Dolphins: Salary-cap cuts won't yield much help.(South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

Byline: Alex Marvez

DAVIE, Fla. _ The Dolphins were reminded Tuesday that the crop of veterans being released after June 1 for salary-cap reasons isn't nearly as strong as those in previous seasons.

The only veteran cuts officially announced Tuesday were all with Arizona _ tight end Steve Bush, defensive back Justin Lucas and ex-Dolphins defensive tackle Barron Tanner. The agents for Vinny Testaverde and Kurt Warner said the quarterbacks' respective teams had told them they had filed paperwork to release the players. Former Dolphins defensive tackle Daryl Gardener (Denver) is also likely to be released in the upcoming days.

In recent years, teams have released players after June 1 to take advantage of an NFL loophole that provides immediate cap relief. The cap number of any veteran cut after June 1 is prorated over two seasons instead of one.

General Manager Rick Spielman said the lack of notable June 1 cuts stems from more teams deciding to make cuts earlier rather than carry what is known as "dead money" against the 2005 cap.

Entering the offseason, the Dolphins appeared in the market for any interior offensive lineman and/or wide receiver released after June 1. But both positions seem like less of a priority considering the talent that likely will be available and how players on the roster have fared in recent minicamps.

Spielman expressed confidence Tuesday in Greg Jerman and Taylor Whitley, who are competing at right guard.