Moreno Better Choice For Dolphins
Feb 2, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno (27) runs against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Today, the Tennessee Titans released former-2,000 yard rusher, Chris Johnson. The three-time Pro Bowler had spent his entire six-year career in Tennessee, but has struggled with injuries and production in the last few seasons.
Last year was his worst season where he averaged 3.9 yards a carry and didn’t have a run longer than 30 yards, yet he was scheduled to make $8 million in 2014. Tennessee couldn’t find a trade partner and was forced to release him.
Why does this matter? Because Adam Schefter, amongst others, has been reporting all morning that the two teams who had talked with Tennessee about a potential trade were the Buffalo Bills and our Miami Dolphins.
As we know, Miami went out and signed Knowshon Moreno to a solid one-year contract. And I give Dennis Hickey an A+ for that signing.
Here are eight reasons why Miami’s move to sign Moreno is A LOT better than if they had traded for Johnson:
1. Moreno was a free agent, and Johnson would’ve required the Dolphins to give up a pick in what has been projected to be an extremely deep draft.
2. Hickey was able to lock up Moreno for a one-year deal, which is perfect because should he not perform then Miami hasn’t hurt itself in the future. If it goes well, they can (hopefully) lock him up. Johnson wouldn’t have agreed to that.
3. Moreno is coming off his best season yet and Johnson, well, isn’t. Sure, you could argue that Moreno’s season was because he was part of the best passing offense of all time, but after the Dolphin’s running game last year anything is an improvement and there’s very little to lose. Additionally, the signing of left tackle Branden Albert should improve things significantly.
4. Johnson would’ve come with an attitude. While that may not necessarily be a bad thing, Johnson is most definitely more outspoken than Moreno and Miami just doesn’t need to deal with that this year.
5. Moreno is 26 and Johnson is 28.
6. One of Moreno’s strengths is blocking and Miami desperately needs help blocking.
7. That photo of Moreno crying? Gold
8. The name Knowshon? Too great.