NFL Free Agency: Siran Neal brings physicality from Buffalo to Miami
Siran Neal is a tough, aggressive, physical player.
And the Dolphins need more players like that.
Hence, Miami swiped the safety and special teams ace from the Bills in free agency.
"Physicality went a long way," Neal said Thursday of his time up north. "It was all about, punch somebody in the mouth before they punch us in a mouth. If they did punch us in the mouth first, it's about how to get up and attack it."
Neal, with one career start at safety but 115 tackles, is happy to reunite with Miami special teams coach Danny Crossman, who coached him in Buffalo.
"Danny, my boy," Neal said. "I had Danny my rookie year when I came in with Buffalo. Danny is a really passionate coach, too, as well. He really loves the game. Over the years, we kept in contact. I just told him yesterday, like I always wanted to make him smile."
The addition of Neal is important for Crossman, whose unit has struggled at times. Crossman has noted that the Patriots, for example, have some special teams-specific studs.
Siran (pronounced SIR-ann) is a special teams-specific stud.
"I'm very passionate about it," said Neal, 29. "Logistically, like a lot of guys on special teams don't really get praised or mentioned. But I know special team is like really huge when it comes to NFL games. Special teams can win a game or lose the game."
Neal is joining former Bills teammate Jordan Poyer in Miami.
As we know, the folks in western New York have long dominated the AFC East.
"Definitely been on the other side for the past six years, you know, winning that title up there," Neal said. "On the other side, now it's time to work to try to get that, you know, division down in South Florida. And that's one thing that I'm up, I'm up for the challenge."
One thing Neal is thrilled about is the South Florida weather.
More importantly, Neal thinks a winning mindset transcends conditions.
"Nothing comes easy, you know," Neal said. "Staying in Buffalo you've got to have really tough skin. You know, I'm saying people hated to play in Buffalo. We loved to play in Buffalo. It was cold. And that's one thing we endured. Like every time we stepped on a field we stepped out there to win. And that's one thing we're going to bring to South Beach. No matter the conditions, and I'm pretty sure the conditions are going to be pretty good, nice weather, we're going to step out there to win, together."
Neal is remarkably athletic. In fact, at his NFL scouting combine, his vertical leap of 40.5 inches put him in the 93rd percentile.
So, what's it like up there?
"It's enjoyable," Neal said with a grin. "It's very enjoyable. There's one thing that I have done over the years is being very explosive off the ball. You can get a really big jump on guys with being like that."
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Siran Neal joins Miami Dolphins from Buffalo Bills in NFL Free Agency
