*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Apr 05, 1999: -- Wiegmann Signs Offer Sheet --
** Wiegmann Signs Offer Sheet
Chicago Bears' center Casey Wiegmann has signed an offer sheet
from the Miami Dolphins for a 3 year deal worth a total of $1.4
million. Wiegmann is a restricted free agent who started 15 of 16
games last season for the Bears.
Wiegmann, at 6-3 and 295 pounds (190.5 cm and 134 kilos), was
an undrafted rookie free agent after he broke a bone in his leg in
the final game of his senior year at the University of Iowa. He was
signed by the Colts in 1996 and stayed on their practice squad for a
while, but was waived and ended up with the Jets.
In 1997, the Jets also waived him and he then signed with the
Bears, where he spent most of 1997 and ended up starting all but one
game in 1998.
Because Wiegmann is a restricted free agent, the Bears have
until Friday to match the Dolphins' offer. If they match the offer,
Wiegmann will be obligated to remain in Chicago. However, if the
Bears fail to match the Dolphins' offer, Wiegmann will go to Miami
without Miami having to give up any draft picks as compensation. The
reason for that is that Wiegmann was not drafted.
** College Players Visit the Dolphins
Last week, some 16 college players visited the Dolphins in the
second of their pre-draft visiting periods for college football
players. The Dolphins are allowed to bring in 20 players from outside
the local area, but limited themselves to 17 players. Unfortunately,
only 16 college players actually showed up, which wide receiver Troy
Edwards missing his appointment for unknown reasons.
Players who visited the team were QB Cade McNown (UCLA), QB
Ted White (Howard), RB Cecil Collins (LSU, McNeese State), RB Shawn
Bryson (Tennessee), RB Joe Montgomery (Ohio State), WR Kevin Johnson
(Syracuse), WR Marty Booker (Northeast Louisiana), WR Tai Streets
(Michigan), LB Eric Barton (Maryland), S Richard Coady (Texas A&M),
CB Fred Vinson (Vanderbilt), OT Lonnie Shelton (Eastern Michigan), C
Damien Woody (Boston College), FB Rob Konrad (Syracuse), DE Patrick
Kerney (Virginia), and DB Brad Ware (Auburn).
** Other News And Rumors
The Herald reported last week that LB Anthony Harris, a
restricted free agent, is likely to sign a 2 year contract this week
to stay with the Dolphins.
The Dolphins continue to negotiate with TE Hunter Goodwin, who
is a restricted free agent with the Vikings. It's widely reported
that the Vikings will be too cash-poor to match the Dolphins' offer,
if the Dolphins and Vikings can come to an agreement.
And rumors persist that the Dolphins may sign QB Scott Zolak
to a deal as a backup quarterback, but that may wait until after the
draft.
Finally, the rumors persist that the Dolphins are still trying
to sign Tony Martin, despite his legal problems. The Dolphins need
that deep threat and Martin needs cash for his legal defense.
My Comments:
The signing of Wiegmann to an offer sheet is significant for
two reasons:
First, it shows that Dave Wannestedt is already making his
presence felt in Miami. You can be sure that Wiegmann would not have
gotten so much as a postcard from JJ if Wannestedt hadn't give it his
enthusiastic support.
Second, it's significant because Wiegmann is young, athletic
and has been a genuine starter at center in the NFL. Bringing in a
starter to back up Ruddy means that JJ wants to challenge Tim Ruddy to
step up and play at a higher level.
Reading between the lines, I think that this shows that JJ
still believes in Ruddy, but thinks he can play better than he has.
Therefore, he's bringing in someone to motivate Ruddy to improve his
game.
At the very least, this will make the training camp battles at
center worth watching. Certainly, it improves the depth of the
offensive line - as long as the Bears don't match the offer.
As to the college players who visited, their names are very
significant because the Dolphins are only allowed to invite 20 players
who are not local to Miami.
To me, there were a few surprises on the list. None of the
wide receivers were particularly interesting, except for Troy Edwards
- who didn't even show up. If anyone knows why, I'd love to hear it.
Also, there were 2 defensive backs on the list and Damien
Woody, who will probably have to be taken in the first round, if there
is any chance that he will become a Dolphin. Could JJ break his old
rule of not taking an offensive lineman in the first round? Probably
not - I think Woody is a smokescreen.
Remember that a lot of what JJ does around this time of year
is meant to confuse his competition and disguise his true intentions.
Having said that, JJ typically does invite the players he's interested
in for a visit, so I think you can count on seeing at least a few of
the players listed above in Dolphins' uniforms after the draft.
..one way or another.
The significance of Cade McNown visiting Miami is pretty
obvious, I think. JJ would like to pick up someone who has the
potential to be Marino's successor. This draft is deep in
quarterbacks, but it's unlikely that most of the top ones will last
until 24th in the draft.
McNown, however, could slip to the 24th spot - or even into
the second round. So JJ is taking a look to see if he's worth picking
up.
And Cecil Collins spent about half an hour talking with JJ
privately during his visit last week. I'm sure I don't have to tell
you why this is significant, but I should add that this could also be
a smokescreen.
According to some rumors, there is a pretty fierce debate
going on inside the Dolphins coaching staff about Cecil Collins, so it
will be interesting to see what happens with him. It's getting more
and more likely that someone will take Collins in the draft at some
point, but it remains to be seen which team will take the chance.
Related Info:
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Curt Fennell,
[email protected], DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
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