For all the splash moves the Dolphins have tried to make the last few years, one that hasn’t worked out at all was their trade up to the third pick in 2013 to get pass-rusher Dion Jordan, who has been suspended for a year for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
But newly acquired linebacker Kiko Alonso, a friend of Jordan’s, vouched for him and said he thought Jordan would return and make a contribution.
“I bet he’s going to come back and have a chip on his shoulder,” Alonso said, via Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald. “Dion, he’s one of my best friends. He’s a great player, a great guy. I talked with him recently. Hope everything works out with him.”
Whatever may or may not be on Jordan’s shoulder, it’s also unclear if the Dolphins want to see it.
They made it clear earlier this year he was going to have to earn back any chance he gets, after three failed drug tests to go with the 3.0 sacks he provided in two seasons.
He’s eligible to apply for reinstatement in April.
From a purely football standpoint, there’s room for him. The Dolphins signed veteran defensive end Mario Williams, but Olivier Vernon and Derrick Shelby left in free agency, and Cam Wake is coming off a torn Achilles at 34.
So getting back a guy who someone once thought had great potential would certainly help, if he’s as motivated as Alonso says he is.
