*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Feb 16, 1998: -- Free Agent Update --
The biggest news in free agency for the Dolphins today is that
offensive lineman Kevin Donnalley, formerly of the Tennessee Oilers,
arrived in South Florida yesterday to talk to the Dolphins about a
possible contract. Donnalley is the first big name free agent to
actually visit the Dolphins.
Donnalley visited with some of the coaching staff yesterday
and was scheduled to visit the Dolphins training facility in Davie
today.
The other big name that the Dolphins are pursuing is defensive
lineman John Randle from the Vikings. The Dolphins have talked
extensively with Randle's agent, but have not made a formal offer to
Randle at this time. The current rumor is that the Dolphins are
expecting to offer a 5 year contract worth $30 million, with a $10
million signing bonus.
Several new names have been added to the list of players that
the Dolphins may be interested in. According to the Palm Beach Post,
the Dolphins have expressed enough interest in the following players
to actually contact them: offensive linemen John Johnson of the
Steelers and Aaron Taylor of the Packers and running backs Ricky
Watters, Edgar Bennett, Natrone Means and Charlie Garner.
At this time, however, the Dolphins are spending most of their
effort on Randle and Donnalley.
Dolphins' free agents that are talking to other teams include
James Brown, who will talk with Arizona and the Jets, Bernie Parmalee,
who will visit the Seahawks and the Chargers, and Craig Erickson and
Roosevelt Potts, who have both talked to the Bears about possible
deals.
My Comments:
It's beginning to look more and more like Donnalley will be a
Dolphin. The Dolphins are the first team he has visited and Larry
Beightol has said that Donnalley "is Ron Heller". As most of you
know, I can't think of a higher compliment to pay an offensive lineman
than to say that he's as good as Ron Heller.
The rumors surrounding Randle are less clear. Some rumors say
that Randle will be staying with the Vikings because of his loyalty to
Vikings' head coach Dennis Green. Other rumors say that Randle will
go with the highest bidder and that the Dolphins have an edge there.
Certainly, Randle's agent is pushing the big money numbers,
saying that he expects to get $35 million for Randle with a $12-15
million signing bonus.
But the rumors that you hear depend a lot on the source. The
rumors out of Minnesota are saying that Randle will stay with the
Vikings, no matter what deal he gets from the Dolphins. The rumors
in Miami say that Randle has been seen in Miami this afternoon, which
would mean that he is at least talking to the Dolphins.
Personally, I don't put much stock in any of the rumors. The
only thing that we know for sure is that we won't know anything
definite until an offer has actually been made or until he signs.
Related Info:
[Return to Dolphins News]
Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
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