Dolphins Begin Practice Under Saban

Nick Saban walked off the field following his first practice as coach of the Miami Dolphins and mounted a foot-high podium to address a media throng.

“I need all the help I can get,” Saban said.

The new coach may have been referring to his modest height, or to the state of the Dolphins. He inherited a team that went 4-12 last season, and Saban eagerly welcomed the 51 newcomers who began a three-day rookie minicamp Friday.

Only a handful will survive to September, but the Dolphins are counting on several draft picks to make an impact. All six players drafted last weekend worked out, including No. 2 overall pick Ronnie Brown.

Drills also included 16 rookie free agents and 29 tryout players practicing without a contract.

“We’re all in the same boat,” Brown said. “We’re all trying to make the team.”

But some -- like Brown -- have a better shot than others. The Auburn running back signed a waiver to participate this weekend but will likely command a signing bonus approaching $10 million before he reports for training camp.

“I’m trying to learn as much as I can,” Brown said. “Hopefully by the time the season comes around, I can contribute in some kind of way.”

Among the undrafted free agents on hand were former Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brock Berlin and running back Kay-Jay Harris, a 26-year-old rookie who rushed for 1,483 yards and 14 touchdowns in two seasons at West Virginia after playing Class-A baseball for four years.

Evaluating the rookies won’t be the goal this weekend, Saban said.

“This is all about learning on their part, and teaching on our part,” Saban said. “We don’t have enough people out here to get a lot of reps. This is about gaining knowledge. When we teach, we try to tell a guy what to do, how to do it and why it’s important to do it that way.”