FINS SHELTON NEEDS TO LOSE WEIGHT

All L.J. Shelton and his agent wanted was an answer.

Why has Shelton, an offensive lineman who played every snap last season, listed as the second-team right tackle on the team's initial depth chart?

Why wouldn't new coach Cam Cameron or any of the assistants talk to him about his playing situation?

Why wouldn't General Manager Randy Mueller return any of the five calls placed by Shelton's agent the past two days?

Is Shelton, entering the second year of a four-year, $15 million contract, in the team's plans?

"He's just confused on what they're doing," Shelton's agent, Vance Larimer, said Tuesday. "He didn't say he had trouble getting along with anybody. He just said they're kind of ignoring him."

According to sources, Shelton got his answer from offensive line coach Hudson Houck before Wednesday afternoon's practice:

He's too big.

Sources said coaches want Shelton, listed in the Dolphins' media guide at 345 pounds, to shed some of his weight for the season.

One source said that once Shelton gets down to 330 pounds, the coaches assured him he will return to the starting lineup.

Shelton has had weight issues before. The Arizona Cardinals signed him to a five-year contract extension in 2003, but he had off-season ankle surgery and reported to 2004 camp overweight. He didn't mesh with new coach Denny Green and finished the season on injured reserve with a knee injury before being released.

He reportedly showed up overweight to Browns camp in 2005, but quickly shed the pounds and earned the starting left tackle position.

Source: Ben Volin, Palm Beach Post