In a large group of young Miami Dolphins tight ends trying to earn a spot on the 53-man roster,
Brett Brackett
has managed to get himself noticed in the first two games of the preseason.
He’s tied for the team lead with wide receiver
Rishard Matthews with five catches, he’s got the second-longest reception with a 30-yarder in the opener against the Atlanta Falcons, and his 57-yard performance in that game represents the highest yardage total for any Dolphins receiver this preseason.
In short, Brackett is making a legitimate push for a roster spot. Emerging star
Charles Clay and second-year player
Dion Sims, who has earned praised from Head Coach Joe Philbin throughout the summer, would appear almost locks to make the team but it seems like a wide-open race behind them among the other six tight ends.
After being cut seven times since he got his first NFL shot in the summer of 2011, Brackett obviously would love nothing more than to land one of those precious roster spots. But it’s also because he’s been cut seven times that Brackett isn’t about to take anything for granted.
“Try to stay even-keeled, consistent,” is how Brackett describes his approach.
To be sure, Brackett’s NFL journey has been one big roller coaster and the last few months provided just the latest example.
Brackett began the offseason program with the Arizona Cardinals, who had signed him to a “future” contract in January, but was released in May. Then a little less than a week after the start of training camp, the Dolphins signed him, only to release him two days later.
Then injuries hit the tight end position — Clay,
Michael Egnew and rookie
Harold Hoskins all were sidelined — and the Dolphins called back and Brackett was re-signed.
“They just let me go and I was on my way to a different team to a workout,” Brackett said. “They called up and said they were signing me back. Obviously I was real excited. I like the situation here, I like the people here. I was excited to have another opportunity.”
