Minkah Fitzpatrick gave his ‘take’ on Phins departure
Minkah Fitzpatrick was considered the cornerstone of the Dolphins during last year’s Training Camp and a fan-favorite because of his intelligence, humility, hard work, and team-first mentality. Things have changed dramatically since then. Now that Fitzpatrick is a Steeler, most Phins fans have little to no interest in him…
… at least until it’s time to play against him.
But a recent article “Minkah Fitzpatrick’s Mission” by Tyler Dunne might pique the interest of Phins fans.
“Minkah Fitzpatrick’s Mission” churned up the opposite feeling it was trying to project:
“So imagine how pissed he was a year ago. Imagine his fury when he was asked to essentially abandon his instincts and move to a strong safety role…”
“Fitzpatrick could not be himself, and his head coach would not budge. So rather than punch in, lose by 30, punch out and go to sleep every night feeling frustrated beyond belief, he took control.“
The author comes off as tone-deaf as millions of families across America are being crushed under a financial weight. While I’m sure this is an accurate representation and Fitzpatrick has every right to do as he pleases, I doubt many are sympathetic of a millionaire given an unpleasant job and then having a tantrum until he gets his way.
In an attempt to paint Fitzpatrick as a noble rebel, the article instead paints a picture of self-entitlement and selfishness.
“He just asked if he could get some coverage reps in, to show the new staff what he was capable of. Right? Wrong. The trial lasted all of one practice, Fitzpatrick says, and he was given “barely” any coverage work at all. That’s when Fitzpatrick decided he’d had enough and, he admits, went rogue. He wanted coaches to see it, even though they were refusing to. So he up and left those hand-to-hand combat drills and jogged across the field to 1-on-1s.“
“They were frustrated at me for doing that, but I was like, ‘I’m not trying to sit here and punch a bag all day,'” Fitzpatrick says.”
“He wanted this to work. He bought in. For four months.”
Me, myself, and Minkah
I don’t think I can recall any NFL player forcing himself off a team in his second season. Can you? That says volumes to me considering the many young greats who had more justification to force their way off a team… but didn’t.
Soft spoken doesn’t mean humble.
Fitzpatrick was paid millions to play for the Dolphins coaches, not to be above them. If he wanted to make decisions on his direction, then he should have waited until the offseason to make his demands or do what every other player does by waiting for Free Agency. Fitzpatrick felt he was above that, though. He had a mission for ‘greatness’ and that ‘aw-shucks, I’ll do whatever the coach asks’ draft spiel was just that… talk.
Fitzpatrick said, “I want to be compared to the Ed Reeds and the Polamalus and the Brian Dawkinses of the game. That’s the standard that I work to and the standard I try to hold myself to.”
Yes, Ed Reed was a high safety. But the best bookie website software will tell you that Polamalu was at his best close to the line, and Dawkins was dominant in the box.
Was Brian Flores was trying to round out his game and focus on weak points in Fitzpatrick’s game, so could be complete? Maybe the ‘swiss army knife’ he billed himself as during the draft process needed some refining? — How To Work From Home As A Bookie Agent.
You really get to know someone when they get punched in the mouth.
Truth is, Minkah Fitzpatrick comes before the team.
Compromise a whole franchise, new staff, and young players with selfish antics… Whateva’! Fitzpatrick had a mission and he wasn’t about to let anything get in his way! Fitzpatrick is after all the ‘son of Saban’. Like father like son: lots of high talk about ‘team-first’, but narcissistic to the core. Contracts, your word, and the values you preach are just road bumps in the way of your success.
I’m so glad he followed in his ‘father’s’ footsteps and slithered his way out the door. Good riddance. Go Phins!! — Tips For Choosing The To Niche Online Gambling Services.
