*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Feb 13, 1997: -- Emtman Waived; 5 Players Signed --
The Dolphins announced today that they have released defensive
lineman Steve Emtman. Emtman was scheduled to make approximately $2.5
million this coming season, but the Dolphins had been negotiating with
him to reduce his salary. The Dolphins had wanted to keep him on the
team, but couldn't come to a satisfactory agreement with him.
The Dolphins also signed 5 players today, each to 2 year
contracts. The players signed were G John Elmore, QB Spence Fischer,
DE Larry Jackson, FB Lee McClinton and T Mike Sheldon. All of the
players signed had spent time on the Dolphins practice squad last
year.
Steve Emtman was originally the first overall pick in the
1992 draft, picked by the Indianapolis Colts. However, numerous
injuries prevented him from ever fulfilling his promise as a truly
dominating defensive lineman and after he refused to take a pay cut
from the Colts in 1995, he was released and signed with the Dolphins.
In 1996, Emtman was part of the defensive line rotation for
the Dolphins. He ended the season with 55 total tackles, 2 sacks, 1
fumble recovery, 2 forced fumbles and 2 passes defensed. That put him
second behind Tim Bowens in total tackles for defensive linemen on the
team.
Offensive Guard John Elmore was drafted by the Patriots in the
5th round in 1996, but was cut by them last August. The 6'3", 320 lb
Elmore played at the University of Texas and spent all of the 1996
regular season on the Dolphins' practice squad.
Quarterback Spence Fischer was the second all-time leading
passer at Duke before being signed by the Steelers in the 6th round
last year. He was cut by the Steelers in August and spent part of the
season on the Dolphins practice squad.
Defensive End Larry Jackson played his college ball at Texas
A&M before being signed by the Denver Broncos in 1995 as a rookie free
agent. He spent most of 1995 on the Bronco's practice squad, but was
cut by them in training camp this year. He then spent 2 games with
the Cardinals before winding up on the Dolphins practice squad at the
end of the season.
Fullback Lee McClinton was signed as a rookie free agent by
the Dolphins back in 1995 and has spent the last 2 years on the
Dolphins' practice squad. He was a 2 year starter at the University of
New Hampshire.
Offensive Tackle Mike Sheldon was signed by the Bills in 1995
as a rookie free agent out of Grand Valley State. He spent the entire
1995 season on the Bill's practice squad before being cut last summer
and spent the 1996 season on the Dolphins' practice squad.
And last, but not least, I've been told that the Dallas
Morning News is reporting that Cowboys Cornerback Clayton Holmes is
coming off of a drug suspension and may sign with the Dolphins in the
near future.
Holmes was suspended last year for substance abuse, but before
that was one of the Cowboy's nickel backs. My understanding is that
he's a big defensive back, but that he doesn't quite have the
instincts that are needed as a starter.
My Comments:
Steve Emtman has been a steady but unspectacular player for
the Dolphins. While it would have been nice to keep him, his $2.5
million salary was way too much to pay for his services. He'll
probably end up playing someplace else, but he probably won't be
making $2.5 million anywhere.
All the practice squad players are going to get their chance,
which is why they were signed, but I doubt that any of them will be on
the regular roster in September.
As for Clayton Holmes, I wasn't able to verify the story at
the Dallas Morning News' web site, but I didn't look very hard. I'm
not crazy about having a substance abuse problem on the team, but if
anyone can keep him clean, it's Jimmy Johnson.
While not directly related to the Dolphins at this time, it
appears that the Houston Oilers have not applied either the franchise
player or transition player tag to free-agent linebacker Michael
Barrow. Today was the deadline for designating franchise and
transition players and the Oilers apparently did not place either tag
on Barrow. This makes it somewhat easier for the Dolphins to bid for
his services.
Related Info:
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Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New England
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