Dolphins bring in DT Wilkinson for a look

[faba]

DT Wilkinson makes free-agent visit

By Alex Marvez and Harvey Fialkov

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Posted June 9 2006

Defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson had a free agent visit Thursday with the Dolphins, a source said.

If signed, Wilkinson would likely replace Keith Traylor as the Dolphins' starting nose tackle. Traylor will be 37 entering the regular season and was arrested last month on charges of driving under the influence and illegal possession of a prescription drug in Oklahoma.

The 6-4, 353-pound Wilkinson was released last month by Detroit after telling new Lions coach Rod Marinelli he was unsure about whether he wanted to continue playing. Wilkinson, who has missed only seven games in a 12-year NFL career, spent the past three seasons in Detroit after stints with Washington (1998 to 2002) and Cincinanti (1994 to 1997).

Nicknamed "Big Daddy," the 33-year-old Wilkinson was the No. 1 overall pick by the Bengals in the 1994 draft coming out of Ohio State.

First look at minicamp

Dolphins fans will be able to get their first peek at former Vikings Pro Bowl quarterback Daunte Culpepper and a revamped 2006 roster at this weekend's three-day veterans' minicamp.

Culpepper, who Dolphins coach Nick Saban has said is ahead of schedule in the rehabilitation of his surgically repaired right knee, will share snaps with former Lions quarterback Joey Harrington.

Other notable newcomers include offensive tackle L.J. Shelton, fullback Fred Beasley, No. 1 pick safety Jason Allen and receiver Kelly Campbell.

For the first time since 1997, cornerback Sam Madison will not be in a Dolphins uniform. Madison was signed by the Giants in the offseason; the Dolphins then signed former Giants cornerback Will Allen to vie for his vacated spot.

Also missing is free-agent linebacker Junior Seau and tailback Ricky Williams, who is playing for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League this season while serving his one-year suspension from the NFL for violating the league's substance-abuse policy for the fourth time.