Tensions flared at a Miami Dolphins training session on Tuesday, signaling a possibly pivotal moment for a franchise often criticized for its lack of toughness. The incident involved shoving between Jaylen Wright and cornerback Kader Kohou during a high-intensity third-and-short drill, escalating when Kohou was thrown to the ground by offensive tackle Patrick Paul.
This scrimmage sparked a notable reaction from Jalen Ramsey, a highly respected Pro Bowl cornerback who joined the team recently. Ramsey delivered a stirring ten-minute speech, urging his teammates to adopt a more aggressive, dominating posture in competition, emphasizing the philosophy of “being the bully” for the forthcoming 2024 season.
The skirmish and subsequent speech seem to underscore a broader strategic shift for the Dolphins, aiming to shed the “soft” label that has haunted the team for decades. Notably, this label dates back to the team’s overwhelming defeat by the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl VI, a stigma they only began to shake after achieving a historic perfect season in 1972 followed by another Super Bowl victory in 1973.
Similar criticisms persisted through the Dan Marino era, particularly after a devastating loss to the 49ers in Super Bowl XIX and subsequent playoff disappointments, which perpetuated the narrative of the Dolphins as a finesse team that lacked the physicality to win big games.
The recent struggles of the Dolphins to perform consistently towards the season’s end have revived these critiques. However, the determination shown in Tuesday’s practice may indicate a turning point. New addition Jordyn Brooks, an inside linebacker, voiced a collective resolve to transform the team’s identity into one that opponents fear, emphasizing the ongoing effort to cultivate toughness and physicality.
As Miami continues training in the intense Florida heat, the team appears committed to challenging the old narrative by emphasizing physicality and mental toughness, suggesting that the Dolphins may soon indeed become the bullies they aspire to be on the football field.