Marino

Marvin Demoff, Marino's agent, told The Miami Herald for Sunday's edition that it is unlikely Marino will play any place other than Miami. Marino might consider playing with another team, Demoff said, but only under certain conditions.

"I don't know that that's necessarily an option," Demoff said about Marino playing elsewhere. "Nothing is happening there."

Marino was in Pittsburgh on Saturday to be inducted into the Pittsburgh Sports Hall of Fame. He was noncommittal when asked about what his future holds.

"I'm not sure right now," Marino said. "I know I'm just taking my time, relaxing and trying to have some fun."

Demoff said Marino might still want to play in Miami, but it is unlikely that the Dolphins will try to re-sign Marino should he choose to continue his playing career.

By voiding the remainder of his contract Thursday, Marino freed up cap room for the Dolphins and gave himself more time to make up his mind about his future. He is an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any time.

ESPN's Hank Goldberg reported Thursday that there was interest in Marino by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders, but location was important to Marino. According to Goldberg, if a deal could not be struck with Tampa Bay, Marino would likely retire.

"We appreciate Dan voiding his contract earlier today for salary-cap purposes," Dolphins president Eddie Jones said Thursday. "This gives us additional room under the salary cap that we need for free agency, while at the same time it allows Dan additional time to consider all his options."

Webb gets franchise tag

MIAMI (SportsTicker) -- The Miami Dolphins on Friday officially placed the franchise player designation on free agent tackle Richmond Webb. As a franchise player, Webb, 33, must be offered a minimum of the NFL average of the top five salaries at his position by the Dolphins and can negotiate with other teams. However, the Dolphins own the right of first refusal and draft choice compensation. If Webb signs elsewhere and the Dolphins elect not to match the offer, they would receive two first-round picks as compensation. A first-round pick of the Dolphins in 1990, Webb has started 149 of 150 games and was the only player in team history to be selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven seasons. The Dolphins also tendered qualifying offers to six restricted free agents -- kicker Olindo Mare, linebacker Derrick Rodgers, defensive end Jason Taylor, tackle Brent Smith, tight end Ed Perry and receiver Nate Jacquet -- automatically entitling the club to compensation if the players sign elsewhere.

"I'm not going to speculate about what Dan's going to do," Jones said Thursday. "Dan is a great athlete and he's done everything possible he can do in football.

"I'm sure he's going through the thought process of, 'Do I still want to do this?' He had the injury last year and his knees are not getting any better. I'm sure that's what he's thinking about."

The team plans to try both Damon Huard, who was 5-1 in games he started last season, and Jim Druckenmiller, obtained from San Francisco in a trade before last season. Marino could be insurance if he returns.

Marino may still want to return to the Dolphins, but the team seems ready to move on without the 17-year veteran.

The Dolphins have Damon Huard, Jim Druckenmiller and Scott Zolak on the roster and are looking at Jacksonville's Jay Fiedler, Chicago's Jim Miller and Pittsburgh's Mike Tomczak.

Miami already has visits set up with Fiedler and Miller.

Before Marino left for Pittsburgh, he talked briefly with Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga, and the two agreed to talk again next week.

Marino is expected to announce whether he will retire by March 20 -- the first day of the Dolphins' offseason practice session. He has recently declined all interviews.

"We've got a new coordinator, a new head coach and we're going to have a new offensive system," Jones said. "And I don't know how Dan fits into that."

By voiding his contract, Marino gives up a 2000 salary of $5.75 million plus a $1 million bonus he is set to receive for being on the roster on April 1. His 2001 salary was unavailable.

The free-agent signing period begins Friday, and the Dolphins, after Marino's move, are about $10 million beneath the NFL's $62.5 million salary cap.

Marino threw 12 touchdown passes and 17 interceptions in 1999, missing five games and most of a sixth because of a neck injury. In the playoffs, Marino led the Dolphins to a 20-17 win over Seattle in the first round, but the team was embarrassed 62-7 the next week against Jacksonville.

The Dolphins trailed 38-0 before Marino completed a pass, and he finished 11-for-25 for 95 yards with three turnovers.

"I don't think anybody wants to end a career on the kind of game that we played in Jacksonville," said tight end Troy Drayton, who was released by the Dolphins on Thursday. "He deserves to go out on a white horse and with lots of fanfare. He's done a lot to revolutionize the quarterback position and the NFL as a whole.

"I can't see Dan in another uniform."