Lots of eyes on Tua - but no Tweets today, apparently, because team rules are forbidding the media from Tweeting once practise starts. There will be lots of write-ups afterwards, I'm sure. Prior to practise there was a media session with the coaches. Here's some grass:
And whatever pains 2020 has brought us, may I offer congratulations again to Travis for whom 2020 is his rookie year working in media for the Dolphins organisation! Well done Wingfield! You went from just some guy and his blog to THE guy for the Dolphins official media. In the words of JJ Watt - Dream Big and Work Hard. (And you did!) @Aqua4Ever04
I am so stinking proud of Travis. Him and I talked maybe three years ago when he lost his job and I gave him some pointers on how to get his first paid NFL writing gig. I told him not to worry about who was hiring, just send an email to sites you're interested in and introduce yourself to the lead editor. And he did, he had a ton of passion and just never stopped grinding. Within a few weeks he had a few internship offers and he never looked back. Honestly, his writing has come an incredibly long way over the past few seasons as well. He's clearly evolved as a writer and a professional in a very short period of time, so I'm guessing he must have worked for some really great people early on that invested in him. As a fellow writer, it's hard for me to believe that the "day one recap" I just read was by the same kid I would critique a few years ago....it just goes to show that if you're willing to put your head down and work, nothing is impossible. Anyway, if you read this Travis....grats my brother! I am over the moon happy for you to be living your dream!
I basically stopped reading the website Travis was writing for last season when he left. The other writers were nowhere near his standard, not in grinding out articles, not in the quality of their prose, and not in the analysis. I remember Travis having some discussions with some of the more knowledgeable people on this board (Whether Xs and Os, film study or stats) and then seeing him show he had learned from them and incorporate that knowledge into his skillset. He showed he had learned and understood, not merely repeat what others had said. For me that’s what makes Travis worth reading, he’s being original and smart.
Travis has been working on his craft and writing much longer than a few years....since he was 17, There was no secret easy road for him, dude just kept grinding on his own, and doors kept opening..the last door was his dream job and he secured it, all from his own diligent doing and his own unique skill set was finally recognized.. it’s simply what happens when you work hard and never give up
Loves this part of one of the articles: Situational football is another staple of Flores' program. At one stage late in practice, coaches sounded the horn to move on from the 11-on-11 period to field goal work. Just as things were getting aligned, the horn blew again and the team rushed back into the live 11-on-11 period for one more play – a surprise challenge that the team responded to appropriately. Discipline is another point of emphasis. Last year, the "T.N.T" (takes no talent) wall provided the roster with a reminder that without taking care of the basics, the rest can become a moot point. That focus produced the fourth-fewest penalties in the NFL a season ago.
Hey guys, just FYI, I was speaking with Travis and he asked me to pass on the following: "tell the guys I read all the comments and couldn’t be more grateful for the kind words."
Yes, thanks as always @Galant and anyone else that contributes. I missed that Tua/Kamu video, that's awesome!
Big news regarding Devante.. He's come a long way from the guy that seemed disinterested and focused on his Instagram feed. Look for another breakout season. By the end of the year he'll be talked about as a top 10 NFL WR.
Fitz still looks like QB1 for the Dolphins it would seem. This summary from Barry Jackson... "â–ª Ryan Fitzpatrick returned after taking a day for personal reasons, and the quality of the quarterback play immediately and dramatically improved. And that included Tua Tagovailoa, too, who rebounded nicely from his first poor day of camp on Friday. (More on the rookie in a minute.)" https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article245000550.html
Love the news on Parker, I wonder if he just has a good connection with Flores and his message. Sometimes we forget that athletes are still people, individuals. It can take different approaches, different methods and different words to get into different people's heads and moving where they need to be. Regardless, the talent has always been there - it was just the drive and injuries. Having Parker and Williams pop as legit top 5-10 guys at the WR 1 and 2 spots could be huge no matter who is playing QB. Williams just needs to show he can have better hands in game situations. Nice to see Fitz bringing the energy to practice and QB stable.
We gave Parker a pass for what- 3 or 4 years? It's easy to forget that Williams was an undrafted rookie that at times resembled a veteran league Pro Bowler. He made several outstanding contested catches last season and he will do so again this year- they're already saying he has a few "catch of the season" moments for training camp this year. I saw another reporter refer to Parker/Williams as receiver 1a and receiver 1b....so he's already playing at a high level.
I don't think many gave Parker a pass, he was considered a pretty big disappointment. It's not common for a guy who has grossly underperformed to suddenly turn into a star, so it's nice to see him stepping up. I hope he can stay healthy can keep his head in the game. Williams has great potential and made some tough catches, but he had some easy catches that he dropped too. If he can avoid that and be consistent, he has the ability to be a big-time threat as well. I like the potential of the position even with the subtractions. Would LOVE to see one of new UDFAs or low rounders pan out into a good slot type.
Parker got dogged pretty badly on here by many posters. How many times do you wager he was called soft on here?