*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Sep 04, 1999: -- Webb Signs --
** Richmond Webb Signs
Richmond Webb has signed the one year tender offer that the
Dolphins made him when they designated him their franchise player. His
contract is for $3.45 million, but he will become a free agent again at
the end of this season.
It's not known when Webb will take his place in the lineup, but
if he's in good shape, he could be ready to go almost immediately. His
10 years of experience will limit the amount of time it will take for
him to get ready to play.
For the time being, Brent Smith will remain the starter, but it
is only a matter of time before Webb replaces him in the lineup.
** DT Baron Tanner Traded to Redskins
DT Baron Tanner, a former 5th round draft pick who backed up
Tim Bowens last year, has been traded to the Washington Redskins for
an undisclosed draft pick. The trade leaves the Dolphins with 4
defensive tackles on the roster, out of a total of 10 defensive
linemen.
** Shawn Wooden Has Surgery
Shawn Wooden had surgery on his broken thumb today to repair it
before the regular season starts. Wooden's thumb was broken during the
pre-season game against the Packers on Thursday night.
At this point, it still looks as though Wooden will be able to
play in the opening game against Denver, but he will have to wear a
cast on his hand. This will limit his ability to catch the football
and may give him problems when tackling.
** Team Begins Cuts
Following the release of Craig Erickson yesterday, the Dolphins
cut 5 more players today. Released were LB Jimmy Clements, G Derrick
LeVake, T Thomas Rayam, FB Jamie Reader and T Barry Stokes.
With the signing of Richmond Webb, the trade of Baron Tanner
and the cuts, the Dolphins now have 63 players on the roster. They
must cut 10 more players by 4 PM on Sunday to reach the 53 man limit.
My Comments:
I'm a little surprised that Richmond Webb signed for just one
year, but Webb is not an idiot and not foolish about money. He is
gambling, of course, that the Dolphins won't franchise tag him again
next year, but that's a pretty good gamble with the improvement of
Brent Smith and the other free agents that the Dolphins will have next
year.
I would only be a little surprised to see Webb start against
the Broncos on opening day. It will take him a while to get back into
full playing shape, but a partial Richmond Webb may be better than a
full Brent Smith.
Regardless of how soon Webb starts, having him on the roster is
better than not having him. It sure would have been nice having him
for the whole training camp, but better late than never.
The trade of Baron Tanner is a surprise, especially after
Tanner's game against the Packers on Thursday. I guess Antoine Simpson
is playing better than I knew. Last year, I actually saw Simpson play
in person and I was pretty impressed. But Simpson was cut after
training camp.
I guess he's improved.
Before Tanner was traded, I thought that JJ might keep 10
defensive linemen. However, I don't think that that will happen now. I
think the Dolphins will keep 3 defensive tackles and 6 defensive ends,
including Dimitrius Underwood. In an emergency, Rich Owens can play
defensive tackle. In fact, even now, on passing downs, Owens, Bromell,
and even Trace Armstrong sometimes play defensive tackle.
As to who else will be cut - I haven't the foggiest idea. I
was going to try to come up with some predictions before Sunday, but as
I look down the roster, I can't imagine who will go.
I had expected that the Dolphins would have put Kio Sanford on
Injured Reserve by now, but as far as I know, that hasn't happened.
Perhaps they'll cut him and sign him to the practice squad.
It does seem that with the placing of Lamar Thomas on injured
reserve, Larry Shannon has made the regular roster. But that's only if
JJ keeps 6 wide receivers. He could keep 5 and use John Avery as an
emergency wide receiver.
And, of couse, there's Bernie Parmalee. JJ needs him for
special teams, but may not have room for him on the roster.
In fact, as you go down the roster, it's practically impossible
to figure out who JJ will cut and who he will keep. Of course, there
is always the practice squad, but players must be cut and available to
other teams for 24 hours before they can be signed to the practice
squad.
About the only thing I can tell you for sure is how many players
at each position JJ kept at the beginning of last year. year. He kept
3 QBs, 3 RBs, 2 FBs, 5 WRs, 4 TEs, 9 OL, 4 DTs, 5 DEs, 7 LBs, 5 CBs, 4
Ss, 1 K and 1 P.
This year, I feel safe in saying that JJ will keep just 2 QBs,
2 FBs, 3 TEs, 3 DTs, 6 DEs, 1 P and 1 K. That's 18 players. That
leaves 35 positions to divide up for running backs, wide receivers,
offensive linemen, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties.
And I have absolutely no idea what JJ is going to do. I'm
just glad it's not my decision.
I do think that Bernie Parmalee and Larry Shannon will make the
team. I'm not so sure about Grey Reugamer, although JJ will certainly
try to keep him on the practice squad if he does cut him.
Other than that... well, we'll know soon.
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Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
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