Marino

Voiding the remainder of the contract frees cap room for the Dolphins and gives Marino time to make up his mind about his future. Marino, 38, is free to sign with any team, including the Dolphins, although it is unlikely the Dolphins will want to re-sign him.

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

Also Thursday, the Dolphins released one of Marino's targets, tight end Troy Drayton, and announced that cornerback Sam Madison underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

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 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," Drayton said. "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."

Drayton had 32 receptions for 299 yards and a touchdown in 14 games during his fourth season with the team. A seven-year veteran, he finished his Dolphins career with 127 catches for 1,411 yards and eight scores after being acquired from St. Louis.

"Troy did a good job for us in the past, but because of salary cap reasons, we felt we needed to explore other potential options open to us," Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt said. "We talked to Troy about different possibilities, but in the end we felt that this was the best decision to make organizationally."

Drayton, 29, said he will not re-sign with the Dolphins for less money.

"I've paid my dues as far as a football player," said Drayton. "I'm financially secure, but money is definitely an issue. I'm a veteran and I consider myself one of the best tight ends in the league.

"I'm just going to put some bait on the end of the hook, watch the line and see if there are any takers."

Madison had loose bodies removed from his knee by team physician Dr. Dan Kanell at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale. He is expected to compete in the team's spring minicamps.

Despite being nagged by the injury throughout the second half of the season, Madison tied for the NFL lead with seven interceptions.