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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Johnson Defends Green Decision

From Wire Reports

With the start of training camp less than a week away, Miami Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson sent his team a message when he decided 290-pound Eric Green was dead weight.

“I didn’t want him on our football team,” Johnson said Wednesday. “We did not feel like he warranted the salary he was going to make.”

Johnson terminated Green’s six-year, $12 million contract Tuesday even though the Dolphins have no proven backup at tight end.

Green spent just one season in Miami, missing 39 practices and struggling with his waistline.

He was expected to miss the first month of the season after hurting his knee in May. He and Johnson disagreed about how the injury occurred, and Green will try to collect his $1.5 million salary for this year in a grievance to be filed by the NFL Players Association.

“The last day of mini-camp (in May) was the very best day of practice he had,” Johnson said. “He went through the entire practice and - it’s been documented - told three different people it was the best he had felt since he’s been here. He had a great workout and went home for 10 days, then came back and made the statement to two different people that he hurt his knee working out back in Orlando.

“A day later he changed his mind and said he hurt it in mini-camp.”

Green, who declined to discuss the dispute, said he departs with no hard feelings.

“Jimmy did what he felt was wise for his team,” Green said. “I respect that.”

But Green said he has received “tons” of calls from other NFL teams since being released and hopes to play again.

Seahawks sign pair

The Seahawks announced the signing of two 1996 draft choices, third-rounder Reggie Brown and seventh-rounder Johnie Church.

Brown is a fullback from Fresno State and Church is a defensive end from Florida.

In addition, the Seahawks said they have signed Riddick Parker, a defensive tackle who played with the Rhein Fire in the World League this year.

Newton signs

All-Pro offensive guard Nate Newton has signed a one-year contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys. He is signed through ‘98.

Aikman supports Irvin

Troy Aikman spent Wednesday afternoon sitting alongside Michael Irvin’s family during Irvin’s cocaine possession trial, making him the first of the defendant’s teammates to appear in the courtroom.

“I’m here to support a friend, certainly, in a time of need,” Aikman said outside the courtroom. “It is not to come here and try to influence the jury or the outcome of this trial in any way.”

Irvin is charged with second-degree felony cocaine possession stemming from a March 4 incident.