*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Mar 18, 1997: -- Corey Harris Signs --
** Dolphins Sign Harris
The Dolphins announced yesterday that they have signed free
agent defensive back Corey Harris to a 3 year deal worth approximately
$4.5 million, including a $1.8 million signing bonus. Harris agreed
to the deal last week and will most likely be playing safety for the
Dolphins, which would be the third change of position for the
versatile player.
Harris entered the NFL as a wide receiver after playing both
wide receiver and running back in college. He was originally drafted
by the Houston Oilers, but was cut as a rookie and ended up in Green
Bay, where he played 2 years as a wide receiver before being converted
to defensive back by the Packers. He was then signed by the Seahawks
and was a starting cornerback for them for 2 years.
** Dolphins Agree To Terms with Stubbs
According to a report on ESPN, the Dolphins have agreed to
terms with their free agent defensive end Daniel Stubbs. The terms of
the deal were unannounced, but they are reported to be a 3 year deal
for about $3 million with various incentive clauses.
Stubbs was picked up last year by the Dolphins as a bargain
for $360,000 and played in all the Dolphins' games, recording 9 sacks
and 47 tackles for the team. He was the starting right defensive
end for all but one of the games.
** George Teague Still Undecided
The deadline came and went yesterday and free agent George
Teague had still not made up his mind about where he wants to play
next year. Teague is considering offers from Miami, Baltimore and
Dallas and was supposed to give Miami his answer yesterday, but the
deadline passed without a decision on his part.
According to a report in this morning's Miami Herald, the
signing of Stubbs may end the possibility of Teague signing. The
Herald says that the Dolphins won't have the cap room to sign both
players.
** Offer to Kevin Williams Rescinded
With the signing of Corey Harris and the offers to George
Teague and Daniel Stubbs, the Dolphins have withdrawn their contract
offer to WR Kevin Williams. The Dolphins had made an offer to
Williams, but Williams decided to look for better offers around the
league.
Now that Stubbs has signed, there is very little chance that
Williams will be signed. In fact, the Dolphins are going to start
working on contract restructuring for some of their other players to
fit Stubbs in and still have enough money to go after the rookies they
want.
My Comments:
Corey Harris is a decent addition to a mediocre secondary. If
he's as smart and athletic as he's reputed to be, he should be a very
good safety and help out with the pass defense.
The signing of Stubbs is not particularly surprising, although
I would have hoped for a shorter contract, given Stubbs' age and the
possibility of picking up a player in the draft or through free agency
next year that could really rush the passer from that right side.
It seems to me that you want your best pass rusher on the
right side of the defensive line, to be coming at the quarterback's
blind side. Stubbs is good, but he's not the best answer to the
problem of putting pressure on the opposing quarterback.
As far as Teague is concerned - he missed his chance by
hesitating. At this point, if he decides he wants to come and play in
Miami, he'll have to accept even less than the Dolphins had initially
offered. The signing of Stubbs pretty much ends any possibility that
the Dolphins will sign Teague.
Kevin Williams also overestimated his importance and has lost
his chance, pursuing unrealistic objectives. His agent is Drew
Rosenhaus - what more needs to be said?
Related Info:
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Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New England
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