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Dolphins News: Free Agents
*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Jan 31, 1996: -- Free Agents --
The NFL Players Association released a list of 456 NFL players
yesterday who are going to be free agents this spring. The Dolphins
have 13 players on the team who will be free agents - 10 unrestricted
and 3 restricted free agents.
Dolphins players who will be unrestricted free agents this
spring are:
Bryan Cox, LB
Troy Vincent, CB *** Transition Player
Marco Coleman, DE *** Transition Player
Keith Sims, OG
Irving Fryar, WR
Randal Hill, WR
Bernie Kosar, QB
Eric Moore, OT
Frank Wainwright, TE
Mike Williams, WR
Troy Vincent and Marco Coleman are designated as "transition
players". This means that they must be paid at least the average of
the pay of the top 10 paid players at their positions in the
league. If any other team makes them an offer, the Dolphins may
match the offer or they may elect to take compensation in form of
draft picks and/or money if the player signs with the other team.
Restricted free agents on the Dolphins are:
Terry Kirby, RB
Robert Wilson, FB
Gene McGuire, OL
The Dolphins retain the right of first refusal on any
restricted free agents that they have.
Some prominent free agents available around the league include Hardy
Nickerson (LB) of Tampa Bay, Cornelius Bennett (LB) of Buffalo, Leslie
O'Neal (DE) of San Diego, Eric Davis (DB) of San Francisco and Chris
Warren (RB) of Seattle.
My Comments:
The Dolphins are not in particularly good shape as far as the
salary cap is concerned and Jimmy Johnson is said to be unhappy about
some of the choices he's being forced to make. He reportedly believes
that the Dolphins have paid too much for some of their players and I
agree with this assessment.
Of the players listed above, Bryan Cox is reportedly asking
for around $3.5 million and Keith Sims is asking for $2.8 million.
However, the best information I have says that the Dolphins won't be
willing to pay that much for either player.
Here is my best guess about who will stay and who will go.
Remember that it is only a guess. However, it is no worse than any
other guess:
Player: Will Sign with Miami:
Bryan Cox, LB No
Troy Vincent, CB *** Yes
Marco Coleman, DE *** No
Keith Sims, OG No
Irving Fryar, WR No
Randal Hill, WR Yes
Bernie Kosar, QB Yes
Eric Moore, OT Yes
Frank Wainwright, TE Yes
Mike Williams, WR No
Restricted Free Agents:
Terry Kirby, RB Yes
Gene McGuire, OL No
Robert Wilson, FB Yes
This is based partly on rumors and partly on my own feelings
about who is expendable and who is not. Of course, I could be wrong.
[Return to the Dolphins news page]
Curt Fennell,
[email protected], DOLFAN in New England
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