*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***

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Mar 11, 1996: -- Dolphins Sign Fred Barnett --

In their first major signing of a free agent from another team, the Dolphins signed former Eagle Fred Barnett to a 5 year, $8.5 million contract. According to USA Today, this contract includes a $2.125 million signing bonus.

Barnett, a Pro-Bowl selection in 1992, was bothered by tendinitis of the knee last year, but still caught 48 passes for 585 yards and lead all Eagles receivers with 5 touchdowns. In the 1995 playoffs, he lead the team with 10 catches for 137 yards and a touchdown.

Barnett (6'0", 200lbs) is 29 years old and is entering his 7th year in the league. His best season every was 1994, when he caught 78 passes for 1,127 yards. Coach Jimmy Johnson said of Barnett that "He's a big-play guy".

My Comments:

Apparently, in all the excitement over the signing of Keith Sims and the loss of Troy Vincent and Marco Coleman, the press wasn't paying much attention to other things that the Dolphins might be up to.

Jimmy Johnson has said that he likes "playmakers" on offense. I would say that Fred Barnett fits that role nicely. With one signing, the receiving corps gets a major boost. Plus, Barnett signed for about $1.7 million per year, which is considerably less than the $2 million that Irving Fryar was seeking.

You have to like this move. It strengthens what was a major weakness in the offense; it gives the Dolphins a quality player at a decent price and it simplifies the task of picking for the draft.

There are two potential drawbacks to this deal - how long will it take Marino and Barnett to get in sync and how will Barnett's knee hold up? Certainly, Miami's grass field will be easier on Barnett's knee than Philly's turf surface was. As to the first point, if JJ makes the offense simpler, as he's said he will do, then it shouldn't be much of a problem (I hope...).

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