NFL Notes: Cowboys, Dolphins, Jets

Cowboys

• Todd Archer of ESPN writes that while Cowboys WR Brice Butler could be on the roster bubble this summer, he has looked impressive in offseason workouts and should make the team.
• Archer mentions LB John Lotulelei as a player worth keeping an eye on this summer, as he’s been working with the second-team defense and has been consistently around the ball.
• Cowboys OL Byron Bell will earn $150,000 next Tuesday if he makes the weight clause in his contract. He can also make $150,000 on the first day of training camp and the first day of the regular season.
• In regards to the Cowboys recent decision to claim QB Zac Dysert and bring in Ryan Nassib for a workout, Archer explains that Dallas is really giving guys down the roster on the line, at receiver, tight end and running back a fair shot to make the team by playing with veteran quarterbacks.

Dolphins

• According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Dolphins aren’t currently pursuing veteran LB David Harris, who was released this week, despite the fact that he was drafted by executive VP Mike Tannenbaum when he was with the Jets.
• Jackson does, however, say that this could change if the Dolphins were to sustain an injury at linebacker.
• We have Harris featured in our Top 50 Available Free Agents list.

Jets

Long-time Jets LB David Harris released a statement via team’s website Friday regarding following the team’s decision to release him earlier this week.

The past couple of days have allowed me to reflect on my career with the New York Jets and how grateful I am.

First, I want to thank Woody Johnson and everyone in the Jets organization who gave me the opportunity to live out my childhood dream of playing at this level, for every day of these last 10 years. Thank you for exposing a kid from the Southeast side of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and his family, to so many wonderful experiences. We have made lifelong memories here in New York.  

To Eric Mangini, Rex Ryan, Todd Bowles and your coaching staffs – thank you for your trust and confidence in choosing me to lead your defenses and teaching me how to truly play this game.  Thanks to John Mellody, Dave Zuffelato, Josh Koch, Ezron Bryson, Greg Rosequist and the rest of the medical training staff. You guys are the heroes working tirelessly behind the scene. To Justus Galac, Aaron McLaurin and the rest of the strength and conditioning crew – thank you for never allowing me to just settle, and for pushing me in many ways more than just physically.  Thank you Dave Szott and Montelle Sanders for everything you do for the players.

To all of my former teammates, I enjoyed every single moment playing beside you throughout the years, during all of the ups and downs.  Only we know the sacrifices that were made, day in and day out, to be able to put out the very best product possible for our fans. I want every single one of you to know that my loyalty has always been to you guys in that locker room and to the coaches. And last but not least, to all of those diehard Jets fans – thank you for your support and motivation.   

Many lessons can be taught and learned in this sport that we love to watch and play. When I attended the University of Michigan our head strength coach, Mike Gittleson, used to always make us do this exercise called “farmer’s walks” during off-season conditioning.  He made us do them from end zone to end zone and then back, in deep snow and freezing temperatures, carrying very heavy sandbags in each hand. He made sure that each one of us never followed in the player’s footprints who did the exercise before us because that would’ve been the easy route. Instead, he made sure every single man made and took their own path.  And ever since then, that’s what I have strived to do.

GO JETS!!!

P.S. – To Kyle Clifton, your Jets all-time tackle record is now safe.