Phins sign DL Robert Nkemdiche

The Miami Dolphins signed defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche on Thursday, hoping the nation’s former No. 1 high school recruit and first-round pick can resurrect his NFL career following major knee surgery last year and an arrest earlier this summer.

Nkemdiche, who suffered an ACL tear in December, will begin his stint with the Dolphins on the team’s active/physically unable-to-perform list. He reportedly is expected to return to action in September, but the Dolphins could have other plans for his rehabilitation process now that he is under contract.

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Nkemdiche, widely considered the nation’s top high school player in 2013, played three seasons at Ole Miss and was the 29th pick in the 2016 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals.

However, Nkemdiche has been unable to live up to the hype and stay out of trouble during his NFL career.

Nkemdiche was released by the Cardinals on July 27, the same day new Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said Nkemdiche was “not in shape” when reporting to training camp last month.

He remained on the team despite a June 6 arrest, following a traffic stop for speeding and driving with a suspended license. He was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant for driving with a suspended license, according to a report by the Arizona Republic.

During the traffic stop, police found a small, metal credit card case that had a white powdery substance. The case was considered drug paraphernalia and the substance had the appearance of cocaine. Nkemdiche said the substance was a “bathroom product.” Due to his cooperation, the credit card case was not tested and was seized and destroyed, according to the report.

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If Nkemdiche can return to form, he could compete for significant playing time on the Dolphins defensive line, which is in need of a dominant pass-rusher.

Despite the knee injury, Nkemdiche is coming off his best NFL season where he started 6 of 10 games, had 4.5 sacks, 32 tackles and nine tackles for loss with a forced fumble and pass deflection.

Nkemdiche could come off the Dolphins’ PUP list at any time during the preseason, but the team must designate him on injured reserve, waive him or place him on the 53-man regular-season roster by Aug. 31.

DolFan 316 wrote:Bleh. Feh. Meh.

Gotta disagree with you this time, Jmp (you too White1   ). Just your typical desperation signing because nobody currently on the roster at that position is worth a damn. Good players aren't just sitting around in the FA pool the first week of August.

To be fair, that dude hasn't been right in the head since this happened.

https://www.redcuprebellion.com/2016/9/30/13126446/ole-miss-memphis-2016-robert-nkemdiche-concussion-jackson-dillon-tweet-trash-talk-lol-alright-bro

JMP wrote:I wouldn't call it a desperation move at all.  It was an opportunity to get an immensely talented player at a bargain-basement price.  No risk whatsoever.

DolFan 316 wrote:Bleh. Feh. Meh.

Gotta disagree with you this time, Jmp (you too White1   ). Just your typical desperation signing because nobody currently on the roster at that position is worth a damn. Good players aren't just sitting around in the FA pool the first week of August.

To be fair, that dude hasn't been right in the head since this happened.

https://www.redcuprebellion.com/2016/9/30/13126446/ole-miss-memphis-2016-robert-nkemdiche-concussion-jackson-dillon-tweet-trash-talk-lol-alright-bro

DolFan 316 wrote:

JMP wrote:I wouldn't call it a desperation move at all.  It was an opportunity to get an immensely talented player at a bargain-basement price.  No risk whatsoever.

I remember people saying the same thing about Cecil Collins. How'd that one work out?

Turns out all that talk about character was just that, and the Fins are no different from any other NFL team who'll sign pretty much anybody.

Umix10 wrote:Again I have to agree with everybody.  But food for thought  everyone is Immensely talented given the right circumstances.  Miami has never got that out of any player.  Far too long we were  bringing in guys who were successful elsewhere or immensely talented elsewhere only to find that they were less than ideal in Miami. Like Kiko Alonso.  My deepest thought is to not retread guys!  It’s too just build on youth.  Gamble on guys aren’t immensely talented but talented and hungry.  Success to me for this team at this point in time is when opportunity meets preparation.  Now based on that do you really think ndkemiche is all that?

Umix10 wrote:I agree JMP but with a little more urgency.  You are correct that it was a low risk move, even lower if he gets cut before the final 53.  If he makes the opening day roster and then doesn’t pan out then the risk is higher because he could’ve burned an opening day roster for someone who could have contributed.  In essence, timing would determine the risk/reward.   I just don’t think that the guy will give this team anything.  I hope he does.  

Degarmo wrote:I'm sure he'll be fine, it'll all be fine.

DolFan 316 wrote:

Degarmo wrote:I'm sure he'll be fine, it'll all be fine.

Define "fine". Because he's been placed on the PUP list which as I understand it, means he won't even see the field this season at all. Yeah.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/N/NkemRo00.htm

scotgif wrote:I heard he is really out of shape and could not even complete the sprint portion of pregame warmups. Not a good sign.

Former Arizona Cardinals first-round pick Robert Nkemdiche, on the physically unable to perform list, becomes eligible to practice and play on Oct. 14, and defensive line coach Marion Hobby said he expects to see the talented defensive tackle by mid-to-late October or early November.

The hope is that Nkemdiche can have an impact similar to the one made so far by Taco Charlton, who has two sacks in his first two games since being claimed off waivers from Dallas.

Nkemdiche had 4.5 sacks and and 32 tackles in 10 games for the Cardinals last season (including six starts) before sustaining a torn ACL in December. Arizona released him on June 27, and the Dolphins claimed him Aug. 8.

Besides recovering from the knee injury, Nkemdiche also was instructed by the Dolphins to lose a lot of weight.

Hobby said Dolphins strength and conditioning coach Dave Puloka “is doing a great job with him, getting his weight down. [Nkemdiche] came here really heavy. He’s getting his weight down. I’m excited about him. He’s getting his body in better shape. I asked him personally, how’s that weight coming? I want to be the only extra large guy in the room.”

The Dolphins would not say if Nkemdiche — who was signed to a one-year, $720,000 contract — has received full medical clearance after December’s knee surgery, but Hobby said he expects to see him on the field in the coming weeks and “he’s feeling better. Every time he sees me, he’s making a swim move on me, starting to feel it better. He’s a kid I’ve known for a long time, since high school days. Followed him through Ole Miss, to the Cardinals. Once healthy, everybody knows he’s got that big-time ability.”

rightchea wrote:So I wonder if he is able to play against the Redskins