Miami Dolphins should sign punter Matt Araiza so he can kick it to the Bills | Page 2 | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Miami Dolphins should sign punter Matt Araiza so he can kick it to the Bills

gregorygrant83 said:
If the front office and coaching staff were to consider Araiza as a better option than Turk or Bailey they could always sign him and release one of the punters currently on the roster.

On the other hand if the team is going to be as good as we all hope, it likely won't matter which of the 3 punters are on the roster. Of the 272 regular season games, I doubt there are 10 games all season that the outcome of the game could be tied directly to the success or failure of the punter.
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I'm not so sure about that.

How many games have we seen recently that hung on the performance of a punter or place kicker?

Often in the 4th quarter in tight scoring games, field position is critical. Then there are "on side" kicks to try and retake ball control.

I just feel the kicking game is often ignored, but it's influence can really be felt in critical situations.
 
EJay said:
I don't understand the logic here. What's the problem with adding more talent and more competition?? Add as much as you can and let the cream rise to the top.

Neither Bailey nor Turk are sure things or perennially the best at the position. Bailey was let go by his previous team and Turk has no prior NFL experience.

It's not as if Miami has Ray Guy or Reggie Roby on the roster in their prime.

Regardless of positonal group, the entire idea is to amass as much talent as you can then let things sort themselves out during the Summer and pre-season.

I don't see why anybody here should be against that principle. I mean, is the position of punter among 2 uncertain players somehow off limits to more competition?

Araiza was talented enough to be drafted by an NFL team and a player of his talent at his position doesn't always become available like this. Unique circumstances, for sure. Unless it's cost prohibitive, why not take advantage and take a shot?
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They did amass the talent, with Bailey and Turk.

Turk is a heck a prospect and Bailey is a hell of veteran talent.

Your talking about an All-pro kicker and a guy with a cannon for a leg (and pedigree)

That’s enough for us not to have an interest and for Araiza to find a better situation.
 
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Practically speaking, finding enough quality reps to share to properly evaluate three new punters would be challenging. Perhaps if an incumbent was already on the roster, you could shift more work to the challengers.

Bailey’s guarantee money aside, I would take any combination of two from these three players and feel confident Miami can upgrade the position.
 
1972forever said:
They already have two punters on the roster who are considered excellent candidates. One is a former pro bowl punter and the other punter was one of the top punters in college last season. They don’t need Araiza or the issues his signing would bring to the organization.
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The veteran has had injuries.. what’s new… and was near the bottom of the NFL. Why not have Araiza duke it out with Turk? But… isn’t Araiza still technically the Bills property?
 
IMAWriter said:
The veteran has had injuries.. what’s new… and was near the bottom of the NFL. Why not have Araiza duke it out with Turk? But… isn’t Araiza still technically the Bills property?
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No, they released him as soon as the allegations were made public. If he was just suspended by the team or something he would still be under his rookie contract.
 
But is he cheaper than this guy?

Kicking Field Goal GIF by Mark Rober
 
EJay said:
What issues? That they signed a player cleared of any wrongdoing as it was proved he was elsewhere at the time of the alleged crime?

I'm sure if it were YOU that had false allegations detract your career path -- your POV would be drastically different.

There's an old adage "everyone deserves a 2nd chance". Some may buy into it, others may not. But this guy didn't even get a 1st chance.

Nobody should be offended or bothered if someone wrongly accused of something gets a shot at their dream.

Moving on beyond that, who cares if the Dolphins have 2 decent candidates at the position already. The more competition, the better. Whomever the best player is gets the gig. Simple as that.

I'll bet a Million bucks that if the player in question was an offensive lineman rather than a punter and that player was considered talented enough to compete for a starting position -- most here would be all for adding to the competition pool.
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At this time he has no criminal charges against him but he is still being sued in civil court and that case is scheduled for October 2023.

To me this is similar to the Watson cases and I never wanted Watson because of his behavior. I am just completely satisfied with the punters they already have on the roster and see absolutely no reason to sign a player who still has a civil case against him for rape.

Perhaps once that case is decided I might feel differently if he is cleared in civil court but right now, I hope the Dolphins don’t sign him.
 
1972forever said:
They already have two punters on the roster who are considered excellent candidates. One is a former pro bowl punter and the other punter was one of the top punters in college last season. They don’t need Araiza or the issues his signing would bring to the organization.
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He’s been fully exonerated.
 
Fin-Loco said:
He’s been fully exonerated.
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On Dec. 7, 2022, the San Diego District Attorney's office announced that Araiza and the other students listed on the civil suit, Zavier Leonard and Nowlin Ewaliko, would not face criminal charges. The civil case against Araiza remains ongoing, with a trial date still set for October 2023.
 
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