Miami Dolphins: It’s time to move past the distractions
There have been plenty of distractions to go around for the Miami Dolphins so far this season. It’s time to put all that behind them and win games.
The Miami Dolphins have been loaded with distractions to this point in the young season. That cannot be something they hold on to and they must push forward. They have dealt with the kind of things that can cripple a team that lacks leadership, and it’s now time for the men leading this team to earn their paychecks.
Luckily, many of the issues are now being put behind the Phins and hopefully the onslaught is over. It started right out of the gate this summer and really hasn’t stopped. First, their starting quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, tore his ACL almost immediately and the distractions began. I don’t consider injuries distractions. However, one becomes a distractionwhen you drag a polarizing quarterback in Jay Cutler out of retirement and half the country goes crazy because you didn’t opt for Colin Kaepernick.
Then you move forward and all of a sudden your star player is the center of unverified trade rumors. It just so happens that player is Jarvis Landry. Landry wants a new contract and we suddenly find out he’s being investigated for domestic violence as well. Now you have arguably the face of the franchise potentially disgruntled and facing a lengthy suspension. This is before the season is even scheduled to begin.
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It didn’t matter when the season was scheduled to begin because it didn’t. Hurricanes ravaged Miami, Tampa and surrounding areas in early September and Week 1 was postponed for the Dolphins and Buccaneers. The game was pushed to Week 11. Not only does everyone have concern for their families and communities, but they are also outraged that Roger Goodell decided they should play 16 straight games without a bye week now instead of moving the location.
Finally Week 2 comes and the team can focus on football and kick their season off. Where’s their starting linebacker and offseason acquisition Lawrence Timmons? Who the hell knows!? After already losing a starter at probably their weakest position, Timmons goes missing and is then suspended indefinitely. Things were spiraling around the team and they are lucky to be 1-1 entering Week 4.
The good news is they are still just 1-1 and many of these issues are now being pushed behind them. Police have decided not to press any charges on Landry, and the female involved says he did nothing violent. Timmons has been reinstated and will be active in London for Week 4. Miami wasn’t hit as hard as anticipated by the hurricane and the quarterback is Cutler — while Kaepernick is unemployed whether Twitter likes it or not.
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It’s time for leaders both among the players and coaching staff to step up and push forward. The team must push this behind them and focus on another playoff run.