Placekicker Jay Feely released

This entry is a few days late, but I've been waiting until the tears for Feely stopped flowing before I wrote about this. Okay, not really. The Madden NFL 09 release has kind of been occupying my time. Sue me.

As you well know by now, the Dolphins have released placekicker Jay Feely and essentially handed the job to undrafted rookie Dan Carpenter. Feely was arguably one of the Dolphins' most valuable players last season, converting 21 of 23 field-goal attempts on his way to a single-season franchise record for field goal percentage (91.3).

I've acknowledged the possibility of this happening all offseason, but I had predicted/hoped that it would not happen given Feely's production. One knock on Feely was his kickoff ability, as he ranked 34th in the NFL last season among players with 10 or more kickoff attempts (44th overall). However, if you look at his career statistics you will see that his 57.8-yard average last season was well below his usual numbers. His 64.6-yard average with the Giants in 2006 would have ranked him EIGHTH in the NFL last season. Obviously he has the ability, and I'm inclined to believe his low average last season was more the result of the Dolphins' strategy (i.e. pooch-kicking) than anything else.

Feely's kickoff ability is just an excuse, and the simply fact is he was cut because Bill Parcells didn't like him. From Day 1, there were rumblings that Parcells wasn't happy with Feely's media-friendly behavior, and even though the kicker gave in to the organization's demands by toning down his exposure it clearly didn't matter. Parcells cut Feely because he is the kind of guy that likes to exert his authority every once in a while just for the hell of it.

Maybe Dan Carpenter will pan out. Maybe he does have a better leg, and maybe he'll continue to improve on his 72.8 college field-goal percentage. (His average went up every year, from 62.1 as a freshman to 82.6 as a senior.) That, however, remains to be seen, while Feely has already established himself as one of the elite kickers in the NFL and was without a doubt one of Cam Cameron's and Randy Mueller's best signings. You can bet Feely goes (are you listening, Kansas City?), he'll have the production to make Parcells regret this decision if Carpenter flops.

Undrafted CB Watkins signed to practice squad

The Miami Dolphins have signed undrafted cornerback Jacoby Watkins to their practice squad, filling the vacancy left yesterday when placekicker Matt Prater signed with the Denver Broncos.

Background

After graduating from Scotland County High School in Laurinburg, North Carolina, Watkins was redshirted at the University of North Carolina in 2002. As a freshman in 2003, appeared in seven games and made four tackles, including two against Arizona State.

Watkins moved into the starting lineup in 2004, starting all 12 games at cornerback for the Tar Heels. He finished fourth in the team with 61 tackles and tied for the team lead in interceptions with two, while also adding three pass break-ups and a fumble recovery. He was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in a 34-13 win over Georgia Tech. In the game, he recorded five tackles, broke up two passes and intercepted two passes. His first career interception came the second quarter when he outjumped receiver Calvin Johnson for control of the ball at the North Carolina 3-yard line.

Watkins appeared in just six games as a junior in 2005 after breaking his right tibia against Virginia. He finished the season with 19 tackles (14 solo) and three passes defensed. His most productive game came in against Georgia Tech, when he posted seven tackles and three pass break-ups.

As a senior in 2006, Watkins posted 52 tackles (41 solo), two tackles for a loss, a sack and eight pass break-ups. He suffered a torn ACL, ending his season and college career prematurely.

Due to his injury, Watkins was unable to fully participate in pre-draft workouts. At his Pro Day in March 2007, he measured in at 5-foot-11 3/8 and 171 pounds but was unable to run drills.

Watkins went undrafted in the 2007 NFL Draft, due in large part to the injury. Fully recovered, Watkins worked out for the New York Giants on December 4, but was not signed. He was signed to the Miami Dolphins' practice squad on December 20 after placekicker Matt Prater signed with the Denver Broncos.

Analysis

This is a fairly minor transaction by the Dolphins. Watkins obviously showed some skills at North Carolina, but given his size and the fact he's had two significant injuries already, there have to be significant concerns about durability.

If Watkins remains on the practice squad through the rest of the season, which in itself isn't a lock, he will become a free agent like all practice squad players. At that time, he may or may not be signed to a future contract in 2008. He'll face an uphill battle to make the team next season if he is re-signed.