) Johnson
came out and said "Marino's future is with the Dolphins.."
What Johnson would like are more picks. But the biggest trade bait he
has is probably Kirby, J.B., Armstrong and Cross. Singleton, Green and
Atkins are too expensive to move.
* Free agents the Dolphins are trying to re-sign are Marco Coleman,
Randall Hill, and the recently cut Bert Weidner. It doesn't seem
likely that Coleman will have his transition label much longer, IMHO:
A transition DE's value by my figures is $2.83M, while a franchise
OL's value is $2.64M. I think you get the idea. But then again, I felt
Miami was all set up to get Houck. (If Dallas doesn't play by the rules,
Tags the Spineless should look in the mirror for the answer).
* Gary Myers in the Daily News today reported how Art Modell hasn't
spoken to Belichick in 3 weeks and that Miami's the favorite in
acquiring his services. Newsport just reported that Marchibroda may
be next in line for Art's consideration.
Editor's Note: Belichik was fired by Modell yesterday...
* If you didn't catch the new Inside the Huddle, it was reported that
JJ's strategy in making cap room is to deal the contracts of the players
managed by Drew Rosenhaus as a whole. He represents at least 10
Dolphins.
* Eric Green had arthroscpoic surgery to repair cartilage on the knee
he actually re-injured by coming back too fast from his original injury
last October. His recovery time is given at 3-4 weeks. Pat Jones is
in charge of making sure he comes into the 1996 campaign in shape.
* The ball's in Emtman's court. Last week, Johnson spoke to Steve and
told him he has plans for him as long as he is willing to renegotiate
his contract. If he isn't, he'll be terminated. Also, Cox came out
of his interview saying Johnson would like to have him. However, he's
asking for $3M a season with at least a $5M signing bonus, and so will
test the market. Irving Fryar is not in Miami's plans in 1996.
* Terry Kirby, as you know, is a restricted free agent. Unless he is
tendered a contract valued at least the average of the top 15 backs,
his compensation is the round he was drafted. Terry Kirby for a third
round draft choice seems very realistic, especially considering the
team interested doesn't have to offer anything exuberant.
* Miami's home page had the Dolphin cap at $36.4M after the Weidner and
Clark cuts. If the NFL cap rises to $40.5M (one possible value offered
by Larry Weisman of USA Today), Miami would have $4.1M of cap room.
Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Miami start last year's free agency
period with a similar if not slightly less value? If so, there's always
hope, especially when you deal with a soft cap.
==========================End of Marc's Post===========================
My Comments:
None of what's listed above is particularly suprising. Kirby
for at least one draft pick is certainly a possibility, as a Jimmy
Johnson offense probably wouldn't rely nearly as heavily on passes to
backs as the old Dolphins' offense did.
I was a little surprised to see Fryar discarded so immediately
and Emtman being asked to stay. Still, I can see the logic in both
decisions.
Free Agency starts tomorrow - Friday, February 16th. Here we
go!
[Return to the Dolphins news page]
Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New England
