It was definitely a free-agency mixed bag kind of day for the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday. The team retained one special teams standout but lost another coverage player to a division rival.
Larry Izzo, the Dolphins' most outstanding special teams performer during his tenure with the club, departed as an unrestricted free agent and signed with the New England Patriots. The five-year veteran from Rice, who entered the league as an undrafted college free agent, also was a solid reserve linebacker.
Izzo, 26, signed a four-year, $2.183 million contract. It includes a $275,000 signing bonus and base salaries of $477,000 each 2001-2004.
The team was able to retain Twan Russell, a four-year veteran and unrestricted free agent who had visited Monday with the Cleveland Browns. Also a backup linebacker, Russell signed a three-year, $1.5 million contract. It includes a $180,000 signing bonus and salaries of $440,000 each for 2001-2003.
--Len Pasquarelli
Cowboys WR McKnight to visit Dolphins
IRVING, Texas -- James McKnight, who has led the Dallas Cowboys in receptions, wants to explore the possibility of joining the Miami Dolphins.
McKnight, an unrestricted free agent, plans to go to Florida this week. Chan Gailey, a former coach of the Cowboys, is the offensive coordinator of the Dolphins.
"One of the good things about visiting the Dolphins is that I know Chan and I don't have to adjust to fit into his offense," he said. "That's always a plus."
The Cowboys want to re-sign McKnight, but sufficient room under the NFL's $67.4 million salary cap could be a problem.
The Dolphins want a veteran receiver with size and speed to take away double coverage from Oronde Gadsden. That's where the 6-foot-1, 198-pound McKnight could come in.
In McKnight's best NFL season last year, he had 52 receptions and led the Cowboys in receiving yardage, with 926, and yards-per-catch (17.8).
The 28-year-old receiver on Wednesday will follow Minnesota free-agent wide receiver Matthew Hatchette on his visit to Miami. The New York Jets' Dedric Ward also is expected later in the week by the Dolphins.
Chargers sign Saints CB Molden
The San Diego Chargers on Tuesday continued their bullish approach to the free-agent market and their attention to rebuilding their defense, signing unrestricted free agent cornerback Alex Molden.
The five-year veteran and former first-round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints signed a five-year contract worth $16.1 million, which includes a signing bonus of $2.1 million. The agreement was confirmed by agent Angelo Wright.
Molden, 27, becomes the third unrestricted free agent to sign with the Chargers in four days, all of them on defense. The club signed cornerback Ryan McNeil (Dallas) on Saturday and defensive end Marcellus Wiley (Buffalo) on Sunday. Molden is expected to join McNeil in the starting lineup as San Diego attempts to revamp its secondary.
The former Oregon star played in 14 games and started five for the Saints in 2000, moving into the starting lineup late in the season because of injuries. The increased playing time permitted him to hit a benchmark that voided the final two years of his existing contract and made him an unrestricted free agent.
Molden was the Saints' first-round choice in the 1996 draft.
For his career, he has played in 74 games and started 37 of them. Thirty of the starts came in 1997-98. He has 199 tackles, six sacks, eight interceptions and 46 passes defensed. Molden had three interceptions last season, a career high.
L.P.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Bob Hayes was in fair condition Tuesday after his prostate was removed following six weeks of radiation treatments for cancer.
The 58-year-old former Olympic champion sprinter and Dallas Cowboys receiver was at Shands Jacksonville. The hospital would not elaborate on his condition.
Hayes' sister, Lena Johnson, told the Dallas Morning News' online edition that her brother has liver and kidney ailments as well as the prostate cancer.
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings broke off talks with center Matt Birk on a long-term contract extension.
He was expected instead to sign a one-year offer Tuesday worth about $1.15 million.
"Obviously, this is where I want to be," said Birk, who made $358,000 last year. "That's no secret. I'm optimistic that we can do a long-term deal, but at least I know where I'm going to be next year."
Romanowski's trial, hearing postponed
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. -- A hearing and trial for the wife of Denver Broncos linebacker Bill Romanowski has been postponed because of a full docket.
Julie and Bill Romanowski are accused of illegally obtaining a prescription diet drug, phentermine. The drug was prescribed for Julie Romanowski and a friend.
Douglas County district attorney spokesman Mike Knight said another case had to be heard in trial, putting off Julie Romanowski's trial until Aug. 14. A pretrial hearing to consider motions was pushed back until April 11.
Bill Romanowski's trial date was left unchanged, for May 1.
Romanowski is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and deceit and two counts of conspiracy.
Julie Romanowski is charged with eight counts of illegally obtaining diet pills and one count of conspiracy.
Both have pleaded not guilty.
Bill Romanowski was second among the Broncos with 121 tackles last season, which ended when Denver lost to the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC wild card game. He has not missed a game in his 13-year career, appearing in 208 games, tied for fifth among active players.