The Associated Press

DAVIE, Fla. - Junior Seau wanted to look sharp on his first day with the Miami Dolphins. He wore a blue pinstripe suit, a red tie and black size-15 sandals.

Sandals?

"These toes are so beat up," he said with a smile. "Maybe that's why they kicked me out of San Diego - I never made the dress code."

In truth, the Chargers parted with Seau because he's 34 and on the downside of a sparkling career. The Dolphins eagerly provided a new home, acquiring the 12-time Pro Bowl linebacker Wednesday in exchange for a late-round 2004 draft pick.

Seau's relationship with the Chargers soured after 13 seasons with his hometown team, and they gave him permission last month to seek a trade. Describing himself as fired, unemployed and humbled, he quickly settled on Miami as his first choice.

"Junior Seau needed the Miami Dolphins more than the Miami Dolphins needed Junior Seau," he said, clutching a Miami jersey with his familiar No. 55.

Maybe so, but the Dolphins were delighted with the acquisition. Seau gives them eight returning Pro Bowl players, including seven on defense - a staggering total for a team that missed the playoffs and hasn't been to the Super Bowl since 1984.

"I never thought I would be playing side by side with a Hall of Famer," middle linebacker Zach Thomas said. "It's like playing offense with Dan Marino."

Joining a cast that includes Thomas, Jason Taylor and Sam Madison, Seau said he'll happily fill a complementary role rather than serve as the centerpiece.

"I look forward to working with these studs," he said. "I just have to come in and be the fluff. I'm the glitter. I'm the fanfare."

The Chargers will receive a fifth- or sixth-round draft choice next year, depending on how much Seau plays this season.

Seau wants to complete his contract, which runs through 2005, but his productivity has dropped each of the past two seasons. He missed a career-high three games in 2002 because of an ankle injury that bothered him much of the year and required postseason surgery, and his 84 tackles were a career low.

But he passed a physical Wednesday, the final step to complete the trade.

"I can't wait to go out there and test myself," he said.

It's likely he'll replace Derrick Rodgers, a five-year starter at outside linebacker. Miami is expected to trade or release Rodgers, whose $1.8 million salary-cap figure makes him too expensive to keep as a backup.

VIKINGS: Randy Moss is being sued by the traffic officer who says the wide receiver bumped her with his car.

The lawsuit seeks more than $50,000 for emotional distress, assault and negligence. The officer, Amy Zaccardi, also wants an apology.

Moss pleaded guilty to careless driving and obstructing traffic in December and was fined $1,200 and ordered to perform 40 hours of community service. He was arrested Sept. 24 in Minneapolis and spent the night in jail after using his car to bump Zaccardi, who was directing traffic.

GIANTS: The team isn't in a rush to trade disgruntled halfback Ron Dayne.

General manager Ernie Accorsi said the Giants see the Heisman Trophy winner, who was the team's top pick in the 2000 draft, as a good insurance policy should starting halfback Tiki Barber get hurt.

"We're in good shape at a position that is a high-risk position," Accorsi said.

But Dayne's status has been clouded by his unhappiness over playing time, as well as the recent signing of free agent Dorsey Levens.

Dayne rushed for 428 yards on 125 carries last season. He has 1,888 yards rushing in his career.

BROWNS: Cleveland signed long snapper Bryan Pittman, who played semi-pro last season. Pittman, 6 feet 4 and 255 pounds, was a college long snapper at Washington from 1997-98 and also has played in the Arena Football League.

CHARGERS: Tackle Damion McIntosh signed a one-year contract to remain with San Diego. McIntosh, a free agent, started 10 games last season, missing the other six because of a sprained ankle.