Happy Thanksgiving, Dolphin Fans - There's a lot to be Thankful For

By: Shawn Williams

We should strive to give appreciation and thanks all year round.  However today is that special day to truly pay grace to all the things that impact yours, and your families lives.  I, for one, am truly grateful for the opportunity to write about my favorite football team.  I am also thankful for my favorite four hours of the week; watching our Miami Dolphins. 
 
The Dolphins, in year two of a rebuild, have exceeded many people’s expectations, and have delivered one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory.  There’s hope, belief, and spirit surrounding the organization.  Paying homage to this holiday, let’s look at things we can thank our team for.
 

• GM Chris Grier has quickly built a team that give fans realistic hope for today, and the future.  His draft classes have produced multiple starters and impact players in a short two-year span.  The 2019 draft features Christian Wilkins, who has taken a big next step in year two, high impact play-maker Andrew Van Ginkel, fullback Chandler Cox, and starting running back Myles Gaskin.  Van Ginkel, Cox, and Gaskin were all selected in the 5th round or later.  This year Grier has given the team a franchise caliber quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa, three starting linemen with Austin Jackson, Solomon Kindley and Robert Hunt, first round corner Noah Igbinoghene, and defensive starters DT Raekwon Davis and S Brandon Jones.  Even WR Malcolm Perry is starting to see the field and play meaningful snaps.  I’m not sure any team has drafted that many immediate contributors in the same two-year span.  Bravo, and thank you Chris Grier!

 

• HC Brian Flores has built a foundation for this team that is rooted in culture, cohesiveness, and discipline.  The Dolphins proudly play a united style of football.  They celebrate each other’s accomplishments and have a mentality where no one player is greater than the team.  They are one of the least penalized teams in the NFL, boast an impressive 6-4 record, play three phases of football, and have sharp focus on one week and opponent at a time.  It’s rare to see a team that so significantly loves playing for and with each other at the professional level.  It’s a true blessing for the organization and a testament to the leadership Brian Flores possesses and to the man and person that he is.  Thank you, Coach!

 

• The Dolphins and their fans have been quarterback starved for two decades.  Tua Tagovailoa has the ultimate potential to fill that hunger and deliver tantalizing excitement for the next decade, plus.  The Hawaiian prodigy has already taken the reigns and helped lead the team to a 3-1 record as a starter.  There have been rookie mistakes, and he will experience growing pains, but in over 20 years, I’ve never seen this fan base so engaged and eager with anticipation for each game and the future that lies ahead.  Thank you Tua for embracing Miami and its adoring fan base and thank you for your hard work and dedication.  We know you will be a fixture for the Miami Dolphins and the community for year to come.  A special thanks to even former Dolphins coach, and current University of Alabama HC Nick Saban for his impact in your development.

 

• We should be gratuitous for the health of the Miami Dolphins.  The team has not experienced many significant injuries.  There are the unfortunate losses like Davon Godchaux and Vince Biegel, who are certainly missed.  Miami has missed coaches and players, like Christian Wilkins due to COVID-19.  In the grand picture of this season, Miami has not endured major losses, and has even seen players like Jakeem Grant and Xavien Howard bounce back from bad injuries last season.  We should all thank the training staff and team doctors for their hard work throughout the season while dealing with injuries and in being so diligent with their preventative measures during the pandemic.

 

• Let’s be thankful for Ryan Fitzpatrick who is and has been the glue of the organization over the past two seasons.  He has helped accelerate the rebuild while being a true catalyst to the team’s culture.  Despite conceding his starting role to Tua, he has accepted the role of mentor gracefully and continues to guide not only Tua, but the rest the Dolphins with remarkable leadership and impact.  Thanks for the magic, Fitz!

 

• Thank you, Xavien Howard for your league-leading 6 interceptions.

• Thank you, Emmanuel Ogbah, for being the team’s sack leader.
  

 

• Thank you of course, to DeVante Parker who continuously brings stability and dependability to the young offense.

 

• Thank you, Eric Rowe, for erasing opposing tight ends, a past vulnerability of the Dolphin defense.

 

• Thank you to long time Dolphin and captain Bobby McCain.  In a franchise that has seen much change, you have been a constant in the team and community.

 

• Thank you, University of Washington, for our two young and exciting running backs Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed.

 

• Thank you, Byron Jones, for joining this team and fortifying our secondary, making it one of the best in the entire league.

 

• Thanks to Jakeem Grant for the humor you bring the team, and the fun inspiring look into yours and Uncle ‘Vante’s special friendship.
  

@Dloading You know I was going to win... AGAIN #UncleVante pic.twitter.com/ZNbGpUI1aW

— DeVante Parker (@DeVanteParker11) November 24, 2020

• Thanks to the team at Hard Rock Stadium for keeping the fans safe during this pandemic.
  

 

• Thanks to Tom Garfinkel for building such an exciting brand and delivering constant
  

excitement to this fan-base.
 

• Thank you defense for your remarkable turnover differential.  You’ve constantly made victories and touchdowns easier to obtain.

 

• Thank you to the Dolphins social media department for delivering fun and engaging content for the fans to enjoy.

 

• Truly, thank you to all in the organization for all that you do that allows all of us to share in that special feeling of hope and happiness that surround this team.  I think I can speak for all Dolphin fans in saying we look forward to continuing to ride your wave and supporting all of your efforts each week and each season.

 
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

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Buffet Boys are eating good today □

From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving! pic.twitter.com/hYauhf6seX

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) November 26, 2020

Please welcome Shawn Williams to PhinManiacs and please check him out on Twitter @swilliams3205