Dolphins Gamble, Sign WR Martin

April 9, 1999 / 3:32 PM EDT / CBS/AP

The Miami Dolphins signed receiver Tony Martin to a four-year contract, even though legal trouble could keep him from playing this season.

The deal was for at least $14 million, including a $3.3 million signing bonus, according to published reports. But Martin, a former Dolphin, might be able to keep only $100,000 if he is convicted on federal charges of laundering drug money.

Martin's trial was postponed today until Aug. 2, four days after training camp opens and six weeks before the season begins. The trial could take a month.

The Dolphins wouldn't confirm the contract Friday. Martin's agent, Jimmy Sexton, couldn't be immediately reached for comment.

If Martin is acquitted, he could provide the Dolphins the deep receiving threat that Dan Marino has lacked in recent years. Martin would likely start along with O.J. McDuffie, who led the NFL last year with 90 receptions.

Last season Martin caught 66 passes for 1,181 yards for NFC champion Atlanta, but the Falcons released him in February following his indictment.

The deal with the Dolphins six weeks of negotiations. The contract calls for a base salary of $400,000 in 1999, at least $2.1 million in 2000 and at least $8.4 million in the final two seasons.

Martin, who will be 34 this season, played with the Dolphins from 1990 to 1993, averaging 27 catches and two touchdowns per season. He was traded to San Diego for a fourth-round draft pick and blossomed in 1995, catching 90 passes for 1,224 yards.

Martin was traded to Atlanta before the 1998 season and sparked the Falcons' surprising run to the Super Bowl. He caught five passes for 129 yards in the NFC championship game against Minnesota.

The Dolphins have repeatedly been frustrated in their attempts to acquire a deep receiving threat. Yatil Green, a first-round draft choice in 1997, has yet to play a down because of knee injuries, and last year Miami missed a chance to draft Randy Moss.

U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore, who earlier declined Martin's request to postpone the trial until January, agreed to delay it three months from May 3. Trial is expected to last from three to four weeks.

Martin faces trial with Rickey Brownlee, who served seven years in prison for 1980s drug convictions. They became friends in high school, and prosecutors allege that Martin wrote hecks to lease luxury cars and pay legal fees for Brownlee.

Martin has said he's innocent. He's not charged with any involvement in drug activity.