The Miami Herald's Adam Beasley reports the Dolphins have reached out to free agent Rishard Matthews about a new contract that would keep him in Miami. The thought has been Matthews won't be back Miami after it traded for Kenny Stills prior to last year's draft and then selected DeVante Parker in the first round to team up with Jarvis Landry. But Matthews emerged as the No. 2 receiver and had a career season with a 43-662-4 line across 11 games. It's possible new coach Adam Gase really likes Matthews. Matthews would be wise to test the market with the free-agent class being so weak behind Alshon Jeffery Per Rotoworld.com This is really interesting. I really did not think there was any chance that he'd be back. My assumption was that he would going elsewhere with a chance for more [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, Verdana]playing time. I am curious what his contract would be. I think most of us would like Rishard back, but I think the best question for this forum should be, "What contract would you offer him?" I'd offer him a three year deal worth $5 million dollars (just over a million dollars per year).[/FONT]
Love to have him back for a reasonable price. I don't think 1-2 mill cuts it. I'm terrible with contract numbers but would assume he would be asking at least 5 mill per. No idea if that's doable or not.
I think he'll be right around 5, but that's the pocket right there 3-5, and I'd sign him for 5 mil per, and I'd like to sign Miller for about the same.
We have to keep in mind that when we traded for Stills and signed Parker, we didn't know we had THIS Matthews on the team. Imo, this is just too serendipitous to let pass us by, we would have the perfect 4 WR compliment; FL=Parker, tall, rangy, great hands big play type WR, with some deep speed to press the top. SE=Matthews, strong bodied WR that attacks the intermediate routes and can run through arm tackles, like a Brandon Marshall light, with better hands. Slot=Landry,... nuff said. 4TH=Stills=speed. 5th=Doesn't matter.
I have a feeling that is a bit optimist regarding a 24 year old back with the skills of Millers'. I would be shocked if we got him for under 6 a year. Pleasantly surprised!
Another benefit is I don't think we need a really good TE if you have Parker, Landry and Matthews. All you need to round out the offense is to fix that damn guard position. Sign Matthews and fixing the offense so it has no glaring holes is actually not that difficult. 2 mid/low-round picks on OL and some FA guards and we should be set, giving us ammunition to fix the defense.
that, or it opens up a roster spot for a potential utility guy. For instance, if we were to grab a guy like Tyler Ervin late in the draft who was a RB in college, but could be more suited as a WR who can work screens, end-arounds, and line up in the backfield in shotgun...
I would be pleased if Miami managed to get him for $5M/yr. If given the proper opportunity, I think he could be the team's best receiver.
would love to have him back, would have never had to go after stills if dumbass philbin would have let matthews play, the guy has always shown the talent to be a damn good receiver. parker/landry/matthews all home grown talent that should be great for years to come.
I think Matthews has talent, but I don't think he's better than Parker. Once Parker plays a full season, I think his production will exceed Matthews.
It is a good argument. I saw on twitter that Mathews was in the top 5 in quarterback rating when targeted.
I like Matthews but is it the smartest allocation of resources? Lotta holes on this team, and with Parker/Landry/Stills the position is in pretty good shape.
Agreed but they have complementary skill sets, and any good OC should be able to make that group more than the sum of the parts.
I think so. Most SB teams have holes in some areas but are way above average in other areas, instead of above average everywhere (at least in the salary cap era.. can't find a real hole in a team like the '89 49ers). I'm for making our WR group a serious strength defenses must game-plan against, instead of something that could be shut down with one great CB and good team play otherwise. We'll see what Gase and Tannenbaum do but I really hope we keep Matthews for that reason.
Reaching out is a smart thing to do just to see what his demands are. Maybe he like the new direction the team is heading in and decides he wants to be a part of it. It's worth it to find out where his head is at.
I agree, but it also gives the team a chance to only carry 4 WRs, we have actually done that before, it's a gamble, but it gives you a chance to stockpile elsewhere, where there are more needs, because that is a deep 4. Now, with a RB like Williams on the team, I know BOOOOO!!, Everyone hates Williams, but he serves a purpose at dirt cheap prices, 3rd down RB that can line up as a 5th WR, not as a threat, but just a player to cover, he's fast, and has good hands for a RB. Also is good at passblocking, probably the best (RB passblocker) on the team, giving you further flexibility on passing downs moving from blocker to WR, or vise versa, same with a lot of TEs, Sims can also fill that role if we lose Cameron, if there isn't someone else as yet unknown, but Sims can. On a side note, I'm all for hanging on to Williams at a cheap rate, he serves a purpose better than most give him credit for, and if this kid happens to "get it", he'll be a dangerous RB, as either a 3rd dwn, or even potentially a starter. He's perfect physically for RB, 5-11, 224lbs of solid muscle, strong kid, quick feet, burst, high top end RB speed, 4.4, blocks and catches well, but he starts "thinking" every time he gets the ball, and nullafies all his qualities, he's still only 23, he had one memorable run, when he displayed all that, spin move and all, turned nothing into nearly 20 yds, and if we could get "that guy" more often he'd be dangerous.
I am one of those fans who would love to see Matthews remain a Dolphin. I though last year he was the best WR on the roster before he was hurt. Unfortunately once he hits the free agent market, there will be teams willing to pay him far more than the Dolphins will probably be offering him to stay. I think he is the second or third best WR in free agency this year. I am sure his agent is telling him to wait and see what the market has to offer. Also based on how he was treated by the Dolphins for most of his career, I doubt he is willing to offer them a hometown discount.
If we don't re-sign Matthews, we need a good receiving TE. One way or another we're probably spending money on that. Either is OK for me, but if Gase really is good at adjusting to the personnel we have, we can do real well with Matthews in the mix, and as a starter if he's used correctly. The one thing I don't agree with you on is Stills. I don't see much special in him and doubt he'll be that cheaper version of Wallace we were hoping he'd be.
Two separate skill sets..Both Awesome and Both will tremendously help the team...along with Landrys skill set, and Stills skill set, get Miller signed and Cameron restructured we will have one bad azaleas offense..of course sign 2 of the top FA Guards, and start drafting defends.
Ideally you would like to lineup a 3 wide set that presents potential matchup problems and the ability to attack all levels of the defense. Unfortunately Kenny Stills is TRULY a one trick pony so him lining up consistently as the #2 Wideout isn't as much of a threat as we had hoped. A trio of Richard, Parker and Landry is nice but it is limited as none are a serious threat to get behind your defense. Hopefully he (Kenny) gets better. What CAN really be a matchup problem for a defense is an all purpose TE who can break tackles, block and get up a seam. I have always been a Martellus Bennett fan, would be nice if Gase found a way to get him down here and fill an obvious hole once Cameron is released.
For Stills to excell the QB probably needs a little more time than what we have seen. You can move all 3 (4) around but some decent TE play is still a must. OK with Landry, Parker, Stills... even better with Mathews.
After cutting Jennings we barely have anything allocated to the WR position and it'll be a few years before Parker and Landry are up for extensions. We're not going to break the bank for Matthews. I'd absolutely keep him on for a reasonable contract. I hate Landry as a #1. I'm meh on him as a #2. But he'd be a great #3.
dont you think 110 catches for juice is a bit too much?, maybe we should distribute more evenly..where there is no 1,2, or 3, just a nice balance of skillsets that compliment each other..Parker by talent Lang will eventually draw the most coverage, letting the other two feast.
The funny thing is that despite all the potential weapons, Miami has very little tied up in WRs and RBs right now. It's not like signing Matthews would be the team over-extending themselves at the position. It's the premier position and the 2 best weapons are on rookie deals. Matthews would be a good signing if the offensive architects feel there's a need. To me, Lamar Miller is much more deserving of the money and would be a much higher priority though. That's not even a question in my mind.
PAY. THE. MAN. Please for the love of gods of your choosing can we for once keep a good, w/ potential to be great payer on our team for two contracts. Matthews has been a baller for us, and only the fact that our coaching staff preferred auto erotica and self flagellation over copulation and actual fornication of the opponent at will, kept him from being a pro bowler, much like Miller. Get someone to be a better blocker than marriage and our offense will score like Ron F.N. Jeremy.