DOLPHINS
Deal for receiver Boston is close
The Dolphins ask David Boston to meet with Dave Wannstedt and also agree to a six-year, $23 million deal for offensive tackle Damion McIntosh.
BY JASON COLE
[email protected]
The Dolphins moved closer to finalizing a trade for San Diego wide receiver David Boston by requesting Boston fly to South Florida in the next few days to meet with coach Dave Wannstedt.
According to a report in The San Diego Union-Tribune that was confirmed by an NFL source, the request follows two days of negotiations between the Dolphins, Chargers and agent Mitch Frankel, who represents Boston. While a firm agreement is not in place, the sides are apparently close enough that coming to terms appears likely.
The Dolphins did reach an agreement with one of Boston's teammates in San Diego last season, coming to terms with offensive tackle Damion McIntosh on a six-year, $23 million contract. The Dolphins will now cross their fingers that they can get McIntosh healthy in time for next season.
To cover themselves in the event that McIntosh isn't ready, the contract is heavily backloaded and includes a signing bonus of only $300,000. In addition, the Dolphins signed unrestricted free agent offensive lineman John St. Clair to a two-year, $2.6 million contract.
St. Clair said he was told by the coaches that he would be the starting right tackle for now and was told that McIntosh probably wouldn't be ready to practice until September.
As for Boston, the Dolphins spent part of the day working on language of a revised contract.
The key in the deal is that San Diego wants to recoup as much of the $6.9 million Boston is guaranteed over the next two years. The Dolphins are willing to do that, but want to structure the deal in terms of incentives.
The goal is to have the deal worked out by Monday.
DOLPHINS FAVORED
The Dolphins are among at least three teams that have strong interest in Boston. However, they are the clear favorite to get him because of his strong relationship with Dolphins wide receivers coach Jerry Sullivan from their days in Arizona.
McIntosh, who had surgery Tuesday on his right ankle, agreed to a deal that is heavily backloaded to protect the Dolphins from serious salary cap problems.
McIntosh, who has suffered from ankle problems in each of the past two seasons, is expected to be out four to six months, and there is some concern he might not play at all this season.
LITTLE RISK
The Dolphins didn't risk much this season on the deal, that includes a $300,000 signing bonus and a base salary of $525,000 in the first year. That's a salary cap figure of only $575,000, a significant bargain if McIntosh can play right tackle this season as the Dolphins had hoped.
With roster bonuses payable only if McIntosh is healthy, he could earn a total of $1.2 million this season in base salary and roster bonuses.
''It was difficult and it was perplexing, but it's rewarding we were able to reach an accord,'' agent Steve Feldman said. McIntosh, 26, is a graduate of McArthur High in Hollywood and was a third-round draft pick in 2000 from Kansas State by San Diego.
On Monday, a contract McIntosh had signed with the Dolphins fell apart when he failed a physical. The deal was for the same total amount of money, but included a $3 million signing bonus.
The situation became a public relations problem when the Dolphins called and then canceled a press conference to introduce McIntosh.
McIntosh, who has played only left tackle in the NFL, became a starter in 2001 with the Chargers. He received a strong recommendation with the Dolphins from former offensive coordinator Norv Turner, who was San Diego's offensive coordinator in 2001.
The signing of McIntosh and St. Clair makes it likely the Dolphins are out of the ever-thinning right tackle market for now
Deal for receiver Boston is close
The Dolphins ask David Boston to meet with Dave Wannstedt and also agree to a six-year, $23 million deal for offensive tackle Damion McIntosh.
BY JASON COLE
[email protected]
The Dolphins moved closer to finalizing a trade for San Diego wide receiver David Boston by requesting Boston fly to South Florida in the next few days to meet with coach Dave Wannstedt.
According to a report in The San Diego Union-Tribune that was confirmed by an NFL source, the request follows two days of negotiations between the Dolphins, Chargers and agent Mitch Frankel, who represents Boston. While a firm agreement is not in place, the sides are apparently close enough that coming to terms appears likely.
The Dolphins did reach an agreement with one of Boston's teammates in San Diego last season, coming to terms with offensive tackle Damion McIntosh on a six-year, $23 million contract. The Dolphins will now cross their fingers that they can get McIntosh healthy in time for next season.
To cover themselves in the event that McIntosh isn't ready, the contract is heavily backloaded and includes a signing bonus of only $300,000. In addition, the Dolphins signed unrestricted free agent offensive lineman John St. Clair to a two-year, $2.6 million contract.
St. Clair said he was told by the coaches that he would be the starting right tackle for now and was told that McIntosh probably wouldn't be ready to practice until September.
As for Boston, the Dolphins spent part of the day working on language of a revised contract.
The key in the deal is that San Diego wants to recoup as much of the $6.9 million Boston is guaranteed over the next two years. The Dolphins are willing to do that, but want to structure the deal in terms of incentives.
The goal is to have the deal worked out by Monday.
DOLPHINS FAVORED
The Dolphins are among at least three teams that have strong interest in Boston. However, they are the clear favorite to get him because of his strong relationship with Dolphins wide receivers coach Jerry Sullivan from their days in Arizona.
McIntosh, who had surgery Tuesday on his right ankle, agreed to a deal that is heavily backloaded to protect the Dolphins from serious salary cap problems.
McIntosh, who has suffered from ankle problems in each of the past two seasons, is expected to be out four to six months, and there is some concern he might not play at all this season.
LITTLE RISK
The Dolphins didn't risk much this season on the deal, that includes a $300,000 signing bonus and a base salary of $525,000 in the first year. That's a salary cap figure of only $575,000, a significant bargain if McIntosh can play right tackle this season as the Dolphins had hoped.
With roster bonuses payable only if McIntosh is healthy, he could earn a total of $1.2 million this season in base salary and roster bonuses.
''It was difficult and it was perplexing, but it's rewarding we were able to reach an accord,'' agent Steve Feldman said. McIntosh, 26, is a graduate of McArthur High in Hollywood and was a third-round draft pick in 2000 from Kansas State by San Diego.
On Monday, a contract McIntosh had signed with the Dolphins fell apart when he failed a physical. The deal was for the same total amount of money, but included a $3 million signing bonus.
The situation became a public relations problem when the Dolphins called and then canceled a press conference to introduce McIntosh.
McIntosh, who has played only left tackle in the NFL, became a starter in 2001 with the Chargers. He received a strong recommendation with the Dolphins from former offensive coordinator Norv Turner, who was San Diego's offensive coordinator in 2001.
The signing of McIntosh and St. Clair makes it likely the Dolphins are out of the ever-thinning right tackle market for now
