[BuiltRamTough]

[Elvis]

http://www.espn.com/blog/miami-dolphins ... h-dolphins

T.J. McDonald promises to learn from mistakes with Dolphins

10:20 AM PT
James Walker
ESPN Staff Writer

MIAMI -- T.J. McDonald knows his first foray into NFL free agency didn’t have to be this difficult.

The 26-year-old safety is entering the prime of his career while coming off a solid season with the Los Angeles Rams where he recorded 64 tackles, two interceptions and one sack. Still, McDonald didn’t find a team until Friday, three weeks into free agency, when he signed just a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins.

McDonald’s issue hanging over him was an eight-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. The suspension comes from an incident last May where McDonald was arrested for driving under the influence of prescription drugs. He pleaded to a lesser charge in January.


T.J. McDonald will be making plays for the Dolphins instead of against them -- once he returns from an eight-game suspension. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Most teams decided to stay away. But Miami saw enough potential in McDonald to give him half the season to prove himself.

“It was just something that I’m definitely paying the price for to think that I’ve made it,” McDonald said Friday on a conference call with the Miami media. “I’m definitely going to own up to it. It was something I’ve learned from.”

McDonald added that his mistakes “will never happen again.” The move could pay dividends for the Dolphins, who need depth at safety.

Miami is coming off a 10-win season and has playoff expectations again in 2017. McDonald will come off suspension around November and could provide a boost for the Dolphins' secondary opposite former Pro Bowl safety Reshad Jones.

In the meantime, McDonald will be just a footnote for Miami until the winter. He is allowed to participate in offseason workouts, minicamp and training camp. His suspension will begin in Week 1 of the regular season.

“I’m coming back [after the suspension] against the wall," McDonald said. "I’m just happy to go move forward with this and being able to get back to playing ball. It’s all about ball for me right now.”

[Elvis]

[Elvis]

[Elvis]

[Elvis]

[dieterbrock]

I have never heard of him

[Neil039]

I have never heard of him

lol you're not the only one

[Elvis]

You've probably heard of these two guys:

[Hacksaw]

Funny no mention of the Rams there. Barnes was always good at recovering fumbles. Lot's of practice.