I was amused by the following Omar Kelly article - biggest laugh #5 see below... Enjoy!
Ask Tony Sparano what he wants from his players and you'll get the same three words.
"Tough, smart, disciplined."
That's the mantra the Miami Dolphins head coach constantly repeats, and coincidentally or not, it was the style of play that led the Dolphins to last year's 11-5 record, and surprising transformation from 1-15 in 2007 to a playoff team.
Those three words represent the core makeup the Dolphins believe they need from their players to be successful on the football team. But it's not the only makeup the Trifecta is looking for when it comes to free agents and draft picks.
Here's a look at some of the other traits that impact how the Dolphins address their personnel needs.
1. Size Matters.
The Dolphins want a big team, one with size at every position, and they rarely stray from their size molds for each spot. The theory is bigger players can provide the physicality needed to excel and endure a 20 game season (exhibition and regular season) better than players who are undersized. The theory is small players wear down quicker as they age.
2. Production rules.
The Dolphins aren't big on one-year wonders. A college prospect just can't pop up out of nowhere and instantly begin dominating. That raises too many red flags. This regime prefers proven production over a span of two or more years. They prefer players who contribute immediately and get better on a regular basis.
"If they don't bite as pups they don't bite," is one of Bill Parcells' more popular sayings.
3. Must be a tough guy.
Players who frequent the training room are viewed as softies. Seasons missed due to serious injuries are frowned upon. The Dolphins don't want broken good. They want warriors with heart who know the difference between ailments and injuries, hurt and pain. The Dolphins want a team full of players like Donald Thomas, who played three quarters of a game on a broken foot, or Jake Long, who never missed a game despite suffering a severely sprained ankle he played through.
4. Captains are in demand.
If your college teammates or coaches viewed you as a valued captain or leader for more than one season then you have the character makeup the Dolphins not only want, but need because of how young the locker room has become. Leaders usually do the right things on and off the field, and that's what this regime wants their team made up of.
5. Character matters.
Selfish players who aren't interested in putting the team first need not apply. Like Dolphins offensive coordinator Dan Henning said earlier this year when describing his corp of young receiver, the Dolphins don't want any female dogs. No me first players. They also don't want any "druggies," which is a Parcells word. Football can't be something their players do because it will bring them money and fame. It has to be something they live and breathe for. If that's the case, a history of drug use can't be in their file because it's an indicator they lack discipline.
Now that you have a better understanding of the blueprint the Dolphins are working from you should have a more realistic shot of projecting players they will target.
Deuces.
Ask Tony Sparano what he wants from his players and you'll get the same three words.
"Tough, smart, disciplined."
That's the mantra the Miami Dolphins head coach constantly repeats, and coincidentally or not, it was the style of play that led the Dolphins to last year's 11-5 record, and surprising transformation from 1-15 in 2007 to a playoff team.
Those three words represent the core makeup the Dolphins believe they need from their players to be successful on the football team. But it's not the only makeup the Trifecta is looking for when it comes to free agents and draft picks.
Here's a look at some of the other traits that impact how the Dolphins address their personnel needs.
1. Size Matters.
The Dolphins want a big team, one with size at every position, and they rarely stray from their size molds for each spot. The theory is bigger players can provide the physicality needed to excel and endure a 20 game season (exhibition and regular season) better than players who are undersized. The theory is small players wear down quicker as they age.
2. Production rules.
The Dolphins aren't big on one-year wonders. A college prospect just can't pop up out of nowhere and instantly begin dominating. That raises too many red flags. This regime prefers proven production over a span of two or more years. They prefer players who contribute immediately and get better on a regular basis.
"If they don't bite as pups they don't bite," is one of Bill Parcells' more popular sayings.
3. Must be a tough guy.
Players who frequent the training room are viewed as softies. Seasons missed due to serious injuries are frowned upon. The Dolphins don't want broken good. They want warriors with heart who know the difference between ailments and injuries, hurt and pain. The Dolphins want a team full of players like Donald Thomas, who played three quarters of a game on a broken foot, or Jake Long, who never missed a game despite suffering a severely sprained ankle he played through.
4. Captains are in demand.
If your college teammates or coaches viewed you as a valued captain or leader for more than one season then you have the character makeup the Dolphins not only want, but need because of how young the locker room has become. Leaders usually do the right things on and off the field, and that's what this regime wants their team made up of.
5. Character matters.
Selfish players who aren't interested in putting the team first need not apply. Like Dolphins offensive coordinator Dan Henning said earlier this year when describing his corp of young receiver, the Dolphins don't want any female dogs. No me first players. They also don't want any "druggies," which is a Parcells word. Football can't be something their players do because it will bring them money and fame. It has to be something they live and breathe for. If that's the case, a history of drug use can't be in their file because it's an indicator they lack discipline.
Now that you have a better understanding of the blueprint the Dolphins are working from you should have a more realistic shot of projecting players they will target.
Deuces.
