Newz Forum: FOOTBALL: M<iami cuts FS Antuan Edwards, waive kicker

DAVIE, Fla. -- The Miami Dolphins terminated the contract of starting free safety Antuan Edwards on Wednesday, citing his subpar play and the emergence of his backups as reasons for the surprising move.

Edwards, in his first year with the Dolphins after spending his first three NFL seasons with Green Bay, had 45 tackles and one sack since winning the job in training camp from Arturo Freeman.

Edwards and cornerback Patrick Surtain were beaten by Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald on a 48-yard post pattern that gave the Cardinals the ball at the 3-yard line with 41 seconds left Sunday. They scored a touchdown four plays later and won 24-23.

But general manager Rick Spielman said no one play sealed Edwards' fate and Freeman and Yeremiah Bell were playing well.

"[Edwards] played well during the preseason and stuff. He had some struggles here as of late and it was just a chance we felt we had to move on," Spielman said.

The roster move is the first since Jim Bates took over as interim head coach for Dave Wannstedt, who resigned Tuesday. Spielman said the timing of the move had nothing to do with the coaching change

"It's not a statement to this team or anything like that," Spielman said. "This is a statement that this is the business of the NFL."

The Dolphins have a bye this week and play Seattle on Nov. 21.

The Dolphins (1-8) also reached an injury settlement with kicker Matt Bryant, who was perfect on three attempts while Olindo Mare recovered from a calf injury.

Bryant missed Sunday's game with a right quadriceps injury and was replaced by Bill Gramatica, who missed an extra point and was cut Tuesday.

Mare, who practiced Wednesday, is the only kicker on the roster.

source

ESPN