Miami Dolphins: After A Slow Start, Are They Owed Your Apologies?

The Miami Dolphins are owed some apologies as of late. Between the media writing them off and dragging their name through the dirt, they’re starting to come around. With a four-game winning streak and handling the Carolina Panthers the Dolphins are proving their not quite done this year.

One of the biggest apologies owed by fans and media alike is to Tua Tagovailoa. Between the talks of Deshaun Watson and being traded and highlighting his struggles he’s been nothing but professional. He’s blocked out the noise, kept his head down, and kept grinding. Its starting to pay off especially after the past two games. In each of those two games he’s completed over 80% of his passes.

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When you examine their struggles this season, it’d be easy to pin it on short/timing routes but that’s not the case. He’s not only completing the short throws, he’s throwing into really tight windows. Team mate Ryan Fitzpatrick highlighted his throwing abilities stating Tua could make the throws he couldn’t. If given time and space, he’s making plays downfield, in tight coverage, and quick decisions. His mistakes often come from collapsed pockets. If Miami spends this offseason putting the right people in front of him and getting healthy weapons on the field he could be dangerous. He just took on the top defense in the NFL and did work.

Then of course the Miami Dolphins defense is owed an apology. The start of the season was ugly and the unit looked like a shell of its former self. They’ve been on display the past few weeks, turning the ball over and making huge stops when needed. Jevon Holland is looking like a gem. Jaelan Phillips is starting to come into his own and getting pressure. Emmanuel Ogbah is batting passes left and right. This unit as a whole is coming together right at the perfect moment.

Brian Flores damn sure is owed an apology. All this hot seat talk and he’s been the king of resilient. Just like Tua Tagovailoa, Flores has kept his head down and kept grinding for the Miami Dolphins. Despite starting 1-7, he has the Dolphins on another win streak. He’s done it with professionalism and class all while keeping his team fighting for him. If Brian Flores ever figures out how to start seasons the way he finishes them, Miami is going to be real tough to handle.

Right now, everyone is still under-selling their progress. Just because they “haven’t beaten anyone” means they’re not deserving of respect. So they’re beating bad teams, but wasn’t everyone quick to throw shade when they were losing to those bad teams? Didn’t they want everyone fired for another rebuild. Now they’re winning and everyone’s hoping they can run the table and make the playoffs. They’re starting to make a run and now you want to buy into “trust the process”?

Showing they’re not willing to give up despite what everyone outside the organization takes great leadership. If you had to eat your words, how many Dolphins would you owe an apology to?