Dolphins raid Super Bowl teams

[WebHamster]

Davie, FL (Sports Network) - The Miami Dolphins Friday signed three free agents that played in February's Super Bowl on Friday. Guard Jeno James and cornerback Reggie Howard, formerly of the Carolina Panthers, and safety Chris Akins from New England, were signed to contracts with undisclosed financial terms.

James, who signed a six-year contract, started all 16 regular-season contests and four playoff games for the Carolina Panthers last season. The Panthers advanced to their first-ever Super Bowl, losing the championship contest to New England on a last-second field goal by Adam Vinatieri.

James, expected to start at right guard for the Dolphins, was a sixth-round selection of Carolina in 2000. In four seasons with the Panthers, he participated in 55 regular-season contests.

Howard also signed a six-year deal after starting 15 regular season games and all four playoff contests for the Panthers. The 26-year-old had 78 tackles and two interceptions in 2003, and could provide insurance in the defensive backfield if the Dolphins cannot come to a contract restructuring agreement with incumbent cornerback Sam Madison.

The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Akins was used in a reserve role last season, and is an excellent special teams players.