New Dolphins Receiver, Boston is eager to win

Thursday, March 18, 2004
Robert Henderson
MDBW Staff Writer

David Boston was officially introduced as a Miami Dolphin at 3:00PM this afternoon. Rick Speilman started off by saying that, "we feel that David is one of the most talented receivers in the league and should be up in the elite class." The five-year veteran was traded to the Miami Dolphins from the San Diego Chargers for a conditional 6th round pick in the 2005 draft and cornerback, Jamar Fletcher.

Speilman, in his introduction, also stated that this was an opportunity that the team could not pass up because it is not often that you can get such an elite player at such low cost. He also feels that, "combined with Chris Chambers and Randy and Ricky that we could have one of the most dangerous passing attacks in the league next year."

Dave Wannstedt, who lost the general manager title to Speilman earlier this off season was next to speak about Boston. "Anytime you get the opportunity to add a quality football player ... you don't pass those chances up," Wannstedt said. "And that's really what this comes down to." The Head Coach talked about how this is just another piece of the puzzle that will hopefully lead towards a championship team.

Then, Boston himself answered questions. One of his initial statements immediately contradicted reports about his general attitude in San Diego. "I am really really excited to be here... and I'm anxious to fit in and be around the guys," the receiver said. With the Chargers, Boston was known to be quite anti-social and very self-concerned. This statement, coupled with the fact that he will be back in Miami on Monday (when the Dolphins start their off season work out program), to work with the team are definite strides in the direction the Dolphins organization and fans are hoping he will start stepping towards. "We start our offseason program Monday morning," Wannstedt said, "And he wants to be here. He wants the players to know that he wants to be part of this."

As has been reported quite frequently in the time leading up to this trade, Jerry Sullivan, the Dolphins' new wide receivers coach was Boston's coach in Arizona when he had his pro bowl season. Asked about whether Sullivan was one of the deciding factors in Boston choosing Miami as his preferred destination, he answered yes and said, "Me and Jerry - we've had a great relationship, and he wants me to be here, and now we want to get back to where we were [3 years ago]."

In Boston's five-year career with the Cardinals and Chargers, he has won a combined total of 25 games (.357 winning percentage). When highlighting his excitement to play for the Dolphins, he compared the fact that he has only ever been on losing teams, whereas now he is surrounded by eagerness. "When you lose a lot of games, it's depressing, it's hard to play, it's hard to work," Boston said. "Then you come here where guys are excited, and excited to win the Super Bowl. I want the Dolphins to know that I am here to win."

Dave Wannstedt was questioned after Boston left to catch a flight back to Arizona this evening. One of the main questions that was asked concerned Boston's often shady record and attitude problems. The Coach said that the factor that made him decide that Boston would be different in this environment was "his persistence on wanting to be part of the Miami Dolphins."

Another notable reason for the Dolphins interest in Boston, besides how cheap he came, was his yards after the catch, or YAC. "He's had a lot of 60, 70, 80 yard runs after catching the ball and that is what separates him from the other elite receivers in the league," Coach Wannstedt said. Sure enough, when Boston was asked what he thought was his biggest strength, he responded, "I've been known as a guy who can make plays after the catch, I think that's my biggest strength, that and getting off the press release."

The general vibe that a listener received from hearing Boston's statements was that he is willing. He is willing to change and he wants to change. He said that he is willing to lose weight in order to improve his stamina throughout the season (because too much weight can wear down his joints), he wants to win, and he realizes that he is just one piece of the puzzle in Miami, not the piece.

"I just wanna win, even if I only catch 30 passes, I just wanna win."

Robert Henderson can be reached by e-mailing webmaster@miamidolphinsbahamas.com. Or you can talk about this story and more on the MDBW Forums message board!