infiltrateib
TV Doctor
You know, I got to thinking, and realized these players carry more with them than speed, size, and toughness: they bring character. And I don't mean character just in the sense of "good character," but in the global sense of being likeable people.
Do you realize how hard we cheered for Justin "Braveheart" Seaverns, the undertalented but absolutely unhateable LB who amputated part of his finger during a game and kept playing?
Look at the guys we drafted:
Ronnie Brown, arguably the most unselfish first-round draft pick in recent memory. Think about it: this guy split carries his entire college career and never got to be the starting guy. This incredibly-talented behemoth just patiently waited, never complained, never transferred schools. He let Cadillac take the lead role and played second-fiddle while possessing better skills (you can argue that, but Ronnie was drafted first). In his interview all he talks about is splitting carries and loving college football. I mean, this guy could have been a second-round pick last year, but wanted to stay for the love of the game (he has said that many times). He just loves the college football atmosphere. How many guys would have done that (Lienart, I guess)? Quiet, devastating, and respectful. He's just a likeable guy. We like Brown because he's like Priest Holmes/Chris Chambers: a quiet, nice guy who does his job and loves what he does.
Then Matt Roth, the guy who's not the best on measurables but just screams overachieving, passionate playmaker. He's an instant fan favorite. He ripped the facemask off of a "man-mountain" Robert Gallery and made an OT pass out in fear. He was LOVED at Iowa and teammates/fans fed off his enthusiasm. He just wants to play football. He's a fighter and he doesn't give up. In practice they had to control him because he only has one gear. That's a guy fans love to love, and a guy teammates can feed off of. He's a likeable guy, for totally different reasons than Brown. He's like Zach Thomas: a guy that just lives off heart and dedication.
Then Channing Crowder, a guy who hasn't played football for that long and is already fighting the uphill battle from knee surgery. He fell like Poole did, right into our laps, as a talented guy just waiting to prove doubters wrong. He gives up his body for the tackle and just punishes people. He's versatile and a brawler, and as much as people may pretend to look down on him (and I sort of do, for beating up on people obviously smaller than he is--but I think he'll straighten that out) there's something just enticing about a fiesty, brawling LB. Why do fans love Ray Lewis, but not so much Urlacher? He's like Bryan Cox: a smart, ****y badass who other teams love to hate.
I love football for a lot of reasons, and I love the Dolphins for a lot of reasons, but I tell you what: It's going to be fun watching Zach, Crowder, Roth, McMichael, and Brown bring back the swagger and excitement to this team.
Do you realize how hard we cheered for Justin "Braveheart" Seaverns, the undertalented but absolutely unhateable LB who amputated part of his finger during a game and kept playing?
Look at the guys we drafted:
Ronnie Brown, arguably the most unselfish first-round draft pick in recent memory. Think about it: this guy split carries his entire college career and never got to be the starting guy. This incredibly-talented behemoth just patiently waited, never complained, never transferred schools. He let Cadillac take the lead role and played second-fiddle while possessing better skills (you can argue that, but Ronnie was drafted first). In his interview all he talks about is splitting carries and loving college football. I mean, this guy could have been a second-round pick last year, but wanted to stay for the love of the game (he has said that many times). He just loves the college football atmosphere. How many guys would have done that (Lienart, I guess)? Quiet, devastating, and respectful. He's just a likeable guy. We like Brown because he's like Priest Holmes/Chris Chambers: a quiet, nice guy who does his job and loves what he does.
Then Matt Roth, the guy who's not the best on measurables but just screams overachieving, passionate playmaker. He's an instant fan favorite. He ripped the facemask off of a "man-mountain" Robert Gallery and made an OT pass out in fear. He was LOVED at Iowa and teammates/fans fed off his enthusiasm. He just wants to play football. He's a fighter and he doesn't give up. In practice they had to control him because he only has one gear. That's a guy fans love to love, and a guy teammates can feed off of. He's a likeable guy, for totally different reasons than Brown. He's like Zach Thomas: a guy that just lives off heart and dedication.
Then Channing Crowder, a guy who hasn't played football for that long and is already fighting the uphill battle from knee surgery. He fell like Poole did, right into our laps, as a talented guy just waiting to prove doubters wrong. He gives up his body for the tackle and just punishes people. He's versatile and a brawler, and as much as people may pretend to look down on him (and I sort of do, for beating up on people obviously smaller than he is--but I think he'll straighten that out) there's something just enticing about a fiesty, brawling LB. Why do fans love Ray Lewis, but not so much Urlacher? He's like Bryan Cox: a smart, ****y badass who other teams love to hate.
I love football for a lot of reasons, and I love the Dolphins for a lot of reasons, but I tell you what: It's going to be fun watching Zach, Crowder, Roth, McMichael, and Brown bring back the swagger and excitement to this team.