Timmons out
Dolphins suspend AWOL linebacker indefinitely.
Desperate times call for desperate moves, and that was the position the Miami Dolphins found themselves in on Tuesday after deciding to indefinitely suspend linebacker Lawrence Timmons.
The Dolphins traded for former Clemson standout Stephone Anthony a couple of hours after announcing Timmons’ suspension following his puzzling disappearance from the team in the hours that led up to Sunday’s 19-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Dolphins reportedly sent New Orleans a fifth-round pick in 2018 for Anthony, a physical 25-year-old linebacker who was the 31st pick of the 2015 NFL draft.
Anthony started 19 games for the Saints his first two seasons in the NFL, but he struggled in training camp and the exhibition season this summer, and didn’t play in New Orleans’ first two games. There was speculation during the preseason that Anthony would be cut by the Saints, who have been terrible on defense.
However, Anthony, who is 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, didn’t get released, and is now the sixth linebacker on the Dolphins’ 53-man roster.
Anthony contributed 112 tackles, one interception, one sack, and forced two fumbles in his rookie season, but fell out of favor with New Orleans defensive coordinators after that. The Dolphins are inheriting the remaining two-years, and $2.6 million left on Anthony’s contract, which includes a $402,176 roster bonus due in 2018.
The Dolphins needed to fortify a defensive unit that featured four healthy linebackers in Miami’s win over the Chargers because Timmons went AWOL, disappearing from the team’s hotel hours before kick-
off without explanation.
Mike Hull replaced Timmons as Miami’s every-down linebacker paired with Kiko Alonso, and rookie Chase Allen replaced Timmons as Miami’s starting strong side linebacker in the base defense.
Hull, a former Penn State standout entering his third season in the NFL, led the Dolphins with 10 tackles, but he allowed every pass thrown to an offensive player he was responsible for to be completed.
Rey Maualuga, an eightyear veteran who was signed last month, hasn’t finished working his way into playing shape. Maualuga is also nursing a hamstring injury, and it’s unclear when he’ll be ready to play.
The same can be said for Anthony, who is coming from a 3-4 scheme. The Dolphins, who run a 4-3 defense, liked Anthony when he was available in the 2015 NFL draft, bringing the former USA Today and Parade AllAmerican standout in for an official visit.
At this point the Dolphins would likely groom Anthony, who recorded 254 tackles, 9.5 sacks, three interceptions and forced five fumbles during his four seasons as a starter for Clemson, to serve as a two-down linebacker, potentially challenging Allen for Timmons’ spot.
The Dolphins won’t have to pay Timmons, who is slated to make $6.5 million this season, during his suspension. According to the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and NFL Players Association, the maximum the suspension the Dolphins can levy against Timmons is four weeks.
The decision to suspend Timmons came from head coach Adam Gase, who sought more clarity from Timmons on Monday before making a decision on his status with the team.
Just last week, Gase spoke of Timmons’ quiet leadership in the locker room.
“He doesn’t say a whole bunch but the way he operates and the way he goes about his business, I think guys respect that and understand why he’s been in the league so long and why he’s been so successful,” Gase said last Thursday.
Asked on Monday about his level of tolerance when his rules — which are to play hard and don’t be late — are violated, Gase said: “What do you think? I've got two rules. It’s not hard.”
Sunday was supposed to be Timmons’ regularseason debut with the Dolphins after signing a two-year, $12 million contract in March. The former Florida State standout, who is originally from Florence, S.C., had played in 120 consecutive games with the Pittsburgh Steelers before becoming a free agent this offseason.
Timmons hoped to rejoin the Dolphins this week, league sources told the Sun Sentinel, but it is unclear if he’ll be welcomed back.
Releasing Timmons would create a little over $11 million in dead cap space. However, going AWOL could potentially void his contract, getting the Dolphins off the hook for the $4.5 million he’s guaranteed in 2018.
Timmons might also be forced to return the $5.5 million in signing bonus he received when he signed his two-year deal in March, but that decision would likely be determined by an arbitration hearing. His base salary for 2017 is only $1 million because of the signing bonus he received.