*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Oct 22, 1999: -- Roster Moves --
The Dolphins have shaken up their roster quite a bit in the
last week, releasing 2 players, signing 3 new players and trading one
to Cleveland. I will do my best to make sense of this for you.
First of all, Karim Abdul-Jabbar was traded to the Cleveland
Browns for a 6th round pick in the 2000 draft and a conditional 5th
round pick in the 2001 draft. If Karim is re-signed or extends his
current contract with the Browns before the year 2000 free agency
period, the Dolphins will get the 5th round pick in 2001. If Karim is
released or not re-signed, the Dolphins will not receive the 2001
draft pick.
A 3rd round draft pick in 1996, Karim had been the Dolphins'
starter for the last 3 years. After starting the first 2 games of
this year, he was benched in favor of Cecil Collins and has been
inactive for the last 2 games. In 1996, he had a 1000 yard season,
the first by a Dolphins' running back since 1978. In 1997, he led
the league in rushing touchdowns.
However, Karim never averaged more than 3.6 yards per carry
for a season and JJ has been looking for a replacement for him since
1997.
According to several articles published since the trade was
agreed upon, the Dolphins made this trade primarily to clear salary
cap space. Trading away Karim relieves the Dolphins of his $900,000+
salary and after signing a couple of new players, the Dolphins have
about $500,000 in salary cap room. Their plans for this room have
been vague, but the general idea seems to be that they will use it to
extend the contracts of some veterans who are due to become free
agents in 2000.
The day before Karim was traded, the Dolphins released
offensive lineman Mike Sheldon, who was signed when Webb and Dixon
were injured. To replace Sheldon on the roster, they signed free
agent wide receiver Roell Preston. Preston is primarily a kick return
specialist who scored 3 touchdowns on kick returns last year for the
Packers and was picked up by the Titans in the off-season. However,
he was released by the Titans earlier this year
On the day Karim was traded, the Dolphins also signed FB
Kantroy Barber to the regular roster from the practice squad. Barber
had impressed coaches during training camp with his blocking ability
and special teams play. With Rob Konrad probably out with an injury
on Sunday, Barber may get a chance to be the backup fullback.
To take Karim's place on the roster, the Dolphins also signed
RB Autry Denson from the Tampa Bay practice squad. Denson is a former
Notre Dame star, who was compared with Karim Abdul-Jabbar coming out
of college. He is tough and determined, but he isn't very fast or
very big. However, he also plays special teams, which is something
that Karim never did.
Also, WR Larry Shannon was waived from the regular roster and
after sitting on the waiver wire for a day, was signed to the
Dolphins' practice squad. And WR Rondel Menendez was waived off the
practice squad.
In summary: Karim Abdul-Jabbar was traded to Cleveland, while
Mike Sheldon and Larry Shannon were waived off the regular roster.
That left 3 open roster spots. To fill them, the Dolphins signed
Roell Preston and Autry Denson as free agents and promoted Kantroy
Barber from the Dolphins' practice squad to the regular roster.
Also, WR Rondel Menendez was waived off the practice squad and
Larry Shannon was signed to the practice squad.
That leaves the Dolphins with 53 men on their regular roster
and 4 men on the practice squad, giving the Dolphins one open spot on
their practice squad.
My Comments:
I think that the trading of Karim to Cleveland at this point
in the year is a mistake. Right now, the Dolphins have no veteran
running backs on their roster. If Cecil Collins gets injured, that
leaves the Dolphins with JJ Johnson, a rookie who hasn't been running
well and Autry Denson, another rookie who was only good enough to make
another team's practice squad.
While I understand the desire to save some cap room, I don't
think that it's worth the potential danger to the team. This makes
Collins (who hasn't played an entire football season since high
school) a key player that can't afford to be injured.
In other words, JJ just canceled our running back insurance
policy for a 6th round draft pick next spring.
As for the other players, Roell Preston is a guy who has a lot
of talent. However, he has a reputation for fumbling that makes me
nervous. Kantroy Barber is a good addition as a backup fullback, but
is he really necessary?
I don't know much about Autry Denson, but he did set a career
rushing record at Notre Dame. According to the draft reports, he's
another Karim Abdul-Jabbar - a tough competitor, but slow. Unlike
Karim, however, he can return kicks.
Larry Shannon belonged on the practice squad this year, so
placing him there was a good move.
Related Info:
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Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
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