Dolphins extend contracts of Taylor and Mare

[WebHamster]

Davie, FL (Sports Network) - The Miami Dolphins Tuesday extended the contracts of defensive end Jason Taylor and kicker Olindo Mare. Both players inked three-year extensions which run through the 2009 campaign.

Financial terms were not released, but previous reports said the deal for Taylor would significantly reduce his salary-cap number for 2004 and apparently make him the second-highest paid defensive end in the NFL.

The free agency period begins Wednesday and the Dolphins are creating room under the cap.

Taylor had three years remaining on a six-year, $42 million contract he signed in the summer of 2001. Last season, he finished second on the club with 13 sacks. He led the league with 18 1/2 in 2002 and has 71 sacks in his seven- year career.

Mare converted 22-of-29 field goal attempts in 2003 and was successful on 33- of-34 PATs for a total of 99 points.

In addition, the club re-signed safety Arturo Freeman to a two-year contract, while running back Leonard Henry and defensive tackle Dario Romero were re- signed to one-year deals. Both Henry and Romero were exclusive rights players.

Meanwhile, the team tendered all four of its restricted free agents and its lone remaining exclusive rights player. Defensive end Adewale Ogunleye was offered the maximum amount for a restricted free agent, which would require compensation of first and third-round draft choices in 2004 should he sign an offer sheet with another team and the Dolphins choose not to match.

Linebacker Morlon Greenwood, running back Travis Minor and quarterback Sage Rosenfels were all tendered at the original draft round compensation level. Miami also tendered exclusive rights tackle Greg Jerman.

The Dolphins also terminated the contracts of quarterback Brian Griese, safeties Brock Marion and Trent Gamble, offensive tackle Mark Dixon, wide receiver James McKnight, guard Todd Perry and center Tim Ruddy.

Finally, tackle Jarvis Borum, tight end Josh Whitman, defensive end Lamanzer Williams and long-snapper Jeff Grau were waived.