A closer look at the Brandon Fields cut...

[Driven_Phinsane!]

There are several things about this move that really bug me..while it may ultimately work out for the better, on the surface it's a highly questionable move. It seems little more than a cost cutting move that could come around quickly and bite this team in the ass! In a similar fashion we thought we were ready to move on from Dan Carpenter and we're still paying for that decision years later. Getting back to the cost cutting point; i'm reading that the move bottom-line will only save the team around $600,000 (after factoring in the salary of the replacement), not a lot of money saved in the grand scheme of things when you're talking about losing a top tier NFL punter who's been to the Pro Bowl and can be a huge weapon in terms of flipping the field and/or pinning the opposition deep. Punting is not just about kicking the ball as far as you can; it's about booming it when you absolutely need it, it's about finesseing it when you have a chance to put it out inside the 5 or 10 yd. line, it's about being smart enough to not out-kick your coverage and putting enough hangtime on your kicks to give your coverage guys every advantage..A really good punter and what he means to a team like the Fins, or any NFL team for that matter can't be overstated!..

Also, i don't think a cut like this sends a very good message to the team; bust your ass, make the Pro Bowl, be a consummate team player (even taking a pay cut) & getting thrown out like the dirty dishwater when the team thinks you're making a bit too much money for the position..and can a young team like the Fins really afford to just lop a top 5 or so player at any position?? Lastly, i wonder who ultimately made this decision??, would be interesting to know the answer to that question...

[ONole1]

To play the devil's advocate it could work out like Donnie Jones as well. I think keeping Barr was more long term than this year. It's always hard to let a productive veteran go, but you have to remember this is a business.

[cuchulainn]

I'm not completely comfortable with the move either. We've never had much success with replacing vet kickers or punters. Would've had no issues whatsoever if this had been Sturgis, but Fields was good and savvy. Hope this doesn't come back to haunt us like the Carp for Sturgis move did...

[AquaXI]

Bring back Reggie Robbie!

[AquaXI]

Wow Matt Darr only 6'1 while Fields was 6'5! Doesn't matter if you can kick you can kick but length probably helps in the kick.

[ONole1]

Darr is a good athlete as well. Not saying Fields isn't, but Darr played LB along with being the punter and kicker. He was a two time state champion in the shot put as well.

[DolphinsFreak]

When you're a punter and your name is mentioned with Sammy Baugh, you're doing something right.

[ONole1]

The guy Fields replaced is on that list as well...

[ONole1]

I know it's pre-season, but Darr had what? Three punts killed inside the five yard line last night? I think the P position will be fine, and much cheaper over the next three years.

[Daytona Dolfan]

If what Darr did last night is what the coaches saw during practice, I have no problem with this decision.

[phinfanfrom70s]

sad to see him go .he was a good dolphin in his day. I remember games when it seemed like he was the only one to show up for the game with fire in his play!

[FinFan in KC]

I like the idea of pinning opponents inside their own 10 and then sending our D line in.

[Alpha]

I was impressed with Darr in the TB game....but my worry is what does he do late in the 4th quarter in a cold, wet game with the playoffs on the line. I'd feel better with a pro-bowl veteran back there over a rookie FA....but I won't deny the guys potential. The knock on him is inconsistency....and that really worries me. It can cost you games.

[Dolfan1]

Well I remember hearing he was inconsistent at the very beginning of training camp but I haven't heard that said in the last month so my hope is he settled in and became more consistent. I think they made the right move but I thought they were right in letting Carp go and look how that turned out.

[Phintim Menace]

Best players play. No sentimental favorites. Darr outplayed Fields in this year's camp, he gets the spot. I don't think it was a financial decision at all.