Jones, Sanders, Baker's big play

Cornerback Byron Jones made quite an impact on the field in his first season with the Dolphins, but he also was recognized for his off-the-field work.

Byron is the man

Jones was selected as the Dolphins nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide. The award recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field.

The league’s 32 nominees include former Dolphins safety Michael Thomas selected by the Houston Texans.

Jones, who was signed in the offseason as an unrestricted free agent from the Dallas Cowboys, commits every Tuesday to leading the team’s Social Impact Committee in conference calls, community events and casting the vision for the future of the committee. This commitment involves many hours each week to ensure the committee communicates and provokes unique thoughts that turn into actions.

Jones hosts football camps in his hometown to empower kids to get involved in both football and their communities, teaching teamwork, responsibility and dependability.

The Dolphins nominee last year was defensive tackle Davon Godchaux.

Dolphins players have won the Man of the Year award three times: Dwight Stephenson in 1985, Dan Marino in 1998 and Jason Taylor in 2007.

Sanders’ special year

Jason Sanders was named AFC Special

Teams Player of the Month, becoming in the process the first player to win the award in consecutive months since 2003 when it was done three straight times by Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt.