Miami makes McCain NFL’s top-paid nickel back
DAVIE — Bobby McCain has signed a four-year contract extension with the Miami Dolphins worth $27 million, including $13 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid nickel back in the NFL, according to a source.
McCain was often Miami’s best cornerback in 2017, outperforming teammates Cordrea Tankersley, Xavien Howard and since-released Byron Maxwell. McCain was so good the team will even consider giving him some outside repetitions this season.
McCain is only 5-foot-11, 192 pounds, but coaches cite his diligence on and off the field. McCain is also one of the most fiery Dolphins, both during games and practices.
“I need him outside and I ’ m g o i n g t o n e e d h i m inside,” Dolphins defensive backs coach Tony Oden said. “If he’s in the game, it’s going to happen. If we don’t practice that, I can’t expect him to compete and excel at an elite level if we haven’t practiced it.”
Miami coach Adam Gase has been a fan of McCain since his arrival. Gase has pushed back on any criticism of McCain, citing him as a player who always does things right.
“The spot that he plays, there’s so much nickel per- sonnel that’s being played that he probably played 600plus snaps last year,” Gase said. “That’s just the way the game is. If he had to play outside, then slot inside and do things like that, it’s a lot of plays.”
McCain was a fifth-round draft choice from Memphis in 2015. McCain has three career intercept ions ,17 passes defended and has played 16 games in each of his three NFL seasons.
WR’s drive for perfection: Danny Amendola may toss a helmet or cuss at himself loudly during a May practice, but don’t be alarmed.
For Amendola, it’s just part of the process.
“I’ve always been that kid, really,” Amendola said Thursday.
Miami’ s newest slot receiver demands a lot of himself. And when he makes a mistake, look out.
“It’s the mentality you bring to the field every day,” Amendola said. “You want to bring an atmosphere that is conducive to winning. Practice at a championship level. Whether that’s an individual drill or the open of practice. You want to be perfect. You want to practice with great fundamentals. That’s what it’s about.”
Amendola and veteran Kenny Stills are setting a positive tone for the younger receivers in the room.
“Whatever I can do to help, on the field or off the field, I’m always willing to help out my teammates,” Amendola said.
But why get so revved up about a practice? We’re talkin’ about ... well, you know.
“Just try to bring intensity to practice in every drill,” he said. “Practice at a high level. I feel like if you practice at a high level in OTAs and in camp and bring that into the season, then it correlates to how you play on the field on Sunday.”