Greg Jennings excited to join Dolphins, reunite with coach Philbin
MIAMI -- The Miami Dolphins announced the signing of wide receiver Greg Jennings to a two-year contract Thursday.
Multiple reports have placed the value of the contract at $8 million.
"I am happy to announce that we have reached an agreement with Greg and would like to welcome him to the Miami Dolphins," Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey said. "Greg brings a track record of success and is a proven player who can help strengthen the offense."
Jennings brings leadership and experience to one of the NFL's youngest receiving corps after the departures of Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline. The 6-0, 195-pound veteran joins fellow newcomer Kenny Stills on a unit featuring promising talent with Jarvis Landry and Rishard Matthews.
"I've been fortunate to have a great career and it's going to get better now that I'm down in Miami, I believe that," Jennings said after he was introduced as the newest member of the team. "I'm excited about working with guys like Ryan (Tannehill) and getting to be on the same team as (Ndamukong) Suh, instead of having him chase me down for the last five, six years. It's exciting."
With his vast knowledge of the game, he believes he can help Tannehill reach his potential and that it will be a mutually beneficial partnership.
"I'm excited to work with him," Jennings said. "I'm excited for him to help me grow and be a better player. I'm excited to give him all of the knowledge that I have of what it takes to be a great quarterback and to develop chemistry with your guys, not just receivers, but your linemen and all of those things because I've been in those environments. I've had success in that area."
After spending seven years with the Green Bay Packers, who drafted him in the second round in 2006, he signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2013. He recorded a team-leading 59 catches for 742 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games last season.
He has appeared in 127 regular season games (114 starts) and 10 playoff games, including Super Bowl XLV, when he had four receptions for 64 yards and two touchdowns to help lead the Packers over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Jennings indicated that his prior relationship with head coach Joe Philbin, who was the offensive coordinator for the Packers before joining the Dolphins, had an impact on his decision.
"He played a big role," Jennings said of Philbin's influence. "Joe and I talked frequently, whether it be over the phone, via text mail. I kept him up to date on the different visits and always was open and honest with him as he's always been dating back to our time together in Green Bay. I know what kind of man he is, the values, the morals that he has and instills within his own guys as well as those that are in him. I can be upfront and forthright with him. That's not always the case when it comes to making decision like this."
The 31-year-old still says he has plenty left in the tank ("As much as I need") and believes he can be effective no matter how Philbin and offensive coordinator Bill Lazor use him this upcoming season.
"I would love to go outside," he said. "I know coach Philbin, he knows what I can do outside. When it comes to what my snaps were this past year, the way Norv (Turner, offensive coordinator for the Vikings) wanted to use me was more in the slot. That was Norv's system. That was how Norv saw things. But wherever I'm utilized, I'm going to make the best of the opportunity, whether it's in the slot or outside."
You can follow Surya Fernandez on Twitter @SuryaHeatNBA or email him at SuryaFoxSports@gmail.com.
