Off-Season Minicamps Too Rough, Players Complain

Miami Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson has shown that he wants to be aggressive in practice. Too aggressive, according to the NFL Players Association.

The Dolphins, Kansas City and Minnesota were among a half-dozen teams that received warnings this week from the players’ union complaining that recent practices were too rough. NFLPA assistant executive director Doug Allen said the union received calls from several Dolphins, including defensive end Trace Armstrong, who was elected president of the NFLPA this year.

“The language in the collective bargaining agreement makes it clear that live hitting is not allowed during the off-season program and minicamps,” Allen said. Allen added that the problem was corrected.

The NFLPA said the Dolphins had excessive contact between defensive backs and receivers and between offensive and defensive linemen.

The Chicago Bears have extended coach Dave Wannstedt’s contract four more years until the 2000 season. Terms were not revealed.

A former juror in the drug trial of ex-Rams cornerback Darryl Henley pleaded guilty in Santa Ana, Calif., to offering a bribe to another panelist to help get Henley and his uncle acquitted. Michael Malachowski, 25, admitted he obstructed justice in the trial.

Malachowski was removed from the jury before Henley and four others were convicted in March 1995 of smuggling 50 pounds of cocaine from Southern California to Atlanta and Memphis in 1993.

Henley, who last played for the Rams in 1994, and the others face a mandatory 10-year minimum prison term. The Henleys were implicated in the bribery and could face five additional years in prison.

Houston Oilers cornerback Cris Dishman reportedly has signed a one-year contract worth more than $3 million.