*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Feb 27, 1997: -- Spikes and Wainwright Sign --
** Spikes, Wainwright and Daryl Frazier Sign
The Dolphins have re-signed both restricted free agent Irving
Spikes and unrestricted free agent Frank Wainwright to two year
deals. The Dolphins also signed free agent wide receiver Daryl Frazier
to a two year contract for what was presumably a minimum salary.
Spikes was the Dolphins backup running back this year, gaining
316 yards rushing on 87 carries scoring 3 touchdowns. He also caught
8 passes for 81 yards and 1 touchdown.
But perhaps Spikes' most important contribution last season
was as a kickoff returner. He was 4th in the AFC in average yards per
kickoff return last year, gaining an average of 24.3 yards on each
return.
Frank Wainwright's principal contribution last season was as
the Dolphins' long-snapper, but he was also a reserve tight end and
even though he caught just one pass last year, it was for a touchdown.
Wainwright's contract is for a reported $675,000 for two years.
Frazier is a wide receiver, and I've heard that he may have
played in the CFL last year, but if he did, he didn't score any
touchdowns and he wasn't near the top of the league in receptions. He
was briefly signed by the Eagles during training camp last summer, but
was cut before the regular season started.
** Dolphins Release Scott Miller
The Dolphins also released wide receiver Scott Miller today.
Miller was drafted in the 9th round of the 1991 draft by the Dolphins
and has been on the team as a backup wide receiver and punt returner
ever since. He actually got his first start in the first game of this
season, but by the end of the year, had only caught 9 passes for 116
yards.
** Williams, Marion and Schwantz visit
WR Kevin Williams, S Brock Marion and LB Jim Schwantz all
visited the Dolphins yesterday as the Dolphins talked to them about
joining the team. This was Williams' second visit to the Dolphins
and there was speculation that he would sign, but the day ended
without a contract for him.
Brock Marion is probably out of the Dolphins' price range, and
Schwantz is a restricted free agent who is not even sure he wants to
leave the Cowboys, but the Dolphins are talking to them in the off
chance that they can cut a deal.
Marion was the starting free safety for the Cowboys at the
beginning of last season and Schwantz made the Pro-Bowl on special
teams.
My Comments:
I'm glad that Spikes and Wainwright are back. Spikes is an
excellent backup running back and kickoff returner and Wainwright is a
good long-snapper and fills a space as a backup tight end.
I always thought that if Scott Miller got a decent chance that
he would do well, because he seemed to be able to catch anything that
was thrown near him during the pre-season. However, he dropped a
number of easy passes this year and had trouble getting open. He
won't be missed.
As far as the team visits are concerned, Williams is the only
one that visited yesterday that I think the Dolphins have a good
chance at. If they can sign him, he'll be a good third or fourth
receiver.
Related Info:
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Curt Fennell,
[email protected], DOLFAN in New England
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