Miami Dolphins sign Cracraft
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February 17, 2022
Miami Dolphins sign Cracraft
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have signed wide receiver River Cracraft.
Cracraft has played in 24 games with one start in his NFL career, making stops in Denver (2018-19) and San Francisco (2020-21). He’s totaled seven career receptions for 85 yards (12.1 avg.). Cracraft also has experience on special teams with 17 career punt returns for 80 yards (4.7 avg.), three kickoff returns for 43 yards (14.3 avg.) and five special teams tackles (three solo). He originally entered the NFL on Oct. 18, 2017 when he was signed to Denver’s practice squad.
| Name |
Pos. |
Hgt. |
Wgt. |
Birthdate |
Exp. |
College |
Hometown |
Acq. |
| River Cracraft |
WR |
6-0 |
198 |
11/1/94 |
3 |
Washington St. ’17 |
Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. |
FA, ‘22 |
Miami Dolphins name McDaniel head coach
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February 7, 2022
Miami Dolphins name McDaniel head coach
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced Mike McDaniel has been named the 14th head coach in franchise history.
McDaniel has 15 years of NFL coaching experience and most recently spent five seasons (2017-21) with the San Francisco 49ers. He was the team’s run game specialist in 2017 before being promoted to run game coordinator in 2018 and again to offensive coordinator in 2021.
In McDaniel’s first season as offensive coordinator, the 49ers finished seventh in the NFL in total offense (375.7 yards per game) and 13th in scoring offense (25.1 points per game) while advancing to the NFC Championship game. San Francisco’s offense was balanced, ranking seventh in rushing (127.4) and 12th in passing (248.3). Wide receiver Deebo Samuel recorded 1,405 receiving yards, the most by a 49er since Terrell Owens in 2001, and fifth-most in the NFL that season. Samuel’s 1,770 scrimmage yards were the most by a 49er since Frank Gore in 2006. The San Francisco offense had four players earn Pro Bowl selections – Samuel, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, tight end George Kittle and tackle Trent Williams. Williams also earned All-Pro honors.
McDaniel served as San Francisco’s run game coordinator from 2018-20. During that time, the 49ers were fifth in the NFL in rushing, averaging 127.0 yards per game, despite having a different leading rusher in all three seasons.
In 2020, San Francisco had several injuries at the running back position and still finished in the top half of the league with 118.1 rushing yards per game. Running back Jeff Wilson Jr. led the team with 600 yards on the ground despite starting just three games and missing some time on injured reserve. Running back Raheem Mostert had 521 rushing yards in just eight games. Juszczyk and Williams earned Pro Bowl selections and Williams was also named All-Pro.
McDaniel helped the 49ers have one of the league’s most effective rushing attacks in 2019 as San Francisco went 13-3, winning the NFC and advancing to Super Bowl LIV. The 49ers had the NFL’s second-ranked rushing offense, averaging 144.1 yards per game. Three different running backs rushed for more than 500 yards – Mostert (772), Matt Breida (623) and Tevin Coleman (544). Juszczyk was named to the Pro Bowl at the end of the season.
In 2018, the 49ers had four different backs rush for at least 200 yards. Breida led the way with a career-high 814 rushing yards just a year after he was an undrafted college free agent. His 5.32 yards per carry ranked fourth among all NFL players that season. The 49ers finished 13th in the league in rushing (118.9). Juszczyk was named to the Pro Bowl at the end of the season.
As run game specialist in 2017, McDaniel helped the 49ers rush for 1,662 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns in a season where they were forced to use three different starting quarterbacks due to injury. Running back Carlos Hyde led the way with 938 yards and a career-high eight rushing touchdowns. Juszczyk and tackle Joe Staley earned Pro Bowl selections.
Prior to San Francisco, McDaniel spent two seasons (2015-16) as an offensive assistant with the Atlanta Falcons. During his tenure, the Falcons had the second-best total offense (394.9) and third-best scoring offense (27.5) in the NFL. Atlanta’s passing attack ranked second (284.5).
In 2016, Atlanta led the NFL in scoring averaging 33.8 points per game, en route to finishing 11-5 and winning the NFC to advance to Super Bowl LI. The Falcons had the second-best total offense (415.8), third-best passing offense (295.3) and fifth-best rushing offense (120.5). Quarterback Matt Ryan passed for a franchise-record 4,944 yards, which was second in the NFL that season. Wide receiver Julio Jones was second in the league with 1,409 receiving yards. Four different Falcons earned Pro Bowl selections – Ryan, Jones, running back Devonta Freeman and center Alex Mack. Ryan, Jones and Mack also earned All-Pro honors.
The 2015 Falcons offense ranked sixth in passing (273.7) and seventh in total offense (374.1). Jones led the NFL with 1,871 receiving yards, a Falcons franchise record. In his first season as starting running back, Freeman topped 1,000 yards. Freeman, Jones and fullback Patrick DiMarco all earned Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors.
McDaniel spent the 2014 season as wide receivers coach for the Cleveland Browns. In his lone season there, wide receiver Andrew Hawkins had a career-high 824 yards. An undrafted rookie, wide receiver Taylor Gabriel had 621 receiving yards, which wound up being the second-highest total in his six-year NFL career. His receiver unit helped quarterback Brian Hoyer post the only 3,000-yard passing season of his career.
McDaniel’s first NFL position coach job came in 2013 with Washington when he was promoted to wide receivers. He spent the 2011-12 seasons with Washington as an offensive assistant. On that staff, McDaniel worked with current NFL head coaches Matt LaFleur (Green Bay), Sean McVay (L.A. Rams) and Kyle Shanahan (San Francisco).
From 2009-10, McDaniel served as running backs coach for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He was an offensive assistant for the Houston Texans from 2006-08. His first NFL coaching position came as a coaching intern with the Denver Broncos in 2005.
A native of Greeley, Colo., McDaniel played wide receiver at Yale, where he graduated with a degree in history. He and his wife, Katie, have one daughter.
Miami Dolphins sign Dedmon to futures contract
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January 27, 2022
Miami Dolphins sign Dedmon to futures contract
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have signed wide receiver DeVonte Dedmon to a reserve/futures contract.
Dedmon played the past two seasons (2019, 2021) for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League, catching 15 passes for 161 yards (10.7 avg.). He was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player in 2021 after posting three return touchdowns – two punt returns and one kickoff return. Dedmon became the fastest player in CFL history to total five return touchdowns – three punt returns and two kickoff returns – by doing so in his 15th career game. Dedmon played collegiately at William & Mary, where he earned third-team All-CAA honors as a senior in 2018.
| Name |
Pos. |
Hgt. |
Wgt. |
Birthdate |
Exp. |
College |
Hometown |
Acq. |
| DeVonte Dedmon |
WR |
5-10 |
200 |
11/23/95 |
1 |
William & Mary ’19 |
Williamsburg, Va. |
FA, ‘22 |
Miami Dolphins sign Ross to futures contract
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January 25, 2022
Miami Dolphins sign Ross to futures contract
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have signed defensive back D’Angelo Ross to a reserve/futures contract.
Ross played in three games with one start for New England in 2021, totaling three tackles (two solo). He also played in New England’s AFC Wild Card game. Ross spent the entire 2020 season on New England’s practice squad and missed the 2019 season on injured reserve. He originally entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent with New England on May 2, 2019.
| Name |
Pos. |
Hgt. |
Wgt. |
Birthdate |
Exp. |
College |
Hometown |
Acq. |
| D’Angelo Ross |
DB |
5-9 |
190 |
10/29/96 |
2 |
New Mexico ’19 |
La Puente, Calif. |
FA, ‘22 |
Miami Dolphins sign 2 players to futures contracts
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January 20, 2022
Miami Dolphins sign 2 players to futures contracts
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have signed running back Gerrid Doaks and defensive back Quincy Wilson to reserve/futures contracts.
Doaks was a seventh-round pick (244th overall) by Miami in the 2021 NFL Draft. He spent the entire 2021 season on Miami’s practice squad. Doaks spent five seasons (2016-20) at the University of Cincinnati, where he played in 30 games with 12 starts. He started nine games as a senior in 2020, totaling 673 rushing yards, 202 receiving yards and nine total touchdowns.
Wilson has spent five seasons in the NFL, appearing in 32 games with 11 starts for Indianapolis (2017-19) and the N.Y. Jets (2020). He missed the 2021 season on injured reserve with the N.Y. Giants. Wilson has totaled 61 career tackles (49 solo), two interceptions, eight passes defensed and one fumble recovery. A Fort Lauderdale native, he played at the University of Florida and prepped at University School in Davie.
| Name |
Pos. |
Hgt. |
Wgt. |
Birthdate |
Exp. |
College |
Hometown |
Acq. |
| Gerrid Doaks |
RB |
5-11 |
228 |
6/9/98 |
R |
Cincinnati ’21 |
Indianapolis, Ind. |
D7b, ‘21 |
| Quincy Wilson |
DB |
6-2 |
193 |
8/16/96 |
5 |
Florida ’17 |
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. |
FA, ‘22 |
Miami Dolphins sign 4 players to futures contracts
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January 11, 2022
Miami Dolphins sign 4 players to futures contracts
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have signed wide receiver Cody Core, cornerback Javaris Davis, tackle Adam Pankey and tackle Kion Smith to reserve/futures contracts.
Core joined the Dolphins’ practice squad on Nov. 29, 2021 but did not appear in a game. He’s played four NFL seasons – three with Cincinnati (2016-18) and one with the N.Y. Giants (2019) – appearing in 51 contests with seven starts. Core has recorded 33 career receptions for 388 yards (11.8 avg.) and one touchdown. He originally entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick (199th overall) by Cincinnati in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Davis has spent the past two seasons on Miami’s practice squad. He made his NFL debut this season vs. Carolina on Nov. 28, 2021 and recorded two solo tackles and one pass defensed. Davis originally entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent with Kansas City on April 6, 2020.
Pankey was awarded to the Dolphins off waivers on Dec. 10, 2019 and has appeared in seven contests for the Dolphins over the past three seasons (2019-21). He spent the entire 2021 campaign on Miami’s practice squad and was elevated for the Week 16 win at New Orleans. Pankey also spent two seasons (2017-18) in Green Bay and has appeared in nine NFL games with one start. He originally entered the league as an undrafted college free agent with Green Bay on May 5, 2017.
Smith spent the entire 2021 season on Miami’s practice squad but did not appear in a game. He spent the offseason program and training camp with Atlanta after he was signed as an undrafted college free agent on May 14, 2021. Smith earned first-team all-conference honors at Fayetteville State as a junior in 2019 before his 2020 college season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Name |
Pos. |
Hgt. |
Wgt. |
Birthdate |
Exp. |
College |
Hometown |
Acq. |
| Cody Core |
WR |
6-3 |
205 |
4/17/94 |
5 |
Mississippi ’16 |
Auburn, Ala. |
FA, ‘21 |
| Javaris Davis |
CB |
5-8 |
183 |
12/26/96 |
1 |
Auburn ’20 |
Jacksonville, Fla. |
Wai., ’20 (KC) |
| Adam Pankey |
T |
6-5 |
313 |
2/2/94 |
4 |
West Virginia ’17 |
Hamilton, Ohio |
Wai., ’19 (GB) |
| Kion Smith |
T |
6-5 |
295 |
10/7/98 |
R |
Fayetteville St. ’21 |
Lumberton, N.C. |
FA, ‘21 |
Miami Dolphins relieve Head Coach Brian Flores of his duties
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January 10, 2022
Miami Dolphins relieve Head Coach Brian Flores of his duties
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins announced today that Head Coach Brian Flores has been relieved on his duties. Flores completed his third season as head coach with a 24-25 record.
“I made a decision today to part ways with Brian Flores,” said Miami Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross. “After evaluating where we are as an organization and what we need going forward to improve, I determined that key dynamics of our football organization weren’t functioning at a level I want it to be and felt that this decision was in the best interest of the Miami Dolphins. I believe we have a talented young roster in place and have the opportunity to be much better in 2022. I want to thank Brian for his hard work and wish him nothing but the best in his future.”
Flores was named the 13th head coach in team history on Feb. 4, 2019. He began his coaching career as a special teams assistant for New England from 2008-09. In 2010, Flores served as an offensive assistant and worked with special teams. He spent his final eight seasons (2011-18) in New England coaching defense.
Miami Dolphins announce team award winners
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January 6, 2022
Miami Dolphins announce team award winners
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced their team award winners for the 2021 season. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle was named the Dan Marino Most Valuable Player, defensive back Jason McCourty earned the Don Shula Leadership Award, linebacker Elandon Roberts was named the team’s Ed Block Courage Award winner and linebacker Jaelan Phillips earned the Nat Moore Community Service Award.
Waddle is the first rookie to be named Dan Marino Team MVP since Zach Thomas in 1996. He’s only the fifth rookie to win the award, joining Thomas (1996), Marino (1983), David Woodley (1980) and Bob Griese (1967). Waddle is the fifth wide receiver to earn the honor, and just the third to win it outright, joining Jarvis Landry (2015 co-winner), Chris Chambers (2005), O.J. McDuffie (1997-98) and Paul Warfield (1970 co-winner). Waddle set franchise rookie records with 99 receptions and 988 receiving yards with one game still to play. His 99 receptions are second-most by a rookie in NFL history and if he has three receptions in the season finale, he will break the NFL’s rookie receptions record of 101, set by Anquan Boldin in 2003. This award is voted on by South Florida media who regularly cover the team and was re-named the Dan Marino Most Valuable Player Award in 2000 to reflect the achievements of Hall of Fame quarterback and 12-time team MVP, Dan Marino.
McCourty is the winner of the Don Shula Leadership Award, as voted on by his teammates. He’s just the seventh player to win the award in his first season with the team, joining Ryan Fitzpatrick (2019), Frank Gore (2018), Karlos Dansby (2010), Chad Pennington (2008), Junior Seau (2003) and Fred Barnett (1996). McCourty is just the second defensive back to earn the honor, joining safety Yeremiah Bell who was a co-recipient in 2009. McCourty served as a team captain this season and is also a finalist for the NFL’s Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award this year. The Don Shula Leadership Award is voted on by the players and is given to the teammate who exhibits leadership on and off the field. It was re-named the Don Shula Leadership Award in 2005 to reflect the accomplishments of the Hall of Fame coach Shula.
Roberts is a first-time recipient of the team’s Ed Block Courage Award. He suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 16 of the 2020 season at Las Vegas and underwent surgery in January 2021. His relentless attitude and perseverance allowed him to return to the starting lineup in time for the season-opener at New England in Week 1. Roberts has been selected as a team captain in each of the past two seasons. This year, he set a career high with 79 tackles (42 solo) with one game remaining. In Week 3, he returned to the same Allegiant Stadium field that he was carted off last season and recorded his first career interception, one he returned 85 yards for a touchdown. Each year, all 32 teams select a player to receive the Ed Block Courage Award. The recipient is selected by the Dolphins’ athletic training staff and symbolizes professionalism, great strength and dedication. The honoree also is a community role model.
Phillips is this year’s winner of the Nat Moore Community Service Award and is the first rookie to win the award dating back to its inception in 1987. Phillips has participated in numerous charitable activities in the South Florida community this year and volunteered his time on a near-weekly basis on his off days during the season. He has been available in times of need, donating his time and resources to help Surfside residents following the condo collapse and for Haiti Relief following the earthquakes in August 2021. Phillips, who played at the University of Miami, has been actively involved with the Lotus House, improving the lives of homeless women and children in Miami. He is part of the Dolphins’ Social Impact Committee, working to positively impact civic engagement, education and economic empowerment in South Florida. Phillips also helped those in need during the holiday season, participating in several meal and gift distributions in November and December. The Nat Moore Community Service Award is given each year to a Miami Dolphins player recognized for his involvement in the South Florida community. Moore spent 13 seasons in a Dolphins uniform, culminating by his placement on the Dolphins Honor Roll in 1999.
