PBP = Palm Beach Post
SFSS = South Florida Sun-Sentinel
PP = Phil Phanatic
MH Note: "It has been interesting watching receiver Ryan Grice-Mullen, who was signed earlier this offseason after playing in the CFL. Grice-Mullen is a former teammate of Davone Bess at Hawaii so the comparisons are natural. I would tell you the guys are similar in that both are not necessarily fast, but rather quick. Both wear their hair in dreads. And then there's the real reason Grice-Mullen has a chance."
About how RGM has a chance to make the Dolphins as a returner, Miami head coach Tony Sparano said:
"The thing they have in common is their return ability and those skills. That was something that interested us. [Grice-Mullen] has shown me good ability to judge the football back there which is a major hurdle for any returner. I feel like he's going to be a pretty good decision-maker." (MH)
Asked what he likes about Ryan Grice-Mullen in comparison to Davone Bess, Sparano said:
"I think they're two different players, I really do. I think they remind me a little bit of each other in the fact that—it must have been a heck of a 7 on 7 period down there in Hawaii when you're throwing the ball around and these two guys are moving all over the place. They're both really quick twitch guys that way, and they're quicker probably then they are fast. That's the thing that they have in common. Of course, Davone is built a little lower to the ground and Grice is a little taller than Davone I would say. Both of them have good ball skills. But, just a little bit different players I think in what they do for the football team. The thing that they have in common is that they both have return abilities and some of those skills. So, that was something that interests us with Grice as well." (PP)
Asked if there is a difference between the skills needed for returning the football in the CFL versus the NFL, Sparano said:
"I would say so, yes. The field size and all of those kinds of things make it a little bit different. Also, certainly speed coming down the field and any of those types of things. So, I would think that having the ability to judge the ball as the returner and not having to go through that process—He has shown me so far, and not just here in the last couple of days, he has shown me good ability to judge the football back there which is a major hurdle with any returner is to get by that type of deal. So, I feel like he's going to be a pretty good decision maker." (PP)
MH Note: "Grice-Mullen averaged 9.6 yards on 43 punt returns and 23.4 yards on 47 kickoff returns. He set a CFL record with a 106-yard punt return for a touchdown in a playoff game."
Praising RGM as a returner, Sparano said:
"He has shown me good ability to judge the football back there, which is a major hurdle with any returner. I feel like he's going to be a pretty good decision-maker." (MH)
RGM said that Bess:
"is like my brother." (MH)
Sparano said that RGM and Bess:
"remind me a little bit of each other. They're quicker than they are fast.'' (MH)
About how RGM needs to be able to be more than just a returner to make the team, Sparano said:
"Although the return thing is very, very important, I want a guy that is going to be able to do a few different things.'' (MH)
About Bess, RGM said:
"Davone is like my brother. We're both about the same height — he's a little wider, I'm a little slimmer. Both of us wear dreads. He started his before mine, but mine are a little longer." (SFSS)
SFSS Note: "If Bess were a Hollywood actor in need of a stuntman, Grice-Mullen would get the job, hands-down. If Bess were a dictator in need of a body double, there would be no need for an audition. At 5 feet 11, Grice-Mullen is one inch taller. At 190 pounds, Bess is 10 pounds heavier. Bess wears No. 15. Grice-Mullen wears 17. Heck, their birthdays are a day apart in September, although Bess is a year older at 24.
About Bess and RGM, Sparano said:
"It must have been a heck of a 7-on-7 period down there in Hawaii. You're throwing the ball around, and these two guys are moving all over the place. They're both really quick-twitch guys." (SFSS)
SFSS Note: "And hands? These guys are like Venus Flytraps. They have been working out together since Grice-Mullen arrived in early March. Bess helped him learn the playbook, showed him around the facility and the area, helped him hone his routes on the practice field. No wonder Grice-Mullen hesitated for about two seconds before signing with the Dolphins in January after spending parts of two seasons in the Canadian Football League. He figured it was time to join forces with his friend once more. Last time they played together, Bess finished with 108 catches for 1,266 yards and 12 touchdowns. Grice-Mullen? He went for 106 catches for 1,372 yards and 13 touchdowns."
Asked how he differs from Bess, RGM said:
"How are we different?. I don't really know." (SFSS)
After a pause, RGM said:
"I might be a bit faster. A lot of people would say we're the same." (SFSS)
About how his chance to make the Dolphins is primarily on special teams, especially with the trade of Ginn, RGM said:
"As a young player that's your biggest way of making the team is special teams. But you still have to impress in other areas, too." (PBP)
PBP Note: "Playing on the league's 110-yard field, Grice-Mullen set a playoff record with a 106-yard punt return for a touchdown in a Nov. 22 loss to Montreal. The Dolphins called the next day and eventually signed Grice-Mullen in January."
About his chance with Miami, RGM said:
"You know how this game is, sometimes it's perfect timing." (PBP)
PBP Note: "Working with rookies and first-year players this weekend, Grice-Mullen hopes to get back in synch with Bess. Known as the "Dreadheads," the duo caught 214 passes and 25 touchdowns as juniors in 2007 before declaring for the NFL Draft. But while Bess caught on with Miami and excelled as an undrafted rookie, Grice-Mullen injured his hamstring, was cut by two teams and ended up in Canada."
About how he cheered for Bess on Sundays, RGM said:
"When I saw him on TV it got me excited. That's like my brother, we've been together since we were 18. To see him have his success made me hungrier." (PBP)
PBP Note: "Even so, Grice-Mullen, who lines up in the slot like Bess, is a long shot to make the Dolphins. The team has four established wide receivers - Bess, Brandon Marshall, Greg Camarillo and Brian Hartline - and is looking for 2009 third-round pick Patrick Turner to develop. Grice-Mullen's ability in the return game helps, but he'll likely have to do more to earn a spot on the 53-man roster during training camp."
About how RGM has to do more than just return kicks to make their team, Sparano said:
"Although the return thing is very important, I want to have a guy that can do a few different things out there." (PBP)
About how he just needs a chance like Bess got, RGM said:
"Seeing him making it and seeing him do his thing gave more confidence to myself." (PBP)
http://phinphanatic.com/2010/05/01/sparano-interview-with-local-media/
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/01/1608767/miami-dolphins-eye-grice-mullen.html
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