Randy Starks is motivated, wants long-term contract
By Mike Dyce
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Randy Starks was given the franchise take this offseason. Like most players who are ‘fortunate’ enough to receive the big single-season pay-day he wasn’t thrilled. While the pay is fully guaranteed and usually very good it comes with inherent risks. Starks could be injured hurting his leverage in negotiations.
The other side of that coin is the belief that players always play especially well in contract years. Starks is playing incredibly well this season, he credits it to the rotation of defensive lineman keeping him fresh. There could be another motivating factor as well.
“I’m motivated,” Starks said, via the Miami Herald. “Just like everybody else, I want that long-term contract.”
“I know what’s at stake, but at the same time, our team being successful and our defense being successful season can also help my value.”
That might be the motivating factor in practice, but he says it isn’t on his mind when he is playing.
“I’m not really thinking about that, I’m not worried about that,” Starks said. “I’ll just go out there and try to help the team win. I’m not worried about deals, not worried about any of that.
“You think about it here or there, but it’s not my concern. My concern is going out there and being productive.”
His defensive teammates agree, rookie defensive lineman Dion Jordan has praised his play.
“What he does is not always pretty, as far as what you see on the stat sheet, but he does a lot that helps out the guys on the back end, or the tackles alongside him,” Jordan said. “You see why he’s an All-Pro.”