Jordan Cameron On Pay Cut
This offseason, tight end Jordan Cameron took a pay cut in order to remain with the Dolphins. Cameron confessed that it “doesn’t feel good” to take a step back in salary, but he also admits that he didn’t do enough last year (link via ESPN.com’s James Walker).
Lions Notes: Hardy, Austin, Kruger
The Lions are a possible fit for free agent defensive end Greg Hardy, Robert Klemko of The MMQB writes. The Lions, he writes, probably feel like they’re one or two pieces away from winning their division and they could conceivably be willing to deal with the headaches of signing the former Pro Bowler. Recently, PFR’s Dallas Robinson identified the Lions and seven other teams as potential landing spots for the troubled free agent.
Here’s more out of Detroit:
- Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin was a popular name in different head coaching searches this offseason, but he feels that only two of his four interviews were “legitimate” (Twitter link via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). When asked if he felt that his other two interviews were only done to satisfy the Rooney Role, Austin told Birkett (Twitter link) that he could take his comments however he wanted to. As shown in PFR’s 2016 Head Coaching Tracker, Austin interviewed with the Browns, Dolphins, Giants, and Eagles. Since the Browns hired a black coach in Hue Jackson, Austin presumably isn’t accusing Cleveland of interviewing him to fulfill the minority candidate requirement.
- The Lions brought in Joe Kruger for a workout earlier this week, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press tweets. Kruger was drafted by Philadelphia as a defensive end in 2013 but Detroit auditioned him as a tight end.
- On Wednesday, we learned that Detroit will not be signing linebacker Mike Neal, despite having met with him in March.
Adam Gase On Dion Jordan
- When asked about defensive end Dion Jordan applying for reinstatement, Dolphins coach Adam Gase said, “I’ll worry about that when it comes around” (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports). Jordan, the third pick in the 2013 draft, had to sit out last season after the league suspended him for violating its substance abuse policy. Jordan has missed 22 games because of suspensions during his short career and has totaled just three sacks in 26 contests.
Dolphins Notes: Jordan, Albert, Tunsil
- James Walker of ESPN.com wonders where Dion Jordan would fit in the Dolphins‘ defense. The defensive end will file for reinstatement on Wednesday and it sounds like he’s going to make a strong case to the league office. The Dolphins are open to Jordan returning, but Walker notes that the team approached free agency without the former No.3 overall pick in mind. Miami signed three veteran defensive ends this offseason in Mario Williams, Andre Branch, and Jason Jones, to go along with Cameron Wake. It’s possible then that Jordan could get a look at outside linebacker, which is not as deep of a group.
- The Dolphins have Ole Miss product Laremy Tunsil in the mix, but Branden Albert assured reporters today that he is “the left tackle of this team,” ESPN.com’s James Walker writes. Shortly after the draft, Miami assured Albert that he’ll remain at his current position while Tunsil will be worked in at guard. Albert will carry a $10.6MM cap number in 2016. In 2017, $6MM of his $8.245MM base salary is now guaranteed.
Dion Jordan To Apply For Reinstatement
This week, Dion Jordan will take the first step towards making his return to football. The Dolphins defensive end will apply for reinstatement to the NFL on Wednesday, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports. 
Jordan is eligible for reinstatement this year following multiple violations of the league’s substance policy. The Dolphins could theoretically cut the former No. 3 overall pick without being on the hook for what would have previously been guaranteed money, but they’d first like to see if Jordan can fulfill his vast potential. For his part, Jordan says that he’s not going to squander that opportunity if it is given to him.
“I’m not about to waste it. I can’t waste it. And I (expletive) love doing it,” Jordan said. “Who doesn’t love running out in front of 30,000-plus fans and you get that rush? But it’s also things that you can get that rush from that can be very satisfying and can carry you on to a successful life after football…I just turned 26 years old, so life starts to hit you in the face. Who are you outside of those shoulder pads and helmet? And it’s weird, but I feel like it’s a blessing for me at this point in time to think about it, instead of waiting ‘til they really tell me I can’t play football no more.”
Of course, Jordan is not the only notable name to run afoul of the league’s policy on substance abuse. In recent years, Josh Gordon, Justin Blackmon, Martavis Bryant, Aldon Smith, and Daryl Washington have all been sidelined by the NFL and as Jordan has witnessed, those missteps can sometimes be career threatening or ending. The 26-year-old needs to prove that he can stay on the straight and narrow. He also needs to prove that he can produce on the field. Through 26 games in 2013 and 2014, Jordan registered only 46 tackles and three sacks.
Jordan’s reinstatement into the league is not guaranteed, but he seems to have said all of the right things in his conversation with Pelissero. His future with the Dolphins is also uncertain, though the team is reportedly open to giving him another chance because he is talented and, generally, not a bad guy, despite his past mistakes.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Knowshon Moreno Interested In Signing With Broncos, Dolphins
Free agent running back Knowshon Moreno is eyeing an NFL return and would like to sign with with either the Broncos or Dolphins, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post. Moreno spent the first five seasons of his career in Denver before inking a free agent contract with the Dolphins in 2014. After suiting up for just three games with the Dolphins, Moreno suffered a season-ending ACL tear – the second torn ACL of his career – and sat out the 2015 campaign to enable his ailing knees to heal. Moreno insists he’s healthy now, though.
“I plan on coming back,” he told TMZ. “I feel good. I feel healthy. I’m fully recovered. So I’m just doing the things I have to right now, just staying in shape and seeing where that goes.”
While the soon-to-be 29-year-old is interested in another go-around with the defending Super Bowl champion Broncos, who 
took him in the first round of the 2009 draft, it’s unknown if the feeling is mutual. As noted by Jhabvala, the Broncos re-signed rushers C.J. Anderson (four-year deal) and Ronnie Hillman (one-year contract) earlier in the offseason, and Kapri Bibbs, Juwan Thompson and fourth-round rookie Devontae Booker round out their depth chart.
The Dolphins also have a crowded backfield, but after striking out on trying to land high-profile options (Anderson included) earlier in the offseason, they lack an established No. 1 rusher. As of now, second-year man Jay Ajayi looks poised to serve as their go-to ball carrier. Ajayi racked up just 187 yards on 49 carries as a rookie, however, and his production tailed off significantly after a strong two-game showing to begin his career. Miami did invest a third-rounder in Alabama’s Kenyan Drake, though, and Daniel Thomas and Isaiah Pead are among its veteran choices. Moreno has enjoyed a better career than both, and the ex-Georgia Bulldog says he has plenty more to offer.
“I still have a lot in the tank. Probably too much in the tank. I need to let it out. I’m really excited to get back. I just want to get back to a team atmosphere, helping a team and, most of all, just competing,” he told TMZ.
During the first six years of his career, Moreno missed 33 of a possible 96 regular-season games, but he did fare well when healthy. In Moreno’s most productive season, 2013, he amassed 1,038 yards on 241 carries (4.3 YPC, the same as his career mark), chipped in an impressive 60 catches and added 13 touchdowns (10 rushing, three receiving). Cumulatively, Moreno has rushed for 3,616 yards, hauled in 158 passes and piled up 36 scores (27 rushing, nine receiving).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Koa Misi Detained By Police in Fort Lauderdale
- Dolphins linebacker Koa Misi was detained (but not arrested) by police following a fight outside a Fort Lauderdale nightclub on Sunday morning, according to a police report obtained by the Miami Sun-Sentinel. The report also indicated that the 29-year-old attempted to “flee a police officer” following the altercation. Misi could be in line for a team suspension, and it’s notable that the organization disciplined former defensive end Derrick Shelby following a fight outside the same club.
[SOURCE LINK]
Dolphins Still Monitoring Arian Foster
The Dolphins continue to monitor Texans free agent Arian Foster, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Foster visited with Miami in late March but left without a deal. 
Foster is still recovering from a torn Achilles, though he reportedly should be able to pass a physical sometime in the coming weeks. Given his injury, Foster’s reps made it clear that he was in no rush to sign this offseason. The Dolphins would be a logical landing spot for Foster as the veteran could push presumptive starter Jay Ajayi for playing time and give rookie tailback Kenyan Drake extra time to develop.
Recently, PFR’s Dallas Robinson ranked the top offensive free agents remaining on the open market and placed Foster in the top ten. In addition to the Dolphins, he ID’d the Raiders, Eagles, and Chargers as potential matches for the veteran. The Patriots, depending on who you ask, may have preliminary interest in the four-time Pro Bowler.
Foster, 30 in August, accumulated 6,472 rushing yards during his seven years as a Texan, and that figure would have been even higher if injuries had not slowed him down over the course of the last three seasons. After earning three consecutive Pro Bowl nods from 2010 to 2012, averaging about 1,900 all purpose yards and 16 touchdowns in those seasons, Foster was limited to 25 regular-season games from 2013 to 2015. Those injuries, along with his age and his increasing cap number, resulted in the Texans releasing him this spring.
In 2015, Foster was slowed by a groin injury in training camp and the preseason, and later suffered a torn Achilles, landing him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season. When he played, he was at his least productive, averaging only 2.6 yards per carry on 63 attempts. Still, if he recovers well from the Achilles injury, the Tennessee alum could have something left in the tank — he was a Pro Bowler in 2014, piling up 1,246 rushing yards in just 13 contests.
In other Dolphins running back news, Jackson notes that the Fins staff sees Damien Williams as the front-runner for the No. 3 RB job behind Ajayi and Drake, though Daniel Thomas could push Williams. Ultimately, veteran Isaiah Pead “faces an uphill climb” and it sounds like he could be the odd man out.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Dolphins Sign Leonte Carroo, Thomas Duarte
- The Dolphins agreed to terms with two members of their draft class today, signing third-round receiver Leonte Carroo and seventh-round tight end Thomas Duarte, as Wilson reports (Twitter link). Miami now only has third-round running back Kenyan Drake left to sign, as PFR’s Zach Links detailed when looking at unsigned 2016 draftees earlier today.
Jay Ajayi Excited For Lead Role
After the Dolphins watched Miller sign a four-year deal with the Texans, Miami pivoted towards restricted free agent C.J. Anderson only to watch the Broncos match a four-year, $18MM offer sheet. Later on in March, the Fins missed out on Chris Johnson when he re-signed with the Cardinals on a hometown discount.
Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi admits that he has been excited about the coming season ever since Lamar Miller left the team in free agency. 
After the Dolphins watched Miller sign a four-year deal with the Texans, Miami pivoted towards restricted free agent C.J. Anderson only to watch the Broncos match a four-year, $18MM offer sheet. Later on in March, the Fins missed out on Chris Johnson when he re-signed with the Cardinals on a hometown discount.