Veteran center Mike Pouncey, Dolphins set to part ways
The Miami Dolphins are in the market for yet another starting-caliber player: they’re expected to release center Mike Pouncey on Thursday.
Pouncey asked for the divorce, telling Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post that he approached the team looking for a raise and a contract extension, but when it was declined, he asked for his release. Miami will grant the request.
“I gave this city everything had,” Pouncey told Schad. “I’m heartbroken.”
The Dolphins’ first-round draft pick (15th overall) in 2011, Pouncey started all 16 games last season, the first time he’d done so since 2012. Despite missing eight games over the 2013-15 seasons, Pouncey was named a Pro Bowler each of those years.
“At the end of the day I’m a Miami Dolphin for like. This city gave me an opportunity to play in the NFL. I think it was awesome,” Pouncey said. “I had a hell of a ride here.”
The 28-year-old has a history of hip issues, and despite playing every game last year, Schad wrote that Miami still has concerns about that injury past. Pouncey also had a role in the Richie Incognito-Jonathan Martin bullying scandal, though he wasn’t suspended by the NFL for his actions, and Pouncey also supported his former teammate at Florida, Aaron Hernandez, after Hernandez was arrested on first-degree murder charges in 2013.
Releasing Pouncey will save the Dolphins $7 million against the salary cap in 2018.
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It’s unclear what kind of market Pouncey will have, but he insisted, “I know my career isn’t over.”
With Pouncey now expected to be gone, the Dolphins’ talent drain continues: in recent months, they’ve parted ways with running back Jay Ajayi, receiver Jarvis Landry, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, Pro Bowlers all.
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