Irwin is a four-year veteran who has played his entire career with the New England Patriots. He will sign a four-year contract worth $7 million and the deal includes a $2 million signing bonus.

It is expected that Irwin will compete for a starting job, possibly at left guard. That might permit incumbent left guard Mark Dixon to move to left tackle and thus precipitate a trade of veteran Richmond Webb. No matter where he lines up, the former Colorado star will add toughness to a Dolphins blocking quintet that simply did not knock defenders off the line of scrimmage in '99.

Irwin was selected by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 1996 draft. He has played in 44 games but started only 17. Of those 17 starts, 13 came in 1999.

In a related item, SportsLine has learned that center Tim Ruddy, the Dolphins' starter for the last five seasons, has officially signed the contract to which he agreed last week. The deal, which was first reported by SportsLine, is for five years and is worth $12.75 million, with a $4 million signing bonus.