Nose tackle Anthony Toribio began this weekend's rookie minicamp listed under ''minicamp workout players,'' a group so far down in the caste system that only their names, positions and numbers are listed on the minicamp rosters -- no heights, weights, birth dates, colleges or hometowns.
Toribio -- 6-1, 305 pounds, born March 1, 1985, out of Carson Newman and Miami Central High -- has moved up a step, being signed by the Dolphins as a rookie free agent.
''Anthony was here on a tryout basis and really showed to everyone what can happen to a kid when he comes to camp in shape and works hard,'' Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland said in a statement.
TRANSLATOR NEEDED
Ivan Campos, born and raised in Boston by Dominican and Puerto Rican parents, works for the company that helps keep the Dolphins' facility clean and clipped. It's doubtful that when Campos moved to South Florida nine months ago he figured he'd spend a May weekend translating for media and NFL coaches.
Mexican kicker Radamez Rubio Gaytan, in minicamp as one of the workout players, speaks English credibly, but has a little trouble understanding it. He knows how to kick, going 2 for 5 on 65-yard field goals Friday. Gaytan said he tried out for NFL Europe three times, but didn't make it. His friend and agent is former NFL kicker Raul Allegre.
Although Gaytan and his fellow minicampers might not fully comprehend each other -- Gaytan said the only fluent Spanish speaker he has found is fellow workout player Chris Capote, an offensive guard from Miami Killian -- smart players should get Gaytan's phone number before everybody heads home.
All football players speak Food. Back in Mexico City, Gaytan just finished studying to be a chef and says he's best at a fusion cuisine that combines Asian and Mediterranean, especially Italian.
TAYLOR UPDATE
Dolphins coach Tony Sparano disputed reports from multiple media outlets that relations between the Dolphins' new hierarchy and dancing Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor have grown arctic.
''I think it's been overblown,'' Sparano said. ``I've said this before, I said it several weeks ago -- I understand what Jason is doing. Jason and I have spoken, and that's really all that matters. Jason and I stay in contact. As long as I know what's going on with Jason and he knows what's going on with me, I think we're in good shape.''
Should Taylor still be with the Dolphins come training camp, the team drills should be a baptism in the humidity for No. 1 overall pick Jake Long. He'll spend many plays dealing with Taylor.
''I've talked to Jake about this several times even prior to him coming here, in our interview process,'' Sparano said. ``I said probably the best friends that he needs to make on our football team are Jason Taylor and [10-year defensive lineman] Vonnie Holliday. I said they need to be your best friends. He kind of looked at me and wondered why I would say something like that.
``I've seen it all the time happen to young players is that they go against the veteran players and the veteran players can help them with some of the crafts, some of the things that maybe they expect or that give them problems.''
