Why did you come to Miami, Joey Porter?
Joey Porter, a three-time Pro Bowler wanted to join this Dolphins team. This Dolphins team that hasn’t made the playoffs in five seasons, finished 6-10 last season, which subsequently prompted its head coach to flee to the crimson pastures of Alabama. The winningest franchise in NFL History has slowly been dropping into the puddle of NFL teams that tend to be overlooked. However, Joey Porter wanted to be here. Why?
This team can only go so long selling itself as one of the more historical franchises and one with a winning tradition. Yeah, it sucks that Arizona can’t say that, or the Texans can’t really either, but the Dolphins are pretty much on the same level as those teams, and have been for a consistent amount of time. But Joey Porter thinks this team is different, and apparently so did Daunte Culpepper last season, and Nick Saban saw reason to leave the college ranks to give the NFL a try two years ago. What is the charisma of this team that attracts big names?
The Dolphins are a class act organization who treat everyone with the utmost respect. Joey Porter witnessed Cam Cameron and Randy Mueller fly out to his home in California and court him to play for the Dolphins. Sure the money is there, but there are so many other perks that attract a person. South Florida, the “tradition”, the hope of a new coach, etc. What about a winning team? What makes Joey Porter think that the Dolphins are capable of a Championship? It seems that every single player who the Dolphins bring here seems optimistic about the possibilities of winning, then every year it’s not even close. No playoffs, not even close! Playoffs? Playoffs?!?!
So, again what does Joey Porter change? Yes, he brings huge playmaking ability on defense, in addition to Zach Thomas, Jason Taylor, Vonnie Holliday, Channing Crowder etc. He’s a huge team player, who talks a lot of smack and will defend the Miami Dolphins on and off the field in good and bad ways. However, he is not the last piece of the puzzle, by far. He changes this defense in a great way, but he’s not the only thing this team needs.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t be ecstatic about this signing because we should be, but I’m also pointing out that it’s not the only thing that needs to be done this off-season.
Back to the original question though—if it is known that over at least the last five years the Dolphins have been mediocre, and that this off season is still not yet complete in all that needs to be done, what gives a player like Joey Porter the confidence to come to Miami and think that this team is near Championship caliber? What gives him that faith?
It’s not the location, it’s not the “tradition”, and I don’t even think it’s the head coach. Cam Cameron hasn’t proven anything. His only head coaching stint was at the University of Indiana where he posted an 18-37 record. The reason is just the way that this organization is run. The standard to which the Dolphins wish to meet is frankly more professional than other NFL organizations. President Bryan Wiedmeier, Chief Executive Office Joe Bailey, and the other people working to make Dolphins Enterprises better every year know exactly what they’re doing.
It’s apparent during the annual Web Weekend that the Dolphins will go out of their way to make sure that we are treated like royalty: a guest of the Miami Dolphins. The Web Weekend, for those who do not know, is an event that Dolphins and Scott Stone, Senior Director of Internet and Publications, organized during the summer of 2004. It is intended to act as a primary liaison between the Dolphins organization and the fans. Since we are most directly in contact with you, the fans, they talk to us. While talking, we get treated to a weekend of tours, speakers, awards, and finally a game. It’s a truly amazing event that only gets better every season.
This is the reason players like Porter want to play for the Miami Dolphins. This is the same reason that the Dolphins are hosting the Super Bowl twice in four years. And this is the reason, we as fans still have hope. Even though Porter isn’t the final piece of the puzzle, he is a big piece and an indication that this coaching staff is determined to be a go-getter group. We as fans can still have faith, even though the Dolphins, in the eye of the average NFL fan, are a mediocre team… because they don’t know what they’re talking about!
|
