Yesterday was a busy day for former Miami Dolphins. First, former defensive end Andre Branch flew out to the desert to visit with the Arizona Cardinals in hopes of signing to play in 2019. Shortly thereafter, the NFL’s daily transaction wire brought news that former Dolphins wide receiver Rishard Matthews had found a new home in New Orleans with the Saints.
It is a fitting landing place for Matthews — thanks in part to former Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland. Ireland was the man who brought Matthews to Miami back in 2012 — surely Ireland’s presence was central to Matthews’ signing.
Their time apart from each other has brought mixed results in the five years since Ireland has been fired by the Dolphins. Matthews experienced a career season in Tennessee in 2016, logging 945 receiving yards and 9 receiving touchdowns. But the success was fleeting, as Matthews asked for his release from the Titans in September of this past year.
Ireland found his footing in the league with the Saints after he and the Dolphins “parted ways” in January of 2014. He has slowly but surely worked his way up the corporate ladder with the Saints and now serves as the team’s assistant general manager.
Matthews will look to compete with Austin Carr and Tre’Quan Smith for an active role as a member of the Saints’ receiving corp.
