Davis Return To Miami Dolphins Unlikely
By Brian Miller
Nov 24, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Vontae Davis (23) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Colts 40-11. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Forget about Vontae’ Davis’ work ethic or the fact that he told a fellow Miami Dolphins player that he was “acting” during filming of HBO’s Hard Knocks. Vontae’ Davis isn’t returning to Miami because he is too expensive. A recent influx of Davis chatter has made it’s way along the message board pipeline where many fans would welcome back the former first round pick of the Dolphins. His grandmother too.
Davis has been in Indianapolis for the past two seasons and has played well. Not great but good enough to help the team make the playoffs. Now he is a free agent. Like all free agents or at least some free agents (more likely their agents) the value of each player inside their heads don’t always mesh with reality. Davis could be one of those players as he has definitely priced his way out of a South Florida return.
According to reports this week Davis is seeking a bigger contract than Brent Grimes. Grimes signed a 32 million dollar contract a week ago Monday with 16 million guaranteed. While Davis is younger he lacks the leadership and statistics that Grimes has. He also lacks the Pro-Bowl tag that goes with his name. While I am no NFL GM I surely haven’t seen enough out of Davis to warrant that kind of deal. In fact last year Sean Smith who you could easily argue was the better CB of the two didn’t get Grimes money.
The market is fickle though so it’s possible that Davis could be looking at a strong showing in free agency. Buyer beware however, a large contract to Davis doesn’t necessarily mean a huge payoff on the field.
In other former Miami Dolphins news, Jacksonville Jaguar QB Chad Henne has avoided free agency and will remain with the Jags. Henne signed a two year extension this week and will enter the 2014 season as the Jaguars starter. Laughing aside as I am sure some of you are, Henne performed well in relief of benched Blaine Gabbert last season. The Jaguars will still draft a QB this May so Henne is only a bridge.
Moving from the states to the CFL, former 2nd round pick John Beck is now playing in the Canadian Football League. Beck is now playing for the B.C. Lions. What a miserable draft class that turned out to be.
Tony McDaniel got squeezed out of Miami due to the plethora of defensive tackles in Miami’s stocks. He left and went to the Seattle Seahawks and now has a Super Bowl victory ring to show for it. While a return to Miami isn’t out of the realm of possibilities, it’s also unlikely given the fact that more than Miami will likely be taking a look. The Dolphins are preparing for life after Soliai and Starks. McDaniel would be a very solid addition.