*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***

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Mar 06, 1996: -- Four Players Signed --

The Dolphins have announced the signing of 4 players today, all of whom were with the team in some capacity last season. The players signed were FB Lee McClinton, OL Gene McGuire, TE Frank Wainwright and FB Robert Wilson. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

McClinton, at 5'11" and 252 lbs, signed with the Dolphins last spring as an undrafted rookie free agent from New Hampshire. He was on the team through the first game of the season, after which he was released and re-signed to the practice squad.

Gene McGuire (6'2", 300lbs) was signed in November after being waived from the Green Bay Packers last summer. He was originally drafted in 1992 by the Saints and has also spent time with the Cardinals and the Bears.

Frank Wainwright (6'3", 245 lbs) was signed by the Dolphins in November of last season to handle the long-snapping duties after OL Ethan Albright went down for the season with a knee injury. Wainwright played in the final 6 games of last season. He was drafted by the Saints in 1991 and played with them for 4 years, before going to the Bronco and Eagles.

Robert Wilson (6'0", 255 lbs) was signed by the Dolphins in November of 1994 and saw action in all 16 games of last season on special teams and primarily as a blocking fullback to give Keith Byars a rest. He carried the ball once for 5 yards and caught one pass for 3 yards.

In other news, Free Agent Irving Fryar has visited the New Orleans Saints and plans to visit the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots before deciding who he will sign with next season. According to one source, Fryar wants about $2 million per year.

But he still may be a Dolphin next year. Bob Ackles, Jimmy Johnson's assistant for personnel, has reportedly been in touch with Fryar's agent and the Dolphins may yet make him an offer.

And last, but certainly not least, the Dolphins have hired Kevin O'Neill as their head trainer and Brad Roll as Assistant Stength and Conditioning Coach. O'Neill worked with Jimmy at the University of Miami and with Dallas. Roll was also with Coach Johnson at the University of Miami.

My Comments:

It's good to see Wilson back for this year. He had a good year last year on special teams and as a blocker. He can't match Byars as a receiver, but he is a pretty good blocker, especially for the rushing game. Both he and McClinton outweigh most of the linebackers in the NFL.

It would be a shame to lose Fryar, but if he wants $2 million per year, that might be a bit much, especially after the year that he had last year.

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