It seems a fair subject of discussion if we’re better or worse without JT on the roster. Some believe JT’s trade means 2 or 3 wins we could have had in the upcoming season. I disagree with that line of thinking, and I also disagree that JT would directly affect the win column in a positive manner.
First of all, 1 or 2 more theoretical wins this season is an utterly meaningless debate in relation to the real-world status of this team. We are not contenders or even competitively positioned --- we are 100% rebuilding. Given the reality of the situation, wins for the sake of a slightly more palatable final record are nothing but window dressing.
Second, and more importantly, JT’s presence would actually be a negative to this team IMO. Why? Because his attitude (selfishness implied) simply doesn’t belong on a team in the position we are in. In addition, JT did nothing to lead by example when he was in a prime position to do so. The DWS BS is a direct reflection, and hence realization, about the mindset of someone who’s supposedly “obsessed with winning in Miami,” but is more dedicated to a personal pursuit than his teams betterment and his responsibility as the “superstar in residence” to lead by example. No matter what way you slice that ham it’s selfish and self-centered --- and a deeper revelation into hard-core “football character” than a rumba can reveal.
JT’s athletic talent has never been in question, but there is an open debate about his locker room influence --- and his need to be a “focal point” as opposed to a tried and true “team player.” This fact was reflected in some of the aftermath regarding our inability to move him before the draft by several GM’s around the league. Bottom line, sometimes “superstars” are not the answer to a winning football philosophy rooted in team sacrifice and collective hard work.
In retrospect, through his years in a Miami uniform, JT was never a decisive factor in really big games (i.e., playoffs etc.). More often than not, when it got to the raw physicality of the game --- against the best competition with the most on the line, JT’s impact was a not a game-changer. And we all witnessed more than one time the finger pointing and fissures of a “team” that wasn’t truly united.
A classic example of this type of “dynamic football chemistry” is what happened to the Giants without Shockey. The underlying “bad vibe” has a way of surfacing at the most critical times --- which is when a team’s collective character is revealed. It is in this sense that I don’t see JT as a positive contributor to the totality of a team’s greater composition. Perhaps I’m wrong --- but I do feel the history of his time here is hindered by such questions.
Last, there’s no doubt JT didn’t receive (from Jimmy Johnson on down) the type of discipline and focus he needed to become a “consummate team football player” as opposed to a great individual athlete on the field. Just like with Marino, some of his awesome talent was squandered and not directed in the most disciplined manner. For 20 plus years this has been a part of what defines the Miami Dolphins --- the lack of a truly unified team focused on collective as opposed to individual glory. Like it or not, given their cheating ways and everything else less than genuine, the Patriots have been a strong TEAM under Belicheat because of the tone set at the top --- and the players echoing that mantra.
Talent wins, but not talent by itself. I truly believe this is the core philosophy being installed in Miami --- and therefore (sadly) JT didn’t belong here anymore --- and ALL parties concerned knew that very clearly.
First of all, 1 or 2 more theoretical wins this season is an utterly meaningless debate in relation to the real-world status of this team. We are not contenders or even competitively positioned --- we are 100% rebuilding. Given the reality of the situation, wins for the sake of a slightly more palatable final record are nothing but window dressing.
Second, and more importantly, JT’s presence would actually be a negative to this team IMO. Why? Because his attitude (selfishness implied) simply doesn’t belong on a team in the position we are in. In addition, JT did nothing to lead by example when he was in a prime position to do so. The DWS BS is a direct reflection, and hence realization, about the mindset of someone who’s supposedly “obsessed with winning in Miami,” but is more dedicated to a personal pursuit than his teams betterment and his responsibility as the “superstar in residence” to lead by example. No matter what way you slice that ham it’s selfish and self-centered --- and a deeper revelation into hard-core “football character” than a rumba can reveal.
JT’s athletic talent has never been in question, but there is an open debate about his locker room influence --- and his need to be a “focal point” as opposed to a tried and true “team player.” This fact was reflected in some of the aftermath regarding our inability to move him before the draft by several GM’s around the league. Bottom line, sometimes “superstars” are not the answer to a winning football philosophy rooted in team sacrifice and collective hard work.
In retrospect, through his years in a Miami uniform, JT was never a decisive factor in really big games (i.e., playoffs etc.). More often than not, when it got to the raw physicality of the game --- against the best competition with the most on the line, JT’s impact was a not a game-changer. And we all witnessed more than one time the finger pointing and fissures of a “team” that wasn’t truly united.
A classic example of this type of “dynamic football chemistry” is what happened to the Giants without Shockey. The underlying “bad vibe” has a way of surfacing at the most critical times --- which is when a team’s collective character is revealed. It is in this sense that I don’t see JT as a positive contributor to the totality of a team’s greater composition. Perhaps I’m wrong --- but I do feel the history of his time here is hindered by such questions.
Last, there’s no doubt JT didn’t receive (from Jimmy Johnson on down) the type of discipline and focus he needed to become a “consummate team football player” as opposed to a great individual athlete on the field. Just like with Marino, some of his awesome talent was squandered and not directed in the most disciplined manner. For 20 plus years this has been a part of what defines the Miami Dolphins --- the lack of a truly unified team focused on collective as opposed to individual glory. Like it or not, given their cheating ways and everything else less than genuine, the Patriots have been a strong TEAM under Belicheat because of the tone set at the top --- and the players echoing that mantra.
Talent wins, but not talent by itself. I truly believe this is the core philosophy being installed in Miami --- and therefore (sadly) JT didn’t belong here anymore --- and ALL parties concerned knew that very clearly.
