what happened was he was in a contract year in 2009. He got extended with a new contract then his play has sucked balls ever since. He was horrible blocking last year and is just pitiful out of the backfield in the receiving department.
He was also "meh" in 2008.
2009 was a contract year for him so he put "all in" effort to make a few million before he hangs up his cleats (he's not a young guy).
The problem with this regime's "play like a hammer" mentality is that you can only play that way for so long. For 17 weeks these guys have to go up and run through walls on every play. Well that just isn't sustainable in this day and age. It's why our o-line gets injured every single year, and why we have rashes of injuries.
The dolphins have to put their nose to the grindstone on every play for 17 weeks (and in practices) while other teams only play a smashmouth team once every 4 or 5 games as the league and the sport of football is changing... Hence the huge disparity. The bottom line is nothing is easy for miami, every damn score or stop they get takes so much energy (along with a lot of luck).... While other teams have it a lot easier.
The dolphins have to play like that every single week of the season and train like that in training camp. Work your a$$ off constantly to gain 3 yards and a cloud of dust. Well, it takes a toll on the body. And that's what probably happened to lou polite. He went in there like a battering ram all of 2009 like a man possessed. Probably hurt his neck, pinched a few nerves, sore shoulders and ribs - then add in a concussion to his head here or there,, and probably said to himself "screw it" after getting his new contract with some guaranteed dollars.
And i don't blame him because miami's philosophy is so stupid and counterproductive in this day and age, and modern era of football. It's impossible to play your best for 17 weeks under such a stupid philosophy.
I mean, it's already starting to take a toll on ironman jake long himself.. A guy who played in every college game basically, was a model of consistency and good health.. And in just his 3rd year in the nfl under this stupid miami philosophy, he's already suffering knee and serious shoulder problems.
This silly philosophy takes it's toll on it's players, eventually. And i don't care who you are, it will take it's toll either within a season or the following year. If i was a free agent, miami would be one of the last places i'd consider because the last thing i'm looking for is to have my career shortened.
And it would most certainly get shortened in miami under these knuckleheads running the team.
. Meanwhile, other teams have big play ability and do things the easy (better) way. And guess what, they win playoff games