Press Releases

Miami Dolphins promote Ford Download PDF version

September 25, 2019

Miami Dolphins promote Ford

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have promoted wide receiver Isaiah Ford to the active roster and placed guard Danny Isidora on injured reserve.

Ford was Miami’s seventh-round pick (237th overall) in the 2017 NFL draft and played in one game for the Dolphins in 2018 but did not record any statistics. He spent most of the 2018 season and the first three weeks of the 2019 season on the team’s practice squad. Ford missed the 2017 season after being placed on injured reserve in training camp.

Isidora was traded from Minnesota to Miami on Aug. 30, 2019 and started the first three games of the season for the Dolphins. He has played in 24 NFL games with six starts over three seasons after spending his first two years (2017-18) with the Vikings. Isidora originally entered the NFL as a fifth-round pick (180th overall) by Minnesota in the 2017 NFL draft. He’s a native of nearby Weston, Florida and attended Cypress Bay High School.

Name	Pos.	Hgt.	Wgt.	Birthdate	Exp.	College	Hometown	Acq.
Isaiah Ford	WR	6-2	194	2/9/96	2	Virginia Tech ’17	Jacksonville, Fla.	D7, ‘17

Miami Dolphins sign Donnal Download PDF version

September 24, 2019

Miami Dolphins sign Donnal

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced they signed tackle Andrew Donnal and released defensive end Tank Carradine.

Donnal has played in 29 games with six starts over four NFL seasons. In 2018 with Detroit, Donnal played in two contests. He appeared in six games with Baltimore in 2017. From 2015-16, he played in 21 games with six starts for the Rams. Donnal originally entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick (119th overall) by the Rams in the 2015 NFL draft.

Carradine originally joined the Dolphins on Feb. 15, 2019 before being released on Aug. 31, 2019. He re-joined the Dolphins on Sept. 12, 2019 and played in Week 2 vs. New England, totaling three tackles (one solo). Carradine originally entered the NFL as a second-round pick (40th overall) by San Francisco in the 2013 NFL draft. He has played in 46 career games with eight starts, totaling 80 tackles (56 solo), 5.5 sacks and one forced fumble.

Name	Pos.	Hgt.	Wgt.	Birthdate	Exp.	College	Hometown	Acq.
Andrew Donnal	T	6-6	305	3/3/92	5	Iowa ’15	Monclova, Ohio	FA, ‘19

Miami Dolphins Donate Equipment to the Piper High School Football Team as Part of the Junior Dolphins Donation Program Download PDF version

September 24, 2019

Image Credit: Miami Dolphins

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/o092fiuebczmhc4/AADwZrDrK7fdmDBqcmU3IjOwa?dl=0

#JuniorDolphins #DolphinsHuddleFor100 #PlayFootball

Miami Dolphins Donate Equipment to the Piper High School Football Team as Part of the Junior Dolphins Donation Program

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins surprised the Piper High School football team with equipment to help create a safer and healthier environment for their programs. The donated equipment included Dolphins branded shirts, footballs, cleats, blocking shields and a JUGS machine. The team also had the opportunity to hear from Dolphins alum and Senior Vice President, Special Projects, Alumni Relations & Advisor to CEO Nat Moore, Director of Team Security and Piper High School alum Drew Brooks and Dolphins alum and Youth Programs Manager Troy Drayton.

“I really want to thank the Dolphins for everything they’ve done for this program by donating equipment,” Miami Dolphins alum and Piper High School Assistant Football Coach Kevin Burnett said. “It really gives us an upper hand in competition and gives the kids something to look forward to helping them be competitive on and off the field.”

“To have the Dolphins out here was an awesome experience. The mere fact that the kids had the chance to hear from professionals about what it takes to get to the next level and have this equipment donated to them is just monumental for our program,” Piper High School Head Football Coach Gary Moise said. “One of the things that we focus on is Heads Up Football and having this equipment definitely allows us to do that with the sleds to teaching proper tackling to teaching proper blocking. It’s going to allow us to play in a safe environment, teach better techniques and we have everything that we need to compete.”

This is the ninth Junior Dolphins Equipment Donation this year. The Dolphins also made a donation to Pahokee High School, Felix Varela Senior High School, Stranahan High School and Ronald W. Reagan Doral High School in April and South Broward High School, Santaluces Community High School and Miami Beach Senior High School in May. In 2018, the Dolphins made donations to Miramar High School in May, Pompano Beach High School in July, Booker T Washington in August, Spanish River High School, Key West High School, Marathon High School and Coral Shores High School in September and Glades Central Community High School in November.

The Junior Dolphins program encourages youth players and coaches to teach, learn and play football in a fun and safe environment. The Junior Dolphins program is designed to give kids access to learn the fundamentals of football using the NFL’s top resources. To grow the game, the Junior Dolphins program will work to educate coaches, parents and youth on the health and safety of football with a strong emphasis on character development. Junior Dolphins is building the next generation of Dolphins Fans.

This event is part of an ongoing series of the #DolphinsHuddlefor100 service projects as part of the NFL’s 100th celebration. The NFL has invited fans, players, clubs and employees to join Huddle for 100, an effort to inspire 1 million people to volunteer 100 minutes of their time to make meaningful contributions to their communities. These activities are in connection with the Miami Dolphins’ initiative to level the playing field through the power of teamwork to inspire a healthier, more educated and united South Florida community. For more information on the NFL Huddle and to see volunteer opportunities with the Dolphins, visit https://www.miamidolphins.com/community/specialteams.

Miami Dolphins awarded Charlton off waivers Download PDF version

September 19, 2019

Miami Dolphins awarded Charlton off waivers

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced they were awarded defensive end Taco Charlton off waivers from Dallas and waived guard/tackle Bryan Witzmann.

Charlton played in 27 games with seven starts for Dallas over the past two seasons (2017-18). He totaled 46 tackles (28 solo), four sacks, two passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Charlton originally entered the NFL as a first-round pick (28th overall) by Dallas in the 2017 NFL draft.

Witzmann was signed by the Dolphins on Sept. 14, 2019. He played in 37 NFL games with 20 starts and had 10 appearances with seven starts last year for Chicago. In two seasons with Kansas City (2016-17), he played in 27 games with 13 starts. Witzmann spent this offseason and training camp with Cleveland. He originally entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent with Houston on May 16, 2014.

Name	Pos.	Hgt.	Wgt.	Birthdate	Exp.	College	Hometown	Acq.
Taco Charlton	DE	6-6	270	11/7/94	3	Michigan ’17	Pickerington, Ohio	Wai., ’19 (Dal.)

Miami Dolphins Participate in FOOTBALL UNITES™ #DolphinsHuddlefor100 With Feeding South Florida Download PDF version

September 17, 2019

#DolphinsHuddlefor100 @NFL

Image Credit: Miami Dolphins

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ck6d8zhj32qp33r/AAANQsUm6Ag3u_bVupg6U2HGa?dl=0

Miami Dolphins Participate in FOOTBALL UNITES™ #DolphinsHuddlefor100 With Feeding South Florida

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins together with players Chandler Cox, Michael Deiter, Sam Eguavoen, Montre Hartage, Chris Myarick, Nik Needham, Durval Queiroz Neto, Andrew Van Ginkel and Preston Williams; front office staff; FOOTBALL UNITES^TM community partners; and Special Teams volunteers participated in a #DolphinsHuddlefor100 service project with Feeding South Florida on Tuesday, Sept. 17.

Together, participants worked with Feeding South Florida to inspect, sort and pack food for those in need in the South Florida community. Throughout the day, participants prepared a total of 38,805 pounds of food, enough to serve 33,447 meals.

“As an organization, we are passionate about making a positive impact in our community through the Miami Dolphins FOOTBALL UNITES™ and Dolphins Huddle for 100 initiatives,” said Sam Coghill, Vice President of Human Resources and Performance Management. “We have a mission to be a results-based culture with heart and to see our Dolphins staff and players working with Feeding South Florida to help provide a meal to those in our community was an extremely rewarding experience.”

“It is awesome to be a part of a team that is so involved in the community. It is our duty as a football player and member of the community to volunteer,” Miami Dolphins Guard Michael Deiter said. “It is special for us to meet people in the community and get to work alongside our front office staff as a part of the Dolphins Huddle for 100 initiative.”

“The Dolphins organization continues to do wonderful things for the community and Feeding South Florida couldn’t be happier to continue its partnership with the team. Between the FOOTBALL UNITES™ and the Dolphins Huddle for 100 initiatives, the Dolphins are helping support over 700,000 food insecure individuals throughout South Florida,” said Sari Vatsake, Executive Vice President of Feeding South Florida.

This event is part of an ongoing series of the #DolphinsHuddlefor100 service projects as part of the NFL’s 100th celebration. The NFL has invited fans, players, clubs and employees to join Huddle for 100, an effort to inspire 1 million people to volunteer 100 minutes of their time to make meaningful contributions to their communities. These activities are in connection with the Miami Dolphins’ initiative to level the playing field through the power of teamwork to inspire a healthier, more educated and united South Florida community. For more information on the NFL Huddle and to see volunteer opportunities with the Dolphins, visit https://www.miamidolphins.com/community/specialteams.

Miami Dolphins in Collaboration with Ashley HomeStore Delivers Beds to South Florida Families Download PDF version

September 17, 2019

#DolphinsHuddlefor100 @NFL

Image Credit: Miami Dolphins

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2zrho0hf0uu1zdd/AABk6oDmB69UhaOo1t_u9etda?dl=0

Miami Dolphins in Collaboration with Ashley HomeStore Delivers Beds to South Florida Families

HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Miami Dolphins players Charles Harris, Raekwon McMillan and Christian Wilkins in collaboration with Ashley HomeStore participated in a #DolphinsHuddleFor100 project in which they delivered and assembled beds for two families in need in Homestead, FL, on Tuesday, Sept. 17.

“It is definitely a humbling experience when you can get in the community and do something for other people. It’s always special to see the reaction of these kids, see their faces and how excited they are to get their new beds,” Wilkins said. “When you’re in the position and have good influence and the impact that we do, it’s always important to be a positive role model. I’m happy that we could be here. The Dolphins do a great job of creating community service opportunities for us on our day off every Tuesday to really get us out there in the community and this is something they are doing with Ashley HomeStore to where we can give back.”

“The Miami Dolphins and Ashley HomeStore brought me and my kids some beds for them to sleep in. We just left the shelter and moved into our own place and needed furniture so it means everything. It was a wonderful experience and I really appreciate it,” Roshonera Allen said.

This initiative is a follow up to the third annual Ashley HomeStore Hope to Dream Sleepover in June hosted by the Miami Dolphins in which the team surprised 100 underprivileged children with the gift of comfortable sleep for years to come. Each of the children enjoyed a sleepover party at the Baptist Health Training Facility, where they received their very own twin-size bed and bedding from Ashley HomeStore complete with a Miami Dolphins comforter.

“We are so proud to partner with the Dolphins to make so many kids happy,” Ashley HomeStore President of the Southeast and Southwest Florida Licensee Andrew Koenig said. “The kids had an exciting opportunity to meet Dolphin players in their own homes, and they received new beds that should make a lasting difference in their quality of sleep.”

Ashley HomeStore, the largest furniture retailer in the U.S., dedicates a portion of proceeds from every mattress sale at participating locations to its nationwide Hope to Dream program, which has donated 80,000 new beds and bedding to children in need since 2010. All Ashley HomeStore locations in Miami-Dade through Indian River counties in South Florida are active year-round in the Hope to Dream charity’s donation program. Helping Ashley Homestore bring this year’s Hope to Dream Sleepover to fruition were Bedgear, Mantua and Tempur-Sealy.

This event is part of an ongoing series of the #DolphinsHuddlefor100 service projects as part of the NFL’s 100th celebration. The NFL has invited fans, players, clubs and employees to join Huddle for 100, an effort to inspire 1 million people to volunteer 100 minutes of their time to make meaningful contributions to their communities. These activities are in connection with the

Miami Dolphins’ initiative to level the playing field through the power of teamwork to inspire a healthier, more educated and united South Florida community. For more information on the NFL Huddle and to see volunteer opportunities with the Dolphins, visit https://www.miamidolphins.com/community/specialteams.

Miami Dolphins sign Middleton Download PDF version

September 18, 2019

Miami Dolphins sign Middleton

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced they signed safety Doug Middleton.

Middleton joins the Dolphins after spending the past three seasons (2016-18) with the N.Y. Jets. He’s played in 11 career games with four starts, totaling 28 tackles (20 solo) and four passes defensed. He also made five solo special teams stops. Middleton originally entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent with the Jets on May 6, 2016. The team waived him on Sept. 2, 2019.

Name	Pos.	Hgt.	Wgt.	Birthdate	Exp.	College	Hometown	Acq.
Doug Middleton	S	6-0	210	9/25/93	3	Appalachian St. ’16	Winston-Salem, N.C.	FA, ‘19

Chris Grier – September 17, 2019 Download PDF version

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

General Manager Chris Grier

(Obviously, we’ll ask about the S Minkah Fitzpatrick trade, shortly, but one big picture rebuilding plan we wanted to clarify with you. You’ll obviously – besides having a ton of draft picks – you’ll have a ton of cap space next offseason. Would your hope be to go out and spend on impact starting-caliber free agents before the draft with the hope of being a competitive team next year, or would you think it’d be best to hold off on major free agent spending until you’ve gone through a draft or two more in this cycle?) – “We’ve talked about building this long-term with sustained success right away, and for us, we’ll be very aggressive. We’re not going to sit here on a bunch of money or anything. The plan is to build a winner here. No one likes losing. We’ve talked about building a team that’s going to win and compete for championships for a long time instead of being in this one year, and then you fall back for two or three. Again, it is a long-term vision, but we will be aggressive.”

(What is the time schedule as far as, say, getting to the playoffs, getting to a Super Bowl, having a winning record – things along those lines?) – “I don’t know if you really put a time frame with it. For us, it’s – we’ve positioned ourselves to where we think the organization will be in a good place here shortly. How long that takes – like I said, we’ll be aggressive (in) free agency. Again, we’re not going to sit back and not do anything. We’re going to be very proactive and try and get this turned quickly.”

(Why have you given up on two of your last four first-round picks?) – “I wouldn’t say ‘given up.’ With Laremy (Tunsil), that was one where we got a phone call and they kept pursuing us. Multiple, multiple times, we talked and kept telling them ‘no’ and what it would take and they came and offered it. A funny story I was saying the other day was I called Laremy about the trade, and Laremy walked in my office and saw it on the board and goes, ‘I would trade me for that.’ (laughter) But seriously, we were not trying to do it. With Minkah (Fitzpatrick), it was just one of those things. The player had expressed that (it was) maybe time for him to change, so we tried to make it work. Myself, (Head Coach) Brian (Flores) and (Chairman of the Board/Managing General Partner) Steve (Ross) – we had multiple conversations with him, saying we wanted him here and viewed him as a core piece and wanted him here. The kid just felt it was time for him to move, and we told him what the value was. We told teams we had multiple offers, and we felt that the Pittsburgh one was the one best for the organization.”

(You’ve lost the first two games by a combined roughly 90 points. Obviously season tickets are not cheap. What would you say to fans who are wondering if they’re getting their money’s worth?) – “I would say to the fans that I appreciate their support, and they deserve a winner. We’re trying to build them a winner. I would think the fans would also say that the cycle we’ve been in the last 10-plus years is not good enough, and we’re trying to right that as fast as we can. They deserve a winner, and we’re trying to do that for them.”

(What do you think you can do with up to seven picks in the first three rounds next year?) – “We can do anything we want. (laughter) Whether it’s free agency, as well, and the draft. For us, we’ve positioned ourselves where we think we can do anything or get whatever player we feel that will help us as soon as possible.”

(Are you looking to trade anybody that wants to be traded? It sounded like S Minkah Fitzpatrick came to you and said he wanted to be traded. So will you try to move people if they want to be moved?) – “No, no. For us, we had multiple conversations with Minkah. We told him we wanted him to be here multiple times. Brian (Flores), Steve (Ross) and myself – we all expressed that. For us, when we got to a point where we weren’t sure if it was going to work, we said, ‘Hey, if we get the value that we deem was worth moving him, we would do it.’ There’s no precedent here where any player is going to come in here and say, ‘I want out’ and we’re going to do it. Again, I have not had calls from any agents or any players asking to want out. We’ve extended some of our younger players –Xavien (Howard), etc., Jakeem (Grant) and all of those guys are bought in 100 percent. They’ve told me again as much Monday. So we have a good group of young guys that want to be here.”

(Did S Minkah Fitzpatrick say why he didn’t want to be here?) – “I’ll let him talk about that if he wants, but it was nothing – he likes Brian (Flores) a lot. He likes it here. He had talked a little bit about some of the position stuff he thought, and Brian I know told you guys the Patrick Chung story and stuff. I’ll just leave that for Brian and Minkah.”

(What have you said to Head Coach Brian Flores about the situation?) – “Brian and I have been lock-step on it. Again, we’ve had a lot of conversations. Brian and I communicate every day. I talk to Steve (Ross) every day. We’re in this 100 percent together. I believe in Brian. He’s a great leader, a great man. I think he’s the right guy to lead us through these times. So for us, Brian is a good football coach, he’s a good man, and Minkah said he appreciated that about Brian. He really liked him. It was just too bad it didn’t work out.”

(What is the plan for QB Josh Rosen this season, and have you guys kind of zeroed in on a quarterback for next season?) – “In terms of Josh, we just want him to keep developing. For him, it’s been a – and he will tell you – it’s been an eye-opener. He said he’s learned more here in the last couple months than he has, he said in his whole career. For him, having someone like ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) to mentor him and to be that kind of veteran influence to help him has been great. I think when he’s ready to go, if the coaches deem it’s time for him to play, he’ll play; but the good thing for us is we see him every day. We see him in the meetings, see how he prepares and learns and handles himself. We’ve been very pleased so far, so when the coaches feel they want to make a change – if they want to do that – then, that will happen.”

(Drafting a quarterback in the first round, are you committed to that for 2020?) – “We’re going to do whatever we can to make our team better right away. For us, yeah, we’ve all talked about the quarterback being an important piece, and it’s competition. We’re not shying away from that, so whoever’s here, there’s going to be competition at every position whether it’s quarterback, o-line, wide receiver, o-line; so, yes.”

(When you guys set up a strategy last January, February, March, was this part of it? Or as the season predicated, you’d make – trade S Minkah Fitzpatrick, trade T Laremy Tunsil and take the roster down further than you expected?) – “I would say (it was) very unexpected as far as the Laremy and Minkah situations. You can’t prepare for that. I’m not going to sit up here and lie about it; but for us, the opportunities as well were kind of unique with a little bit of the historic haul for him (Laremy Tunsil) and Kenny (Stills), with what we’re getting. So I think for us, to strike on this opportunity – because we know as the team was built right now, it wasn’t going to win a Super Bowl, much less – it’ll be hard to compete for a playoff spot. Again, we’re trying to build a team that’s going to win right now and do it, (and be a) long-term winner and bring a championship here hopefully to South Florida.”

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