The Dolphins continued their philosophy of rewarding their own and signed linebacker Kiko Alonso to a contract extension that will have him in aqua and orange through 2020. The new deal is worth $28.8 million dollars.

Before signing the extension, Alonso was given a first-round restricted free agent tender worth $3.9 million dollars to ensure Alonso would be under contract for 2017 just in case they couldn't come to an agreement on an extension before the season started.

Extending Alonso not only keeps Miami's best linebacker from 2016 under contract for the next four years, but it also has a big cultural impact in South Florida as he's now well known in the community for his Colombian and Cuban heritage, which makes him a fan favorite with the Hispanic fan base in Miami.

That very heritage was a big part of why Alonso wanted to return to the Dolphins.

“It means everything." he said. "This is where I want to be and I’m just excited that it’s official that I’m staying there.”

Alonso had a comeback year after being traded from the Eagles to the Dolphins, putting together 115 tackles, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), one forced fumble and four fumble recoveries in 15 games. He also battled through hamstring and thumb injuries and played with a cast on his hand for several games, and even now he's still recovering from two surgeries on his thumb.

As seen in this film review, Alonso has a tendency to play recklessly, which puts him in danger of getting hurt, and makes fans wary of giving him a big contract because they are unconvinced Alonso will be able to remain healthy for a full season.

“That's the way I play,” Alonso said. “I've played that way since high school, when I played in the backyard with my friends. I'm not going to change the way I play.”

There is a risk in paying Alonso so much new money, but there comes a time where teams can't immediately assume players will be injured when the season starts. If they did, then it would be pointless to keep them around to begin with. Alonso has a lot to offer for the defense, and bringing him back continues to set the precedent of taking care of their own.

This story was written by Luis Sung. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

According to a former teammate, free agent linebacker Zach Brown is scheduled to visit with the Miami Dolphins today. Jamal Womble (a former running back and college teammate of Brown’s at the University of North Carolina) reports that Brown left his meetings with the Oakland Raiders without signing a contract, and will now meet with the Dolphins.

Brown, was a second round draft pick in 2012, and played his first four years with the Tennessee Titans. He signed last year with the Buffalo Bills, where he led the team with 149 tackles while also contributing four sacks, one interception and two forced fumbles. At 6’1” and 248 lbs, he has the ability to play all three linebacker positions, and would mesh well with veteran Dolphins linebackers Kiko Alonso and the newly-signed Lawrence Timmons.

The Dolphins don’t currently have a lot of money left under the salary cap, but could make additional cuts or renegotiate some contracts to easily find the money to sign Brown.

Dolphins fans anxiously await!

​This story was written by Eldon Jenson. Follow him on Twitter @EJFootball

​Ted Larsen.

The name doesn’t strike fear in the hearts of the defensive tackles of the AFC East. There were no hashtags or funny GIFs expressing DolphinsTwitter's joy on acquiring Ted Larsen. In fact, when given the assignment I was not overly excited to watch him.

But after watching his tape I will say he can play. There are weaknesses but there are things to like about his game as well.

His weakness...is his weakness. He needs to get stronger and find an anchor. Larsen will get bullied at times and even when he gets good position on players, other defenders strength will make his effort useless.

But there are things to like. He has a good first step. Larsen has savvy tricks, and he has good awareness. Also it didn’t seem like he messed up a lot. I didn’t see any film on him playing center but apparently he plays some center as well. Versatility is always a good thing.

​Larsen (62) gets pushed out of the way by the defender, Johnathan Hankins, on a stretch run. Larsen had decent position and had a good first step, but he does struggle against strength players.

​On another stretch run play, Larsen isn’t able to get to his spot in order to win position against the defender. 

​The Bears call another stretch run to the left. Larsen shows adequate lateral quickness on this play. He also finishes the play off nicely with a pancake. I would like to see him cut the defender off or cut him down a little quicker but pretty good showing on this play. 

​Larsen shows a nice switch or transfer on this play. He tracks his responsibility to the right tackle then transfer to the inside man when he sees that his original defender is secure. This may not seem like a big deal but it shows awareness. 

Larsen demonstrates good explosion off the ball with a good first step. This helps him get to the second level where he has a nice seal block on the second level defender. He tops off this nice play with throwing his defender to the ground.

​Strength players are a big concern with Larsen. Johnathan Hankins completely bullies Larsen back into Cutler. Cutler was sacked and Hankins wasn’t the cause of the sack but Cutler couldn’t step up in the pocket due to Hankins. 

Larsen runs out on a screen pass. He has a good first step and gets to his spot no problem but doesn’t hit his target completely. 

​Larsen demonstrates a good first step which helps him get good position on the defender, but the defender is able to swat him off with strength and assist on the stop. 

Larsen shows off a good first step and average to above average foot speed to get to the second level on this stretch play to the right. Once he gets to the second level defender. He is able to engulf the defender and throw him to the ground.

​Larsen is able to get a good jump set on the stronger defender. A jump set is where on a pass block play the blocker jumps forward and swallows up space to not let a stronger defender gain momentum. This is a savvy move to make up for Larsen’s lack of strength against the defender. 

​Larsen shows an average ability to pull on this play. The Bears call a counter to the left. Larsen is asked to pull. He is able to get to where he needs to be and take on the first free defender. This is exactly how the coaches draw it up. 

​Here is another example of Larsen’s good first step and ability to get to the second level defender with ease. This is a big strength of Larsen’s game.

​Here is another example of a weakness of Larsen. Larsen has to develop an anchor to play at a higher level at right guard, since right guards get more one on ones than left guards. He would be a solid starting right guard if he was able to develop an anchor. Larsen gets bull-rushed back into the quarterback. 

​Here Larsen again is struggling to get a good block on a screen pass. The defender is very far to the sideline so it was a hard angle but it starts to become a trend of missing defenders in the screen game. 

​Larsen shows average to above average lateral movement consistently but he needs to get better positioning more consistently. On this play he needs to be on the inside of the defender’s shoulder. The defensive tackle is able to keep his distance from Larsen. 

​Here is a good example of Larsen getting good position on the defender. Larsen fires off the snap and flips his hips to get inside position on the defensive tackle to seal the block. 

​Larsen displays an above average first step which helps him get to the second level. He assists on the first level block and then works his way to the second level. 

​Larsen again showcases an adequate first step which helps him get to the second level. He blocks the first level defender and then works his way to the second level. 

Larsen doesn’t get complacent when he doesn’t have a defender. He always is looking for work. Larsen takes care of his inside responsibilities then sees the defender get past the right tackle. Larsen goes to help him out.

This film review was done by Matthew Knowles. Follow him on Twitter: @blueflamespcl

In an expected move, the Miami Dolphins announced they have re-signed offensive guard Jermon Bushrod to a new contract. Terms of the deal were not immediately known.

That means that for the moment Bushrod will be the starting right guard again this season, a position he played last year for the first time in his 10-year career. He graded as the worst right guard in the NFL by Pro Football Focus, but he and right tackle Ja’Wuan James both started all 16 games last season.

His durability, as well as his relationship with head coach Adam Gase (who convinced Bushrod to switch positions and come play in Miami last season) likely played into the team’s decision to invite him back.

Things could change between now and September, as the Dolphins are rumored to be looking at offensive linemen in the upcoming NFL draft in April. But for the moment, the offensive line would consist of James, Bushrod, center Mike Pouncey, newly signed left guard Ted Larsen, and left tackle Laremy Tunsil. The Dolphins also have journeymen Anthony Steen. Sam Young, and Kraig Urbik to round out options and provide depth for the interior offensive line.

Bushrod is well-liked within the Dolphins locker room, and has garnered praise from coaches and players for his leadership. He had stated at the end of the season that he likes living in South Florida and he preferred to stay with Miami.

Heading into his 11th season, Bushrod also played for the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears, and has been voted to two Pro Bowls in his career, and was entrusted with protecting Drew Brees at left tackle for the Saints, with whom he won a Super Bowl ring in 2009.

​This story was written by Eldon Jenson. Follow him on Twitter @EJFootball

In a surprising twist, ESPN’s Josina Anderson is reporting that former Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Dontari Poe is scheduled to leave Atlanta, where he was meeting with the Falcons, and travel to Miami Tuesday night to visit with the Dolphins.

Poe is noted as having a good combination of speed and athleticism for a guy of his size (6-3 and 346 lbs), and although he was a Pro Bowler after the 2013 and 2014 seasons, totaling 10.5 sacks in those two years, he suffered a herniated disk in his back prior to the 2015 season, causing him to miss all of the preseason, and affecting his play that year, when he recorded just one sack. He has admitted that he has had back problems for years.

Poe had a down year in 2016, recording just 27 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Regardless, he has generated interest from several other NFL teams, including the Raiders, Colts, Jaguars, and Falcons.

Poe’s injury history will likely lead to a short-term ‘prove it’ contract with whichever team he signs with, and the Dolphins are apparently hopping on board, bringing the nose tackle in to gauge interest from both sides and see if the nose tackle would be a good fit alongside All Pro tackle Ndamukong Suh.

“What in the world happened to Julius Thomas in Jacksonville?”

That is a question that everyone is asking right now along with its companion – “Will the Dolphins get more out of him?”

The answer to question #1 gives a great deal of insight into question #2.

Thomas was the toast of the league in the 2015 offseason. A premier free agent tight end out of Denver, Thomas caught 24 touchdowns in then offensive coordinator Adam Gase’s first two years as the Broncos’ play-caller. Jacksonville eventually signed him to a five- year, $46-million contract with $24-million guaranteed.

Then the wheels came off and Thomas began to underachieve and though Thomas did have 76 catches in two years with the Jaguars, it wasn’t anywhere near the production that they thought that they were going to get from him.

Why did Thomas fail in Jacksonville to the point where he was traded to Miami this offseason for only a seventh-round pick in next month’s draft? Part of it has to do with his own limitations and part of it with Jacksonville’s evident failure to recognize those limitations.

Thomas is at his best when he is used as a rebounder with straight-line speed. You expect him to be running seam routes and the like. But that’s not what Jacksonville did with him.

​“We’d like to have him catch to where we can get up-field,” Jacksonville head coach Gus Bradley said in November last year. “We knew [short routes] could happen, because we were chipping him. He had to chip and then get release. With that, maybe if his route was supposed to be at seven, it was going to be at five. Then we said if we are going to throw it to you, the last two are on you.”

Those short routes were a problem because what Thomas is not is a stop and start guy. Only seven of Thomas’ 76 catches (9.2 percent) were on passes that traveled at least 15 yards in the air. The average completion was 21 yards and included three touchdowns (29, 21 and 22 yards).

The average completion of his other 69 catches was only 8.4 yards.

In 2015, Thomas averaged only 3.1 yards after the catch (142 yards on 46 catches). In 2016, Thomas averaged only 3.3 yards after the catch (99 yards on 30 catches). That equaled only a 3.2-yard post-catch average in two years.
 
Thomas was a player who needed to make his catch downfield while in motion.

In November last year when Jacksonville head coach Gus Bradley was asked what Thomas did well in the offense, his response was comical. 

“We feel Ben Koyack is doing a pretty good job,” Bradley said.

Koyack has played in 14 games and has 19 career catches for 161 yards.

​“I think the ability to keep us with more options, the style of runs that we’re trying to run when Ben is in there,” Bradley said. “I think everything is available to us that’s in our run game. I think that Julius has gotten better with the run game.”

You signed Julius Thomas to block? Really?
 
In fairness, Jacksonville general manager Dave Caldwell denies that Thomas was traded because he can’t block. And an anonymous source told the Florida-Times Union that he thought that the Jaguars did try to use Thomas correctly.

“They made him the single receiver, put him in the slot, had him play the wing – moved him around to give him all kinds of different advantages to create plays,” the source said. “Every tight end ran similar routes as he did.

“He’s a very specific player that, really, is hard for an [offensive staff] to game-plan for.  In a true two-tight end system, he could put up better numbers because he would be on the field more and be treated as the third receiver. But to make a living doing that is tough because of the team-speed issue. Defenses are able to stay in base and stop the run and also with the speed of some linebackers, they were able to cover him man to man and were actually faster and more physical than Julius.

“The run-after-the-catch was an issue. For a big guy, I don’t know if he played like one.”

And that gets to the root of another somewhat disturbing problem. Justified or not, Thomas has gained a reputation for being soft. During the 2015 free agency period an anonymous Denver Bronco said, “Julius is here to get his money and get out. That’s just how some guys are. He didn’t grow up playing this game and it’s just not in his DNA to put it all out there.” When asked directly if Thomas was soft, he said, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”

Thomas had missed 28 games in his first four seasons and struggled with an ankle injury down the stretch in 2014. At one point, Thomas allegedly deemed himself 90 percent healthy, which in NFL circles is almost as good as new. As a result the question was asked whether Thomas was  legitimately hurt or just taking it easy to avoid further injury.

Thomas also had a number of medical concerns with the Jaguars including a back issue but he has declared himself healthy and ready to go.

“I can tell you that it’s fortunate for me that I don’t have any lingering deficiencies from the injuries,” Thomas said. “At different times you’ll have injuries that really affect you and make it hard.

“I don’t have any handicap injuries that will hold me back. They’ve all been able to heal up. The fortunate part is it’s always something new. It’s not chronic.”

Setting that aside, it’s evident that Thomas really wasn’t put in a position to succeed in Jacksonville.  Whether that was because he couldn’t beat a linebacker off of the line of scrimmage or because the Jaguars preferred to play him in a less that advantageous way according to how their offense runs is a big question.

But one fact remains true: whatever he did in Jacksonville he certainly did previously succeed with Gase in Denver. And I can’t imagine that two years has made him that much different physically now than he was then.

Reuniting with the head coach of the Dolphins could well bring Thomas back to prominence.  Gase thinks a great deal more than most about how to use his players and he knows how to take advantage of their specific talents without asking them to do more than they can do. He’s flexible enough to fit his offense to his talent rather than insisting that the talent work to fit his offense.

His disappointment with how little he got out of tight end Jordan Cameron last year was to the point.

"I couldn’t really click with him,” Gase said. “I was trying to figure out what was best. I don’t know how many times I went back and watched his Cleveland tape, the year he had 80 catches to see what was I doing wrong.”

Gase didn’t succeed with Cameron or fellow tight end Dion Sims in the passing game. But he certainly did succeed with most of the rest of the offensive players and he certainly did the same with Thomas in Denver before that. Gase knew very well how to get Thomas off the line of scrimmage and push him up the seam, something that the Jaguars evidently could simply not figure out how to do.

If that’s true, we’ll have our answer to question #2.

This column was written by Tom Shannon. Follow him on Twitter: @bearingthenews

When the Dolphins traded for now former Jaguars tight end Julius Thomas, there was a certain amount of skepticism among the fan base regarding Thomas' ability to remain healthy. After dealing with ankle and back injuries - among others - in his career and never having completed a full season, naturally there was cause for concern.

However, Thomas assures everyone that he will be just fine in Miami, and nothing is going to hold him back now that he's back with the head coach who turned him into the player he is today.

"Gase is a guy that I trust." he said. "He’s a guy that I’ve had a relationship with for a long time in this business. I really believe in his philosophy for offense and his approach to coaching, so it was definitely exciting, definitely something that I’m really looking forward to – having the opportunity to play with him again.”

Now while it is encouraging to know that Gase immediately knows exactly what to expect out of Thomas, his health is still something to question.

Thomas insists that it actually isn't.

“I can tell you that, fortunately for me, I don’t have any lingering deficiencies from injuries." Thomas said. "At different times, you can have some injuries in your life that really affect you and make it hard. But for me, my ankle was able to heal up really well, especially from my ankle surgery back in 2012, I think. It’s relatively … I had very few ankle injuries after that, especially for that side. It’s encouraging that it was a great surgery, and I feel good about it.

"My back is fine. If you’re playing football and you don’t have something up with your hand at age 29, I think you’re pretty rare. I don’t really have any handicaps or anything holding me back with injuries I’ve had in the past. They’ve all been able to heal up. I guess the fortunate part is it’s always something new and not something chronic, so I feel really good."

There will definitely be a certain amount of expectation placed on Thomas once he takes the field for the first time. But make no mistake, Thomas has the same expectations for himself, which is very encouraging to hear.

“I definitely have high expectations for myself." he said. "As far as numbers, that fluctuates and I don’t really know how that’s going to go; but I definitely expect to go out there and help make big plays for this offense. Whatever aspect that I have to do – whether that’s picking up an extra block in the run game, pull someone on the back side, coming out of a speed route or making sure that I’m there open in the middle of the field for Ryan (Tannehill) – I really take pride in what I do and going out there and playing football and helping my team win."

It's been a long time since the Dolphins had a true seam-threat tight end on their roster, and now that Thomas is here, the offense stands to become that much more dangerous. As long as he can stay healthy, there's a good chance that the offense - and the rest of the team - can take yet another step forward.

This story was written by Luis Sung. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

In recent memory, free agent players came to Miami in order to try and chase a massive paycheck. But now, it seems that players are coming for a much different reason.

They're coming to chase the playoffs.

“I saw what they did last year and the style of offense they ran and how competitive they finished out the season," said new Dolphins offensive lineman Ted Larsen. "Making it to the playoffs in the first year under (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase’s staff. I really felt like it was a team I wanted to be a part of.”

Larsen, 29, has only made the playoffs twice in his career, back in 2014-15 during his stint with the Arizona Cardinals.

In those two years, he started each game he played, protecting Carson Palmer (and for a large part of 2014, Drew Stanton and briefly Logan Thomas) during their playoff runs and paving the way for runningbacks Andre Ellington and (in 2015) David Johnson.

Then Larsen landed in Chicago on a 1-year deal, where he started eight of his sixteen games played there and ended the 2016 season with a miserable 3-13 season.

So it's no surprise that after that, Larsen gained a craving for another playoff appearance, and he decided to sign with the Dolphins to get another taste.

"The thing for me is that Miami was a team I had been looking at and they … let’s say we kind of came and met in the middle." Larsen said. "They were looking at me and I was looking at them. I thought it was a good place to go to compete and have a chance to go to the playoffs. This is where I ended up."

But it was more than just the chance of a playoff berth that lured Larsen back to Florida. He grew up in Clearwater, Florida, so the climate and the lifestyle in Miami will make him - and now his family - feel right at home.

"Playing in Florida, it’s a different deal." he said. "The heat and the humidity is a challenge and hopefully you’re able to use that as a weapon against other teams. But coming back now with – I’ve got two kids and my wife – and we’re going to be able to enjoy, in the offseason, living near the water and taking advantage of that. For me, that’s awesome. Down here with the Everglades, Biscayne Bay, being able to enjoy that with my children is really important.”

Larsen was brought in on a 3-year, $5.65 million dollar contract to compete for a starting position on the offensive line, and if he doesn't win the job, he will at least be a solid backup with the versatility to play both guard positions and be a viable backup center.

Whatever his role turns out to be, Larsen made it clear he wants to compete for another shot at the playoffs, and he feels that Miami is the perfect place to make that happen.

"As a football player, you’re measured by how well your team does." said Larsen. "Any time you can make the playoffs is really important to me and I feel like that’s one of the reasons why I’m here. I feel like this is a team that can go to the playoffs and win and consistently go to the playoffs and have that chance to compete.”

This story was written by Luis Sung. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

Earlier this week, former Miami Dolphins tight end Jordan Cameron said he doesn’t think many players in the NFL enjoy playing football, going so far as to insinuate that players within his own locker room could be included in that claim.

Well, there’s at least one guy in the Dolphins locker room who refutes that allegation.

Center Mike Pouncey had something to say about that.

“He couldn’t be talking about me,” said Pouncey, who along with his twin brother Maurkice from the Pittsburgh Steelers, was playing in a charity golf tournament at the Weston Hills Country Club in support of the Jason Taylor Foundation’s annual golf benefit. “I wouldn’t be able to speak for him but personally, myself, I love football.”

Cameron had also said that his past injuries contributed to him playing timidly in fear of re-injuring himself. And since Pouncey has suffered his own share of injuries in his career, it’s refreshing to know that he doesn’t feel that way at all.

Pouncey went on to say that he’d like to think most of his current teammates love the game, too.

“I would hope so.”

​This story was written by Eldon Jenson. Follow him on Twitter @EJFootball

It came as no surprise to Miami Dolphins fans when tight end Jordan Cameron announced his retirement this past week. Cameron spent most of his time on Miami on the shelf with injuries and never lived up to the hype of being a Pro Bowler while with the Cleveland Browns.

But what did perk up the news cycle were his comments that most NFL players don’t enjoy playing football.

“I don't think a lot of these guys love football, to be honest,” said Cameron in an interview with ESPN. “A lot of them don't. You play for other reasons, and every guy has their own reason. They know why, and as long as your why is really important, you keep playing without really loving football. Because really, who loves to get hit in 10-degree weather by a 280-pound person? Really, no one likes that.”

Cameron is only 28 years old, but has suffered at least four concussions in his six NFL seasons, and admits that the thought of those concussions, and the increased possibility of suffering another one, affected the way he played. He admits that he played more timidly on the field because of that fear.

“You're playing physical and you're playing an intense, violent game,” he said. “You have to gear yourself up for that, but it's hard to gear yourself up if you're thinking about getting hit or what the implications might be.”

And while he does concede that some players do love the game, and he himself did appreciate what football had given him in his life and that he would miss the camaraderie and friendships in the locker room, he thinks there are many more that don’t.

“There's a few guys that love it,” Cameron said. “Ray Lewis loves football. Peyton Manning. They love it. But a lot of guys don't really love this game, and there are players that will read this who will understand exactly what I'm talking about.”

I’m sure some NFL teams would like to know who those players are as well. At a time of the NFL offseason when a lot of rookies are being evaluated and interviewed as the NFL draft approaches, one question almost all of them get asked is, “Do you love football?”

And that’s a valid question, considering the investment teams make in their players. None would want to know that a player is only in it for the monetary reward. Yes, playing football in the NFL makes a lot of young men very wealthy, but history has shown that the players who love the game, those who give it their all, tend to have the greatest success. As with any job, talent can only take you so far - passion for doing what you do is the difference between those plodding along and those who win at the rat race we call a career (nepotism aside, of course).

Having made about $20 million in his career, Cameron has about 20 million reasons to appreciate the career that he’s so begrudgingly had to tolerate. And while he won’t be hard-pressed or in a hurry to find his next career, let’s hope that if and when that happens, it’s something he actually enjoys.

This story was written by Eldon Jenson. Follow him on Twitter @EJFootball

As first reported by ESPN's Field Yates, the Miami Dolphins have restructured the contract of newly acquired defensive end William Hayes in an attempt to free up more cap space for the 2017 offseason.

The Dolphins acquired Hayes in a late-night trade with the Rams very early on Friday morning, and the motivation was to pick up an effective run-stopping defensive end to make up for the lack of ability in that department due to Cameron Wake and Andre Branch being much more effective as pass-rushers.

With this restructure, Miami actually removed the second remaining year off of Hayes' contract, which means the veteran end will be a free agent after this upcoming season. Before the restructure, he was scheduled to count for $5.5 million against the cap. He had a base salary of $3.5 million with $1 million of that being guaranteed, plus a $2 million dollar roster bonus.

Now, Hayes was instead given $2 million as a signing bonus, a $50,000 workout bonus, and a base salary of $2.7 million that is fully guaranteed.

In short, Hayes added an extra $1.7 million in guaranteed money to his paycheck at the risk of potentially losing a potential grand total of $750,000. This moves lowers Hayes' cap hit from $5.5 million to $4.75 million, and offers the soon to be 32-year old defensive end an opportunity to hit free agency at least one more time to cash in.

According to Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post, a league source stated that Hayes appreciates the opportunity to immediately go back to free agency should the fit with Miami not be as comfortable as both sides would hope. The veteran run-stopper also stated that he almost signed with the Dolphins before the previous season, and that he would have been upset with the trade had anywhere other than Miami been the destination.

Which means, the voiding of the final year of his contract does not by any means indicate that Hayes won't return to the Dolphins in 2018 and perhaps beyond. This is good, because as of right now, Hayes is the only edge-setting defensive end Miami has, and losing him would be quite detrimental to the defense as a whole.

This story was written by Luis Sung. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

When free agency began on Thursday afternoon, most Miami Dolphins fans were looking at the big names at linebacker, a position where the team desperately needed to improve. Dont’a Hightower, Zach Brown, and A.J. Klein were the fan choices, and hopes were high that the Dolphins could sign one of them.

Two days later the team signed former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons.

Timmons, who lives in nearby Fort Lauderdale, liked what he saw and heard in his visit with the team, but indicated he already had an opinion of the team before he put ink to paper on a new contract.

“I like the energy here," he said. “You can tell the way this team was rocking the last four or five games of the year, they were a problem. They were a team to deal with.”

Some would say Timmons is a step down from the top names available, but when ridiculously high contract numbers began to surface, the Dolphins, with limited funds under the salary cap and pending extensions still to be worked out with some of their own players, appeared to be backing away. Timmons signed a cap friendly deal worth $12 million over two years, with $11 million of that coming in guaranteed money. Those number are likely half of what the team would have had to pay to entice Hightower to sign.

While Timmons is a 10-year veteran, he’ll only turn 31 this year, and provides some much-needed veteran leadership and experience for a linebacker corps that noticeably underperformed last year.

“I can add something to that," said Timmons. “I can bring something to the table. I loved the energy here. I talked to the coaches and got a real nice response. I just felt it was fitting. I'm from here - I've been staying here for ten years. It's just fitting for me to be here. For (head coach Adam Gase) to talk to me and give me the energy that he does, I want to do that for him.”

And while Timmons thoroughly enjoyed his ten years playing for the Steelers, he has no misgivings about the upcoming change of scenery.

"It's very different because you've been somewhere for so long,” he said about leaving Pittsburgh. “I love Steeler Nation always. You always respect what you're true to. It's just a new thing being here with the Dolphins. Sometimes change is not so bad. It is a business. You can't get caught up in it. I've just got to look at it as a business and do my job."

Timmons was highly effective last season playing for an underperforming defense in Pittsburgh. He posted 114 total tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and four tackles for a loss. He also had 2.5 sacks and broke up four pass attempts. And he brings a reputation as a tough, hard hitting buy who takes runners to the ground. He’s also been remarkably durable, missing only two games since 2009.

And he doesn’t expect that to wane, as he made clear with his response when asked how much he has left in the tank.

"I'm the type of guy, I'm all or nothing. I'm going to try to give you my all no matter what. Nobody is going to change that."

​This story was written by Eldon Jenson. Follow him on Twitter @EJFootball

Yes, yes, Dion Jordan has been a major draft bust, everyone and their mother knows this.

The trade up back in 2013 will likely go down in Dolphins history as one of the worst moves Jeff Ireland - and possibly the entire franchise - ever made, worse than even back in 1987 when they drafted another defensive end in John Bosa, who didn't do much for the team but at least he contributed somehow.

Jordan has not.

The reason Jordan has not contributed is not even due to a lack of talent, it's completely been because of his attitude and his inability to remain off of drugs, leading him to getting suspended three times in three years. It's no wonder Dolphins fans are so bitter and upset over Jordan's continued presence on the roster, especially when they could just cut him and save over $3 million in cap space with absolutely no repercussions.

And yet he's still here.

So why does Miami seem to be clinging to the absolutely baseless hope that Jordan might somehow turn things around and start being a viable NFL defensive end? Why not simply cut him now and save the money for a rainy day when it's needed?

Well, there's two reasons.

1. Jordan is still only 27 years old, and he's under contract with the team for one more season after his numerous suspensions led to him having one season on his contract not count, which is why his deal hasn't yet expired. He was drafted for a reason, to rush the passer and to also have some use covering tight ends. He is an athlete.

An athlete that was drafted by Joe Philbin and from day one was not utilized to his true potential due to limitations in coaching. Regardless of personal feelings about Jordan, there are very few who would attempt to deny that it was clear Philbin had no idea how to utilize Jordan or his unique skill set. Adam Gase can do that, if given the chance.

2. The fact of the matter is, Miami has absolutely nothing to lose by keeping Jordan on the roster, nothing except a roster spot during the offseason, which will simply mean there will be one less fringe player attempting to prove they can contribute on special teams.

Jordan is now the fringe player.

There is no logic in releasing Jordan unless you feel that the roster spot and the $3 million in cap space is something that is needed right this second and not later down the line, which when you examine the situation, also is not accurate.

There is no time limit on when Jordan can be released, no incoming roster bonuses to motivate the Dolphins to make a quick decision on their former first round pick. There is no harm in letting Jordan come into the offseason program and attempt to prove that he still has some of what made him a first round pick to begin with.

This is not about expecting anything from Jordan, I am positive the Dolphins also do not actually expect anything from Jordan, nor should they based on the former Oregon standout's past issues. But perhaps they see the reasoning behind letting him stay and try to prove himself.

And if he can't show he's better than other players, he will be cut.

If he can't stay off of the drugs and gets suspended again, he will be cut.

If he gets injured again, depending on the nature of the injury, he will probably be cut.

It's quick, easy and simple to understand. No one is expecting anything out of Dion Jordan, but to simply call for his release at this current time is an emotionally-charged reaction. The emotions are justified, but the requested action for the team to take may not be the wisest move.

Keep in mind, that Adam Gase knows his players, does not fear personalities, and has no problems telling a player to his face that what he's putting forth on the field is not enough when the situation calls for it. For Jordan to still be on the roster at this point in time, it's an indicator that Gase may see something left in Jordan that warrants keeping him around, if only just to satiate curiosity.

Jordan may not be on the roster when the regular season rolls around, and if that happens, then so be it, he won't be missed. One can't miss something that was never there to begin with. But to deny Jordan the opportunity to get a second chance with Adam Gase as his head coach before he even has a chance to try would be illogical, based solely on the fact that Miami simply has nothing to lose by keeping him around for training camp.

If he fails to impress, then the Dolphins can release him, label him as one of the franchise's biggest draft busts ever and never look back.

But on the off chance he does show flashes of still being that first round pick caliber player, then everyone will no doubt thank Adam Gase for giving Jordan the chance that no one else was willing to give.

This column was written by Luis Sung. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

For many seasons Miami Dolphins’ fans have watched while the organization allowed some of their best players to become free agents, test the open market and then head out for greener pastures. This year there apparently has been a change in philosophy. 
 
The Dolphins’ front office worked hard to retain the services of Kenny Stills and Andre Branch. They then turned their sites to one of the most important pieces and maybe the best player on the team in Reshad Jones.
 
Jones threatened to hold out going into the 2016 season but had a change of heart. Mike Tannenbaum, Vice President of Football Operations, made a commitment to Jones on what could be considered a gentlemen’s agreement, he would get Jones a new deal after the season, and he stuck to it.  
 
“They kept their word. I’m glad it’s behind me.” Jones said. “It’s a surreal moment. I’m excited to be back. I’m excited to be out there with my teammates.”
 
Jones was likely on his way to another ProBowl when a shoulder injury slowed him and then ended his season after only six games. Since then he’s been working hard to get back and focusing on his rehab.
 
“I think my health is important. It is No. 1, so I wanted to get back healthy and I think I’m pretty much where I need to be. I’ve just got to keep working.” 
 
He said the contract was on his mind but not the main focus. 
 
“(The) contract was probably my No. 2 priority; but I’m glad it’s behind me now. I don’t want to focus on too much. Nothing changes for me in terms of continuing to be consistent and go out there and help this team win football games.”
 
The Dolphins have shown continued faith in Reshad, making him one of the better paid safeties in the league twice now. He and they see big things for him for the remainder of his career. 
 
“I wish I could tell the future but I do know I’m going to give it my all – like I’ve been doing –dedicating myself on and off the field to the game and to the Miami Dolphins.” Jones said. “Who knows? I think I have a high ceiling. I just want to continue to be consistent and continue to show I’m one of the best safeties in the game.”
 
The Dolphins have continued to be aggressive in their free agent strategy as always. The piece that seems to be added is the commitment to their own. The Reshad Jones deal not only allows them to retain home grown talent but sends the message to the rest of the team that if you put in the hard work and perform on Sunday, you can be rewarded by the organization.
 
It will be interesting to see who will be the next player to get a deal. I’m sure everyone has a player or two in mind.

This story was written by Ron Canniff. Follow him on Twitter: @FinsBroadcaster

With the release of safety Isa Abdul Quddus, the Miami Dolphins find themselves in need of someone to play opposite of Pro Bowler (and newly extended) Rashad Jones.

So today the team is bringing Nate Allen in for a chat.

Allen was drafted in the second round (37th overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2010, and at 6’-0” and 210 lbs, fits the long and lean body type mold that Miami seems to prefer in the defensive backfield. He also has a Florida connection, growing up in Fort Myers, and playing his high school ball at Cape Coral High. After four years with the Eagles, he has played the past two seasons for the Oakland Raiders.

Allen doesn’t come without some concerns. He has started 76 of 93 career games, but missed 13 games over his two seasons with the Raiders. He missed most of the 2015 season with a torn MCL. He came back to play in 14 games last season for the Raiders, including four starts.

But with 368 tackles and 13 interceptions over his seven year career, he’s still only 29 years old and gives the Dolphins a solid and experienced option at free safety, and a very solid special teams player as well.

​This story was written by Eldon Jenson. Follow him on Twitter @EJFootball

With the release of safety Isa Abdul Quddus, the Miami Dolphins found themselves in need of someone to play opposite of Pro Bowler (and newly extended) strong safety Reshad Jones.

And today the Dolphins filled that spot, with the signing of former Eagles and Raiders safety Nate Allen. The deal is reportedly for one year and will pay Allen $3.4 million.

Allen was drafted in the second round (37th overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2010, and at 6’1” and 210 pounds, fits the long and lean body type that Miami seems to prefer in the defensive backfield. He also has a Florida connection, growing up in Fort Myers, and playing his high school ball at Cape Coral High. After four years with the Eagles, he has played the past two seasons for the Oakland Raiders.

Allen doesn’t come without some concerns. He has started 76 of 93 career games, but missed 13 games over his two seasons with the Raiders. He missed most of the 2015 season with a torn MCL. He came back to play in 14 games last season for the Raiders, including four starts.

With 368 tackles and 13 interceptions over his seven year career, he’s still only 29 years old and gives the Dolphins a solid and experienced depth option at free safety, and a very solid special teams player as well.

​This story was written by Eldon Jenson. Follow him on Twitter @EJFootball

While the rest of the world slept, Mike Tannenbaum and Chris Grier were on the phones discussing moves that would improve the Miami defense. Thursday passed, and shortly after midnight, the announcement was made that the Dolphins had traded for Rams defensive end William Hayes.

To acquire the 31-year old run-stopper, the Dolphins gave up a sixth round draft pick, and they also gained a seventh rounder from the Rams to supplement the deal. The exchange of picks drops them from the 208th overall pick to the 223rd overall pick, a drop of 18 spots.

When Hayes found out about the trade, he took to his Instagram account and his somewhat eccentric personality came out in his farewell to the Rams, stating he'd been traded for a stapler and a coffee mug.

​You can watch his farewell here. (Language Warning)

Hayes made news when he revealed during HBO's training camp show "Hard Knocks" that he believed dinosaurs were a myth and that mermaids were real.

Hopefully, coming to Miami won't give him reason to start searching the Atlantic Ocean for his elusive mermaids.

How this benefits the Rams - besides the obvious acquisition of a higher draft pick - is it takes the soon to be 32-year old's $2 million dollar roster bonus off their hands before Saturday when that money would have been guaranteed, and it frees up cap space for them to make more moves.

In reality, the Dolphins have taken on a 1-year, $5.5 million dollar contract with an option for a second year at $5 million. None of the money on the second year of the contract is guaranteed, which means Miami could move on from the veteran with no negative repercussions to their salary cap should they deem it fit to do so.

Hayes is a nine-year veteran and a former fourth round pick of the Tennessee Titans - whom he apparently holds a grudge towards based on his farewell to the Rams video, and he has accumulated 314 tackles and 34.5 sacks over the course of his career.

His main role will be in setting the edge and stopping the run as a defensive end, and with him now on the roster, the defense end slot looks much more flexible with Cameron Wake, the re-signed Andre Branch, Hayes, and Marist standout Terrence Fede.

If the Dolphins feel they can possibly get something out of Dion Jordan - assuming they don't cut him before camp, that would give Miami flexibility in the draft and allow them to address other needs or simply pick a player that is extremely talented and will bolster an already strong position.

This story was written by Luis Sung. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

With free agency in full swing, most of the early signings around the NFL have involved enormous contracts, which has precluded some teams from being as active in the process. Add the Miami Dolphins to that group, as the team has mostly focused on two trades (essentially swapping Branden Albert for Julius Thomas), signing their own players to keep them in-house (Kenny Stills, Andre Branch, Reshad Jones, Kiko Alonso), and some reasonably priced moves that are uncharacteristic of the usual Miami style.

That changed when the Dolphins signed linebacker Lawrence Timmons to a contract this week. The deal is for two years and is worth $12 million dollars with $11 million of that guaranteed. The large guarantee may be a result of Miami's determination to draw Timmons away from the Pittsburgh Steelers who were fighting to retain him.

Timmons was a first round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007 and has been a starter since 2009, a timeframe in which he’s shown remarkable durability, missing just two games in the past eight seasons.

The Steelers were reportedly trying to make Timmons their top priority, but in a situation similar to wide receiver Kenny Stills, the team didn’t stand in the way of the player testing the free agent market and finding out what kind of offers were available. And unlike Stills, who re-signed with Miami, Timmons found the grass greener on the other side.

Apparently Miami made an early impression with the huge amount of guaranteed dollars.

Timmons will turn 31 this year, and his deal takes take that into consideration by not making it long-term, but he was highly effective last season, posting 114 total tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and four tackles for a loss. He also had 2.5 sacks and broke up four pass attempts.

The Dolphins are actively trying to upgrade their linebacker corps to play alongside Kiko Alonso, as injuries/ineffectiveness at the outside linebacker positions hurt the team badly last season. Now Timmons will be an excellent stop-gap while Miami aims for their second consecutive playoff berth and waits for the right time to take care of positions through the draft.

This story was written by Eldon Jenson. Follow him on Twitter @EJFootball

The moves just keep on coming, but this time it's the release of a player rather than the signing of one. Per the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson, the Miami Dolphins are waiving safety Isa Abdul-Quddus due to a failed physical examination.

Abdul-Quddus is not expected to resume his NFL career after suffering a neck injury against the Buffalo Bills back in late December, despite stating previously that he would return.

​By releasing him, the Dolphins save $3,416,666 in cap space and lose only $1,666,667 in dead cap, making it a net savings of about $2 million dollars. Unfortunately, the circumstances which forced Miami to release Abdul-Quddus are not at all related to cap space, and have everything to do with the safety's health.

After a setback suffered after the end of the season, it was reported that Abdul-Quddus' career may be in jeopardy, and it appears that his career is now over. In his one season with the Dolphins, Abdul-Quddus had a career year despite not playing in the final game of the season. He made 78 tackles and two interceptions.

If this is indeed the end for Abdul-Quddus, then we all wish him luck on whatever path he decides to take in his life after football.

This story was written by Luis Sung. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

Mere minutes after it was announced that the Dolphins were bringing veteran tight end Anthony Fasano back to Miami, the Dolphins took care of another one of their own stars, extending safety Reshad Jones with a 5-year, $60 million dollar deal with $35 million guaranteed.

Last season, the 29 year old Jones held out briefly to demonstrate his desire for a new contract with guaranteed money, as his current deal had very little guaranteed which would not bode well for him should he get injured.

Which is precisely what happened.

​Jones was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury after Week 6 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and after season's end, Jones stated that he would be ready to go when the offseason program rolled around, indicating that he didn't plan to hold out again.

Now it turns out he didn't have to, as the Dolphins continued their mission to take care of their own and have ensured that Jones will remain in Miami for a very long time.

Jones made the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career in 2015, and he's proven himself as one of the top safeties in the NFL with his ability to be a ballhawk and also defend against the run while acting as an in-the-box safety. That's a terrific accomplishment, especially considering Jones is a former fifth-round draft pick.

With most of the team's top players taken care of, all that's left is to extend wide receiver Jarvis Landry, who like Jones was, is entering the final year of his contract. Miami is likely working on taking care of their final star even as we speak.

This story was written by Luis Sung. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

After spending four years away from the team that he spent the majority of his career with, veteran tight end Anthony Fasano will be returning to the Miami Dolphins. The deal is reportedly for one year and around $3 million dollars with incentives.

Fasano, now 32 years old, is regarded league wide as one of the best blocking tight ends out there. He will replace departing tight end Dion Sims who is reportedly close to reaching an agreement with the Chicago Bears, and will be an excellent backup to Julius Thomas who will soon be on the roster through a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

ESPN's Jeff Darlington was the first to announce the deal, and he too spoke highly of Fasano's blocking prowess, pointing out how the pickup would be a great help to Pro Bowl running back Jay Ajayi.

Fasano will likely be used primarily as a blocking tight end, which is good, as his usage as a weapon since departing from Miami after the 2012 season has been severely downplayed, averaging only 20.5 receptions per season since leaving. Instead, the Dolphins will count on Julius Thomas to act as the pass-catching tight end.

However, that doesn't mean Fasano doesn't have what it takes. In fact, it was Fasano who caught then rookie QB Ryan Tannehill's first ever career touchdown pass back in Week 2 of the 2012 season against the Oakland Raiders.

The Dolphins are continuing to make solid pickups without breaking the bank, while still retaining their own players at prices arguably lower than what the market would dictate. This adds credence to the concept of the "new Miami" that players are referring to, and it's an excellent sign that the Dolphins are still on the rise under head coach Adam Gase.

This story was written by Luis Sung. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

As expected, the Miami Dolphins have locked up their best linebacker with a one year restricted free agent tender. The first round tender will pay Kiko Alonso $3.91 million in 2017. If another team makes an offer for him, they would give up a first round draft pick, which isn't a likely scenario.

But the deal does assure the Dolphins of retaining Alonso for the 2017 season, and allows them to continue to work on a long-term deal. The team was working to do that, but with the deadline approaching for free agency, they went ahead with the RFA tender. 

Alonso played very well in the middle last year, while carrying load with starters on the outside who had injury/ineffectiveness issues. Alonso is expected to play alongside new teammates in the Dolphins linebacking corps this year, either via free agent signings or the draft next month.

Alonso, 26, was acquired via trade from the Philadelphia Eagles last year, and led the Dolphins in tackles with 115. He also had two interceptions, returning one for a walk-off touchdown against the San Diego Chargers, and also forced one fumble and had four fumble recoveries on the year. The Dolphins also value Alonso’s relatability to the Cuban-American community.

​This story was written by Eldon Jenson. Follow him on Twitter @EJFootball

The Miami Dolphins have placed a one-year Restricted Free Agent tender on safety Michael Thomas this week, giving the team the right of first refusal if Thomas receives an offer from another team. For now, it ensures Thomas will make a minimum of $1.8 million on a one year deal in 2017.

Without a lot of projected room left room under the salary cap, the Dolphins are trying to retain their own talent. They’d very much like to keep Thomas in-house, and should he stay with Miami, the team would likely revisit his contract with either a mid-season extension or a free agent contract in 2018.

Thomas served as the special teams captain for the Dolphins last season, and is very well-respected as a leader in the locker room. He has also played safety and cornerback, but is considered one of the best special teams players in the league, finishing second in the NFL in special teams tackles in 2016.

​This story was written by Eldon Jenson. Follow him on Twitter @EJFootball

After a lot of back and forth and wondering whether or not Miami would get to retain their top scorer, it's finally been announced that the Dolphins have re-signed wide receiver Kenny Stills, as first reported by NFL reporter Benjamin Allbright of 104.7 FM Denver/Boulder.

The deal is for four years and is worth $32 million dollars with $20 million guaranteed, giving him an average of $8 million per year.

Stills, 24, hit free agency for the first time in his career this offseason, and after a career year which saw him score more touchdowns in one season (9) than he did in both seasons with Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints (a total of 8), Stills was set to cash in on a huge new deal.

Before the signing was announced, former Dolphins wide receiver Matt Hazel tight end Jake Stoneburner tweeted directly at Stills with a message that indicated there was something about to happen.

The market for Stills was rumored to be upwards of $10 million per year, a figure that the Dolphins would have been hard pressed to match given their numerous needs elsewhere on the roster. While Stills' speed is extremely valuable to head coach Adam Gase's offense, it would not have been worth that price tag.

Thankfully, there was some leeway as it was made abundantly clear that the Dolphins wanted to retain Stills, and it was also made clear that Stills wanted to return to Miami, making negotiations more cordial as the two sides worked to reach an agreement that was beneficial to both teams even amidst the obvious interest from other teams.

There was also the matter of the free agent market for wide receivers becoming extremely diluted, with similar speedsters such as Torrey Smith, Ted Ginn Jr., Marquise Goodwin, and most notably DeSean Jackson becoming available to sign with a new team, making Stills' skillset less difficult to obtain and driving down his price.

However, despite speed being easy to find in this offseason's free agent market and draft class, re-signing Stills does come with at least a couple of unique advantages that signing the likes of Torrey Smith would not have brought with it.

While Smith is technically faster than Stills according to their 40-yard dash times (4.36 versus 4.38 respectively), it was obvious after last season that Stills and quarterback Ryan Tannehill had formed a rapport with each other, which is what led to Stills having his 42 reception, 726 yard and nine touchdown season.

​It's also what led to the two connecting on plays like this.

And this.

And who can forget this?

Now that Stills is returning, you can expect to see more of the same in 2017 and beyond, as the offense is being kept intact and the team can pick up where they left off last season, hopefully with a bolstered offensive line to ensure its continued success.

The other reason that Stills' return bodes well for Miami is exactly how much of an impact his presence has made in the community, and perhaps the franchise's dedication to bettering South Florida and beyond was at least a minor factor in the wide receiver's decision to stay.

Stills earned the team's annual Nat Moore Community Service Award in 2016 for his dedication to serving and participating in the team's countless community events throughout the season and offseason. He would refuse to speak to the press during these events, the reason being - I was told by someone within the organization - that these events were not about him, they were for the kids, or whoever else was currently being helped.

While Stills may never be considered an elite wide receiver, it's clear he has talent and his role in the offense is one that the Dolphins had hoped to fill seasons ago when they signed Mike Wallace to a big money contract. Since then, Stills has proven he can do everything Wallace was supposed to do and then some.

Now, he'll be able to blow the top off of defense for Miami for several seasons to come.

This story was written by Luis Sung. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

Just when Miami Dolphins fans were getting extra antsy about rumors of who the team may or may not sign when Free Agency becomes official on Thursday, news broke that the Dolphins will be hosting linebacker Lawrence Timmons for a visit on Saturday.

Timmons was a first round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007 and has been a starter since 2009, a timeframe in which he’s shown remarkable durability, missing just two games in the past eight seasons.

A word of caution here: The Steelers are reported to be trying to make Timmons their top priority, but in a situation similar to wide receiver Kenny Stills, the team won’t stand in the way of the player testing the free agent market and finding out what kind of offers are out there.

​And apparently Miami will be given a chance to make an early impression.

Timmons will turn 31 this year, so any deal would likely take that into consideration, but he was highly effective last season, posting 114 total tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and four tackles for a loss. He also had 2.5 sacks and broke up four pass attempts.

The Dolphins are trying to upgrade their linebacker corps to play alongside Kiko Alonso, as injuries/ineffectiveness at the outside linebacker positions hurt the team badly last season.

​This story was written by Eldon Jenson. Follow him on Twitter @EJFootball.