Jared Odrick focusing on all the right things in contract year

Written by Matthew Cannata | Twitter: @PhinManiacs
When a player is entering their contract year, it can bring a lot of uncertainty. Will the team they are playing on re-sign them? If so, will they offer a fair contract? Will this be their last year playing on that team? What if they get injured? All these questions go through a player's mind when in that situation and because of that, it can have negative effects on their performance.

Despite all the distractions though, Jared Odrick, who is set to earn $765,000 this year, is doing his absolute best to stay focused on the task at hand and continue to give it 100% every time he steps on the field.

"There’s no time where it’s (a season) not a big deal," Odrick said. "But in terms of my situation with me being five years in, it would be a mistake if I didn’t stay focused on my duties as a football player and what I have to do physically and mentally every day. I try to focus on that more than anything else."

Odrick's biggest selling point is his versatility and ability to play all the positions on the line at a high level.

"Jared has been a very effective player for us. The great thing about Jared is he’s got versatility," Dolphins defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle said. "Jared can play inside, he can play defensive end, he’s got a very good toolbox in terms of rushing the passer. He’s a big athlete. You don’t realize that Jared is over 300 pounds and he’s very agile. He can play physical at the point of attack. Just again, consistency, every snap getting the same thing.

"All of the players have to have discipline in what they’re doing," Coyle continued. "I think we preach that, we coach that and I think Jared, as he’s matured, has gotten better and better. But we expect big things from him and the fact that he does have that versatility makes him a very, very important part of our defense."

Odrick was a first round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft out of Penn State University. The Dolphins would be wise to lock him up to a second contract as he has proven he is one of those players you always strive to have on your team - both on and off the field.

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