Dolphins’ Jordan Cameron talks paycut

The Miami Dolphins approached tight-end Jordan Cameron about a pay cut this off-season. Reluctantly Cameron eventually gave in. The Dolphins might want to thank Julius Thomas.

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Scheduled to make $7.5 million in 2016 and almost all of it was not guaranteed, many believed that Cameron would be released to save salary cap. His 2015 production was nowhere near what the Dolphins expected or for that matter what Cameron expected.

According to the Palm Beach Post, Cameron’s pay cut is exactly as it implies. A straight pay cut that reduces his 2016 salary cap number to $6 million and nothing else added to make up for the loss.

"“It doesn’t feel good,” Cameron said. “But at the same time I didn’t do much to deserve a raise, I’ll tell you that much.”"

So what made the decision for Cameron? A talk with former Denver Bronco tight-end had a lot to do with it. Julius Thomas thrived in the Adam Gase offense in Denver. Eventually leading to a lucrative free agent deal with Jacksonville Jaguars. Cameron took Thomas’ advice.

"“He called me immediately and said ‘you have to play for this guy,’” Cameron said. “It was kind of like a no brainer. I’ve had a lot of conversations about him and what he can do.”"

There is a lot of truth to what Gase has done with tight-ends in his offense but can he make the Miami tight-ends a feared group? A lot of that will depend on how well Ryan Tannehill can orchestrate the offense.

Offensively the Dolphins are loaded with talent. De’Vante Parker and Kenny Stills on the outside, Jarvis Landry on the inside, Cameron, rookie Leonte Carroo will also be challenging for playing time and then of course there is the running backs. Spreading the ball around won’t be easy for a quarterback who has been criticized at times for his lack of ability to read the field.

Unlike last season however, Gase is familiar with utilizing a tight end in the passing game and with a better on paper offensive line, the Dolphins shouldn’t need to keep tight-ends on the line to assist in blocking. If the Dolphins can finally use the tight end the way the rest of the NFL does, their offense could be very good.