history that Miami has had five-or-more Pro Bowl selections (1971-74, 1978, 1983-84, 1986, 1993-94, 2000 and 2002).
Jones and Grimes extend Miami’s streak to 18 consecutive seasons with a defensive player selected to the Pro Bowl. Miami has had at least one representative in the Pro Bowl in all but two seasons of the team’s 50-year history. The only seasons in which the Dolphins did not have a Pro Bowl representative were following the 1980 and 1997 campaigns.
Additionally, the selections of Grimes and Jones marks the first time since following the 2003 season (cornerback Patrick Surtain and safety Brock Marion) that the Dolphins have had two members of their secondary selected to the Pro Bowl in the same season. Following the 2002 season, the Dolphins had three representatives from their secondary (cornerback Sam Madison, Marion and Surtain) selected to the Pro Bowl.
Grimes has been named to the Pro Bowl following each of his three seasons (2013-15) with the Dolphins and the fourth time overall, having also been named to the NFL’s annual all-star game following the 2010 season as a member of the Atlanta Falcons. Grimes’ three Pro Bowl selections ties him with Surtain (2002-04) for the second-most Pro Bowls by a Dolphins cornerback, behind only Madison’s four invitations (1999-2002). Grimes joins Hall of Fame wide receiver Paul Warfield (five times, 1970-74) as the only Dolphins players to earn Pro Bowl invitations following each of their first three seasons in Miami after coming over from another team. Grimes had signed as an unrestricted free agent in March 2013 after playing for the Falcons, while Warfield was acquired in a trade with the Cleveland Brown in 1970.
Since joining the Dolphins in 2013, Grimes has totaled 13 interceptions, tied for the fourth-most in the NFL during that time. He is also tied for fourth in the league in passes defensed, with 43 since 2013.
In 2015, Grimes totaled 42 tackles, four interceptions and 14 passes defensed. He now ranks tied for 10th in team history with 43 passes defensed and tied for 23rd with 23 interceptions despite playing just 47 games in a Dolphins uniform. He is the only player to rank in the top 25 of both lists and play in 50 games or less.
Jones’ selection is the first of his six-year career, as he becomes the first Dolphins safety to be selected to the Pro Bowl since Yeremiah Bell was named to the game following the 2009 season. Overall, Jones becomes the sixth safety in team history to earn Pro Bowl status, joining Jake Scott (1971-75), Dick Anderson (1972-74), Tim Foley (1979), Marion (2000, 2002-03) and Bell.
In 2015, the safety led all NFL defensive backs with 135 total tackles (106 solo) and tied the franchise record with two interception returns for touchdowns in 2015. He also posted two sacks, 10 passes defensed and one fumble recovery.
During his six years with Miami (2010-15), Jones has totaled 8.5 sacks, the second-most among Dolphins defensive backs in team history. His three career interception returns for touchdown puts him in a tie for second place in club annals.
Grimes will replace Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib, who is unable to participate due to advancing to Super Bowl 50. Jones will replace Cincinnati Bengals safety Reggie Nelson, who will miss the game due to injury.
For the third consecutive year, Pro Bowl rosters will not be tied to a conference. Players will be assigned to teams through the Pro Bowl Draft, which will air on Wednesday, Jan. 27 on ESPN2 (7:30 p.m. ET). Two Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receivers — Michael Irvin and Jerry Rice — will serve as NFL Legends captains for the 2016 Pro Bowl. Irvin and Rice return for the second time after being the winning captains during the previous two Pro Bowls.
MIAMI DOLPHINS ANNOUNCE COACHING STAFF UPDATES
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January 25, 2016
MIAMI DOLPHINS ANNOUNCE COACHING STAFF UPDATES
MIAMI – The Miami Dolphins today announced several updates to the team’s coaching staff.
Additions to the offensive staff include Running Backs Coach Danny Barrett, Assistant Wide Receivers Coach Ben Johnson and Offensive Quality Control Chris Kuper.
On defense, the Dolphins coaching staff additions include Defensive Backs Coach Lou Anarumo, Defensive Line Coach Terrell Williams, Assistant Linebackers Coach Charlie Bullen and Defensive Quality Control Rusty McKinney.
The special teams staff consists of Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Darren Rizzi and Assistant Special Teams Marwan Maalouf.
The organization has promoted Dave Puloka to Head Strength and Conditioning Coach and named Jim Arthur and Ted Rath as Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coaches.
Additionally, Ken O’Keefe will be the team’s Senior Football Research Analyst and Blue Adams will serve as Football Research Analyst.
They join previously announced hires of Head Coach Adam Gase’s coaching staff that include Offensive Coordinator Clyde Christensen, Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph, Quarterbacks Coach Bo Hardegree, Wide Receivers Coach Shawn Jefferson, Tight Ends Coach Shane Day, Offensive Line Coach Chris Foerster, Linebackers Coach Matt Burke and Assistant Offensive Line Coach Jeremiah Washburn.
“I am excited about this group of talented and experienced coaches,” said Gase. “I have high regard for their collective experience, knowledge and passion for the game. We will tirelessly work together to build schemes around our players’ strengths and are looking forward to getting to work and preparing for the upcoming offseason program.”
Adams enters his fifth season with the Dolphins after serving as assistant defensive backs coach from 2012-15. He helped mentor two Pro Bowl selections in 2015 (safety Reshad Jones and cornerback Brent Grimes), the first time Miami had at least two defensive backs selected to the Pro Bowl since 2003. Grimes is tied for fourth in the NFL in both interceptions (13) and passes defensed (43) since joining the Dolphins in 2013, working with Adams in all three of his seasons with Miami.
Anarumo returns to the Dolphins for his fifth season as defensive backs coach. He also served as Miami’s defensive coordinator midway through the 2015 season. In his first game as defensive coordinator, the defense registered six sacks, forced four turnovers and allowed just 10 points to the Tennessee Titans (Oct. 18, 2015). He previously spent eight seasons as the defensive backs coach at Purdue (2004-11).
Arthur joins the Dolphins as an assistant strength and conditioning coach after spending the past 11 years with the Chicago Bears where he was the team’s strength and conditioning coach (2008-14) and assistant strength and conditioning coach (2005-07, 2015). During his tenure with Chicago, the Bears won the NFC in 2006 and advanced to the NFC Championship Game in 2010.
Barrett joins the Dolphins after finishing last year as the interim head coach at Central Florida. He also served as the team’s quarterbacks coach (2015) and spent four years as UCF’s running backs coach (2011-14). Barrett coached three all-conference running backs – William Stanbeck, Storm Johnson and Latavius Murray – and two draft picks – Johnson and Murray. Barrett spent seven seasons (2000-06) as the head coach of the Canadian Football League’s Saskatchewan Roughriders and helped the team reach the playoffs in five straight seasons (2002-06).
Bullen returns for his fifth season with the Dolphins and first as assistant linebackers coach. He spent the past three seasons (2013-15) as the team’s assistant defensive line coach and began his Dolphins tenure as the team’s defensive assistant (2012). In his four years of work with the defensive line, Miami ranked in the top half of the league in sacks (154). Bullen came to Miami from Iowa, where he was a student assistant (2007-08) and graduate assistant (2009-11).
Johnson is in his fifth season with the Dolphins and first as assistant wide receivers coach. He previously served as an assistant quarterbacks coach (2013-15) and offensive assistant (2012). Johnson was appointed tight ends coach for the final 12 games of the 2015 season. He came to Miami from Boston College, where he was a graduate assistant (2009-10) and tight ends coach (2011).
Kuper was a Pro Bowl offensive lineman for the Denver Broncos and played in 90 career games (2006-13), making 79 starts. He was picked as one of the team’s co-captains three times from 2010-12 and was selected for the 2013 Pro Bowl.
Maalouf returns to Miami for his fourth season as assistant special teams coach. Working with Rizzi, Maalouf helped the Dolphins set a franchise record with three blocked punts in the 2014 season. The unit also blocked two field goals, giving the team five blocked kicks for the year, the most since 1977. In 2015, rookie punter Matt Darr averaged 47.6 yards per punt, the fourth-best mark in team annals. Maalouf was the special teams coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts in 2012.
McKinney enters his first season with the Dolphins after spending the past two seasons (2014-15) on the Cleveland Browns staff, where he served as a coaching intern (2014-15). He joined the Browns from Bentley University, where he was the defensive coordinator (2013) and also oversaw linebackers and strength and conditioning. McKinney played at Towson, where he earned All-Patriot League honors in 2000 and 2001 and was named a team captain and team MVP as a senior.
O’Keefe returns to Miami for his fifth season after spending the past four years as the team’s wide receivers coach (2012-15) and senior offensive assistant (2015). Under his guidance, Jarvis Landry totaled 194 receptions from 2014-15, the most receptions in league history by a player in his first two NFL seasons. O’Keefe previously served as the offensive coordinator for the University of Iowa from 1999-2011.
Puloka has been promoted to head strength and conditioning coach after spending the past eight seasons as the team’s assistant strength and conditioning coach. He will oversee players’ weight training and the team’s offseason conditioning plan. Puloka came to Miami from the Atlanta Falcons, where he was the team’s assistant strength and conditioning coach in 2007.
Rath comes to Miami from the Detroit Lions, where he served as a strength and conditioning assistant for the past seven seasons (2009-15). In Detroit, Rath worked with Coordinator of Physical Development Jason Arapoff to start the annual Detroit Lions Strength and Conditioning Clinic in 2011. The event is a forum for providing, sharing and exchanging information in the ever-changing world of strength and conditioning.
Rizzi will return for his eighth season and fifth as special teams coordinator. He has developed a Pro Bowler at three specialist positions (long snapper John Denney, punter Brandon Fields and kicker Dan Carpenter) during his tenure. In 2015, rookie punter Matt Darr posted the fourth-best single-season punting average (47.6) in team history. Rizzi came to Miami in 2009 after he spent one season as the head coach at Rhode Island (2008).
Williams returns to Miami for his second season as defensive line coach. In his first year with the Dolphins, his unit helped the team rank second in run stuffs (65) and lead the NFL with 157 rushing yards lost on negative plays. He spent three seasons as the defensive line coach for the Oakland Raiders (2012-14) and helped the Raiders finish eighth in the NFL in fewest rushing yards allowed per play (3.97) in 2014.
