HEADLINES

Dimitri Patterson

AFC Rumors: Dolphins, Jets, Clowney, Texans

April 2nd, 2014 at 12:00pm CST by Luke Adams

As they continue attempting to fortify their offensive line, the Dolphins are hosting 25-year-old free agent Jason Fox for a visit, writes Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. According to Salguero, if the team were to sign Fox, who reportedly worked out for the Chiefs earlier this week, the former Lion would be viewed as a depth piece with a chance to earn a larger role, not the Dolphins’ starter at right tackle.

Here’s more on another free agent paying a visit to Miami, as well as a few other notes from around the AFC:

  • The Dolphins will also host free agent wideout Lestar Jean for a visit and workout, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Jean met with the Panthers last month, but left Carolina without a deal.
  • Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link) still expects the Titans to release Chris Johnson this week. If and when that happens, look for the Jets to “pounce” on the veteran running back, says La Canfora.
  • Asked about Jadeveon Clowney at South Carolina’s Pro Day today, Texans head coach Bill O’Brien confirmed that his club met with Clowney last night, tweets James Palmer of CSNHouston.com. However, according to O’Brien, the Texans’ No. 1 pick is still “wide open” (Twitter link via Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle).
  • Before he signed with the Raiders, Maurice Jones-Drew was strongly considering the Patriots and Steelers as well, as he said today on Mad Dog Sports Radio (Twitter link).
  • In a pair of tweets, Aaron Wilson provides details on Dimitri Patterson‘s one-year, $3MM deal with the Jets, which includes a $1MM signing bonus, and C.J. Wilson‘s one-year, minimum-salary benefit contract with the Raiders.

Jets Sign Dimitri Patterson

April 1st, 2014 at 6:18pm CST by Rory Parks

The Jets have signed free agent cornerback Dimitri Patterson, the team announced (via Twitter). According to a tweet from Pro Football Talk, it is a one-year, $3MM deal, which Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News confirms (via Twitter).

The Jets will be the sixth different team that Patterson has played for in his nine-year career, having also suited up for the Redskins, Chiefs, Eagles, Browns, and Dolphins. Despite missing 10 games with a groin injury, Patterson played well for the Dolphins last season, recording four interceptions in just 240 defensive snaps. He also tallied four picks with Philadelphia in 2010, the only season in which he played the full 16 games.

Patterson, who will turn 31 before the season begins, helps to solidify a very uncertain New York secondary. Excluding Patterson, the top three corners on the depth chart are Dee Milliner, Darrin Walls, and Kyle Wilson, none of whom have inspired a great deal of confidence. Of course, the Jets either missed out on, or did not pursue, top free agent corners like Vontae Davis, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and Darrelle Revis (who signed with division rival New England after being released by the Buccaneers). For a defense predicated on strong man-to-man play from its cornerbacks, the inability to land a top corner represented a major concern.

Although Patterson is at his best when lined up in the slot, he did play primarily on the outside with Miami and proved that he could at least hold his own there. Given the lack of experience of the other corners currently on the roster, Patterson will certainly have the chance to start for the Jets and, assuming he stays healthy, may prove to be a quality signing for a bargain price.

FA Notes: Patterson, Rogers, Fox, Hall

March 31st, 2014 at 12:43pm CST by Luke Adams

DeSean Jackson may be the biggest name on the free agent market these days, but he’s not the only potential difference-maker still available. Let’s round up a few of the latest news and notes related to a few other free agents still on the board…

Dolphins Release Dimitri Patterson

March 10th, 2014 at 4:27pm CST by Luke Adams

Add another cornerback to this year’s free agent market. The Dolphins have released Dimitri Patterson, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). By cutting Patterson, Miami clears the entirety of the veteran’s $5.4MM cap number from the team’s books for 2014.

Patterson, 30, was limited to just six games for the Dolphins in 2013 due to groin issues, but recorded a positive grade according to Pro Football Focus for the third straight season. Paying him $5.4MM in 2014 wasn’t feasible for Miami, but Patterson should draw interest on the open market as a nickel back.

For what it’s worth, the Dolphins have left the door open for Patterson at a reduced rate, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter link).

Dolphins Rumors: Grimes, Patterson, Tannehill

February 7th, 2014 at 10:31am CST by Luke Adams

Rookie general manager Dennis Hickey will have his work cut out for him in Miami, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, who takes a detailed look at the offseason decisions facing the Dolphins. La Canfora’s piece is filled with notable tidbits, so let’s dive and round up some of the highlights….

  • Several team and league sources tell La Canfora that bringing back cornerback Brent Grimes is a top priority for the Dolphins. Grimes will be eligible for free agency next month, and could earn the franchise tag if he and the team can’t work out a long-term deal.
  • It’s “virtually certain” that Dimitri Patterson won’t be back at his current salary ($5.4MM), though he could return to the Dolphins at a lesser figure.
  • Defensive tackles Randy Starks and Paul Soliai are both free-agents-to-be, and the Dolphins will likely only keep one of the two, sources tell La Canfora.
  • Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey “might not be inclined” to play for his current 2014 salary of $1.7MM, and figures to seek an extension that will put him among the highest-paid players at his position, says La Canfora.
  • Said one person who interviewed for the Dolphins’ GM job: “It’s a total rebuild on the offensive line. They seemed to understand that there. Total rebuild. I’m not sure exactly how much of their budget they were planning to put into the line, but it had better be substantial.”
  • Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin “definitely wants to push [Ryan] Tannehill more,” according to one source, who adds that the club could turn to highly-paid backup Matt Moore if Tannehill doesn’t show noticeable improvement.
  • According to La Canfora, Hickey’s contract with the Dolphins is for two years, with a team option for year three, as I speculated earlier in the week.
  • If 2014 doesn’t go well for the Dolphins, there’s a possibility that the team could jettison Philbin and renew its pursuit of an A-list coach, such as Jim Harbaugh, Bill Cowher, or Jon Gruden, writes La Canfora.