Miami Dolphins keeps spending big on prove it players
The Miami Dolphins continue their spending habits this week by inking Bobby McCain to a 4 year- 27 million dollar deal.
Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has stated, numerous times, that his check book will always be open to making the Dolphins a winning franchise. So far he has established a reputation as a bad investor who has eaten more dead-cap money than Lebron has NBA Final’s losses. (Sorry, couldn’t help myself)
Ross purchased the Miami Dolphins from the late Wayne Huizenga back in 2009, a year after the Wildcat Dolphins took the playoffs by storm. Since that purchase, Ross has stamped his approval on the following free-agent signings.
• 2009 C. Jake Grove
• 2009 S. Gibril Wilson
• 2010 WR. Brandon Marshall (Trade)
• 2011 RB. Reggie Bush
• 2012 WR. Chad OchoCinco
• 2013 WR. Mike Wallace
• 2013 LB’s Wheeler/Ellerbe
• 2014 RB. Knowshown Moreno
• 2015 DT. N. Suh
• 2015 TE Jordan Cameron
• 2016 RB Arian Foster
• 2016 CB Byron Maxwell
• 2016 DE Mario Williams
• 2017 LB Lawrence Timmons
• 2017 TE Julius Thomas
The crazy thing about this list, is that every single name is easily recognizable to an average Dolphin fan. The crazier thing is that every single year we have had a well-known name not produce to the contract Miami gave them.
One might notice that this list excludes re-signings. The amount of re-signings the Dolphins have fumbled is just as long. This year Miami had a handful of players that wanted big contracts that warranted huge conversations within the fan base.
Jarvis Landry was the hottest. How much do you spend on a slot receiver? Furthermore, how much do you spend on a player that plays passionately and with intensity, yet goes off script from time to time? The Browns decided that it was 75 million over 5 years with 47 million guaranteed. Albeit the Browns may not be the best standard for a player’s worth but that is the number Jarvis wanted. The decision to pass on that salary commitment seems to be for the best in regards to Miami’s track record in the past.
Danny Amendola and Albert Wilson were brought in to replicate Laundry’s stats. Both players have something to prove. Danny is an aging vet that is often injured and steps up in big games. He also comes from the Patriot factory that seems to squeeze the juice out of player production via systematic injections. Albert is a young player who has shown flashes of brilliance, but lacks the consistency. This may be because he was BURIED behind playmaker depth in Kansas City.
Frank Gore is another well-known name at the running back position that Miami has signed. Look back up at the list. Three veteran running backs in the last 7 years have been signed by Miami. The Dolphins are looking to find an old producer and clean up the last bit of production he has left. Every situation has failed. Granted, Frank’s signing can be viewed as 50% production 50% locker room/mentor. The chances are high that this may be Gore’s last run and will be had in his home state.
Bobby McCain is the newest inked Dolphin of the offseason. He has progressively gotten better and is now on contract for 4 years at 27 million. This is considered a solid contract for a cornerback. However, Bobby is a nickel-back. If you watched the draft you realize that the Dolphins just drafted an elite nickel-back/safety/linebacker/defensive end/running back/whatever else you want Fitzpatrick to do.
Bobby is not the first or second best CB on the team. Yet, he just got a contract of good faith. Faith that his production will continue to improve and that he will find a solid spot on the field. A spot which is now hotly competitive for playing time. The re-signing seems too rich, and when it seems too rich with the Dolphins, history has shown that it in fact is a bad investment.
If Miami continues its trend of mismanaging their money, they will never be able to invest in a group that will compliment good draft picks. Neither will the Dolphins be able to re-sign successful draft picks to the coveted second contract which usually encompasses that player’s prime years. Ross has never tried to take command of player signings, but at the rate in which they are being made poorly he may need to re-evaluate his front office soon.