When the 2012 season ends, the Dolphins will have one less player entering free agency than expected.
On Saturday, according to the Palm Beach Post’s Ben Volin, the team signed one of its steadiest performers, punter Brandon Fields, to a four-year extension. Fields, a seventh-round pick in 2007 , posted a franchise-record 48.8-yard average last season (third-best in the NFL behind San Francisco’s Andy Lee and Oakland’s Shane Lechler.)
League sources told Volin that Fields’ new deal, which runs through the 2016 season, will be worth $13.3 million ($3.3 million guaranteed), making him the fifth-highest paid punter in the NFL.
When Chris Chambers joined the Dolphins in 2001, he was quickly able to find his niche and learn the professional game from veteran teammates like James McKnight and Oronde Gadsden.
That was just the beginning, of course, of what became a successful ten-year NFL career, which included a trip to the Pro Bowl in 2005.
After an impressive year by his unit, Dolphins special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi was retained by incoming coach Joe Philbin.
He recently talked to The Finsiders about being brought back and what he expects from the new staff.
“It feels very rewarding,” Rizzi said. “In this profession you understand it’s a high-performance business. At the end of the day, when you look at your work and it’s recognized, that’s very rewarding.”
Rizzi and Philbin had briefly met in the past, but this is the first time they’re working together.
The Miami Dolphins (5-9) had a very turbulent week adjusting to losing their head coach last Monday, but found a way to respond after being down early and defeated the Buffalo Bills (5-9) 30-23. Miami overcame a first quarter CJ Spiller 24-yard touchdown run (it was the first time in nine games the Miami defense has allowed a first quarter touchdown), and responded by scoring the next 23 points of the game for the victory.
The Dolphins punter joins Jesse Agler and Keith Sims to provide an inside perspective on the mentality of the Dolphins players as they return to practice after the team made a coaching change earlier in the week. Also hear Fields discuss the challenge of punting in the difficult conditions that are possible on Sunday in Buffalo.
Watch the interview here:
brightcove.createExperiences();
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
The Dolphins Pro Bowl long snapper sits down with Jesse Agler to discuss the attitude of the team in practice this week as the squad gets ready for Sunday’s game in Kansas City. Also, make sure to hear Denney’s vivid memories of the Dolphins 2008 game against the Chiefs, the coldest game in franchise history.
Watch the interview here:
brightcove.createExperiences();
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
The Miami Dolphins are together this weekend for FinsWeekend as current players, coaches, alumni and fans will all help raise a lot of dollars for the Miami Dolphins Foundation. There will be plenty of stories about who caught the biggest fish, or who hit the longest drive during each of the events. I’m not sure if the stories will be able to live up to reality, but one thing is certain, my money is on the golf group that gets quarterback Chad Henne!
The Dolphins long snapper called in from Hawaii to let us know how his Pro Bowl experience has been. Don’t miss Denney’s rundown of his various leisure activities on the island.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
It was announced today that Dolphins defensive lineman Randy Starks has been added to the AFC’s Pro Bowl team, in place of Steelers lineman Brett Keisel, who is getting ready to play in Super Bowl XLV. It is the first Pro Bowl appearance for Starks, as he becomes the fourth Dolphin honored with a Pro Bowl selection this year, joining tackle Jake Long (who is not playing due to injury), LB Cameron Wake, and long-snapper John Denney.
The Dolphins long snapper called in to the show to discuss how he found out about his Pro Bowl selection and what this honor means to him.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
