*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Jul 24, 1998: -- Six Players Sign --
The Dolphins announced that they had signed 4 of their remaining
5 exclusive rights free agents yesterday to one year deals for roughly
the league minimum contract in each case. WR Kirby Dar Dar, LB Anthony
Harris, kicker Olindo Mare and safety Shawn Wooden all signed contracts
yesterday before reporting to training camp for their first day of
training camp. However, according to a report in the Sun-Sentinel,
each player can earn up to $250,000 in incentives.
An exclusive rights free agent may only be signed by the team
that owns the rights to that player, in this case, the Miami Dolphins.
The remaining exclusive rights free agent that is unsigned is offensive
lineman Jeff Buckey, but reports are that they are close to a deal and
he should be signed in the next day or two.
Harris and Wooden are both 2 year veterans, having originally
joined the Dolphins in 1996. Anthony Harris was an undrafted rookie
free agent and Shawn Wooden was drafted in the 6th round of the 1996
draft out of Notre Dame.
Kirby Dar Dar originally signed with the Dolphins as an
undrafted rookie free agent in 1995 and has been on either the practice
squad or the regular squad ever since. Last year he missed all of the
regular season with a knee injury.
Olindo Mare was signed last year as a free agent after spending
1996 on the New York Giants' practice squad. Last year, he was the
Dolphins' starting kicker and after the release of Jon Baker, is the
only kicker on the team.
The Dolphins also signed free agent offensive lineman Anthony
Redmon to a one year deal for a reported $500,000 with another $150,000
in possible incentives. Redmon started his last 32 regular season
games at right guard for the Arizona Cardinals and will get a chance to
compete at the left guard position.
And last, but not least, the Dolphins claimed offensive tackle
Jay Hagood off of waivers from the Jets. Hagood was signed by the Jets
in 1997 as a free agent where he played in 2 games as a reserve tackle
and then was released this summer. Hagood played his college ball at
Virginia Tech, where he started for 3 years at left tackle.
My Comments:
When I first read about the 4 younger players' contracts, I was
a little miffed. I thought that JJ had stiffed 4 young guys who had
played their hearts out for him.
That is, until I came across a line in the bottom of the
Sun-Sentinel's article about their signing. It says there that each
player can earn up to $250,000 in incentives. That will more than
double each of their salaries.
That makes a lot of sense. While it certainly would be nice to
have a guaranteed salary, the incentive clauses will work in their
favor if they play well. And if they don't, the team doesn't loose
anything. That sounds OK pretty fair to me.
Editors note: Have I mentioned yet today that I think Drew
Rosenhaus is the an example of the lowest form of life on the planet?
Anthony Redmon may or may not turn out to be the solution at
left guard. He has a reputation for being very aggresive and even nasty
on the field, but his pass blocking skills apparently leave something to
be desired. According to one report, he gave up 11 sacks last year,
which is pretty bad.
On the other hand, he is very athletic for a big man, has good
feet, is quick and has that nasty streak that the Dolphins are looking
for. According to Calvin Jackson (who played with him at Auburn),
Redmon once got into a fight with a defensive player where he ripped
the guy's facemask off and punched him several times.
He's supposed to be a nice guy off the field, but on the field
he's a very tough guy.
Now, what can I say about Hagood? Should I ask why the
Dolphins are scooping up the Jets' rejects? Are they that thin at
tackle that they need this guy? Or is he just cannon fodder for the
rest of training camp?
Of course, Jeff Buckey is still unsigned, so that might have
something to do with it. Maybe when Buckey gets in camp, they'll let
Hagood go.
Or maybe Hagood really is a good player and Bill Parcells just
didn't realize what he had....
Yeah, right. Wanna' buy a bridge?
Related Info:
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Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
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