*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***

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Jun 03, 1996: -- Del Rio and Kosar Signed; Heller Retires... --

The Dolphins have signed veteran free agent linebacker Jack Del Rio to a one-year contract for an undisclosed amount that is rumored to be in the $250-300,000 range with lots of incentives. Del Rio was released by the Vikings after last season for salary cap reasons.

Del Rio (33) is playing with his 5th NFL team in 10 seasons in the league. He started with the Saints and was traded to the Chiefs. He was waived by the Chiefs and picked up by the Cowboys, where he worked with Coach JOhnson for 3 years. He then joined the Vikings as a plan B free agent in 1992, where he lead the team in tackles for 3 straight years and made the Pro Bowl in 1994.

Also in the news, the Dolphins have re-signed Bernie Kosar to be their backup quarterback for at least another year. Terms of the contract were not in the initial news report.

Offensive tackle Ron Heller has announced that he is retiring after having had surgery on both knees and on his shoulder during the off-season.

In other news, the Dolphins started their second mini-camp today, and it will run for the next 4 days. Karim Abdul-Jabbar will miss the camp while taking finals at UCLA, but most of the other players, including newly signed Jack Del Rio, should be in attendence.

My Comments:

I'm going to miss Ron Heller. While not the most gifted player on the field, Heller may have been the toughest. He certainly proved his worth against Kansas City two years ago when he started the playoff game while seriously injured.

Del Rio stands a good chance to start at middle linebacker this year in place of Dwight Hollier, if he can stay healthy. He only managed to play in 9 games last year for the Vikings, though. But the Dolphins are very thin at the middle linebacker position, with the only veterans being Hollier and Kopp, and it's hard to call Kopp a veteran.

I know that some people may disagree with me, but Kosar is a good backup and JJ won't ask him to do things he can't do anymore.

For a quick report on what to look for in this week's mini-camp, read the first article listed below in the Miami Herald.

Related Info:

Miami Herald Mini-Camp Preview:

Less contact, same pace

Miami Herald:

Del Rio to bolster LB corps

Miami Dolphins Official Web Page:

Dolphins Sign Jack Del Rio; Re-Sign Bernie Kosar

Sportsline USA:

Dolphins Sign Lb Del Rio, Re-Sign Qb Kosar, Ot Heller Retires