Dolphins OTA’s Are Underway!

Dolphins OTAs are first on-the-field step to the 2022 Season

Everyone keeps talking about the new energy and feeling going on down in Miami with the Dolphins. The Dolphins mad some big name signings such as Tyreek Hill and Terron Armstead and hired a new young head coach in Mike McDaniel, who has brought a new look offense, high energy, and charm. With OTAs underway, we are getting our first look (and much anticipated look) at this new team.

Excitement for the season is high

Things appear different compared to the way Coach Flores ran the team with a militant strict disciplinary iron fist. Not that there is wrong, and it can work, but sometimes it’s hard to get all the players to buy into that style of coaching. McDaniel takes a much different approach to coaching and immerses himself completely into the team, and comes off as just another one of the guys. McDaniel also has a great sense of humor and a loose and approachable personality. I don’t know if that this will translate into a winning culture, however as much as this is a business and about winning, it also should be fun to be able to compete and play for something. 

Pete Carroll has been known over the years to allow players to express themselves and have fun, and he was able to lead the Seahawks to two Super Bowls with one victory and numerous other playoff appearances. Sure, McDaniel shouldn’t be compared to one of the all-time greats in Pete Carroll since he hasn’t coached his first game. Still, it’s nice to hear reports that players are excited to play for him.

Good vibrations could or could not lead to a good season. But…

This energy is clearly spreading to Tua, who is thrilled with the additions made on offense and has displayed even more confidence and leadership. This is obviously a make or break year for Tua, and all excuses are off the table. So, it’s also exciting to see Tua unleashed in an offense that will be designed to focus on his strengths, which is accuracy and timing and letting let his new playmakers do what they do best. 

Even the defensive players are excited about this new offense and the pieces we have added.  Several players have already joked and said that if they can keep up with Waddle and Hill, then they can keep up with any opposing offense in the league. The best bookie services are betting this should lead to more competitive practices with an offense that has the potential to actually test and push the defense. These two units are now arguably equal in talent this year compared to the imbalance of prior years. This competition between both sides of the ball will help both units grow and get better on a weekly basis. 

So far, everything feels really good!… for a change.

Sure, it’s the offseason and these are OTAS, but you can’t deny the feeling of hope and that’s what a new season and new regime is all about. I know the expectations with new regimes and season is always that ‘everything will come together’… but this year has a little extra feeling of hope to it. 

What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins news fans thoughts on all these positive reports we keep hearing coming from the players and coaches.