Dolphins Sign Cory Schlesinger As UFA; 2007 Coaching Staff Completed

Mar 15, 2007 10:03:04

March 15, 2007-The Miami Dolphins today signed fullback Cory Schlesinger to a two-year contract as an unrestricted free agent from Detroit. Schlesinger is a veteran of 12 NFL seasons, all with the Lions, who made him a sixth-round draft choice in 1995. He has played in 181 games, including 87 starts in his career. He has rushed for 473 yards and five touchdowns on 167 attempts and caught 197 passes for 1,445 yards and nine scores. He had his most productive season in 2001 when he rushed for 154 yards and three TDs on 47 attempts and totaled 60 receptions for 466 yards. Where Schlesinger has excelled the most is as a blocking back. In Schlesinger’s 12 previous NFL seasons, the Lions have had seven different individual 1,000-yard rushing seasons by three different players (Barry Sanders 1995-98; James Stewart 2000, 2002; Kevin Jones 2004). This included a 2,053-yard rushing campaign by Barry Sanders in 1997, the third-highest total in NFL history. Schlesinger was voted as an alternate to the Pro Bowl in 2003, 2004 and 2005. The 6-0, 250-pound Schlesinger was a four-year letterman at the University of Nebraska (1991-94), where he started his final two years. He was a senior on the team that defeated the University of Miami in the 1995 Orange Bowl to claim the National Championship. Schlesinger attended Columbus High School in Duncan, Nebraska where he was a two-time all-state selection as a linebacker. He was born on June 23, 1972. Also on Thursday, Head Coach Cam Cameron announced the completion of his coaching staff for 2007. In addition to the assistants on the coaching staff, Matt Schiotz will head up the strength and conditioning staff while Brad Ohrt will assist him. The football support staff will consist of Director of Player Development John Gamble and Special Assistant to the Head Coach Tony Egues, formerly the team’s Equipment Manager. In addition, Joe Cimino, who is in his 13th season with the club, was named the Dolphins’ Equipment Manager today. “I think we have assembled one of the strongest coaching staffs in the league,” Cameron said. “Our offensive staff, which includes a number of former head coaches and coordinators in the NFL, as well as head coaches at the major college level, will work closely with me in formulating and implementing our game plan. “Our defensive staff includes a great mix of talented veteran coaches along with some up-and- coming individuals, while we feel we have two of the most respected special teams coaches to be found anywhere. I couldn’t be more pleased at the staff we have in place here, and I know they are looking forward to working with our players to collectively building a winning team here with the Dolphins.”