After signing Pro Bowl defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to a reported six-year, $114 million deal, the Miami Dolphins will have to be shrewd with their finances throughout the rest of the offseason as they now look for more economical options to fill out the rest of their roster.
With that in mind, the Dolphins inked cornerback Brice McCain to an affordable two-year, $5.5 million deal on Wednesday.
"We really felt like he was a fit to who we are as the Miami Dolphins, both on the field and off the field," Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey said via teleconference on Thursday. "He's a player with a strong competitive nature and makes a lot of plays, and has played primarily in the nickel. We feel like he brings a lot of value with that and with special teams."
McCain, 28, is expected to compete with incumbents Jamar Taylor and Will Davis for playing time opposite Pro Bowl cornerback Brent Grimes heading into next season. Like Grimes, who stands 5-foot-10, McCain doesn't expect his small stature to limit him on the field.
"I know, by my size, I've got to be able to jump, I've got to be able to run fast, I've got to be quick," said the 5-foot-9 McCain. "I think I'm physical because I used my hands, I can press really well. I think I play bigger than I am because my mentality, not everybody has this mentality, you either have it or you don't have it.
"I think I'm a very physical corner when it comes to pressing and I can play good off. My other attributes make up for my size. I play way bigger than I am."
An above-average slot cornerback with six years of NFL experience under his belt, McCain's biggest contributions will likely come in Miami's nickel package. But don't expect the fiery veteran to be limited to any one role in the team's evolving secondary.
"I can do it all," said McCain, who also expects to contribute on special teams. "I'm good on the outside and in the slot. Whatever the team wants me to do I'll do. That's what I did my whole career. That's what I did last year with Pittsburgh -- I played outside, I played inside, I played special teams. I think I'm an overall player that can do it all."
Last season, McCain had 25 tackles and three interceptions in 14 games as he climbed his way up Pittsburgh's depth chart from the team's No. 4 corner to a starting role.
In Week 5, his 22-yard interception return for a touchdown helped the Steelers secure a 17-9 win over the upset-minded Jacksonville Jaguars.
"I think the Dolphins play a very swarming defense like the Steelers. We had a really good swarming defense," said McCain. "When I played for Houston, we had a really good swarming defense, everybody was fast to the ball, good tacklers, good open-field tacklers, good corners, good safeties that could make plays on the ball. I think that fits me very well. That's what I want to be a part of on a defense.
"I think I can bring a lot to the defense because I fit right in. I fit right in with (Brent) Grimes and the other guys, and I think we'll make a lot of plays out there."
Also helping McCain fit into the Miami's defense will be fellow University of Utah alumni Koa Misi and Derrick Shelby. A two-time All-Conference selection while at Utah, McCain is excited to once again share the field with two fellow Utes.
"Great friends. We're always family because we went to the same university," said McCain. "I can't wait to play with these guys again. It's going to be strange watching Koa playing linebacker because he played defensive end when I was in college. It's kind of awkward to see him at linebacker, but he's doing a very good job at linebacker and I can't wait to play with him again."
McCain, who has recorded 149 tackles and eight interceptions in 86 career games split between Houston and Pittsburgh, is a low-risk signing for the Dolphins and could pay big dividends if the former sixth-round pick continues to build off the success he found in Pittsburgh.
As for the opportunity to play alongside Suh, McCain believes that Miami's high-priced acquisition will not only have other free agents heading to South Florida this offseason, but also in the future.
"I think the NFL works like that because you want to be surrounded around a lot of great players," said McCain. "When the Dolphins brought in Suh, it's going to be very inspiring to a lot of other free agents, to know that they've got him in front of them or can play with him."
You can follow Jameson Olive on Twitter @JamesonCoop or email him at JamesonOlive@gmail.com.
