New players excited to reunite with Flores, play alongside Tagovailoa

Some highlights from speaking with several new Miami Dolphins players on Thursday:

„ New linebacker Benardrick McKinney, who comes to Miami following a trade with the Houston Texans, said he was stunned when he first heard news of the Dolphins acquiring him.

Now that he’s in Miami, McKinney is excited to play for Dolphins coach Brian Flores and willing to play wherever the coaches see fit.

“I know he came from New England. We’re not going to settle for anything less,” said McKinney, a second-round pick in 2015 who made the Pro Bowl in 2018, of Flores.

“He’s going to push his players. I’m ready to get out there with him, play for him, and [have him] help me be one of the better linebackers.”

McKinney will likely be Miami’s new inside linebacker alongside Jerome Baker, who will enter his fourth season.

McKinney’s 2020 season ended after four games with shoulder surgery, but he spent six seasons with the Texans where he has played in 80 games with 77 starts, 11.5 sacks, 35 tackles for loss, 30 quarterback hits and 14 pass deflections.

“I’m feeling great now, back to my old self. I’m comfortable with the shoulder and comfortable playing. And I’m just ready to get back to it,” McKinney said.

McKinney did not confirm whether the Dolphins are restructuring his contract. He has three years remaining on his contract, which includes base salaries of $7 million in 2021, $8.75 million in 2022 and $9.5 million in 2021. Miami could part ways with him after next season if necessary.

As for his former Texans teammate Deshaun Watson, McKinney was quite complementary of the star quarterback but did not want to speculate much on Watson’s trade demands.

“Deshaun is definitely a great leader of the Texans organization. Very athletic. He takes it one day at a time. He pushes guys to the best of their ability,” McKinney said of Watson.

“He’s just a great guy all around. He’s a great friend. Loved playing against him. It’s hard playing against him in practice because of the things he can do. And watching him play on Sundays, it’s unbelievable how he competes and takes every day.”

„ Slot cornerback Justin Coleman is another Dolphins newcomer who previously played under Flores and Dolphins defensive coordinator Josh Boyer in New England from 2015-16.

Coleman, who later played two seasons each with the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions, joins the Dolphins, hoping to take advantage of any opportunity the team gives him next season.

Coleman praised Boyer for being a coach who can simplify the game of football for his players. He is also excited about reuniting with Flores.

“He’s always been someone who I thought was an aggressive coach, who feels very confident in what he’s doing. If he’s confident, I’m right along with him,” Coleman said of Flores.

“I’m confident with him. What he has going on here, I’m confident that he will get things done.”

Coleman says he’s excited to compete in Miami’s secondary, which features star cornerback Xavien Howard, starting cornerback Byron Jones, experienced safeties in Bobby McCain and Eric Rowe, and youngsters like Nik Needham and Noah Igbinoghene.

“I’m willing to compete for whatever position it turns out to be, and those guys are going to create some competition. I’m forward to playing next to these guys and learning from them as well.”

„ New receiver Robert Foster was a senior at Alabama when Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was a freshman at the school.

The two did not play much together during that 2017 season, but Foster says he’s ready to reconnect with his former Crimson Tide teammate.

“It was a great experience. Really just excited to re-establish and get back on the road and get back to working with him, and contributing with all the quarterbacks,” Foster said.

Foster joins Miami after two seasons with the Bills and last season with Washington.

He has played in 30 career games with 32 catches for 642 yards and three touchdowns in limited opportunities. He could also be a special teams contributor for the Dolphins.

“I’m known for my speed and getting past people,” Foster said.