Players were able to voice their opposition to DeShon Elliott’s remarks regarding the Miami Dolphins’ mental toughness after he revealed a lot about it on a podcast earlier this week.
Numerous defensive players for the Dolphins have already criticized his remarks. Elliott claimed that because of Miami culture, the Dolphins would never be a successful team and that they were “soft as f**k” the previous season. After losing to the Tennessee Titans the previous season, he added, a number of players quit up. Miami team captain and defensive tackle Calais Campbell was one of those who responded to the former Dolphins safety, and he didn’t mince words when discussing what was said about his current squad.
Campbell is correct. The team from previous year is not this one. For my part, though, I can understand Elliott’s perspective. The Dolphins’ season took a plunge following their defeat to the Titans, but the club spent the whole season at odds with former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who wasn’t the kind of coach who could change his style to get the most out of his players.
Miami is playing much more physically and improving the longer they are in the system under current defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. Even though some of the players are the same, this is not the same team that played last season. Changes are also being made by the Dolphins. The Miami Dolphins don’t waste time letting go of players who aren’t committed.
After being named captain at the beginning of the season, linebacker David Long, Jr. was cut earlier this week. He topped the league in tackles at his position the previous season. He was demoted and then released in three weeks this season. The players are being held accountable by Miami’s coaching staff. After 17 years in the league, Campbell doesn’t appear to be planning on leaving anytime soon. He holds his teammates accountable by holding them to the same standards, teaches them up, and helps bring out their finest qualities around them.
