Herald: Seau can return -- at lower salary

[1niksder]

Seau can return -- at lower salary

BY JASON COLE

jcole@herald.com


Linebacker Junior Seau has been invited by coach Nick Saban to return to the Dolphins next season, but only if Seau agrees to a significant salary reduction.

Seau, 36, is scheduled to earn more than $3 million in base salary and other bonus money next season. The Dolphins can save $2.7 million against the cap if they release him on or before March 1.

However, coaches felt Seau played well enough before sustaining a torn pectoral muscle to merit coming back. Seau, who underwent surgery in November for the muscle tear, could not be reached, and the Dolphins declined comment.

The team has been working on the contract with agent Marvin Demoff. Seau said last season he hoped to return from the injury, which resulted in the first serious surgery of his career.

Seau was second on the team in with 68 tackles through eight games, easily putting him on pace for more than 100.

GRANTHAM TO BROWNS

The Dolphins lost out on their latest choice for a defensive coordinator when Houston Texans defensive line coach Todd Grantham agreed to a contract with Cleveland. Grantham was had been mulling offers from the Browns and Dolphins after interviewing Wednesday with Cleveland.

The Dolphins are expected to hire George Edwards or Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator, but still could offer the job to Richard Smith of Detroit. Another potential candidate, former Browns defensive coordinator Dave Campo, joined the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday as assistant head coach and secondary coach.

Grantham, who was assistant head coach under Saban at Michigan State, interviewed with the Dolphins in January. However, the sides couldn't work out a deal then and revisited the situation this week after the Dolphins asked for permission to speak with Grantham.

• Saban and Dolphins Enterprises CEO Joe Bailey will be available to speak with season-ticket holders from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Dolphins Stadium.

Aside from Saban and Bailey, players, alumni and cheerleaders will attend, and there will be games, prices and many other activities. Fans may enter through Gate E. Admission and parking are free. Call 1-888-FINS-TIX or 305-614-7553.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sp ... 930326.htm

[welch]

Still, hits me as a sad thing. Here is Junior Seau who, with Derrick Smith, was to be The Next Lawrence Taylor, expected to take a pay cut.

OK, at 36.

But in a sane NFL he would still be playing in San Diego. Ah, well. Junior was good.