Flores shoots down Wilkins’ request to catch passes: A ‘hard, hard no’
As much as Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins has clamored for more opportunities on offense in recent days, coach Brian Flores playfully shot down those requests Wednesday.
Wilkins, who had an interception in Miami’s 28-17 win over the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday, believes he has great on-field vision, has the motion in hi ships to break on the ball and possess es soft hands to bring in the ball with ease.
Wilkins believes he can be a “leg it offensive weapon ,” especially for a Dolphins team looking to get more fromits receivers and running backs on offense after pulling off two trade sat Tuesday’ s NFL deadline.
But Flores has other plans in mind for Wilkins and the rest of his offensive skill players.
“Well, that’s going to be a hard no — hard no — on the pass-catching opportunities.
Hard, hard no,” Flores said playfully. “We’ve got other guys we’d like to see with the ball rather than Christian.”
But don’t rule out any passes to Wilkins in this Sunday’ s road game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Wilkins was brought in as a fullback on Myles Gaskin’s 1-yard touch down run against the Rams. He also caught a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16 last season.
“I’ve been saying it for a couple years now that I could play a legit receiver in this league or be a legit offensive weapon,” Wilkins said playfully after the Rams game. “And hopefully coaches and everybody else will start taking me a little more seriously about that because ultimately, like I said, I just like to help the team.”
Trade fallout
The Dolphins were busy at Tuesday’s trade deadline, acquiring former Raiders running back DeAndre Washington from the Kansas City Chiefs, while sending third-year receiver Isaiah Ford to the rival New England Patriots in exchange for late-round draft picks.
The Ford trade allows more playing time for rookie receivers such as Lynn Bowden Jr. and Malcolm Perry, recently reinstated third-year receiver Antonio Callaway and special teams ace Mack Hollins.
Bowden, Perry and Callaway are particularly fast and have significant upside the Dolphins hope to uncover this season with rookie TuaTag ovai lo a starting at quarterback.
Bowden and Perry have played sparingly this season, lining up for passes and as Miami’s wildcat quarterback as they both adjust to the NFL after being multipurpose offensive weapons at Kentucky and Navy, respectively.
As for Callaway, he has shown some promise during his first two NFL seasons before he served a suspension that kept him out of the mix for the first half of the season.
Flores said Callaway’s availability to play did not play a factor in trading away Ford. Flores also did not hesitate to insist that itwould be unrealistic to get much out of Callaway, who is eligible to begin practicing with the team thisweek.
“I’ve yet to see him even in a helmet so I don’t knowif it impacted anything thus far,” Flores said of Callaway, the former University of Florida and Miami Booker T. Washington High standout who has five career touchdowns. “Literally, I haven’t seen him put cleats on.
“Callaway, look we got the film from two years ago, but things happen. A lot of things change in two years. So I haven’t seen him with a helmet on.
“That wasn’t much of a factor, Iwould say.”
Flores praised Ford as “a kid who worked extremely hard and made a lot of plays” while complementing his work ethic and team-first attitude.
“I really enjoyed working with him,” Flores said of Ford, who was Miami’s fourth-leading receiver with 18 catches for 184 yards.
“But at the end of the day we felt like the best thing for us was to make that particular trade.”
Ford posted on his Twitter account Wednesday: “Just wanted to say thank you to the entire Miami Dolphins organization. Fromthe players I’ve met, to the training staff, equipment staff, as well as cafeteria and cleaning staff. You guys have been first class, and I’ve enjoyed every minute bonding with you all!”
Grant honored
Dolphins receiver Jakeem Grant earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week, following his thrilling 88-yard punt return touchdown against the Rams.
The touchdown marked the first punt or kick return touchdown this season in the NFL while setting the Miami franchise record in the process.
Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury, who coached Grant at Texas Tech, praised Grant for how he was able to handle school and football while raising three children during college, and for the success he’s had at the NFL level.
“He’s one of my favorite all-time players, just his story. … I tell everybody this: He’s the most dynamic player I’ve ever seen with the ball in his hands,” Kingsbury said.
“The first guy never tackles him, and he’s one of the toughest people I’ve ever been around. To see him have the success he’s had, it just makes you proud.”