Brandon Fields, who was named to the Pro Bowl in 2013, then got a HUGE raise, and then rewarded the Dolphins by having his worst season ever, has been cut.
The normally reliable Fields blew too many punts last year, making this decision a little easier.
I don’t mind that the Dolphins cut him. Let’s hope the new rookie does just as well.
What bothers me is that it appears to be a cost-cutting move. All we hear about is Mr. Ross will spend whatever it takes and…blah blah blah. Cut the guy if you think the rookie is better, but don’t cut him to save a few bucks. A multi-billionaire man with a multi-multi-billion-dollar team can afford to keep players.
Getting rid of fields for the rookie doesn’t bother me to much. What really bothers me is that AGAIN we get NO value for him!
These guys are absolute idiots stealing this ship. Incognito (who looks pretty dam good on Buffalos line) we got no value for.
Mike Wallace we get a throw a way 5th round pick
Heartline we simply release
No value – cost cutting move? Cost cutting for what? Signing Heath evens because our Oline is so makeshift any depth would be welcome. Evens because he’s probably better then four other lineman we have?
Oh no that’s not what they need to save money for because he signed in Denver already because Miami has the utmost confidence in there Oline.
So why did we let fields go for free?
Did they even bother to shop him? A punter who truly can flip the field from just about anywhere. Yea last year wasn’t his best year but he is very talented still and you mean to tell me that 31 other teams didn’t what a crack at him?
We couldn’t have gotten anything? A few tshirts and a free lunch?
Nothing? Well I guess later today Westoff will get him signed to the jets squad for the league minimum.
Of course Miami could never do that
I don’t think there is any trade value in a punter. But, maybe a 6th round pick or something in trade would be better than nothing your right.
Fields was arguably the best player on the team and a field position weapon. A pro bowler. Cutting him for a rookie shows how cheap the Ross Dolphins are. First Carpenter and now Fields ? CHEAP FISH! And it’s no wonder they can ever win. Steve Ross save the Dolphins…SELL THE TEAM!
A couple thoughts on cutting B Fields. Whenever a player signs a big contract and he’s not a super stud, it’s usually the kiss of death. Greg Camarillo, Brian Hartline, Davone Bess, DC$- all played one or two more years before getting the boot.
As for a trade- not going to happen with a punter that makes $3M+/year. What surprises me is that I think I read that he re-structured earlier this year and agreed to take a pay cut. When your QB, DT, FS, and LT are all among the highest paid in the league, your P can’t be too…
Fields numbers have always been overblown. Sure, he has a great gross punting average, but his net average is mediocre. In fact, I think his net was around 25th in the league- bottom quartile. (Yes, BIG J took statistics).
A few years ago, he kept us in the game against the Jets. It was late in the year, our offense was terrible (big surprise) and Fields was awesome. Since then, it’s been low, no hang time kicks that get returned 15+ yards.
Anyone remember the Chiefs game last year? He choked big time and a shitty punt gave them the field position to ice the game.
Fields had peaked and was being paid for past performance. For years, he was underpaid and underappreciated and then the opposite was true. He used to be the master of the coffin corner kick that went out of bounds inside the 5. Lately, he was pooching kicks to the 18 yard line.
I am not sure this rookie is going to be any better. Apparently, he was a HS All American, but barely a broke 40 yard avg and was a backup at UT until his final season. He’s cheaper for sure, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we scour the waiver wire at some point this season.
I will say this- for those that talk about getting rid of Sturgis, I only look at DC$ as an example. Caleb started his career by kicking some bombs right off the bat. Philbin has put him in some terrible spots- rather than punt from the 35-40 yard line, he goes for some 50/50 shot at a long field goal, usually from the poor side of the field.
BUF has used DC$ properly and he’s flourished. Same holds true to Sturgis. Unless there is 30 seconds or less in a half, there is no reason to attempt 50+ yard field goals.
Think about it- if there is only a 60% chance of making it, the attempt is really only worth 1.8 points. On the flip side, you give the other team great field position and an emotional lift. In my opinion, it’s not worth it.
Just my thoughts….
-BIG J
Yes Fields just restructured his contract a few months ago to help the team. This franchise treats their players like garbage. So now I count 11 new starters without any further surprise cuts or injuries. Can you say expansion team?
Just a matter of time before Fields signs with Buffalo, pins us deep with a coffin corner punt, Philbin tries three runs in a row for a 4-yard net, new punter Darr shanks one to our own 30 yardline, Bills go to Dan Carpenter, who nails the game winner.
Great post, J. I noticed Fields in several games last year just wasn’t the same, not just the KC game. I don’t know the mechanics of punting, but perhaps he was trying to be too fancy or something. I know the big contract and the Pro Bowl recognition certainly didn’t HELP Fields? But did that same money and fame HURT him? Who knows.
I heard that it will save cap next year when they’ll be pinched with Suh’s big contract year. If the punter is the only casualty who cares…..I can live with that .
Cutting an elite punter like Fields was moronic. He’s the 4th best punter in NFL history!! But hey, they cut Carpenter too. That came back to haunt them. This will also.