Dave Hyde: Achane’s contract is another step in new Dolphins direction
Well, there’s another box checked. They’re adding up now. The new-regime Miami Dolphins gave a logical answer to how they’ll deal with players contracts, in contrast to the previous decade’s manner that was detached from any rationale or coherence: The best, most productive players of the proper age will be paid the best.
That’s the new Dolphins way. It might sound funny to frame De’Von Achane’s four-year, $64 million contract extension in such a fundamental manner. But isn’t it a welcome change for this new regime to bring some fundamental concepts in with them?
Size matters on the lines. Production matters in drafting players. Players will be on time to meetings.
Practices will be outside in the South Florida heat because, well, that’s how games are played in Hard Rock Stadium. And now the best player gets top-drawer money. All this matters, because before the Dolphins can be good again on the field they have to be good off the field again.
You couldn’t come up with a player more deserving of a new contract this offseason than Achane, considering his age (24), his production (league-leading 5. 7-yard rushing average), his durability (playing 33 of the past 35 games) — in short, he’s the big, home run weapon Sullivan inherited on offense. “A priority,’’ general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said of Achane, almost since arriving in South Florida.