Stills, Branch and others, want to return

DAVIE — An important result of the Miami Dolphins’ first winning season since 2008 is players expressing a desire to return to build on the success they shared.

Several players who will have an opportunity to become free agents said Monday they would prefer to stay with the Dolphins.

“I want to be back here, yes. I love this team; I love these guys,” said wide receiver Kenny Stills, who led Miami with nine touchdown receptions. “We did something special after starting 1-4.”

Stills, who fulfilled expectations as a bigplay threat by averaging 17.3 yards on 42 receptions, earned $1.67 million in his second season with the Dolphins and set himself up to be a sought-after commodity as an unrestricted free agent.

How much the Dolphins will be willing to pay to retain him will be among many decisions to be made in the offseason. Others in similar situations who said emphatically they hope to return included offensive lineman Jermon Bushrod, defensive end Andre Branch and safety Michael Thomas.

“Yeah, I love this place,” Branch said. “They believed in me when not too many people did. I appreciate them for that.”

Bushrod, a two-time Pro Bowler as a left tackle who won a Super Bowl with New Orleans (2009 season), found himself with the uncomfortable task of learning to play right guard in his 10th NFL season.

“I felt like I grew a lot. From the first game to the last one, I’m not saying I got more comfortable but I was able to feel good doing what I was doing,” Bushrod said.

Bushrod found the one-year experiment positive enough that he said he would like to continue it. He and others credited coach Adam Gase and his staff for changing the culture within the team.

“I had fun this year,” Bushrod said. “Even when we were 1-4, I still felt like we had good relationships with the guys. We’ve just got a good thing going.”

Thomas, who completed his fourth season with the Dolphins, was one who could attest to a more positive vibe around the team this season and is eager to remain part of it.

“I was here through the bad times,” Thomas said. “I want to be here when we become dominant.”

Thomas was one of the few Dolphins with a notable performance in the 30-12 playoff defeat at Pittsburgh. He intercepted a Ben Roethlisberger pass late in the half that briefly brought hope of getting the Dolphins back in the game. Thomas also converted a fake punt with a three-yard run.

That made Thomas the first NFL player since the 1998 season to have at least one interception and one rushing attempt in a playoff game.