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Mike McDaniel dodges tampering questions regarding Bills Pro Bowler
When Buffalo Bills All-Pro safety Jordan Poyer recently joked about possibly staying in the AFC East uniting with good friend Tua Tagovailoa in Miami, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel presumably knew he was going to be asked about it at some point.
That moment happened Tuesday at the NFL Combine when the head coach was asked his thoughts on Poyer possibly being interested in joining the team.
"Well, I'm not in the business of tampering,” McDaniel said, via the team’s website. “And I believe — I mean, you guys might be trying to get this second-year hustle on me, but we need every draft pick we can get, so I'm all for Dolphins fandom and the more players that even if they're on our opponents' team; if they're cheering for Dolphins, I think that's good for all of us."
What to make of Jordan Poyer and Dolphins connections…
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) February 28, 2023
A few nuggets on @nflnetwork from my talks with Poyer on his pending free agency: a player that will be in demand coming off a Pro Bowl season. pic.twitter.com/jHtyWdpDxS
If Poyer is legitimately interested, the Dolphins could use a player of his caliber to pair in the defensive backfield with Jevon Holland, who was Miami’s fourth-leading tackler in 2022 (96) and recorded seven passes defensed and two interceptions.
Beyond Holland, Eric Rowe and Brandon Jones left a lot to be desired. The duo combined to allow a completion percentage of 79.3 and 766 receiving yards. For comparison, Poyer allowed just 181 receiving yards this season and only 61 the year before.
Poyer recently stated if he didn’t re-sign in Buffalo he would like to be somewhere warm where he could see the sun every week or a state that doesn’t take half of his money. Miami’s average yearly temperature is approximately 72 degrees, and Florida does not take out state income tax.
Jordan Poyer said he’s sick of taxes taking 50% of his money.
— Andrew Petcash (@AndrewPetcash) February 28, 2023
And this is wild...
Taxes on his $5.6M salary:
Florida - $0
New York - $655,000 pic.twitter.com/FuRFHMURSX
More must-reads:
- Bills S Jordan Poyer interested in one team in free agency
- Dolphins haven't decided on fifth-year option for Tua Tagovailoa
- The 'Undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins' quiz
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Micah Parsons has savage response to Packers' loss to Browns
The Green Bay Packers are reeling after they blew a 10-0 lead at the start of the fourth quarter on Sunday. The Packers allowed the Cleveland Browns to score 13 unanswered points to win 13-10 in front of 65,470 fans at Huntington Bank Field. Following the game, defensive end Micah Parsons had a crude response to the comeback. "Sometimes, just like today, you s--- the bed," Parsons said via ESPN. "That's just the reality of it. It happens to the best teams. Even the best Super Bowl champs make mistakes, and they pay for it early. You go back to the history of the champions and who've they've played and games they should've won. It's just that competitive. "It's that hard to win. It's hard as hell to win football games. When you win football games, it's a celebration. But when you lose, it sucks." What went wrong for the Packers in loss to Browns Parsons and the Packers had a couple of major blunders in the final minute that they want back. Green Bay kicker Brandon McManus had a blocked field goal attempt that allowed the Browns a chance to get in range for a game-winning field goal. Parsons was called for a neutral zone infraction on the first play of the Browns' drive, allowing Cleveland to start the series from the Green Bay 48-yard line with 21 seconds remaining. Parsons apologized for the penalty, calling it "unacceptable." The All-Pro finished with two tackles. Parsons has extra motivation for avenging the loss against the Browns. The Packers are set to travel to play his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, on "Sunday Night Football" in Week 4.
Green Bay Packers: Matt LaFleur clarifies unfortunate decision to let injured Zach Tom play vs Browns
The Green Bay Packers were hit with a fierce reality check in their 13-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon. After dominating two of the best NFC teams (the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders) from a year ago in their first two games of the season, Green Bay played one of the worst games of the Matt LaFleur era against the lowly Cleveland franchise. Indeed, the offense stalled despite numerous opportunities for big plays, and the special teams unit was (once again) a complete disaster. 14 accepted penalties against the Packers did not help either. Furthermore, injuries to starting right tackle Zach Tom and left guard Aaron Banks did not help matters. Banks suffered a groin injury, which was different from his previous ailment that kept him out of the Packers’ Week Two game. But Tom’s oblique injury, which he sustained in Week One, limited him to just a single snap on Sunday. Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur clarifies the decision to let Zach Tom play Prior to the start of the regular season, the Packers gave Tom a massive four-year $88 million contract extension. He is clearly the best offensive lineman that they have and can play any of the five positions there. Unfortunately, he injured his oblique in Green Bay’s first game and was not able to play in Week Two, just four days later. However, after practicing all week leading up to the Browns game, the Packers felt that he was healthy enough to play. They were wrong. As mentioned, Tom only lasted on snap before having to be removed from the game. On Monday, LaFleur clarified the decision to let him play. “I would chalk it up to it’s hard to simulate what these guys are going to go against in the game,” he said. “We did our best in terms of trying to put him through enough and certainly had him going in practice, but still, the game—it’s a different speed.” The good news, though, is that Tom did not make the injury worse. They just underestimated how bad it would hurt for him to play through in game speed. The bad news, on the other hand, is that Tom’s status for Week Four when the Packers travel to take on the Dallas Cowboys is still unknown. One would assume that, given how he could not play more than one snap on Sunday, that he will not be able to play. Fortunately, after the Cowboys game, Green Bay has a bye week, which will give Tom (and their other injured players) more time to heal.
Rangers forward in a fight for his future amid new competition
The New York Rangers are preparing to start a transitional season, following the arrival of new head coach Mike Sullivan and some important adjustments to the squad. Among the players facing a decisive season is Brennan Othmann, a left winger who was selected in the first round of the 2021 NHL draft. Othmann, 22, is entering his third and final year of his contract with the Rangers, but his expiring deal is not the only reason why he will have to prove himself this season. The Canadian has had difficulties meeting the high expectations around him and although he may no longer have time to establish himself as a top-six forward, this is the best time to establish himself in a lower role. Othmann's clock is ticking as competition for roster spot grows Last season, he only recorded two assists in 22 games with the Rangers, but tallied 12 goals and eight assists in 27 games with the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack. In any case, now Othmann is facing heavier competition within the squad. Both Gabe Perreault and Carey Terrance have left good impressions during preseason camps, and with both having multiple years left on their contracts, the possibility that Othmann's days on the team are numbered increases. That said, the New York team needs depth, especially in the bottom-six, and Othmann must react and respond. He has the necessary grit and physicality, and if he manages to establish himself there, he could become a solid player within the bottom lineups.
A surprising Dolphins personnel move from the spring has become an even more curious case thanks to the latest plot twist from Mike McDaniel on Monday
The Miami Dolphins' efforts to revamp their offensive line in 2025 have been a mixed bag thus far. Miami's young left tackle Patrick Paul, has been impressive but imperfect. Center Aaron Brewer, in his second season in the system, has been sensational. But the other three spots have yet to materialize as hoped. Rookie guard Jonah Savaiinaea has struggled in pass protection — twists, stunts, and anchoring have all been inconsistent at best. And then there's the right side of the line. Miami's prized free agent signing, guard James Daniels, lasted three plays in Week 1 before a pec injury landed him on injured reserve. Starting right tackle Austin Jackson fared better than that but not by much. He played nearly all of Miami's opening game against the Colts but landed on injured reserve alongside Daniels ahead of Week 2. Swing tackle Larry Borom has been sturdy enough, whereas the right guard spot has now seen three players take snaps before the end of the team's third game of the season. All of this is before you mention one of Miami's most curious personnel moves of the offseason — which just got another bizarre update from head coach Mike McDaniel on Monday. Veteran offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg continues to show no signs of becoming ready to play The Dolphins could have very easily thrown their hands up from interior offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg and walked away this offseason. Eichenberg, a second-round draft choice by the Dolphins in 2021, was not done many favors by Miami early in his career — pin-balling from left tackle to right tackle and back as a rookie, then inside to left guard before landing at center in his third season in 2023. The final year of his rookie contract in 2024 saw him finally land and stay at a single position. He played 1,036 snaps at right guard. Although, for full disclosure, he ended up platooning the final few games of the season with Isaiah Wynn. He wasn't particularly impactful at any spot despite getting tested at all five positions up front. Miami churned through offensive systems and line coaches early in his career to go with the constant position changes and his own shortcomings, all of which built up to a disappointing draft selection given that the Dolphins traded up for him in 2021. It happens. But then Miami made the surprising decision to bring Eichenberg back for 2025. The selling point was that there was position versatility and experience within Miami's scheme that made him an attractive utility lineman for the Dolphins. All well and good. A decision that was popular at the time? Certainly not. But the logic could at least be argued. Yet it became apparent quickly this summer that something was off with Eichenberg when the team reported for training camp. He was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list when the start of camp rolled around in July. And now, two months later, he appears no closer to a return to action. Mike McDaniel offered an uninspiring update on Eichenberg's status on Monday. “I think what (Eichenberg) is dealing with is of the chronic nature, so as of right now that’s going to take more time. I would say that’s going to take a little more time," said McDaniel when asked if the fifth-year lineman was close to a return. Things happen. It's football. And if someone's body isn't right, there's not much you can do about it. But this one is a kick in the pants — because the Dolphins chose to double down on a one-year contract extension with Eichenberg after four frustrating years, only to see him shelved for at least significant portion of his fifth season. And Miami could have easily gone a different direction for some offensive line depth to lean into some more upside or, alternatively, a better fit for the system. Eichenberg was been lauded for his toughness and his preparation. But neither help the Dolphins from the reserve list. All we know, for now, is that Eichenberg doesn't appear any closer to a return to action. And that means this already curious decision can be filed as a frustrating misstep from the 2025 offseason, even if the chronic injury in question wasn't on their radar when he was re-signed. Hindsight is always 20/20, but a new contract for Eichenberg didn't feel like it was destined to be a successful move when it was first announced anyway. This is simply adding injury to insult. window.addEventListener('message', function (event) {if (event.data.totalpoll event.data.totalpoll.action === 'resizeHeight') {document.querySelector('#totalpoll-iframe-426').height = event.data.totalpoll.value;}}, false);document.querySelector('#totalpoll-iframe-426').contentWindow.postMessage({totalpoll: {action: 'requestHeight'}}, '*');
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