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Mawae to visit Miami todayThe NFL salary cap remains unsettled, but ex-Jets center Kevin Mawae -- who insists he's still dominant -- plans to visit the Dolphins today.BY JASON COLE AND ARMANDO SALGUEROjcole@MiamiHerald.comWhile the Dolphins' quarterback situation remains uncertain as free agency approaches, the team will entertain a prominent free agent to possibly handle the snap.
Former New York Jets Pro Bowl center Kevin Mawae is scheduled to visit the Dolphins today. The 35-year-old Mawae was cut in a salary-cap move by the Jets -- a move he called a ''mistake'' during a conversation Monday with New York reporters.
''I still believe that I'm probably the best guy on the market. I guess people look down on 35-year-old centers who make the Pro Bowl six times,'' said Mawae, who has played 12 NFL seasons.
''You're talking about the top center in the game,'' agent Mark Bartelstein said of Mawae. ''He could come right in there and change the whole dynamic of the line and really take them to the next level.
''I know people talk about [LeCharles] Bentley of New Orleans, and that's because he's younger, but Kevin has a track record and is still ready to play.''
Mawae missed 10 games last season because of a torn triceps muscle. Coincidentally, he was injured when former Buffalo defensive tackle Sam Adams fell on him during a game. Adams visited the Dolphins on Tuesday and will be there today.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
Neither Adams nor Mawae is expected to sign with a team until the negotiations regarding the collective bargaining agreement and the salary cap within it are resolved. NFL owners met Tuesday in Dallas to hear the latest proposal from the NFL Players Association. The owners could vote on the proposal by today.
According to multiple sources, the plan for the Dolphins hinges somewhat on the salary cap. If the cap is extended and approximately $10 million is added for this year, the Dolphins are expected to be an aggressive player for San Diego quarterback Drew Brees, who is set to be an unrestricted free agent.
Brees is expected to visit the Dolphins shortly after the start of free agency whether the cap is extended or not.
However, if the cap is not extended, there is a strong belief that Minnesota will strongly pursue Brees and then trade or cut quarterback Daunte Culpepper. The Dolphins would then pursue Culpepper.
The Vikings will have ample cap room to pursue Brees whether the cap is extended or not.
If the Dolphins don't get Brees or Culpepper, they also have expressed strong interest in Arizona quarterback Josh McCown and interest in Washington's Patrick Ramsey. McCown is set to be an unrestricted free agent. Ramsey could be traded or cut.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Dolphins tentatively plan to release Gus Frerotte today if there is no extension of the collective bargaining agreement between the players and the owners and free agency is reached. If that's the case, teams must get below the salary cap by tonight and free agency will begin at 12:01 a.m. Thursday.
Frerotte's salary is scheduled to count $4.38 million against the cap next season. The Dolphins are $1.3 million over the cap.
An extension or a new CBA could extend Frerotte's days in Miami but by no means guarantee he'll be with the team in the long term.
MORE THAN ONE QB
The Dolphins won't be in the market for only one quarterback but several this offseason. They want a starting-caliber player, a veteran backup to replace Frerotte and likely a young player they can groom for the future.
Under the right circumstance, the team could carry as many as four quarterbacks next season.
Among the veterans who might draw interest from Miami as a backup is former Steelers backup Tommy Maddox, who was released by the Super Bowl champions last week. Maddox is a great admirer of new Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey from when Mularkey held the same job in Pittsburgh.
Former Dolphins assistant coach John Sandusky died Sunday night at Coral Springs Medical Center. He was 80.
Sandusky, an NFL player in the 1950s and a longtime assistant with the Baltimore Colts, Philadelphia Eagles and Dolphins, died of complications from internal bleeding, his son, Gerry, told the Baltimore Ravens. The son is a radio broadcaster for the team.
John Sandusky spent 35 years as a coach, guiding the offensive and defensive lines for the Colts (1959-72), Eagles (1973-75) and Dolphins (1976-94). He was the Dolphins' assistant head coach from 1989 to '94.
He played seven seasons in the NFL, the first six with the Cleveland Browns, for whom he saw action on the offensive and defensive lines from 1950 to '55. The Browns reached the NFL title game in each of those seasons. He finished his career with the Green Bay Packers in 1956.
Sandusky is survived by his wife, Shirley; two sons, Gerry and Jim; and two daughters, Ruth Ann McFadden and Jenny Sandusky. All were by his side when he died. Sandusky's first wife, Ruth, died in 1985, and a son, Joe, died in 1978.
Cornerback Sam Madison's career with the Dolphins has ended as he agreed to terms with the New York Giants today.
Madison agreed to a four-year deal that includes a $2 million signing bonus. His annual base salaries are $900,000 in 2006, $1.2 million in 2007, $1.5 million in 2008 and $1.8 million in 2009.
Madison can also make an additional $250,000 each of those seasons for collecting four interceptions per year.
Agent Drew Rosenhaus declined to confirm the salary figures but spoke about Madison's impending career change.
''He's happy,'' said Rosenhaus, who represents Madison. ``He's sorry to leave the Dolphins but he's going to a great situation with the Giants. They have a winning team and a winning tradition.''
Madison was released by the Dolphins last week in a move to save space under the salary cap.
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