Punter Brandon Fields took a pay cut in the offseason but it wasn't enough for him to hold on to his job, as the former Pro Bowler was cut by the Dolphins Tuesday, per the Miami Herald.
Fields was beat out by rookie kicker Matt Darr in most stats during training camp and preseason, and the Dolphins decided to go with the younger (and cheaper) kicker.
Dolphins punter Brandon Fields has agreed on a restructured contract to remain with the team, reports the Palm Beach Post.
Fields was a candidate to be released if he was unwilling to restructure his contract. Terms of the deal have not been released.
Dolphins coach Joe Philbin is not hiding his disappointment with punter Brandon Fields, whose 43.3 gross average on punts ranks 31st out of 32 punters in the NFL, according to The Miami Herald. His net average is 31.8, which is the worst in the NFL.
"Early on we got the punt blocked in Buffalo," Philbin said. "He just hasn’t looked as comfortable quite yet back there, as he has in the two years that I’ve been here, the previous two years. I’m confident he’ll work his way through it and he’ll get back to being the outstanding punter that we all know.
"For his standards, it’s not quite what we’re used to. I think he would acknowledge that, but I’m very, very confident that he’ll get back to that soon."
The NFL unveiled the Pro Bowl rosters for 2014Friday, and they come with a twist; for the first time, selections were made without regard for conference. The teams will be chosen via televised draft Jan. 22.
The special teams selections are as follows:
Punter: Brandon Fields, Dolphins; Johnny Hekker, Rams.
Placekicker: Matt Prater, Broncos; Justin Tuck" data-canon="Justin Tucker" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_PLAYER" id="shortcode0">er, Ravens.
Punt returner: Antonio Brown, Steelers; Dexter McCluster, Chiefs.
Special teamer: Justin Bethel, Cardinals; Matthew Slater, Patriots.