MIAMI (March 1, 2006) -- The Miami Dolphins released Pro Bowl cornerback Sam Madison and three other players to make room under the salary cap for the start of free agency.
The Dolphins also cut backup cornerback Reggie Howard, left tackle Damion McIntosh and strong safety Tebucky Jones. The cuts put the Dolphins under the $94.5 million salary cap, assuming there will be no extension of the league's collective bargaining agreement.
Madison was due to make $3.42 million in base salary in 2006, while McIntosh was set to make $3.3 million, Jones $3 million and Howard $2 million.
Madison's release ends his nine-year career with the team. Madison was the first cornerback in the team's history to make the Pro Bowl and has 31 career interceptions, including two last season. He spent seven years opposite Patrick Surtain, who also went on to become a Pro Bowler and was traded to Kansas City last season.
Madison had recently offered to take a pay cut to stay with the team, but the Dolphins declined the offer. Madison also recently had his agent ask the Dolphins to cut him in hopes of making more money with another team.
Howard had joined the team in 2004 as a backup for Madison and Surtain but couldn't win a starting spot last season after Surtain was traded.
A team spokesman said all the cuts were motivated primarily by economics and meeting the salary cap rather than the organization being unhappy with any player's individual performance.
