Lack Of Depth Could Sink Dolphins
- Aside from offensive line, receiver and defensive end, depth is likely to pose a major problem for the Dolphins this year, opines Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Miami, which went 6-10 in 2015 and finished last in the AFC East, is light at defensive tackle, cornerback, linebacker and tight end, writes Kelly, who also doesn’t see enough game-changing talent on the roster in general.
Dolphins "Pretty Comfortable" With CBs
- The Dolphins are “pretty comfortable” with their current cornerback situation, a source told Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. However, that shouldn’t necessarily be the case, opines Salguero, who wonders if the Dolphins are in trouble at the position. With second-round rookie Xavien Howard currently on the sidelines after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in June, the Dolphins are down to Tony Lippett as the starter opposite veteran Byron Maxwell. Lippett didn’t garner much playing time as a fifth-round rookie last year, though, and was a receiver at Michigan State. As for Howard, the Dolphins “expect him, at worst, to be back by the first regular-season game,” head coach Adam Gase said. But that scenario would mean missing all of camp and the preseason, thus putting the first-year man behind the 8-ball immediately.
- Armando Salguero shared more of his thoughts on the state of the Dolphins earlier Thursday with PFR’s Zach Links.
The Beat: Armando Salguero On The Dolphins
With the season fast approaching, we’re chatting with beat writers from around the league to gain insight on each team’s offseason and how those moves will impact the season ahead.
Today, we continue the series by discussing the Dolphins with Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald. You can follow Armando on Twitter @ArmandoSalguero and check out his stories here.
Zach Links: What’s the latest on Dion Jordan? How do you see things playing out in the end? 
Armando Salguero: I reported today that the roster bonus to Dion Jordan on the fifth day of camp is a non-issue because he owes them more money than they owe him. He has to return over $3MM in signing bonus which he lost rights to when he was suspended. The Dolphins have to pay Jordan $1.69 million in that roster bonus. So Jordan isn’t getting any money from the Dolphins and he will be with the team during training camp, assuming he is reinstated. How will it play out beyond that? If he wins a spot, he’s on the team. If he doesn’t … He’ll be like all the other players in August that don’t earn a roster spot in training camp. He’ll be looking elsewhere.
Zach Links: Do you think new addition Arian Foster still has some good football left in the tank? Was the Foster signing an indication that the team is less-than-thrilled with Jay Ajayi and Kenyan Drake?
Armando Salguero: I am told the Dolphins like Ajayi and Drake just fine. But, the team also likes the idea of having a veteran who has shown he’s a quality back when he’s healthy. I see this Dolphins backfield situation as Miami playing the odds. All three players — Foster, Ajayi, Drake — have had injury issues during their careers. The team is hopeful at least a couple of them can remain healthy in 2016. If one of those is Foster, he might be the best bargain, back-of-free agency addition in the division. But, again, only if he casts aside his recent history for being injured and unavailable.
Zach Links: Do you believe that new coach Adam Gase will elevate Ryan Tannehill‘s level of play? What kind of year do you think Tannehill will have in 2016?
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Latest On Dolphins, Dion Jordan
In recent weeks, there has been a great deal of talk as to whether the Dolphins will pay Dion Jordan his $1.69MM roster bonus if he is reinstated by the league office. As it turns out, the Dolphins don’t really have a decision to make with regards to that payout. 
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The Dolphins are in fact required to pay Jordan a $1.69MM bonus on the fifth day of training camp, but Jordan also must repay his $3.35MM signing bonus to the team as a result of his multiple suspensions, according to Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald. That money has not been fully returned yet and Jordan owes the Dolphins more money than he owes them. So, a reinstated Jordan would not be cut by the team in an effort to save money. However, the Dolphins could theoretically release or trade Jordan if they do not want him on the roster for football reasons.
The Dolphins have yet to hear from the commissioner regarding Jordan’s reinstatement, but one has to imagine that there will be a resolution soon.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Dion Jordan To File Grievance If Not Reinstated
- If the NFL doesn’t reinstate Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan before his roster bonus due on the fifth day of camp, his representatives will file a grievance, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report tweets. Jordan’s camp will also push back if the Dolphins move to wipe out the $1.69MM payout (Twitter link). Jordan applied for reinstatement almost two months ago, but has yet to hear back from the NFL. Some execs in Miami’s front office do not want to give Jordan that kind of money following his third drug suspension.
Opinion: Dolphins Have Suspect RB Durability
- James Walker of ESPN.com wonders if durability is a concern for Dolphins running backs, including new addition Arian Foster. Foster, 29, has missed 23 games in the past three seasons due to multiple injuries. Miami is hoping that the seven-year veteran will add some leadership to a group that includes youngsters Jay Ajayi and Kenyan Drake, but he won’t bring much to the table if his past ailments return.
Latest On Dion Jordan
Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan applied for reinstatement almost two months ago, and while the organization is hoping to hear back from the NFL this week, Miami has been given no definite indication as to whether Jordan will be allowed to rejoin the club, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.
[RELATED: Dolphins sign Arian Foster]
However, even if Jordan is granted reinstatement, the Dolphins might not welcome him back to their roster, and the chief reason could be financial. As Salguero writes, Jordan is owed a fully guaranteed $1.69MM roster bonus if he’s on Miami’s roster on the fifth day of training camp, and there’s disagreement within the team’s leadership as to whether Jordan should be paid that figure. Some in the club’s hierarchy believe that Jordan still possesses the talent that made him a No. 3 overall pick, while others in the front office don’t think a player with three drug suspensions and little production should be handed a bonus.
If he makes the roster, Jordan could still have time finding snaps, as the Dolphins added several pieces to their defensive end rotation over the offseason, signing Mario Williams, Jason Jones, and Andre Branch. Miami also signed starter Cameron Wake to an extension, so the best bet for Jordan might be as a special teams player. Additionally, there is still some concern that Jordan’s shoulder, which was flagged before the 2013 draft, might not be quite right.
The Dolphins have tried to trade Jordan in the past, Salguero notes, as they attempted to deal him to the Eagles when Jordan’s former college coach Chip Kelly was in charge. Now that Kelly is in San Francisco, Salguero suggests that the 49ers could have some interest in acquiring Jordan.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Greg Jennings To Retire
Wide receiver Greg Jennings has announced his retirement from the NFL after 10 seasons. 
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Jennings became a free agent in March when he was cut loose by the Dolphins. The 32-year-old Jennings was widely expected to be a cap casualty this offseason, as the results of his first season with the Dolphins was wholly uninspiring. He posted career-lows in nearly every statistical category, catching just 19 passes for 208 yards and one touchdown. After terminating the final year of Jennings’ two-year contract, Miami saved $4MM on its salary cap while incurring $1.5MM in dead money.
The Kalamazoo, Michigan native appeared in all 16 regular season games for the Dolphins last season but it was clear that he was not as sharp as he had been in previous years. Jennings saw a career low in targets (36) and receptions (19), totaling just 208 yards and one touchdown.
While things didn’t go as planned in Miami, Jennings will be remembered for the quality seasons that he enjoyed in his prime, particularly with the Packers. From 2007 through 2011, Jennings averaged 1,108 yards and nine touchdown grabs per season for Green Bay. In 2010 and 2011, Jennings earned Pro Bowl nods for his exceptional play. More importantly, Jennings helped the Packers capture a championship ring in 2010. After the 2012 season in Green Bay, Jennings joined up with the rival Vikings and delivered two productive seasons.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Dolphins Notes: Jordan, Offensive Line
- Miami also spent capital on the offensive trenches, and James Walker of ESPN.com (video link) examines whether the Dolphins‘ offensive line can come together as a unit to protect quarterback Ryan Tannehill. With No. 13 overall pick Laremy Tunsil scheduled to start at left guard, the Fins will have four former first-rounders among their front five. And the club has also stockpiled depth, adding veteran options like Jermon Bushrod and Sam Young to handle backup roles.
- The Dolphins invested in their defensive line over the spring, signing Mario Williams, Andre Branch, and Jason Jones, but another option might come internally, as Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald hears (Twitter link) that former No. 3 overall pick Dion Jordan looks “brand new.” Yesterday, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported that there’s been no status update on Jordan, who applied for reinstatement in April. Jordan is thought to be dealing with shoulder issues, but if reports are to be believed, it looks he’ll be a full-go for camp, if and when he’s eligible.
- Miami also spent capital on the offensive trenches, and James Walker of ESPN.com (video link) examines whether the Dolphins‘ offensive line can come together as a unit to protect quarterback Ryan Tannehill. With No. 13 overall pick Laremy Tunsil scheduled to start at left guard, the Fins will have four former first-rounders among their front five. And the club has also stockpiled depth, adding veteran options like Jermon Bushrod and Sam Young to handle backup roles.
Beasley: Adam Gase Gives Dolphins Reason For Optimism
- The presence of rookie head coach Adam Gase is one of the main reasons to expect the Dolphins to improve on their 6-10 mark and last-place finish from a year ago, opines Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald. While opposing coaches often out-schemed Gase’s 2015 predecessors, Joe Philbin and Dan Campbell, Beasley doesn’t look for that to continue during the Gase era, citing his previous success as an offensive coordinator in both Denver and Chicago. Gase worked well with quarterbacks Tim Tebow, Peyton Manning and Jay Cutler in those cities, and he’ll now try to maximize Ryan Tannehill‘s potential with the Dolphins.