Fiedler

Fiedler, a backup quarterback throughout his five-year NFL career, signed a three-year contract Thursday to compete with Damon Huard for the Miami Dolphins' starting job.

Fiedler, who started one game last season for the Jacksonville Jaguars, had been seeking a deal for about $1.6 million a year over two seasons. Terms of the contract were not immediately available.

The deal virtually ensures that Marino has played his last game for Miami.

Fieldler, 28, said he's undaunted by the challenge of succeeding Marino, the most prolific passer in NFL history.

"He's obviously a Hall of Fame quarterback, one of the best ever to play the game," Fiedler said. "No one could step into the humongous shoes he has created here. But that's something I'm prepared for."

Marino, 38, voided the final two years of his contract last week, which made him a free agent after 17 seasons in Miami. He's preparing for his annual celebrity golf tournament this weekend and said Thursday he has no timetable for deciding whether he wants to play in 2000.

Dolphins pursue Thomas

DAVIE, Fla. -- The Miami Dolphins have plans to bring in a longtime nemesis, former Buffalo Bills running back Thurman Thomas. Thomas, the NFL's ninth all-time leading rusher with nearly 12,000 yards, will visit Miami next week. "We're looking at several running backs, and he's one of them," Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt said Friday. Thomas, along with wide receiver Andre Reed and defensive end Bruce Smith, was released by the Bills before the start of the free-agent signing period. The Dolphins think Thomas might fit perfectly in Miami as a backup to J.J. Johnson, who was plagued by injuries in his rookie season. Thomas, 33, rushed for 1,620 yards and eight touchdowns in 20 career games against Miami. He gained more than 1,000 yards eight straight seasons beginning in his second year in 1989. He had his best seasons in the Super Bowl years of 1990-93 and holds NFL playoff records for games (20), touchdowns (21) and yards gained (2,114). Thomas sustained a serious injury to his liver in the season opener last year. He played in five games and finished with 152 yards on 36 carries.

"Nothing has really changed about what I'm doing," he said. "I'm just taking it easy right now and spending time with the family and playing golf."

Marino might be forced into retirement unless he lands an offer from another team. He declined to say whether he considers the door still open with the Dolphins.

When asked if he's insulted by the way the team has treated him, Marino said: "I've been a Dolphin for 17 years, and I'll be a Dolphin for the rest of my life. That will never change."

Although Marino struggled through his worst season in 1999, his legacy looms large. For example: He has 420 career touchdown passes, Huard eight and Fiedler two.

Miami coach Dave Wannstedt acknowledged that the transition will be tough.

"Everybody is real sensitive to Danny's greatness over the years," Wannstedt said. "It's going to be difficult. There's no easy way of getting around that."

Including Bob Griese, the Dolphins have had a Hall of Fame-caliber passer for 31 of their 34 years. Fiedler is aware that such high standards might make life rough for the next quarterback.

"I grew up in New York," he said. "I've seen some of the things people can go through in tough media markets."

For Fiedler, the situation also is an opportunity because for the first time, he'll go into training camp with a shot at the starting job.

He was a third-stringer in Philadelphia and Minnesota, was cut in training camp by Cincinnati and was the backup to Mark Brunell last season in Jacksonville. He spent 1996 and 1997 out of the NFL and spent a year playing in Europe.

Kurt Warner had a similar career path before becoming the league's most valuable player last season with St. Louis.

"It's everyone's dream who is in my position to become the next Kurt Warner," Fiedler said.

The Dolphins like Fiedler in part because he has the mobility that Marino lacked. New offensive coordinator Chan Gailey will install a new offense this season that meshes with a quarterback who improvises outside the pocket.

"Jay can run," Wannstedt said. "He's a good athlete, and that's important with what we're trying to do offensively."

Fiedler had his best season last year, completing 61 of 94 passes for 656 yards in seven games with the Jaguars. He made his only NFL start in a 24-7 victory over Cincinnati, and played well in a mop-up role when Jacksonville routed Miami 62-7 in the playoffs -- perhaps Marino's last game.

When asked what he would say if he met Marino, Fiedler laughed nervously and paused for a moment.

"I would say, 'I idolize you,"' he said finally. "I'd love to go up and shake his hand."

Terms of Fiedler's contract weren't disclosed, but it's believed to rival the deal Huard signed in December for about $1 million per year.

Marino is expected to announce a decision on his future by March 20, when the Dolphins begin workouts under Wannstedt and Gailey.

Also on Thursday, the Dolphins signed St. Louis Rams center Ryan Tucker to an offer sheet for a three-year contract.

Tucker, 24, a restricted free agent who has completed three NFL seasons, was a fourth-round draft pick of the Rams in 1997. St. Louis has until Feb. 24 to match Miami's offer and retain Tucker.

Tucker, 6-foot-5 and 305 pounds, has appeared in 27 regular-season games in his career.

The Dolphins also waived fullback Kantroy Barber, who failed a team physical.

The Fiedler signing and Tucker offer sheet continued a busy week for the Dolphins. On Wednesday, former Dolphins safety Brian Walker rejoined Miami, signing a two-year, $2.3 million contract with a $200,000 signing bonus.

Walker, 27, was a backup safety and special teams player for the Dolphins in 1997-98 and made four interceptions in 1998, but he was waived just before the start of last season. He played in five games, all as a reserve, for Seattle in 1999.

"Brian has always maintained a residence in Miami, and he's excited he's going back," said his agent, Peter Schaffer.

The Dolphins also announced the signings of quarterback Todd Doxzon, safety Kelvin Sigler and receiver Corey Thomas. Doxzon played in nine games with the Dolphins in 1998, mostly on special teams.

Also on Wednesday, Dolphins receiver O.J. McDuffie underwent surgery on his left big toe, which bothered him much of last season.

The operation, performed at Charlotte (N.C.) Medical Center, will likely force McDuffie to miss the team's offseason mini-camps. He is expected to be ready for the start of training camp in July.