New acquisition Bolden takes pride in his special teams play
DAVIE — Dolphins running back Brandon Bolden learned early in his playing career he would need an extra skill to solidify his chances of making it in the NFL.
As a junior at the University of Mississippi, his special teams coach told him about the importance of excelling in that area. Nine years later, the advice has kept Bolden employed.
“That’s exclusively what I’ve been for the past six years [in the NFL],” Bolden said Wednesday of his special teams prowess. “I take a lot of pride in it because that’s how I feed my kids. I share that with anybody whoever asks. It’s just my opportunity to go out there and show what I can do on the field.”
Bolden was one of three players claimed off waivers this week by the Dolphins, joining quarterback Luke Falk and receiver Tanner McEvoy. Bolden was picked up after playing six seasons with the New England Patriots, where he teamed with receiver Danny Amendola, who signed with the Dolphins this offseason.
“The fact that Bolden was available, we did everything we could just to get him here,” Dolphins coach Adam Gase said. “Obviously, with Danny being here and his knowledge of his background and kind of what he’s all about, we felt like he was somebody that adding him was going to be a big deal for us.”
While Bolden has ran for 912 yards and six touchdowns in his career, he is fully aware his main duties are on special teams. The Dolphins began searching for help once linebacker Mike Hull was placed on injured reserve after sustaining a knee injury.
“It’s just a will and want to and some understanding,” Bolden said of playing special teams.
“A couple of guys come in and [say] ‘I’ve been starting my whole life and then I’m not used to riding the bench.’ Sometimes, you have to just take that one on the chin and do what you can to get on the field. In New England, I knew for a fact that’s what they do. … It all starts with special teams.”’
Like Bolden, the Dolphins are primarily expecting McEvoy to contribute on special teams. Still, Gase refused to rule out the possibility of using him on offense if needed. McEvoy caught 20 passes for 254 yards in two seasons with the Seattle Seahawks before being recently released.
“We’re always looking to see what else we can get out of guys who have special teams backgrounds, see how much they can contribute on offense,” Gase said. “He’s had explosive plays in the past. His average per catch is somewhere in the 20s.”
The Dolphins brought in Falk because he was one of three quarterbacks they worked out before the draft. He was taken by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round but was waived last week.
“Really just liked his football mind,” Gase said.
“From the system he came from, the knowledge he had of that and how he knew the ins and outs of that and kind of the way they call plays, kind of fit what we do a little bit. … I really liked his anticipation. He throws on time, he’s accurate. It’s one of those things where he kind of reminds me of a lot of guys I’ve been around in the past and we were fired up to get him here.”