Dolphins sign first-rounder Avery
Former Mississippi tailback agrees to 5-year deal
Posted: Friday July 17, 1998 06:12 PM
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Avery, who rushed for 1,650 yards and 12 touchdowns over two seasons at Mississippi, signed a five-year contract with the Dolphins (Peter J.Taylor/Allsport) |
DAVIE, Florida (CNN/SI) -- Mississippi's John Avery, the 29th overall pick
and the fourth running back chosen in the 1998 NFL draft, today signed a
five-year contract with the Miami Dolphins.
Avery rushed for 1,650 yards and 12 touchdowns over two seasons at
Mississippi, including a career-best 862 yards and seven scores on 166
carries last year. He also caught 19 passes for 113 yards and returned 13
kickoffs for 315 yards and one TD to earn second team All-Southeastern
Conference honors.
The 5-foot-9, 190-pound Avery, who is compared to Dave Meggett, played his
first two years at Northwest Mississippi Junior College, totaling 2,236
yards and 25 touchdowns on 404 carries.
"I'm happy that we were able to get John signed prior to the start of
training camp," said general manager/head coach Jimmy Johnson. "I've always
stressed the importance of all our players being in camp from the start,
particularly rookies. The fact that John will be in camp on time, in
addition to the work that he's gotten in our offseason program since June,
will help him in the transition from college to the NFL."
The Dolphins also signed Michigan State guard Scott Shaw, their fifth-round
pick, to a three-year contract. Shaw started the final 23 games of his
career at left guard and was a three-year letterman.
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