tiggerpolice

New Dolphin Jones unfazed by potshot

BARRY JACKSON

bjackson@herald.com


As the Heat commands our attention, the Dolphins this week begin their final nine days of offseason ''practices.'' Some buzz from Davie:

• One of the offseason's most surprising developments was New Orleans coach Jim Haslett ripping safety Tebucky Jones after Miami signed him. To refresh, Haslett said: ``He doesn't have very good ball skills. He struggles in space. I don't know why he can't catch a ball. It's the oddest thing I've seen. I think [ Nick Saban] took him because they didn't really have anybody else.''

Responding publicly for the first time, Jones conceded ''it's surprising'' Haslett would rip him like that. ``But I [know Haslett's] character. From being there two years, I already knew what kind of person he was, and the defensive coordinator [ Rick Venturi], too. . . . You see his character by the way he said the whole championship Pittsburgh Steeler team was taking steroids. . . . He can say what he wants. I don't care.''

(Haslett indicated in March that the 1970s Steelers teams pioneered NFL steroid use -- a claim the team denied.)

Jones, who played for Bill Belichick in New England, said Saban's and Belichick's demeanors and approaches are very similar. ''A big difference from New Orleans,'' he said. Saban ``teaches a lot.''

Jones, a seven-year veteran, never has intercepted more than two passes in a season. But he's a solid tackler, and the Dolphins believe he can help against the run, an area where Miami ranked 31st of 32 teams last year.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald...s/11818706.htm