Gardener studying Lett to see what he might become

By Jason Cole / Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel (Oct. 24, 1996)

DAVIE (KRT) - Dolphins No. 1 pick Daryl Gardener is approaching the halfway point of his rookie season and is about to get a good look at what he hopes to become. If he can get the motivation.

Gardener has been studying tapes of Dallas defensive tackle Leon Lett for months. It started in training camp, Gardener talking with obvious admiration for the Pro Bowler. Talking about Lett's quickness and his anticipation.

Gardener would do well to take note of Lett's intensity this Sunday when the Dolphins host Dallas at 4 p.m. at Pro Player Stadium. Even Gardener's teammates see that the huge talent still isn't quite there.

"Daryl is a young guy that is in his first year in the league and maybe for some guys it takes longer to come around and understand what the game at this level is about," safety Louis Oliver said. "I don't worry about (defensive tackle) Tim (Bowens). He practices hard, he plays hard. Daryl, sometimes you have to put a little fire under him to get him going."

Oliver was asked if there was anything that he says to Gardener to get the 6 foot 6, 305-pounder going.

"I don't know, that's what coach has to do with him. Tim and those guys have to talk to him," Oliver said before pausing. "If he needs a fire under him this week, something is wrong."

This is nothing new for Gardener. The question of consistency dogged Gardener coming out of Baylor, dropping him from potential top 10 pick to No. 20 overall. When the Dolphins took Gardener, Johnson compared his ability to that of Reggie White and Lett. But Johnson and Gardener were quite open on the subject of being undermotivated.

After seven games, Gardener has yet to get rid of the label and the past two weeks are the reason why. Against Buffalo, he was part of a huge effort by the defensive line, helping sack quarterback Jim Kelly seven times and force three interceptions in a 21-7 victory.

At Philadelphia, the line and front seven overall let the game slip away. No play said that more than the final touchdown, a 49-yard run by Ricky Watters with 2:28 remaining. Watters got through a tackle that Gardener was supposed to make and clinched the game, putting the Eagles ahead by two touchdowns.

Teammates and coaches now look at Gardener's locker stall and wonder when the immense talent will show up every week. Gardener remains likeable among his teammates, but the expectations are high.

"Our talent is at defensive tackle," defensive line coach Cary Godette said. "Those guys can make it all happen. They don't have a ceiling."

That's because Gardener could be another version of Lett, who Johnson found in the seventh round of the 1991 draft. Lett didn't become a regular player until midway through the 1993 season as he made the transition from tiny Emporia State.

"I just remember seeing this big guy and everybody saying, 'Where did he come from?' Dedication and hard work is what got Leon where he is," said Dolphins defensive end Danny Stubbs, who played with Lett in Dallas. "Daryl and Tim can be that good. It's all about work ethic."

And the intensity.

"Leon has a great motor," guard Keith Sims said. "He doesn't take a play off and he's a big guy, like 6 feet 6. He always coming at you. He wears you down."

The Dolphins are hoping that someday people may say the same thing about Gardener. For now, Johnson is happy with what he has seen. He gives Gardener a high grade so far, but there is a qualifier.

"For being the No. 20 pick and a defensive tackle and a rookie, I would give him an 'A,' " Johnson said.

(c) 1996, Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.). Distributed by Knight-Ridder/Tribune Information Services.