Several details of the deal remain to be resolved, but sources told SportsLine on Friday afternoon that the length of the contract and financial parameters have been agreed upon.

"We're still shuffling some numbers and there's some contract language that needs work, but he will be returning (to the Dolphins)," a source close to Ruddy told SportsLine.

Ruddy, 27, was selected by the Dolphins in the second round of the 1994 draft and played in all 16 games as a rookie, with no starts. He won the starting job at training camp in '95 and has held it since. The former Notre Dame star has appeared in 95 games, starting in 79. The only game he missed in his NFL career was in 1997.

Since '95, Ruddy has started 79 of the Dolphins' 80 regular-season contests.

The club visited this week with center Mike Gruttadauria of the St. Louis Rams but did not make him a formal contract offer, SportsLine has learned.