Louis leaves for 1-year deal with Dolphins
Lance Louis could have re-signed with the Bears, but he decided to join the Miami Dolphins.
“I just felt like I needed a fresh start,” Louis told the Sun-Times on Wednesday. “I went up there and met with those guys, and I clicked with the coaches. I just felt like they really wanted me to be there.”
Louis signed a one-year deal. While he wasn’t sure of the terms, he said the Dolphins’ offer was more substantial than that of the Bears.
“Nothing toward those guys, but I felt I needed to start somewhere else,” Louis said. “The decision was cool.”
A seventh-round pick in 2009, Louis developed steadily, starting four games in 2010 and 13 games at guard and tackle in 2011. Last season, he was the team’s best and most consistent offensive lineman until he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament Nov. 25 when Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen blindsided him on an interception return.
“I kicked myself for a while because I’m usually good keeping my head on a swivel. But that time, I just didn’t,” Louis said. “I kicked myself for a minute, but I said, ‘You know what? It’s a part of the game. It happens. I’m sure he ain’t had no dirty thoughts going into it. He was just trying to make a football play. It’s unfortunate it happened, but it happened.”
Louis said he isn’t sure where the Dolphins want to play him, only that they made it clear they liked the way he played.
Louis said he’s rehabbing and feeling good. He’s jogging on what he described as a special treadmill, and he’s aiming to be ready for training camp.