Dolphins Re-Sign Ferg Despite Half-Season Suspension
So fresh and so clean? Hopefully, come November
Getty Images
MIAMI - AUGUST 09: Defensive tackle Jason Ferguson #95 of the Miami Dolphins sits on the bench against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a pre season game August 9, 2008 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Florida (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jason Ferguson
He's 35 years old, may not even recover from tearing his quad last season, and just lost half of next season -- the first 8 games -- in his second suspension for violating the NFL's performance enhancing drugs policy.
The Dolphins signed Jason Ferguson to another contract yesterday, anyway. Awesome!
No, really, we mean that. The decision is rather alarming on its face -- surely this doesn't indicate that the Dolphins won't still draft a top nose tackle, and who knows how much money went Ferg's way -- but bringing Ferguson back is actually a really good deal for the Dolphins.
The terms of his suspension allow Ferguson to take part in all the teams' offseason and preseason activities, but he won't count against the 53-man roster until, if he can return at all from his injury, he returns sometime in early November. That means he'll be on hand to mentor Paul Soliai and whoever the Dolphins draft this spring, without costing them until after training camp -- and we can reasonably assume he's not going to be shooting up baseballian stores of steroids in the meantime.
(For the record, no details were released about Ferguson's drug suspension, which could have been anything from anabotics to an illegal supplement to an inhaler.)
But most importantly, the Dolphins will get their best, most experienced nose tackle completely rested and fresh just as they start a push for the playoffs. If the thought of Ferguson sticking it to the AFC isn't enough to make this seem like a decent plan, wait till you see his replacements play the first eight games.
Janie Campbell is a Florida native who believes in the pro-set and ballpark hot dogs. Her work has appeared in irreverent sports sites around the internet.
Posted Wednesday, Mar 10, 2010 - 9:45 AM EST
