RB Lamar Smith and Dolphins may sign new deal before season.

Publication: South Florida Sun-Sentinel (via Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service)

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COPYRIGHT 2001 South Florida Sun-Sentinal

Byline: Alex Marvez

DAVIE _ So how does a defensive coordinator replace two Pro Bowl players and a veteran strong-side linebacker without any big-name free-agent help?

Jim Bates is anxious to find out.

When the Dolphins open their first three-day minicamp of the 2001 offseason today at the team's Davie headquarters, several familiar faces who helped the unit achieve a No. 6 NFL ranking last season won't be there.

Defensive end Trace Armstrong, the team's pass-rush specialist the past three seasons, has signed with Oakland. Free safety Brock Marion won't be re-signed because of salary cap restraints. And strong-side linebacker Robert Jones was released in March after refusing to accept a pay cut.

"With the way the cap is structured, every year you're going to have changes," said Bates, who is entering his second year as the...

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