The Miami Dolphins continued to strengthen their offensive line by signing 10-year league veteran Steve McKinney as a free agent.

Financial terms were not disclosed by the team.

"It's a good fit for me," McKinney, 32, told Miami Herald.

"I like the organisation. I like the coaches. I like the guys they brought in and I feel like it's a place where I'm going to have a real chance to play."

Last month, Miami signed Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long, the number one selection in the NFL draft, to a five-year, $57 million contract.

The hapless Dolphins finished 1-15 in 2007 and the addition of Long, a double Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, and McKinney should boost an offense that ranked 28th of 32 teams last season.

A fourth-round draft pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 1998, McKinney was a starter in his first eight seasons in the league, from 1998 to 2001 with the Colts and from 2002 to 2005 with the Houston Texans.

After allowing nine sacks in 2005, he became a part-time centre for Houston in 2007 and played only three games last season before suffering a knee injury.

Reuters