Dolphins Don't Seem Impressed By The Punter In The Lobby

A hopeful, undrafted free agent works daily to get someone's attention — anyone — and a workout at training camp.
Sep 28, 2019; Iowa City, IA, USA; Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders punter Kyle Ulbrich (48) in action against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium.
Sep 28, 2019; Iowa City, IA, USA; Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders punter Kyle Ulbrich (48) in action against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. / Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
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Kyle Ulbrich, the former Middle Tennessee State punter lingering around Miami Dolphins training camp looking for a job, has yet to catch the eye of special teams coach Danny Crossman.

Crossman seems oblivious to the Ulbrich campaign. Apparently, he hasn't even noticed it. Ulbrich is not even a blip on the coach's radar.

It seems unlikely that Crossman will grant a tryout to the street-free agent, who went undrafted this year.

"I'm not familiar at all," Crossman said, "I worry about the guys we have in the building. Whoever Chris [Grier] brings us, we're going to coach the daylights out [of]."

Ulbrich has been at the training facility daily with signs and an entourage. He is running a full-on political campaign to garner a tryout with the team.

He is at camp from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, trying to attract someone's attention.

He has challenged Jake Bailey to a punt-off. He is begging for attention. The Dolphins re-signed Bailey in the offseason after a mediocre 2023 season.

Crossman said he gets to the facility at 3:00 AM. He does not see Ulbrich or his propaganda machine.

"I get here very, very early in the morning," Crossman said, "So unless he's getting here at three o'clock in the morning, I'm not seeing him."

A reporter then pressed the issue, asking Crossman if he would notice Ulbrich if he crossed his path at the time he drove in.

"So you are telling him to get here at three," a reporter asked.

"I'm not saying anything," Crossman replied. "I'm coaching the guys we got."


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Scott Salomon

SCOTT SALOMON

Scott Salomon joined Sports Illustrated in April 2024 covering breaking news and analysis for the Miami Dolphins channel. In June he joined Inside the Heat and Back in the Day NBA. Scott is based in South Florida and has been covering the local and national sports scene for 35 years. Scott has covered and has been credentialed for the Super Bowl, the NFL Combine, various Orange Bowls and college football championship games. Scott was also credentialed for the NBA All-Star game and covered the Miami Heat during their first six seasons for USA TODAY. Scott is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Communication and the St. Thomas University School of Law. Scott has two sons and his hobbies include watching sports on television and binge watching shows on various streaming services.