6:14 pm ET
Marcel Louis-JacquesESPN
MIAMI. On Thursday, Terron Armstead took to the podium in front of a nearly roomy conference room at the Miami Dolphins Baptist Training Facility in an old Dan Marino T-shirt and orange sneakers.
Someone asked him why he wears Marino’s jersey; his answer is “why not”.
Armstead was introduced Thursday along with wide receiver Tyreke Hill, ending a busy week that Miami added both players less than 24 hours apart. Armstead and Hill, having played a total of nine Pro Bowls, have brought a certain level of stellar power and experience to a playoff team looking to end a five-year playoff drought.
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“When you get into the playoffs, the game definitely moves at a different pace – you have to play at a different level,” Hill said. “The fact that we have two guys who have experienced this means a lot to these young guys. Because some guys might see it as another opportunity to play the game. speed is changing.
Miami signed Armstead to a five-year, $87.5 million contract after agreeing terms Tuesday to improve on the NFL’s worst pass blocking since last season. Armstead, ESPN’s top free agent in the 2022 cycle, spent the first nine seasons of his career with the New Orleans Saints, two of which were with Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith, who was the Saints’ offensive line assistant coach. time.
Armstead credited Smith for his initial interest in playing for the Dolphins, as well as citing head coach Mike McDaniel’s energy and offensive formation as instrumental in his decision.
“(McDaniel) understands us better than some others. It’s a tough job, it’s a tough position,” Armstead said. “It’s a thankless position, we are asked to go and create and you don’t have to celebrate or receive awards. It takes a unique group of people to do it over and over… Mike likes to put forwards. To succeed, use your strengths and abilities, which was another factor in my signing with Miami. I think the offensive layout and fit is perfect for what I do best – be explosive and physical, get out and run. “
Just over 12 hours after Armstead’s deal was revealed, Miami hit another blockbuster with the trade of three-time All-Pro first-team player Hill.
Armstead could hardly contain his excitement about his new teammate.
“Come on, the most dynamic player in the league. I was always a fan of his game, just watched, ”he said. “Now that he’s involved in this offense, I think we’re building something special. He’s paired with (Jaylen) Waddle, (Raheem) Mostert, speed and then speed of our offensive line – we’ll try to turn Sundays into track and field events. But physical athletics, let’s not overshadow that at all.”
Hill’s trade to the Kansas City Chiefs came as a surprise to many in the league, but agent Drew Rosenhouse said the Chiefs gave him permission to continue the trade after both sides failed to agree on a new contract that outweighed the Las wide receiver. Vegas Raiders Davante. New Adams deal. Rosenhaus said the New York Jets and Chiefs agreed to trade terms earlier this week before the Dolphins returned with an offer that Kansas City accepted.
The Chiefs gave Hill the final say on which team he would like to play for, and he decided to come to his “second home” in Miami.
“It’s hard (leaving Kansas City), but when someone comes to you with big money, everything changes,” Hill said with a smile. “Feelings are starting to change. It definitely was hard, man. I definitely had one of those moments where I had to get in the car and just drive and think about the moments I had in KC… I even talked to Pat (Mahomes), that’s my brother for life.
“I know these guys are still going to play because they’re Hall of Famers.”
Hill called his new quarterback Tua Tagovailoa “one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the NFL” and praised the Dolphins for their apparent commitment to developing their new offense with the best possible talent.
“(The Dolphins) definitely want the right pieces around the quarterback,” Hill said. “Because the quarterback is the most important part.”
Both Hill and Rosenhouse are expecting Hill to play Debo Samuel in McDaniel’s offense with “one more level of potential”.
Between Hill and Waddle, the Dolphins may have the fastest starting wide receiver duo in the NFL. Hill said he contacted Waddle shortly after the deal went through and plans to meet his new teammate, practice and, not surprisingly, race.
“Wherever I go, Cheetah always has to prove that I’m the fastest on the team – no matter what,” Hill said.