The Miami Dolphins agreed to terms withReggie Bush, a former USC standout who won the Heisman Trophy, on a two-year contract Thursday, paving the way for a trade that will send the running back from the New Orleans Saints to South Florida.
The deal reportedly is worth $9.7 million over two years, and will be paid $5 million in 2011.
Bush was due to earn a base salary of $11.8 million with the Saints. According to Fox Sports, the Dolphins reportedly will send a late-round pick to New Orleans to complete the deal.
The Dolphins were intent on adding a scatback to the team’s backfield as a complement to Daniel Thomas, the team's 2011 second-round pick.
Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland also is working to restructure the contract for Denver quarterback Kyle Orton.
Ireland’s spent the past two days working on a trade for Orton, a seven-year veteran who has a 32-29 record as an NFLstarter.
The Dolphins pulled themselves out of the bidding forDeAngelo Williams, who re-signed with Carolina for five-years, $43 million (with $21 million guaranteed). And according to sources, discussions with Giantstailback Ahmad Bradshaw have stalled, if not concluded on Wednesday evening.
Bush, who has averaged 4.0 yards per carry and scored 29 rushing and receiving touchdowns during his five NFL seasons, might have had a lot to do with that.
Bush’s presence will provide new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll a dynamic playmaker out of the backfield, one Daboll could design plays for similar to how he used Josh Cribbs in Cleveland. Bush is also a dynamic return threat who could enhance the Dolphins' special teams unit.
The market for Orton, who is owned nearly $9 million in 2011, is drying up. However, a source said Orton wants to make sure he’s “viewed as an asset more than a stop-gap” option.
Orton completed 58 percent of his passes, throwing for 3,653 yards and 20 touchdowns in 12 games last season.
Orton and his representatives are seeking a multi-year deal that will pay him more than $6 million a year.
If added, Orton will compete with Chad Henne for the starting spot in training camp, which begins on Friday at 11 a.m., and is open to the public.
The Dolphins also need to sign the team’s six draft picks today so they could participate in camp.
According to a source the Dolphins have a four-year budget of $21,651,124 to work with for all six rookies. The rookie budget is determined by the NFL under terms of the new CBA. The Dolphins can only pay the six draftees $3,935,568 in salary and bonuses for 2011.
Each drafted rookie will have a base salary for the league minimum, which is $375,000 this season. The only thing that can be negotiated is the signing bonus, and how much money is guaranteed.
If everything goes as planned, the Dolphins will potentially have a new starter at quarterback and tailback, and six rookies in the fold by 4 p.m. this afternoon, which is when all roster, option and workout bonuses must be paid to NFL veterans.
The deal reportedly is worth $9.7 million over two years, and will be paid $5 million in 2011.
The Dolphins were intent on adding a scatback to the team’s backfield as a complement to Daniel Thomas, the team's 2011 second-round pick.
Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland also is working to restructure the contract for Denver quarterback Kyle Orton.
Ireland’s spent the past two days working on a trade for Orton, a seven-year veteran who has a 32-29 record as an NFLstarter.
The Dolphins pulled themselves out of the bidding forDeAngelo Williams, who re-signed with Carolina for five-years, $43 million (with $21 million guaranteed). And according to sources, discussions with Giantstailback Ahmad Bradshaw have stalled, if not concluded on Wednesday evening.
Bush, who has averaged 4.0 yards per carry and scored 29 rushing and receiving touchdowns during his five NFL seasons, might have had a lot to do with that.
Bush’s presence will provide new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll a dynamic playmaker out of the backfield, one Daboll could design plays for similar to how he used Josh Cribbs in Cleveland. Bush is also a dynamic return threat who could enhance the Dolphins' special teams unit.
The market for Orton, who is owned nearly $9 million in 2011, is drying up. However, a source said Orton wants to make sure he’s “viewed as an asset more than a stop-gap” option.
Orton completed 58 percent of his passes, throwing for 3,653 yards and 20 touchdowns in 12 games last season.
Orton and his representatives are seeking a multi-year deal that will pay him more than $6 million a year.
If added, Orton will compete with Chad Henne for the starting spot in training camp, which begins on Friday at 11 a.m., and is open to the public.
The Dolphins also need to sign the team’s six draft picks today so they could participate in camp.
According to a source the Dolphins have a four-year budget of $21,651,124 to work with for all six rookies. The rookie budget is determined by the NFL under terms of the new CBA. The Dolphins can only pay the six draftees $3,935,568 in salary and bonuses for 2011.
Each drafted rookie will have a base salary for the league minimum, which is $375,000 this season. The only thing that can be negotiated is the signing bonus, and how much money is guaranteed.
If everything goes as planned, the Dolphins will potentially have a new starter at quarterback and tailback, and six rookies in the fold by 4 p.m. this afternoon, which is when all roster, option and workout bonuses must be paid to NFL veterans.
