Izzo gets along with Dolphins swimmingly

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by Alex Chapman

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Moments later, Johnson stopped the tape and turned to linebacker Larry Izzo, asking him where he was from. "Houston," Izzo said.

"Call your parents in Houston, son, and tell them you made the Miami Dolphins," Johnson said.

In less than a year, Izzo has gone from playing linebacker at Rice University to being a favorite of the announcers on ABC's Monday Night Football.

While at Rice, Izzo set the career record in tackles for losses with 46, and the season record with 18 in 1995. Izzo also ranks fourth on the career tackles list in Rice history with 301.

Izzo's biggest hurdle in entering the NFL was his size, small for a linebacker at 5-11, 220 pounds. The Miami Dolphins' press guide lists him even shorter at 5-10.

"That was the knock on me coming out of high school, and that was the knock on me coming out of college. I feel if I can go out there and make the plays when I have a chance to make the plays, regardless of height or weight, I'll be OK," Izzo said to the Miami Herald .

Izzo has made a very favorable impression on both Johnson and Miami's defensive coordinator, George Hill.

"Larry's a fine football player, and I'm impressed with a lot of things he does. He's an impressive young guy. He's aggresive, he's tough, he's smart," Hill said to the Herald .

In what might be considered a legacy of the Southwest Conference, Rice plays second fiddle to Texas Tech. Ahead of Larry Izzo on the Dolphins' middle linebacker depth chart is fellow rookie and SWC alum Zach Thomas.

Izzo is actually one of two Rice alumni to find a spot this year playing linebacker for the Miami Dolphins.

The other has been out of school for several years, but not in the National Football League: linebacker O.J. Brigance.

While at Rice, Brigance made more tackles than anyone else in school history with 367.

Brigance actually worked out for Jimmy Johnson while Johnson was coaching the Cowboys, but he was not offered a spot in training camp.

So he instead headed to the Canadian Football League.

He played three seasons with British Columbia and the last two with Baltimore.

Brigance had 20 sacks in 1993 with British Columbia and was All-CFL last season, starring in the Grey Cup (the CFL's Super Bowl) with 10 tackles and a blocked punt.

He found a home in Miami because his size (6 feet tall and 225 pounds) is less of a disadvantage than his speed is an advantage in Jimmy Johnson's attacking defense.

"This guy is bright," Hill said. "He works hard and can run. He's shown an ability to play the run."

Brigance and Izzo both made the team in part because of their special teams capabilities.

The new Dolphins join former Rice quarterback and current Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Bert Emanuel in the NFL. Emanuel was selected by the Falcons in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft.

His 46 receptions in 1994 were the second most for a rookie that year, highlighted by an 85-yard touchdown on Dec. 24 versus Arizona.

Last year, Emanuel exploded for 74 catches, 1,039 yards and five touchdowns.

Among current Rice football players, defensive players Warrick Franklin and Ndukwe Kalu and punter Tucker Phillips are given the best chance to join their brethren in the NFL.

The Miami Dolphins begin their season this Sunday against the New England Patriots.

This item appeared in the Sports section of the August 30, 1996 issue.

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