adewale seems screwed

Ogunleye's best option may be $1.84M tender

By Michael Cunningham

Staff Writer

Posted March 14 2004

Defensive end Adewale Ogunleye, a restricted free agent, doesn't have much leverage in his desire for a contract extension. If he decided to hold out for more than his one-year tender of $1.84 million, which agent Drew Rosenhaus has suggested could happen, it would be costly.

According to the NFL's collective bargaining agreement, a player who is under contract with a club and fails to report at least 30 days prior to the first regular-season game will not earn an accrued season. If Ogunleye reported after that date, he would be a restricted free agent again in 2005.

In addition, a restricted free agent who does not report to camp by at least the day before the second exhibition game can be placed on the roster exempt list. When that player signs and reports, he will lose at least one week of pay, depending on how long he holds out.

The Dolphins also could fine Ogunleye $5,000 for each day he failed to report to training camp.

Ogunleye's only hope for leverage is to sign an offer sheet with another team. It's uncertain if that will happen because the Dolphins would receive first- and third-round picks if they chose not to match any offer.

Morris signed

The Dolphins officially announced the signing of fullback Sammy Morris to a two-year contract. Morris, who spent the past four seasons with Buffalo, will replace Obafemi Ayanbadejo, who signed with Arizona, as the backup behind Rob Konrad.

"He was a leader on the Bills' special teams units the last few seasons and was their captain," Dolphins General Manager Rick Spielman said. "We expect that he will have the same impact with our team."

Copyright ? 2004, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

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