Former University of Hawai'i football player Ryan Grice-Mullins and the Miami Dolphins have reached agreement on a free-agent contract, according to people familiar with the situation.

Grice-Mullins will be reunited with Davone Bess, who led the Dolphins with 76 catches for 758 yards during the recently completed regular season.

Grice-Mullins and Bess were the Warriors' starting slotbacks in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Grice-Mullins played the past season in the Canadian Football League.

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Shanahan reportedly hired by Redskins: Mike Shanahan agreed yesterday to become the coach of the Washington Redskins,Shanahan's decision to join the team was confirmed to The Associated Press by an official within the NFL. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the team was not commenting on its coaching search. The Redskin will hold a news conference today, but didn't say why.

Top defensive rookie: Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing won The Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award yesterday. The Southern Cal alum, drafted 15th overall last April, received 39 votes in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league. Buffalo safety Jairus Byrd was second with six votes.

Bears fire six coaches: The Chicago Bears are bringing head coach Lovie Smith back for a seventh season. But the team yesterday fired offensive coordinator Ron Turner and five other coaches on that side of the ball: Pep Hamilton (quarterbacks), Rob Boras (tight ends), Harry Hiestand (line), and assistants Luke Butkus and Charles London.

Saints' Grant on IR: The New Orleans Saints placed Charles Grant on injured reserve yesterday and will have to make their playoff run without their starting defensive end. The Saints announced that Grant has a triceps injury that will end the season for the eight-year veteran.