*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***

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May 15, 1996: -- Darrin Smith to Miami? --

A source in Miami has informed me that Miami is still trying to work out a trade with the Dallas Cowboys for linebacker Darrin Smith. Right now, Smith is a restricted free agent who is unsigned by the Cowboys. The Dolphins could make him an independent offer as a restricted free agent, but they would then have to give up a first round draft choice if they signed him.

The deal is reported to pay Smith in the neighborhood of $1.5 to $1.8 million per year plus incentives and would involve the Dolphins and the Cowboys swapping their first round draft picks next year. The Dolphins would also send an unnamed safety to Dallas in exchange for Smith.

In other news, the Dolphins are reportedly making an offer to Daryl Gardener for a 5 year contract with a hefty signing bonus. If terms are favorable, he could be signed very soon - perhaps as early as next week.

Also, if the Dolphins have done what they said they were going to do after the end of the mini-camp, every draftee should have a preliminary offer on the table as of the end of this week.

My Comments:

Please note that the news about Smith only comes from one source, meaning that I haven't been able to cross-check it in any way. HOwever, of all the rumors that I have heard this spring, this one makes more sense than most.

First of all, the way I heard about it makes me trust it more than some of the other rumors that I've heard. Also, the deal itself makes the most sense - the Dolphins could certainly use more linebacker help and Smith was a draft pick of JJ's from his time with the Cowboys.

Also, the fact that there is a safety involved makes it that much more credible to me. The Dolphins wouldn't mind dealing one of their starters to Dallas. And since Oliver and Atkins play the same position and reportedly don't get along, one or the other of them would be the most likely to go, I would think.

Personally, I would rather see Atkins go, partly because of his antics last year and partly because his numbers against the salary cap are so much higher than Olivers.

There's also the report that JJ was trying to trade for Smith on draft day, and that report seems to have some credibility to it.

And last, but not least, I give this report credibility because of the part about swapping first round picks next year. By swapping first round draft picks, each team is betting against the other that it will have the better record this coming season.

For example, if Miami has a better record than Dallas, then Dallas will have a higher pick in the draft. However, Miami will then get Dallas's pick because of the trade. It's Jones betting Johnson that each of their teams will do better next year than the other - it's far too much of an ego trip for either to refuse!

This is all assuming, of course, that the report is true and that the deal goes through. I will try to confirm it with other sources, but in the meantime, I'm inclined to believe this one.

Related Info:

Miami Herald:

J.J. beams with confidence as camp ends