*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***

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Jul 16, 1996: -- McPhail Signed; Two to Go... --

The Dolphins announced yesterday that they had signed running back Jerris McPhail, their first 5th round draft pick out of East Carolina, to a 3 year deal worth an estimated $590,000. McPhail joined the team just in time to participate in the first day of training camp on Monday.

The signing of McPhail, who has now earned the title of "the fastest Dolphin", leaves only two draft picks unsigned as the Dolphins move into their second day of rookie training camp. Both third round picks of the Dolphins - CB Dorian Brew and RB Karim Abdul-Jabbar - have yet to sign a contract.

However, around the league only 5 of the 3rd round picks this year have signed contracts. In Brew and Abdul-Jabbar's cases, the sticking point is reportedly on the length of the contracts. The Dolphins are offering 4 year deals and both players are reportedly seeking only 3 year terms.

In other news, the Dolphins released tight end Andy Fuller and linebacker Derrick Oden. This brings the team's roster to 81.

And last, but not least, negotiations with tight end Johnny Mitchell are continuing and a deal could be done very soon, although Mitchell has yet to take a physical. However, Bob Ackles, (the Dolphins' director of football operations), has said that he believes the deal will get done.

My Comments:

Every day that Brew and Abdul-Jabbar sit out lessens their chances of cracking the starting lineup this year. It doesn't become critical until Friday, when the veterans report to training camp, but draftees who sit out really hurt their chances to play, especially if they're not first round picks.

It's not clear what the problem with the negotiations with Mitchell are, but it remains to be seen how long Jimmy Johnson will continue negotiating before he says "enough is enough" and decides to go with Ronnie Williams as his starter.

My plans for training camp reports are the same as last year, even though I don't have the luxury of a Joan Kite to feed me reports from Miami this year. For the uninitiated, I will try to write and publish one report for each day of camp.

The first report should be tonight. It would have been last night, but I spent most of the evening on the phone, troubleshooting some computer problems at work.

Related Info:

Miami Herald:

Mitchell, Dolphins talk, may reach deal today

Miami Herald:

Dolphins Notebook