Early Cuts: Bobby McCain Released
Bobby McCain was team captain & one of the longest tenured Phins
The Miami Dolphins were tight against the cap with about $1 million short of what was needed to sign their rookie class. While the Phins were expected to make roster cuts to clear space, former 5th Round pick Bobby McCain was a bit of a surprise as the first to go. Now, with McCain’s release, the decision to not trade up with their 36th pick to draft a running back looks to be a very calculated decision. McCain is just one of many vets that have–and will–be released. With nearly $6 million in cap saving gained through McCain’s release though, the Dolphins can wait to see how things pan out before they make decisions on other expensive vets like Albert, Grant, and Hurns.
McCain was solid, but overpaid
The move from nickel corner to safety wasn’t a smooth one for McCain. His smallish frame was injured in the 2019 Preseason and the injury ultimately cut short his 2019 Season. But, McCain bounced back in 2020 and provided stability and solid over-the-top help. As the quarterback and safety net for the secondary, Xavien Howard had the freedom to be aggressive, which was a big help to him snagging 10 interceptions.
Even with McCain’s departure the Phins have a ton of safeties going into camp.
- Brian Cole: 6’2” 205 lbs, a flyer player with 1 year of experience.
- Clayton Fejedelem: 6’0” 205 lbs, 2020 FA with 6 years of experience, special teamer.
- Nate Holley: 6’0” 210 lbs, a flyer player with 1 year of experience.
- Brandon Jones: 6’0” 191 lbs, 2020 3rd Round pick was ranked 59th by PFF.
- Eric Rowe: 6’1” 205 lbs, resigned to a 2nd Phins contract, Rowe ranked 67th by PFF.
- Jevon Holland: 6’1” 196 lbs, the 2021 2nd Round pick.
Barring injury or a big surprise…
… Clearly, the winning bet with the pay per head services is that Eric Rowe, Brandon Jones, and Jevon Holland will be the three-man safety rotation with Fejedelem as the special teamer. While the size at safety has increased, McCain was a very steadying influence and this facet, while not spectacular, is essential to the success of this pressure/press defense.
McCain was a good draft pick and Phins player, who played with passion and commitment. Best of luck in the future Bobby McCain.
Now the question is will Miami have the mirror safeties they’ve been looking for or will McCain’s role be reassumed by Row, Jones, or Holland?
More storylines have been added in a season jammed packed with juicy plots!
We can speculate on what will be at safety, but given the innovative and secretive nature of Brian Flores, it’s anyone’s guess how it will play out… And, maybe that’s part of the plan too? I for one am very excited to see how it all unfolds! Go Phins!!!
MJ,
I don’t really agree that McCain was solid, yes he was over-paid. McCain was okay as a boundry CB, and decent as a slot/Nickel CB. However, as a safety I don’t think he was very good. He lacked closing speed and the quick anticipation needed at the safety positions. This was a salary cap move all the way. I would not surprised to see more cuts and possibly a veteran RB or RT brought in. Thank you!
This is an amazing site I found Stephen… very, very good… check it out. You’ll enjoy it a ton. McCain was a big reason why we were ranked 13th in the least explosive passing plays. For me, that’s solid, considering what we had prior to McCain.
“He lacked closing speed and the quick anticipation needed at the safety positions. ” This is so true. He played it safe and was all about prevention rather than big play. Part because he lacked the tools and partly because he is better suited as a slot CB.
He didn’t pull a Jones of Minkah and took the roll as a trooper… I liked that. Glad we are going in a different direction, but he was rarely the name called to bad plays… to your point, he was rarely named in big ones, too.
I’m an idiot thought I pasted the site into the comment… broke my foot a week a ago, and I’m even dumber than normal with the pain and meds… sorry, Stephen.
https://www.sharpfootballstats.com/ very cool site… I’m enjoying what I’m learning through them and the layout design they use.
I’m wondering now if the site is dated? A shame if it is…
Actually is seems some might be, but plenty isn’t… confused me… pretty cool.