Shortly after becoming a free agent, Boomer Grigsby woke up on a Friday morning to a crowded cell phone in box.

"I had 10 missed calls from Miami, the GM (general manager), coaches, director of player personnel," Grigsby said. "I like being wanted."

So the former Illinois State All-American left the Kansas City Chiefs after three seasons and signed a one-year free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins.

"They didn't put the tender tag on me. The low tender standard salary is up around a million dollars," Grigsby said. "Even though I was starting last year, that would put me in the top five salaries at the position. I haven't earned that yet.

"I loved Kansas City. I had some of the best years of my life there. I'm not mad at anyone. I think they took it for granted I would stay. I thought Miami was the best opportunity to start and hopefully try to get a long-term contract in the NFL."

Grigsby spent his first two years with the Chiefs as a special teams player and a reserve linebacker. He undertook the unusual transition to fullback last season and was signed by Miami as a fullback.

"I had some two-year offers from some teams for more money. I'm kind of rolling the dice hoping for the bigger payday down the road," said the 5-foot-11, 249-pound Grigsby. "I've been a small-time player compared to the scope of things. I need to have that great year, a big year blocking to get my long-term contract so I'm set forever."

Grigsby believes that can happen with the Dolphins, who have brought in Bill Parcells as executive vice president of football operations and Tony Sparano as head coach.

"They are installing a power offense. I think the fullback will be utilized a lot," said Grigsby. "I think their scheme is to keep two fullbacks on the roster because they do so much thumping."

Another attraction of Miami was Dolphins' running backs coach James Saxon, who was in Kansas City last season and helped Grigsby make the move to fullback.

The Canton native, who expects to split time at fullback with Reagan Mauia, has no illusions about racking up the carries in Miami.

"They are not bringing me down to give me the ball," said Grigsby, who will participate in a Dolphins minicamp this weekend. "They've got Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams for that. What makes a good fullback is the tailback's success."

Grigsby isn't fretting about joining a Miami team that was the NFL's worst last season with a 1-15 record.

"This is the NFL. It's so competitive," he said. "Yeah, they had an awful year. But 1-15 is a season away from being 15-1. The roster is completely different than last year. They came in with a blueprint for success, and I like the way they're putting it together. I think Sparano is going to be a great head coach. I really like him."

Grigsby became close friends with All-Pro defensive lineman Jared Allen in his days with the Chiefs. Allen was traded to Minnesota and has since signed a huge, multi-million dollar contract with the Vikings.

"We had a Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid thing going on in Kansas City," Grigsby said with a chuckle. "We're still best friends, but he got a little better contract than I did. My dinner buying days are done with him. He could buy a small island right now."