At the moment, despite there being no games being played for months and months. Life in the NFL is moving at a thousand miles an hour because of free agency. Teams are signing players, releasing players and trading players left, right and centre. To keep you in the know here is my update and analysis on the Jets and Dolphins most notable moves so far this offseason.
Miami Dolphins
Dwanye Allen TE: Signed a two-year $7 million contract. This is a shrewd signing by the Dolphins. Allen has played with some of the best quarterbacks in Andrew Luck and Tom Brady. He may not be the scariest receiving threat, but his blocking is outstanding. He will be a great role model for 2nd year tight-end Mike Gesicki.
Eric Rowe CB: Signed a one-year contract worth up to $3.5 million. This seemed inevitable for Rowe, who wanted to reunite with both Brian Flores and former New England DB coach Josh Boyer. He’s signed a prove it deal because the Dolphins will want to see if they Eric Rowe the two time Super Bowl winner or the Eric Rowe that was destroyed by Alshon Jeffery in Super Bowl LII.
Ryan Fitzpatrick QB: Signed a two-year $11 million contract. This signing hopefully is looking towards the future. By signing a veteran like Fitzpatrick, all signs look towards the Dolphins drafted a quarterback early on in the draft to be their star. Fitzpatrick has been in the NFL since 2005, so can use all of his experience to help get their rookie qb ready for the big time.
Releases
Ryan Tannehill QB: Traded to the Tennesse Titans. The 2018 season looked to be the end of the line for Tannehill. He was plagued again by injuries and inconsistent form, which was a good summary for his entire time with the Dolphins. Clearly, Brian Flores didn’t see Tannehill as the future so he was sent to Tennessee. This is a move I think that should be celebrated in Miami, it shows Flores’ desire to change the culture and win.
Ju’Wan James T: Signed a four-year $51 million contract with the Denver Broncos. James was a solid player for the Dolphins, nothing out of this world and not a name you’ll hear in the Pro Bowl. However, James was a regular starter, who had played in a lot of games for the Dolphins. But when Miami drafted Laremy Tunsil it was the beginning of the end for him with the Dolphins. So I guess both parties got what they wanted, James a huge contract with a new team and the dolphins their left tackle for the future.
Cameron Wake DE: Signed a three-year $23 million contract with the Tennesse Titans. This man is a legend for the Dolphins and rightly so; He played for 9 years, compiling 98 sacks, 5 Pro Bowl selections and 4 All-Pro selections. Wake was playing at a good level last year, grabbing 6.5 sacks but I think the coaching staff wanted to blood the younger players. Wake who’s 37 has earnt his new contract with the Titans. He’s one of the best Miami Dolphins of all time.
New York Jets
Le”Veon Bell RB: Signed a four-year $52.5 million contract. Bell was the player that the Jets wanted more than anyone. I think that this is brilliant for New York, as they now have a legitimate superstar to help ease some of the pressure off Sam Darnold under centre. Bell is one of the best players of this decade, even having sat out an entire year. If this plays out how I think it could, watch out for the Jets this season.
CJ Mosley LB: Signed a five-year $85 million contract. This might be one of the steals of free agency. Mosley was a 4 time Pro Bowl and All Pro selection during his time in Baltimore. He is a great leader both in the locker room and on the field. He will slot in with Avery Williamson on the field and provide a physical presence in the heart of the Jets defense.
Kelechi Osemele G: Acquired in a trade from the Raiders for a 5th round pick. Last season, the Raiders were terrible, especially on the offensive line. But I’m happy to excuse that when Tom Cable is your position coach. This is because Cable might be the worst coach in the NFL. He managed to turn Osemele, a Super Bowl champion, two-time Pro Bowl selection and once an All Pro into a human turnstile. I think that shows how badly Kelechi Osemele needed to get out of Oakland, and the Jets picked him up. He will go some way to improving a struggling Jets line which will improve the play of Sam Darnold.
Releases
Jason Myers K: Signed a four-year $15.45 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks. This seemed like a strange move by the Jets, as Myers had a breakout season last year. He made 33/36 field goals, 6/7 from 50 or more yards and 30/33 extra points. This might be a move that the Jets come to regret in the near future.
Buster Skrine CB: Signed a three-year $16 million contract with the Chicago Bears. This is a good move by the Jets as the Bears needed a new slot cornerback. Skrine did have a solid season last year for New York but the Jets will feel they can draft someone to play that role. That person will be significantly cheaper as well as younger and more athletic than Skrine. A good deal for both New York and Chicago.
Spencer Long C: Signed a three-year $12.6 million contract with the Buffalo Bills. Yikes, it was only a season ago that the Jets signed Long to a four-year $28 million contract. Long had troubles all season, both a centre and guard was a liability for the Jets. He had continued struggles performing shotgun snaps (see week 9 game vs Miami). His bad play last season might have been down to injuries as he struggled with finger and knee issues. But as his release by the Jets shows I don’t think the injuries were entirely to blame. This is a great move by the Jets to get another player who can turn this spot from a liability into a strength and develop a great rapor with Sam Darnold.
Image from www.wsn.com
Alex Riley is a 49ers fan who’s followed the game since 2010, He’s currently at the University of Leicester. You can find him on Twitter at @NFLRiley and his blog at www.rileynfl.wordpress.com
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