Mike Pouncey thankful for extension, chance to remain with Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins announced Monday the signing of starting center Mike Pouncey to a contract extension through the 2020 season.
"We are excited that we were able to sign a contract extension with Mike," general manager Dennis Hickey said. "He is a two-time Pro Bowler, with a team-first approach as evident by moving to guard last season while still playing a high level. We are happy that he will stay in Miami and be a key member of our offense."
News of the lucrative deal, which is reported to be for $44.75 million over five years with $22 million guaranteed, first broke Friday.
Pouncey was taken in the first round of the 2011 draft and has been an integral member of an offensive line since, starting in all 58 games he has played in his career.
At a press conference held Monday to announce the signing, an emotional Pouncey made several references to his checkered past and how grateful he is to the organization for taking a chance on him and for their support.
"It says so much about them," Pouncey said. "They could have easily gave up on me a long time ago. They stuck with me, it's something I will never forget. It's something I will bring to this facility every day. I'm going to work and push myself and push my teammates. There won't be a doubt that they made the right decision to keep me here."
He will likely shift back to center in 2015 after playing right guard upon his return to the starting lineup from a four-game injury absence to start the season.
"I can't wait," Pouncey said of returning to center. "I've always felt like center was my natural position. I feel like I'm one of the best centers in the league when I'm playing at the top of my game. I just can't wait. Playing guard last year really made me appreciate what center does. I never really appreciated the guys that much at guard, but, man, when you go out there and you've got to play that position, it's tough. It made me look at the game a lot different, but I just can't wait to go back."
Buoyed by the arrival of several new players, including star defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh to complement a team that finished 8-8 for the second consecutive season, Pouncey explained why he's so excited about the upcoming season.
"When you look at our football team, you look at our roster, you can tell we have a really good football team," he said. "But I've been on a lot of really good football teams, and it takes more than just having a good roster. It takes chemistry. It takes for you to play for the guy right next to you, it takes for you to build this chemistry over time, over the offseason. I just can't wait to get back in that locker room on Monday with the guys and see what we can do. I really think this year is going to be a special year for the Miami Dolphins."
In January, he was named as an injury replacement to his second consecutive Pro Bowl, becoming the first Dolphins offensive player to earn Pro Bowl honors at different positions.
As he enters his fifth season with the Dolphins, Pouncey, 25, says he wants to be more of a leader in the locker room as well as being a positive role model to his younger teammates.
"I can only be a leader to these guys on this football team and show the young guys the right way because there's a right and a wrong way to do stuff, and if you do it the right way, stuff comes a lot easier," he said. "I never doubted my talent on the football field would get me a big contract. But it takes more than that. It takes for you to do it on and off the football field. This day means a lot to me and my family."
