Dolphins CB Sam Madison

[royr17]

Madison knows his time as Dolphin may end soon

By Alex Marvez
Staff Writer
Posted December 24 2005

DAVIE · Sadness? Indignation? Disbelief?

Not Sam Madison.

The most storied cornerback in Dolphins history said he isn't feeling any of those emotions even though Madison realizes today's game against Tennessee is probably his final home appearance for the franchise.

"Yeah, you always have to think about that," Madison said earlier this week. "It's been in the back of my mind for years.

"I've had nine years here, man. It's cool. I met a lot of people. I played in a great organization. Why should I be mad?"

The fact Madison used the past tense to describe the situation speaks volumes. There is a strong likelihood that Madison, along with as many as a dozen veterans on the current roster, will not be back in 2006.

"I've been playing the same way year in and year out and the same things always tend to come up," said Madison, a frequent target of media criticism in recent seasons. "`Yeah, this is going to be Sam's last year here,' that's been going on for the last three or four years. It is what it is."

Madison will be 32 in April. He is scheduled to earn $3.5 million with a $6.18 million salary cap figure in 2006. And Madison isn't an ideal fit at cornerback in a scheme that calls for more zone coverage and run support than the Dolphins' previous defense, where he was used almost exclusively in press coverage.

"My production is not as high as I would want it to be," Madison said.

Madison's tackling appears much improved in the Dolphins' current four-game winning streak. He also ended a two-season drought without an interception by forcing a turnover against Buffalo that sparked a 24-23 comeback victory.

Madison was noncommittal about whether he is playing better in the past four games than at the beginning of the season. The question irked coach Nick Saban.

"I am not falling into these traps because if I say that something got better, that means it was bad before," Saban said. "Make your own opinions. You watch the games. I am not going to criticize any players publicly.

"There are three things that are important in playing defensive back -- you have to tackle, you have to judge in the deep part of the field and you have to be able to play man-to-man [coverage]. I think he has played well in all of those areas, especially lately."

Madison considers his selection as a third-alternate to the Pro Bowl earlier this week as proof. Ballots are cast by fans, coaches and players.

"That's the thing you really look for," Madison said. "Do your teammates and your peers around the league respect you and think you're playing good?"

Madison did get nostalgic about his 144-game career with the Dolphins. Among his favorite memories: Olindo Mare's 53-yard field goal to defeat Denver in 2002 and when some of his teammates stood on a frigid sideline in shower towels after the Dolphins were called out of the locker room for one final play against New England in the 2000 regular-season finale.

"Those are memories you keep," a smiling Madison said. "Your accolades are always going to be there."

Even if Madison is somewhere else next season.

[Kylo Ren]

Sign him. We'll then have 3/4 of the Dolphin's D-backfield. Warfield can play nickle and Sapp can play dime.

[royr17]

I'd only be interested in signin him for a 1 or 2 year deal.

[Kylo Ren]

LINK?

[Dartgod]

And Madison isn't an ideal fit at cornerback in a scheme that calls for more zone coverage and run support than the Dolphins' previous defense, where he was used almost exclusively in press coverage.

Yeah, there's that too.

[DaKCMan AP]

No thanks. Madison is very overrated. I'd rather have Warfield starting, honestly.

[royr17]

Here's the link :

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/s...a-sports-front