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HOT TOPIC
There were new starters at three different positions on Miami's offensive line during the team's recent minicamp, but another change may be forthcoming with the signing of ex-Buffalo guard Bennie Anderson to a two-year contract.
Anderson is expected to compete for the starting right guard position against Seth McKinney, who manned the position during minicamp. Rex Hadnot replaced McKinney at center, while L.J. Shelton started ahead of incumbent Damion McIntosh at left tackle.
Hadnot played center extensively at the University of Houston but has worked primarily at right guard since being a 2004 sixth-round draft choice. Hadnot started at center for the final three games last season in place of McKinney, who was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.
McKinney played left guard as a rookie in 2002 but has subsequently manned the center position.
"I'm getting more comfortable there as time goes by," said McKinney, who was re-signed to a one-year contract during the off-season. "I'm happy with my progress. It might not be as fast as I want it to be, but I'm happy with it.
"Anytime you're putting down a different hand, it's going to be more of an adjustment. Right guard and center are not too big of an adjustment. The assignments are the only difference pretty much."
Anderson should be able to learn his assignments quickly, as he played last season under Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey in Buffalo. A 70-game starter, the 6-foot-5, 345-pound Anderson is markedly bigger than McKinney (6-3, 310 pounds).
"At the first meeting (Mularkey) had with us, he told us we're going to be the most physical team in the NFL," McKinney said. "That's his goal, and that's our goal too. That's the way we're looking at it.
PLAYER NOTES
--WR Marty Booker suffered a sprained ankle during the second minicamp and was held out of the third session. DT Rodrique Wright, who had shoulder surgery in May, didn't participate in the camp.
--Rookie Marcus Vick played primarily at wide receiver during minicamp as he tries making the conversion after playing quarterback at Virginia Tech.
"He's doing a nice job," coach Nick Saban said. "He's a good athlete. We're pleased with his progress. He also played quarterback a couple of times today. I'm sure the multiple roles may not totally enhance his development as a receiver, but he really only spends about two periods a day with the quarterbacks. The rest of the time he's with the receivers. He's had a really good attitude about it all, playing both spots."
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Cs Dominic Furio and Chris McNeil were waived after not attending the minicamp. Furio was claimed off waivers in May from Philadelphia, which made him a 2004 seventh-round draft choice. McNeil quit shortly after being signed as a rookie college free agent from Mississippi State.
DT Manny Wright is now working at nose tackle, where he could become the heir apparent to 36-year-old starter Keith Traylor. Rookie DT Fred Evans, a seventh-round pick, also is getting snaps at nose tackle, with 2005 backup Jeff Zgonina working primarily at end.
"We're trying to give those two guys (Wright and Evans) the majority of the work at nose to see if we can develop a young nose that can play nose," coach Nick Saban said.
Zgonina, 36, could find himself as preseason trade bait if Wright, Evans and 2005 seventh-round pick Kevin Vickerson show more promise. The Dolphins also recently entertained DT Dan Wilkinson on a free-agent visit.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--C Alonzo Ephraim (not tendered as ERFA).
--LB Jason Glenn (not tendered June 1).
--WR Kendall Newson (not tendered as RFA).
--LB Nick Rogers (not tendered June 1).
--S Lance Schulters (not tendered June 1).
--LB Lester Towns (not tendered June 1).
--OT Mark Wilson (not tendered as ERFA).
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--S Yeremiah Bell: ERFA; $350,000/1 yr.
--TE Alex Holmes: ERFA; $350,000/1 yr.
--CB Eddie Jackson: ERFA; $350,000/1 yr.
--OT Damion McIntosh: FA, had been released by Dolphins; $585,000/1 yr.
--C Seth McKinney: UFA; $5M/2 yrs, $915,000 SB; 2006 cap: $1.043M.
--RB Travis Minor: UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--RB Sammy Morris: UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--CB Will Allen: UFA Giants; $12M/4 yrs, SB unknown.
--OG Bennie Anderson: FA Bills; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
--FB Fred Beasley: UFA 49ers; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--WR Kelly Campbell: FA; terms unknown.
--S Deke Cooper: UFA Jaguars; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--QB Daunte Culpepper: Trade Vikings.
--CB Andre Goodman: UFA Lions; $5M/3 yrs, terms unknown.
--QB Joey Harrington: Trade Lions.
--TE Keith Heinrich: UFA Browns; terms unknown.
--DB Renaldo Hill: UFA Raiders; $6M/3 yrs, $2M SB.
--LB Sedrick Hodge: UFA Saints; $2M/2 yrs, SB unknown.
--DB Michael Lehan: FA Browns; terms unknown.
--LB Keith Newman: UFA Vikings; terms unknown.
--OT Mike Pearson: UFA Jaguars; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--TE Justin Peelle: UFA Chargers; terms unknown.
--LT L.J. Shelton: UFA Browns; $15M/4 yrs, $3.5M SB/$750,000 RB; 2006 cap: $2.875M.
PLAYERS LOST
--WR David Boston: UFA Buccaneers; terms unknown.
--QB Gus Frerotte (released).
--WR Bryan Gilmore: UFA 49ers; $610,000/1 yr, $25,000 SB.
--CB Reggie Howard (released).
--S Tebucky Jones (released).
--CB Sam Madison (released).
--OT Stockar McDougle: UFA Jaguars; $1.065M/2 yrs, $100,000 SB/$100,000 WO.
--QB Sage Rosenfels: UFA Texans; $6.4M/4 yrs, $2M SB.
--LB Junior Seau (released).
--CB Kiwaukee Thomas: UFA Bills; terms unknown.
--RB Ricky Williams (suspended).
MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.
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