The Dan Carpenter era is over in Miami. The Dolphins announced Wednesday that they released the veteran kicker, who was due to earn $2.86 million in 2013.
"On behalf of the Miami Dolphins, I would like to thank Dan for his contributions he has made as a member of the organization," general manager Jeff Ireland said in a statement released by the team.
"For the past five seasons Dan has been a tireless worker on the field while devoting countless hours of his time off the field to the betterment of the South Florida community. He has been a productive player and an outstanding citizen and we wish him and his wife Kaela all the best."
In five seasons with the Dolphins, Carpenter made 127 of 155 field goal attempts, including a franchise long of 60 yards against the Cleveland Browns in 2010. He only missed one extra point in 155 attempts over that period, and made the 2009 Pro Bowl. The Dolphins signed him as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Montana in 2008.
Taking his place will be rookie kicker Caleb Sturgis, whom the Dolphins selected in the fifth round of the 2013 draft. The former Florida Gator made 130 of 136 extra point attempts and 70 of 88 field goals as a collegian. He led the SEC in field goals in 2011 and 2012.
The move is more a reflection of Carpenter's salary than his skills as a kicker. The Dolphins apparently feel they can get close to similar production from Sturgis for a fraction of the cost.
In Friday's preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sturgis hit both of his field goal attempts, including a 58-yarder in the third quarter. Four of his six kickoffs went for touchbacks.