Miami Dolphins safety Chris Clemons ‘wanted to be here. This is home’

Chris Clemons’ contract negotiation went just like his media availabilities: Short and to the point.

Hours after Clemons hit the free agent market Tuesday, he re-signed with the Dolphins on a one-year contract. The terms were not available as of Wednesday afternoon.

Clemons explained why Wednesday, with typical brevity.

“I wanted to be here,” Clemons said, when asked why he didn’t pursue other options. “This is home.

“At the end of the season, I told them I wanted to be here. I felt like there were a lot of good things going on.”

Clemons acknowledged that it was bit nerve-racking not knowing where he would end up. Turns out, he didn’t need to be worried. The Dolphins communicated with his camp about a deal for several weeks.

Clemons, a fourth-year veteran from Clemson, started all 16 games for the Dolphins in 2012, recording 98 tackles and two interceptions. He has developed into a steady contributor, paired with emerging star Reshad Jones at safety.

But he has never been part of a winning team. Clemons expects that to change this fall.

“I definitely believe we’re a playoff team,” Clemons said.

This story was originally published March 14, 2013 at 12:01 AM with the headline "Miami Dolphins safety Chris Clemons ‘wanted to be here. This is home’."