Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Landry present; Thomas signs
Some players begin voluntary workouts
Receiver Jarvis Landry attended the first session of the Miami Dolphins’ voluntary offseason workout program Monday, an indication that discussions about a possible contract extension aren’t hostile and that a deal could be close.
Also Monday, safety Michael Thomas signed his original-round tender before participating in the start of Miami’s organized team activities. The contract guarantees Thomas $1,797,000 for the 2017 season.
The first phase of OTAs, which features two weeks of weightlifting and conditioning, is led by the team’s trainers, and doesn’t include any on-field work. Coaches are not allowed to watch or attend any of these sessions.
The first series of on-field practices, which involve the coaches, will be conducted May 23-25. Ensuing sessions occur May 30-June 1 and June 5-8, with a threeday mandatory minicamp scheduled for June 13-15.
At this point in the program, attendance is voluntary, so it’s a positive sign that Landry was there.
The Dolphins and Landry are trying to work out a long-term deal so the two-time Pro Bowler doesn’t play this season under his current $893,850 base salary, which would make him the 98th highest paid receiver in the NFL in 2017.
However, the sides haven’t been able to agree to terms on an extension.
The Dolphins, who have roughly $21 million in cap space available heading into next
week’s NFL draft, made it clear this offseason that taking care of their own players is the team’s top priority. Landry’s not only the team’s top playmaker, but he’s also viewed as Miami’s emotional leader.
The Dolphins sent Landry to London last week to promote the Oct. 1 game against the Saints that will be played at Wembley Stadium.
Landry, who caught 94 passes for 1,136 yards and four touchdowns last season, wants to be paid like a top-10 player at his position, which would require an annual salary of more than $11 million. Only 12 receivers make that much in average per year salary.
Coach Adam Gase said at last month’s league meetings that he was certain Landry would participate in the Dolphins’ offseason program, and he expressed confidence that an extension would get done.
“We’re going to do the right thing and work to keep our guys within our organization,” Gase said at the time. “There is a big picture that not everyone looks at, and we have to do our job of making sure we do what we need to do in the right order, the right way.”
With Thomas signing his tender, Miami retains a 2016 captain who has started 23 games over the past three seasons.
The Dolphins envision Thomas continuing in last year’s role, playing spot duty at free safety and nickel cornerback and working on every special teams unit.
Last season Thomas, who turned 27 in March, started eight games and contributed 58 tackles, one sack and forced two fumbles. He also pulled down an interception in Miami’s playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Dolphins signed veteran safeties Nate Allen and T.J. McDonald during free agency, and Thomas is expected to compete with them to determine who starts next to Reshad Jones.
Thomas’ signing means tailback Damien Williams, who visited the New England Patriots last week, is the Dolphins’ only unsigned restricted free agent.
Williams also received an original-round tender, which is worth just under $1.8 million.
Linebacker Kiko Alonso was also a restricted free agent, but the Dolphins signed him to a four-year contract that has the potential to be worth $29 million.
“We’re going to do the right thing and work to keep our guys within our organization.” Adam Gase, Dolphins coach last month on getting players signed