http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2009/12/dolphins-waive-david-martin-off-ir.html Another surprising roster move considering the lack of production at the TE position and the fact that Martin was getting the job done before his injury and the YACs that we are lacking. Obviously we are not getting the whole story ala the Roth situation.There are probably some contract and injury liability situation we dont know about.
Might just be a classy move by the organization. If they know it's unlikely David figures into their long term plans, and that he really wants to play this year, releasing him now lets a contender pick him up for a play-off push, hopefully. Better than him sitting the rest of the year out, then potentially getting cut in training camp without getting to audition his skills at all this season. This also let's him show the league his knee will be 100% by next year, if he can already play now. Basically, no sense holding him hostage on our IR if he can go play.
He's 30 and a free agent after the season. Odds are he wasn't coming back anyway. They entertained an injury settlement when he originally got hurt, but I think they also didn't want him to sign with anyone else in the division and possibly harm us. Part of the problem was that Martin wanted a second opinion and the Dolphins wanted the roster spot pronto, their doctors advising he'd be out most of the season. I still maintain that Martin was as big a loss to this team as any, possibly the biggest since we struggled so badly in the passing game for most of the season and Martin was a consistent, vertical threat in the middle of the field. TE is one of a young QB's best friends.
More likely he goes to someone looking to make a playoff push. I don't know if the Cincinnati TE situation has improved over J.P. Foschi (who?) but that might as likely a landing place as any for Martin. Much more than a losing team IMHO.
Yeah, the TE situation here in Cincinnati is pretty bleak. Daniel Coats and J.P. Foschi don't really scare anyone. Chase Coffman has been a healthy scratch all season as he's had trouble grasping the playbook and doesn't contribute on special teams. Martin could fit in pretty well with the Bengals.
Our TE corps looks like it's starting to pick up the slack. Fasano had a pretty normal game last week, and Sperry had a decent game against the Jets I think it was? Our TE corps isn't there yet, and sure Martin would have been useful, but how useful do you think he would have been throwing him into a system he hasn't practiced in, with a new QB this year, for 4 games, when we're making a playoff run? I just don't see it being a winning investment, especially if he's in a contract year next year. Eh well, what's done is done. I think the TE corps is going to be under the microscope in the offseason anyways. After the LBs and the WRs
everything is "on the need to know basis" w/ the FrontOffice nothing new in the way they do business, totally consistent
With Owen Daniels out for the season I could see Houston grabbing him to fill the need during a playoff run.
