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Mark Duper, still the franchise’s receiving yards leader two decades after his retirement, had delivered a spellbinding speech worthy of a pastor.
Duper’s message, according to Joe Philbin: “That you have to earn your keep on the field and you have to perform and you have to do it consistently. Not magical words, but words that guys can appreciate and respond to.”
Those words were among the highlights of the team’s spring training program, which wrapped up Thursday. Philbin used the two-month Organized Team Activities not just to prepare for the coming season, but also to reconnect the current team with many of the franchise’s most famous — and influential — faces.
Jason Taylor and Sam Madison took turns as guest coaches. Dick Anderson, Nick Buoniconti and Nat Moore also addressed the team. Separately, Don Shula, Dan Marino and Bob Griese have invited Ryan Tannehill to dinner.
For a locker room seen lacking in leadership during its scandal-scarred 2013 season, the outreach has brought a blast of credibility.
“They’ve been guys that have been there, done that, been pillars of the South Florida community,” said Moore, the retired wide receiver who runs the team’s alumni association. “It’s not about telling them how to play football. It’s about talking about how to carry themselves like professionals. It’s about life after football. Everything you do will come back to you one way or the other.”
Considering their credentials, the Dolphins players would be smart to listen. The six players invited to camp have played a combined 76 NFL seasons and have five Super Bowl rings.
All but Madison are in the Dolphins Honor Roll. Taylor is a former Walter Payton Man of the Year award winner.
And they haven’t been bashful about speaking in blunt — even challenging — terms.
Defensive tackle Randy Starks was famously unhappy with his one-year franchise tag a year ago. And when he finally hit free agency this past spring, he didn’t get the long-term deal with big guaranteed money he expected. That hasn’t sat well with him.
So when Moore spoke to the team, he made it a point to gently single him out.
“Every day someone is trying to take your job,” Moore told the group. “Ain’t that right, Randy?”
Replied Starks: “Why are you picking on me?”
To which Moore countered: “Am I telling the truth?”
And then Starks conceded, saying, “Yeah, every day someone is trying to take my job.”
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/06/...hins-alumni-taking-current.html#storylink=cpy
I always wondered why some of our great former players never got involved helping the current players. Would love to see Danny boy giving Ryan a few tips on hitting the long ball.
This can only help going forward.
Duper’s message, according to Joe Philbin: “That you have to earn your keep on the field and you have to perform and you have to do it consistently. Not magical words, but words that guys can appreciate and respond to.”
Those words were among the highlights of the team’s spring training program, which wrapped up Thursday. Philbin used the two-month Organized Team Activities not just to prepare for the coming season, but also to reconnect the current team with many of the franchise’s most famous — and influential — faces.
Jason Taylor and Sam Madison took turns as guest coaches. Dick Anderson, Nick Buoniconti and Nat Moore also addressed the team. Separately, Don Shula, Dan Marino and Bob Griese have invited Ryan Tannehill to dinner.
For a locker room seen lacking in leadership during its scandal-scarred 2013 season, the outreach has brought a blast of credibility.
“They’ve been guys that have been there, done that, been pillars of the South Florida community,” said Moore, the retired wide receiver who runs the team’s alumni association. “It’s not about telling them how to play football. It’s about talking about how to carry themselves like professionals. It’s about life after football. Everything you do will come back to you one way or the other.”
Considering their credentials, the Dolphins players would be smart to listen. The six players invited to camp have played a combined 76 NFL seasons and have five Super Bowl rings.
All but Madison are in the Dolphins Honor Roll. Taylor is a former Walter Payton Man of the Year award winner.
And they haven’t been bashful about speaking in blunt — even challenging — terms.
Defensive tackle Randy Starks was famously unhappy with his one-year franchise tag a year ago. And when he finally hit free agency this past spring, he didn’t get the long-term deal with big guaranteed money he expected. That hasn’t sat well with him.
So when Moore spoke to the team, he made it a point to gently single him out.
“Every day someone is trying to take your job,” Moore told the group. “Ain’t that right, Randy?”
Replied Starks: “Why are you picking on me?”
To which Moore countered: “Am I telling the truth?”
And then Starks conceded, saying, “Yeah, every day someone is trying to take my job.”
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/06/...hins-alumni-taking-current.html#storylink=cpy
I always wondered why some of our great former players never got involved helping the current players. Would love to see Danny boy giving Ryan a few tips on hitting the long ball.
This can only help going forward.
