Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Phillips has a message ahead of his return
Former teammate: ‘I’m pretty sure he’s going to be intense’
DAVIE — Former Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Jordan Philips, now with the Buffalo Bills, has a clear message to his former team.
“Whoever has something coming to them is going to get it,” Phillips said to members of the Bills media on Wednesday.
Phillips is set to make his return to Hard Rock Stadium in Sunday’s Dolphins-Bills game, and is highly motivated for the matchup.
“I feel like most people, when they leave Miami, that’s when their career gets started,” Phillips said. “I’m thankful to be here. Things have definitely turned around since I’ve been here. Fans love me. My teammates love me. I’m happy to be here.”
Phillips, a second-round pick by the Dolphins out of Oklahoma in 2015, was released on Oct. 2 following Miami’s 38-7 loss at New England in Week 4.
During the game, Phillips was insubordinate about playing in Miami’s defensive-line rotation and was seen shouting with coaches on the sidelines.
After his release, he posted a number of statements on his Instagram account about being happy that his four-year run with the Dolphins came to an end.
“Free at last, free at last,” Phillips said in one post.
“No longer a Miami Dolphin. Good luck to my brothers on the team. I’ll miss ya’ll, but I couldn’t be happier to be out of there,” he said in another.
The Bills claimed Phillips off waivers one day later and he has been a solid contributor with 11 tackles, two tackles for loss and two pass deflections in seven games.
“He’s done a good job,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said. “I know he was down there for a few years, and some of the history down there — I’m sure I don’t know all of it. But he’s fit in well, and doing his job at this point.”
Phillips had five tackles, a sack, three quarterback hits and a pass deflection in four games with the Dolphins before being released.
And he may be highly motivated to make a statement in his first game against his former team.
Dolphins defensive tackle Davon Godchaux says he still shares some pleasantries with Phillips every once in a while.
“I’m pretty sure he’s going to be intense coming back to the team that drafted him — the Miami Dolphins,” Godchaux said of Phillips.
“He’s going to be intense but at the end of the day, I’m just controlling what I can control. We’re just focused on playing the Buffalo Bills this Sunday.”
Added Dolphins coach Adam Gase: “I can’t speak for [Phillips]. He’s getting an opportunity to play and he’s with a good group and that defense is playing well.”