Posted on Tue, Apr. 15, 2003
Dolphins agree to Seau trade
Sources: Chargers LB is expected to join Miami if he passes physical
BY BARRY JACKSON
[email protected]
AP PHOTO
DEAL NEAR: Miami agreed to give San Diego a draft pick and pay some of the $2.7 million roster bonus that Junior Seau, above, is due this week.
The Dolphins and San Diego have agreed to the parameters of a trade for Junior Seau, and the 11-time Pro Bowl linebacker is expected to join Miami if he passes a physical today or Wednesday, NFL sources said Monday.
The Dolphins and Chargers refused to confirm a trade, but sources said the deal will happen if Seau passes the physical, as expected. The Dolphins agreed to give San Diego a draft pick and pay some of the $2.7 million roster bonus Seau is due this week.
Miami is expected to send San Diego a 2004 sixth-round draft pick that could be changed to a fifth-rounder based on performance.
Seau, 34, missed 3 ½ games because of a left-ankle injury last season and had bone spurs removed in January, but that's not considered a concern. Seau will fly to Miami and meet with coaches today. He said he spoke with coach Dave Wannstedt and other Dolphins officials Monday.
''We're planning to have a press conference Wednesday,'' Seau told The San Diego Union-Tribune on Monday night. ``But until everything is officially done, everything is premature.
``When I get on my flight [today], there are definitely going to be mixed feelings in terms of leaving a place that is home and going and servicing another city and another team hopefully for a run at a ring. I'm definitely speechless.''
After the Seau deal is completed, the Dolphins are expected to trade or release outside linebacker Derrick Rodgers, whom Seau will replace. They've already held trade talks with Green Bay regarding Rodgers and are seeking a mid- to late-round draft choice, NFL sources said.
The Dolphins would have liked to keep Rodgers to compete with Morlon Greenwood, but are reluctant to shoulder his salary ($1.1 million) and cap number ($1.85 million). If Rodgers is cut or traded before June 1, he will count $1.5 million against Miami's cap. If he's cut or traded after June 1, he would count $750,000 against Miami's cap this year and $750,000 in 2004. So Greenwood figures to join Seau and Zach Thomas as the Dolphins' starting linebackers. Seau and Thomas are friends.
San Diego is expected to pay much of a $2.7 million roster bonus to Seau. The bonus had been due today, but the sides pushed the deadline back a few days to work out how the teams would split it.
''Junior restructured his contract as part of him being traded to Miami,'' said his agent, Marvin Demoff, adding that a trade was not finalized. ``We can get it finished if Miami finishes their work with San Diego. And if everybody gets along and [Seau] passes the physical, then we can finish our part. I'm optimistic.''
Demoff said Seau was pleased with Monday's developments. ''He likes closure,'' Demoff said. ``Once he knew he had to move, Miami was his first choice [because] of the quality of the franchise from A to Z -- from [owner] Wayne Huizenga to the facility to the coaches to other players.
``Junior respects the talent on Miami's team. On their defense, you can play with Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor and the others. It's pretty exciting. It's like going to a Pro Bowl team.''
Seau also wanted to play for a team that plays the Chargers in San Diego this year. The Dolphins play there Oct. 27, a Monday night. Demoff said Seau is eager to meet Wannstedt.
Seau's existing contract with San Diego would have paid him a base salary of $3 million this year, $5 million in 2004 and $5.5 million in 2005. He was also due a $1.5 million bonus in 2004 and 2005. His new contract was expected to be for less money but would keep him among the highest-paid linebackers.
The Dolphins did not want to risk waiting until Seau's expected release in June. Arizona would have had enough salary-cap space to outbid Miami for Seau if he had become a free agent.
Seau had a career-low 84 tackles last season, which ranked third on the Chargers. Before last season, he had missed only one game in the previous 12 years.
Miami likely will dump Rodgers because it needs money to sign its eight potential picks in the April 26-27 draft and pursue quarterback Brian Griese after his expected release by Denver on June 1. The team also hasn't ruled out re-signing receiver Oronde Gadsden to a low-money deal.
The Chargers do not want to keep Seau because they prefer to get younger and use his cap money to fill other needs.
Dolphins agree to Seau trade
Sources: Chargers LB is expected to join Miami if he passes physical
BY BARRY JACKSON
[email protected]
AP PHOTO
DEAL NEAR: Miami agreed to give San Diego a draft pick and pay some of the $2.7 million roster bonus that Junior Seau, above, is due this week.
The Dolphins and San Diego have agreed to the parameters of a trade for Junior Seau, and the 11-time Pro Bowl linebacker is expected to join Miami if he passes a physical today or Wednesday, NFL sources said Monday.
The Dolphins and Chargers refused to confirm a trade, but sources said the deal will happen if Seau passes the physical, as expected. The Dolphins agreed to give San Diego a draft pick and pay some of the $2.7 million roster bonus Seau is due this week.
Miami is expected to send San Diego a 2004 sixth-round draft pick that could be changed to a fifth-rounder based on performance.
Seau, 34, missed 3 ½ games because of a left-ankle injury last season and had bone spurs removed in January, but that's not considered a concern. Seau will fly to Miami and meet with coaches today. He said he spoke with coach Dave Wannstedt and other Dolphins officials Monday.
''We're planning to have a press conference Wednesday,'' Seau told The San Diego Union-Tribune on Monday night. ``But until everything is officially done, everything is premature.
``When I get on my flight [today], there are definitely going to be mixed feelings in terms of leaving a place that is home and going and servicing another city and another team hopefully for a run at a ring. I'm definitely speechless.''
After the Seau deal is completed, the Dolphins are expected to trade or release outside linebacker Derrick Rodgers, whom Seau will replace. They've already held trade talks with Green Bay regarding Rodgers and are seeking a mid- to late-round draft choice, NFL sources said.
The Dolphins would have liked to keep Rodgers to compete with Morlon Greenwood, but are reluctant to shoulder his salary ($1.1 million) and cap number ($1.85 million). If Rodgers is cut or traded before June 1, he will count $1.5 million against Miami's cap. If he's cut or traded after June 1, he would count $750,000 against Miami's cap this year and $750,000 in 2004. So Greenwood figures to join Seau and Zach Thomas as the Dolphins' starting linebackers. Seau and Thomas are friends.
San Diego is expected to pay much of a $2.7 million roster bonus to Seau. The bonus had been due today, but the sides pushed the deadline back a few days to work out how the teams would split it.
''Junior restructured his contract as part of him being traded to Miami,'' said his agent, Marvin Demoff, adding that a trade was not finalized. ``We can get it finished if Miami finishes their work with San Diego. And if everybody gets along and [Seau] passes the physical, then we can finish our part. I'm optimistic.''
Demoff said Seau was pleased with Monday's developments. ''He likes closure,'' Demoff said. ``Once he knew he had to move, Miami was his first choice [because] of the quality of the franchise from A to Z -- from [owner] Wayne Huizenga to the facility to the coaches to other players.
``Junior respects the talent on Miami's team. On their defense, you can play with Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor and the others. It's pretty exciting. It's like going to a Pro Bowl team.''
Seau also wanted to play for a team that plays the Chargers in San Diego this year. The Dolphins play there Oct. 27, a Monday night. Demoff said Seau is eager to meet Wannstedt.
Seau's existing contract with San Diego would have paid him a base salary of $3 million this year, $5 million in 2004 and $5.5 million in 2005. He was also due a $1.5 million bonus in 2004 and 2005. His new contract was expected to be for less money but would keep him among the highest-paid linebackers.
The Dolphins did not want to risk waiting until Seau's expected release in June. Arizona would have had enough salary-cap space to outbid Miami for Seau if he had become a free agent.
Seau had a career-low 84 tackles last season, which ranked third on the Chargers. Before last season, he had missed only one game in the previous 12 years.
Miami likely will dump Rodgers because it needs money to sign its eight potential picks in the April 26-27 draft and pursue quarterback Brian Griese after his expected release by Denver on June 1. The team also hasn't ruled out re-signing receiver Oronde Gadsden to a low-money deal.
The Chargers do not want to keep Seau because they prefer to get younger and use his cap money to fill other needs.
