Dolphins release Andrew Franks

One kicker in, one kicker out.

After announcing the signing of former Eagles and Browns kicker Cody Parkey, the Dolphins released Andrew Franks. Franks has held the starting kicker position in South Florida over the last two seasons and seemed to be improving over the second half of last year’s campaign. It appears as though he hadn’t done enough however, to solidify his hold on the spot.

Parkey, 25, was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent back in 2014, but was traded to the Eagles before the start of the 2014 season. That year, Parkey went 32-36 on field goals and 54-54 on extra points en route to a Pro Bowl season. His 2015 season was cut short due to a groin injury that landed him on injured reserve. He was then released just prior to the start of the 2016 season.

Parkey spent most of 2016 with the Cleveland Browns, going 20-25 on field goals and 20-21 on extra points for one of the league’s lowest scoring offenses. While Dolphins fans may know him best for his three-miss game in Miami last year, his career field goal percentage (84.6) is certainly better than Franks’ (78.4).

Parkey also has the stronger leg of the two. Since 2014, Parkey is 5-5 on field goals traveling 50+ yards, while Franks is 2-4. Parkey is also the more reliable leg when it comes to extra points, as he boasts an 81-82 record. Franks has gone 74-78 over two years.

While the timing of this move is a bit odd as it comes so close to the start of the regular season, it further signifies that no one on Miami’s roster is safe if their production does not match expectations.