Monday, May 20, 2013

Egnew clearly trying to shake 'soft' perception

BY NICK ST. DENIS

A teammate of Michael Egnew called the young Miami Dolphins tight end a "p---y" and "not a football player" earlier this year, with another coworker saying "he should have been cut."

That, just months after being publicly ripped by his offensive coordinator on HBO's Hard Knocks. So Egnew is trying to toughen up.

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Dolphins' 2012 third-rounder is now spending three days a week doing mixed martial arts training.

"Doing that, You learn how to compete," Egnew said.

After Egnew was mostly invisible throughout his rookie season, the Dolphins brought in veteran tight end and former New York Jet Dustin Keller to replace the departed Anthony Fasano before acquiring Michigan State tight end Dion Sims in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Keller is the leader in the clubhouse to get most of the air reps with Sims poised to be a force in the run game. And with utility player Charles Clay still on the roster, Egnew will need to compile a better-than-stellar summer's worth of work to retain a roster spot.

"I expect to play this year," Egnew said. "I’ve gotten stronger. I’m absolutely ready.”

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/2013/05/heat-players-keep-adding-weapons-umncaa-dolphins-marlins-chatter.html#storylink=cp

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