Miami Dolphins Rumors: Chris Clemons ‘not a priority’
Miami Dolphins strong safety Chris Clemons (30) reacts after breaking up a pass intended for Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (not picture) at Sun Life Stadium. The Panthers won 20-16. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The Miami Dolphins already have their starting strong safety locked up after giving Reshad Jones a massive contract last offseason following a breakout 2012 season, but it looks like they could have a new starting free safety next to Jones in 2014. Asked in his Twitter mailbag about the chances of Chris Clemons being re-signed, ESPN NFL Nation’s James Walker replied that although he wouldn’t “rule out” the Dolphins keeping Clemons, he doesn’t see him as a “priority” for the team to keep.
In fact, Walker writes that the Dolphins prefer to have a “more dynamic” free safety on their roster and calls Clemons “just average”. It doesn’t sound like the Dolphins will try to re-sign Clemons before the 11th of March, as Walker’s description of the situation seems to indicate that Clemons is a mere contingency plan whom new GM Dennis Hickey would prefer to upgrade.
It sounds like the Dolphins would like to get a free safety who is capable of intercepting plenty of passes and is strong in deep coverage, and Clemons doesn’t really do either of those things. He’s a decent enough starter in this league, but I think the Dolphins want more of a true “FS” so that they can play Jones more in the box, thus allowing him to excel in that role. In five career seasons, Clemons has just four interceptions, and the 28-year-old might honestly be a better fit in this league as a strong safety given his tackle totals of 98 and 92 in the past two seasons.