Brandon Fields gone; His replacement? 'He's a punter'

The Miami Dolphins released Pro Bowl punter Brandon Fields Tuesday.

Fortunately, the team has a replacement in rookie Matt Darr. And guess what Darr does?

“He’s a punter. That’s his job description," Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said, via the Sun Sentinel. "That’s what we are going to ask him to do and, at the end of the day, we felt that he was going to be the best option at punter in 2015.

“Really, it’s not that much more complicated than that.”

Fair enough.

"This offseason the Dolphins restructured Fields' contract, lowing his base salary to $1.65 million to create some salary cap flexibility," according to the Sun Sentinel. "But they also added Matt Darr, and the undrafted rookie from Tennessee has had some impressive punts in the preseason, ultimately earning him the job."

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Dolphins shuffle roster as Suh announcement looms

The Miami Dolphins' big splash in free agency is expected to be the official signing of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, but the first official announcements out of South Florida were related to clearing space for their big-ticket, free-agent pick-up.

The Dolphins released linebacker Philip Wheeler and guard Shelley Smith, according to the Miami Herald, while punter Brandon Fields restructured his contract, taking a pay cut after a down year in 2014.

Wheeler, whose release has been a foregone conclusion since the end of the season, was a disappointment on the field after signing a five-year, $26 million contract in 2013.

The release of back-up lineman Smith creates a bigger hole in an already weak area of the Dolphins' depth chart. The move suggests Miami's front office has a plan to address the interior offensive line, which was a liability in 2014.

Meanwhile, the team announced they re-signed linebacker Kelvin Sheppard, defensive tackle Derrick Shelby and safety Michael Thomas.

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Brandon Fields hopes for zero punts this year

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

At 29 years old, Miami Dolphins punter Brandon Fields may be in the prime of his career. But if he has his way in 2013, he won't boot a single football.

The veteran leg visited The Finsiders crew recently to talk about Miami's offseason moves, namely its top offensive signings.

With the likes of Mike Wallace, Brandon Gibson and Dustin Keller entering into the mix, coupled with the anticipation surrounding quarterback Ryan Tannehill's second season under center, Fields said that the atmosphere and attitude in South Florida has certainly shifted from years past. (photo: Zruda, Flickr)

Dolphins' youth 'by design' mapped for coming years

BY SEAN DONOVAN

Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland said his team will continue to get younger this year "by design."

And because of that 'design,' adding young talent over the next few offseasons will be not only a pressing need, but it'll be a necessity in order for Miami to field a team. (photo: photo-gator, Flickr)

As Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post points out, the Dolphins have an NFL-low nine players under contract for the 2015 season, and just one -- punter Brandon Fields -- signed for 2016.

Dolphins look to continue success on special teams

By Dan Begnoche

With an offense that is much-improved but was shaky early in the season, the Miami Dolphins' kicking game has had plenty of exposure, and it has risen to the challenge. In fact, Miami's special teams has been solid all season, and the Dolphins (4-8) look to continue that success against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles (4-8).