New Dolphins punter Jake Bailey addresses Patriots' suspension and contract dispute
Three years ago, Jake Bailey was an All-Pro punter for the Patriots.
Before last season, Bailey signed a massive four-year contract with New England.
But then it unraveled.
Bailey had back pain all year and his performance suffered.
After nine games, Bailey was placed on injured reserve. But when the team felt he should be ready to return, Bailey reportedly disagreed. He was suspended by New England and later released.
The suspension not only ended Bailey's season but potentially voided his future guarantees.
Bailey, 25, signed a one-year deal with Miami.
"You know, there's a lot to unpack," Bailey said Wednesday. "And a lot of it is between them and me, partly. I've talked to coach (Bill) Belichick about this and how, you know, we want to talk about all this stuff. Obviously, you don't want to end up on a list like that, ever. And, you know, confusion was a lot of it. And I think we're just past it, now at this point. It was something that happened. And it was something that was unfortunate for both sides. And you know, now I think both parties are in a better situation."
Only ranking that matters for Tua, Dolphins in 2023 is QB starts | Schad
Linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel returning to Miami Dolphins
Jalen Ramsey sets example for NFL players on player empowerment | Schad
Bailey said the contractual matter has been resolved, presumably through settlement.
"The grievance is done," Bailey said. "But everything surrounding it is in the past. I'm totally on a new team now and just looking forward to seeing how I can contribute."
How will Bailey feel about facing his former team at least twice in 2023?
"Another team on the schedule," Bailey said. "I think part of why people go in and out of the AFC East is you know what you're getting. You know you have a player that can go play up in Foxborough. You have a player that can go play up in Buffalo and the weather's super bad. You also have a player that can go play down in Miami at the start of September. So there's a variety of the different elements."
Bailey's net average dropped from 42.0 to 35.1 last season. This would be among the worst in the league if he had enough punts to qualify.
"A lot of it had to do with squatting a ton," Bailey said of a seasonlong injury. "I did not grow up squatting, loading my back with back squats. I didn't do it at all in college. I tried to be more a part of the program. And it just really backfired the whole season I was doing it. It really made my accuracy struggle. And it just was kind of a sad, sad thing to have happen. I haven't squatted since really week 15 or 16 and feel pretty good."
Bailey, a former fifth-rounder, may have a higher ceiling than veteran Thomas Morstead, who left to sign with the Jets.
It remains to be seen whether Miami gets the better of that swap. But in 2020 and 2021, Bailey was outstanding.
In those years, Bailey placed 56 and 47% of punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line, which is very good. In 2021, Bailey did have three punts blocked.
"I am the best punter in the league in my own head," Bailey said. "And you know, I'm gonna go out there and perform to the best of my abilities every single time I touch the football."
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and Twitter @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins punter Jake Bailey cited confusion in discussing Patriots' suspension
