Dolphins 2012 Player Review: Armon Binns
By Matt Patrick
Wide Receiver Armon Binns was undrafted out of the University of Cincinnati in 2011. Starting off this season with the Cincinnati Bengals playing in eight games, he was able to contribute with 17 receptions for 210 yards and one touchdown. However, as the season grew on he began to slip down the depth chart and started showing up on the inactive list on a weekly basis. Since he was becoming non-existent in the offense, the Bengals eventually released him and the Miami Dolphins were there to pick him up off waivers on December 10th, 2012.
Dec 30, 2012; Foxborough, MA, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Armon Binns (19) drops a pass against the New England Patriots during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Because of his limited time playing with the Dolphins, it’s difficult to pin an accurate grade on him. In those three games, he only caught 6 passes for 67 yards and zero touchdowns. That’s hardly worth writing home about. The fact that he didn’t have any eye-opening or game-changing plays also make it hard for me to say this kid can be a potential “playmaker.”
Also, after going back and re-watching the season finale game against the New England Patriots, Binns did drop a potential touchdown pass from Ryan Tannehill. It was a perfect back-shoulder pass from about the 25 yard line and the ball went right through his hands. The last time I checked, “good” NFL receivers make that catch all day.
The one thing I do like about Binns is his size. Standing at 6’3” and 210 lbs, he does have ideal size and could act as a big target for Tannehill. Binns does have potential to play a larger role in this offense next season. Considering the current state of our receivers, the door is wide open for anybody to come in and play that role. It does take time to learn the playbook and develop chemistry with a quarterback. Unfortunately for Binns, he was added to the team too late in the 2012 season to master the plays or effectively build rapport with Tannehill.
For the purpose of this article, I have to grade Binns on his production and body of work for 2012. His potential and lack of experience with the team will not be a factor in his overall grade. I would like to see Binns remain on the roster to compete with the other receivers in mini-camp, training camp, and in preseason. I’m not ready to close the book on Binns just yet. It will be up to him to prove himself and earn a spot on this Dolphins’ 53 man roster for 2013.
Overall Grade: D+