Battling depression, Manny Wright asks for Dolphins release
Battling depression, Manny Wright asks for Dolphins release
By Alex Marvez & Harvey Fialkov
sun-sentinel.com
Posted August 10 2006, 10:54 AM EDT
DAVIE -- Manny Wright has asked for his release from the Dolphins, but the second-year defensive tackle's future with the franchise remains uncertain.
Agent Peter Schaffer said Thursday morning that Wright, who left the team last week, was diagnosed with clinical depression in the offseason and some of the problems he has experienced in training camp stem from it. Wright has struggled with weight and conditioning issues, although he did report to camp in better shape than in the 2005 preseason where he once cried on the practice field after being yelled at by coach Nick Saban.
"The only reason he wants (his release) is because I just think with regard to the depression issue, being in Miami seems to set him back," Schaffer said. "Maybe it's the memories from last year or whatever. I just think that he thinks not only for his pro career but his mental health that he would be better off somewhere else.
"This is nothing personal against the Dolphins because they've been fantastic. But I think given the clinical nature of this, it might be best for him professionally and from a mental health standpoint to distance himself from some of the contributing factors to it. By no means am I saying the Dolphins are to blame for this."
Asked whether he thought the situation may be resolved soon, Schaffer said, "We're working on it."
Dolphins coach Nick Saban refused to elaborate on Wright's departure from the team during his Wednesday news conference.
Wright's father Terence said that he is coming to South Florida on Friday with his wife and two other sons to "support (Manny) so he could make the best possible decision while he's going through some depression right now."
"Only God can help reach him reach deep down inside himself. I don't know what's going on," Terence Wright said from his family's home in Compton, Calif. "I'm in a situation now where I want to do what's best for Manny and to support him, but I don't think the way to do it is over the phone.
"Please tell (Dolphins owner) Wayne Huizenga that I'd relocate my family to help him out or get my wife to take a leave of absence to stay down there and help. I've been a Dolphins fan since I was a little kid and they went on that perfect run [in 1972]. I want Manny to work it out with the Dolphins so he could help them bring in the new millennium."
Terence Wright said his son has been taking medication to help alleviate his depression but is uncertain what effect it has had on him.
Because he left the team, the Dolphins were given a roster exemption for Manny Wright that already was used Wednesday to claim cornerback Chris Thompson off waivers from Cleveland. There is no expiration deadline for the exemption, NFL spokesman Steve Alic said.
A 2005 fifth-round supplemental draft choice, Wright entered the preseason expected to compete with Keith Traylor to start at nose tackle. Wright, 22, showed flashes of promise late last season when appearing in three games as a backup.
Schaffer said that Wright is "definitely feeling better" since taking a hiatus from football. Schaffer also said the Dolphins have tried to help Wright address his depression issues.
"We appreciate everything the Dolphins have done from Nick Saban on down," Schaffer said. "We're hoping to get a positive resolution so Manny can continue moving forward with his life."
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