So far, head coach Brian Flores is making it clear that he expects a lot out of his players in his first year as head coach. The installation of the T.N.T. (Takes No Talent) wall as a disciplinary measure is also about building team unity. Everyone is in this together, and no one is bigger than the team, not even the coaches. Brian Flores himself runs to the wall when something goes wrong. His words are backed up by action.

“We’re all in this together. I think that’s what a team is.” He said this past Friday. “We don’t separate the players and the coaches, the coaches and the scouts, the scouts and the executives – we’re all in this together. The coaches run. I ran yesterday. I think it’s something that if you embrace the team atmosphere, team culture, put-the-team-first type of environment, I think one run, we all run. That’s the kind of environment that we’re trying to create. The coaches, they understand that. This is not a ‘you have to do it.’ It’s a team-first attitude that we’re looking for.”

This sort of talk is exactly what fans are looking for in a head coach. The schemes he’s installing are also very involved. There’s a lot of movement, players have to be on their toes, because anything could happen at any time. Safeties playing linebacker, corners blitzing while linebackers drop back into coverage, defensive linemen setting up all over the line of scrimmage to take advantage of matchups. The same goes for the offense.

It’s much more complicated than schemes of previous regimes, and demands a lot of dedication from players. However, there’s something to consider. The Dolphins have gone down this path before.

Flashback to Adam Gase

Since his firing, Adam Gase has already found a way to alienate his new city and team with his arguably insane methods. Once upon a time, Gase was considered one of the brightest young minds in the NFL. But now it’s starting to look more like the lights are not all on upstairs. He takes his work seriously, insanely seriously. During his time with the Dolphins, Gase would run to make sure he took care of his staff and players if they were in trouble.

Now compare it to something like this, and one has to wonder what goes on in that mind of his.

An excerpt of "the crazy," from @danpompei in-depth look at Adam Gase https://t.co/711Bn450GG pic.twitter.com/IHGFX3OONl

— The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) August 7, 2019

Scary. Nevertheless, that work-oriented brain of his had lots of ideas that never came to fruition. He drew up crazy plays, some of which were seen during his three year tenure with Miami. He was supposed to add flavor to an offense that suffered for years under the bland, vanilla ideals of Joe Philbin. At first, it seemed like things would work out that way. Gase cut several players and coaches that weren’t getting the job done, and fans cheered.

Then he benched players who were bigger names but weren’t performing up to his standards. Also something else fans loved. Clearly, if the players weren’t understanding the schemes Gase put in place, they weren’t good enough, right?

Wrong.

As time passed, it became apparent that whatever it was Gase wanted, the entire team apparently couldn’t grasp it. The longer they couldn’t grasp it, the more frustrated Gase became with his players.

Gase calls out players for not trying enough

At the beginning, Adam Gase accepted responsibility when he felt there was something wrong. He blamed himself for shortcomings, and it was a breath of fresh air. Eventually, however, Gase’s tune changed. It was no longer his fault, but the players were to blame for the team’s inability to capture his vision for the offense specifically.

On October 27, 2017, Adam Gase infamously called out his players – specifically his best players – for not putting forth the effort to understand the offense.

“I don’t think it’s a retain information thing.” He said. “It’s we’re not putting the work in. That’s what it comes down to. If you can’t remember it, you shouldn’t be in the NFL. At the end of the day, guys have got to actually take this stuff home and study it. They’re not going to just learn it all in meetings. We’ve got to find guys that will actually put forth effort to actually remember this stuff and really, it starts with our best players.”

Harsh.

Then as Miami prepared to go into the 2018 offseason, Gase called out his players for not taking responsibility again.

“It’s never going to be the way we really want it and the way we keep talking about it until guys really take control of this thing,” Gase said. “There are a lot of things I can do to make things the way we need it, but at the end of the day, player accountability, making sure that everybody is on the same page, you need your leaders to step up, you need them to be vocal, you need them to actually do their part in a leadership role.”

Ouch.

So what did Gase have in mind for the offense? Likely, no one will ever know.

Brian Flores also has complicated schemes

So once again, the Dolphins find themselves with a coach who wants to install very involved strategies. Arguably, it’s even harder now than when Gase was in charge.

“It’s definitely going to be interesting because we have a lot of different guys, especially in my case and a lot of guys in the back end’s case that can do a lot of different things and play a lot of different positions.” safety Bobby McCain said on Monday. “With this defense, you have to be able to know it all, and know – not everything, but you want to know a lot. You want to know more than you’re supposed to, and it will help you in the long run.”

Once again, the same goes for the offense. Brian Flores comes from a team that thrives on players being where they’re supposed to be, when they’re supposed to be there. If someone gets off their route or has a lapse in judgment, everyone suffers. Gase overhauled the roster in 2018, and even then the offense wasn’t what he envisioned. Why should anyone expect a change in how players process what they’re doing? Were they truly just not trying hard enough?

Offensive coordinator Chad O’Shea doesn’t have that complaint.

“I can tell this about the offense: it’s a group that’s embraced everything that we’ve asked them to do.” He said back in late July. “They’ve worked extremely hard, they’ve been very diligent in the meeting rooms. They’ve come out to the practice field, and they truly have tried to have an edge. It’s a group that wants to prove something. It’s a group that wants to play good, quality football. I’ve been very pleased with their work ethic. I’ve been very pleased with their roles and how they’ve accepted the team approach here.”

What’s the difference?

So here’s the million dollar question. Why are players apparently capable of understanding Flores’s schemes, but not Gase’s? Naturally, everything is speculative until the Dolphins get into game action, but things project to go well so far all the same. So what’s the difference between the two? The most likely reason is a very simple one: Brian Flores preaches basics and fundamentals. Coming from the Patriots, Brian Flores knows that knowledge is power.

Gase clearly thinks so too. However, the difference between the two is that Gase apparently wanted his players to learn for themselves while he focused on other things. Flores is more hands-on about the education of his players.

“This is a teaching camp.” Flores said back in April. “We’re not going to conquer the world over these next three days, but this is a teaching camp. We talked about that this morning with the players. It’s fundamentals, it’s technique, it’s our basic information, our basic installation. It’s getting out here, getting in and out of a huddle, the quarterback/center exchange, ball security – the basic, basic elements of football, because if you don’t have that as a foundation, we can’t do much after that.”

Basics. Fundamentals. Basics. Fundamentals.

Sometimes, that’s necessary to teach, even to professional football players. The New England Patriots have made a dynasty out of basics and fundamentals.

Reasonable chance for success

In conclusion, though there’s no surefire way to know how things will turn out until they play, looking back on history offers some idea of what to expect. There are many reasons why Adam Gase failed with the Dolphins. One of them, doubtlessly, is the fact he wouldn’t focus on fundamentals. Drawing up fancy plays and schemes and expecting players to execute them without first making sure their techniques are sound is a huge gamble.

Ironically, Brian Flores learned that lesson last season with the Patriots the hard way. Rob Gronkowski, now retired, did not know the basics of tackling and finding the right angle. The result? Miami came back to win on a desperation play known as the Miami Miracle.

The @Bridgestone Clutch Performance Play of the Year…

The Miami Miracle! 🙌🐬 pic.twitter.com/CPrk775BrD

— NFL (@NFL) February 2, 2019

Any other player well-versed in the basics of tackling makes that tackle. Gronkowski did not. Flores gambled on raw talent and size matchups to win for him, and he lost. Sound, disciplined football overcomes almost anything. That’s how New England routinely beats teams that, on paper, are superior to them. They never beat themselves, and take advantage of the mistakes of other teams.

This is what makes Brian Flores so different from Gase. The schemes are still complex. Players still have a lot to digest. But their foundation is solid. Gase tried to go big or go home, and he went home. Flores is starting small, and working his way up. He’s taken the lessons he’s learned, and applied them to his coaching style. Now, all that’s left is to sit back and see what exciting plans evolve from Flores’s focus on the basics.

“I think every once in a while, there’s a little bit of reflection from where I was 15 years ago to where I am now.” He said. “It’s nice to reflect that way … but as we move forward, I’m motivated to try to play some good, solid, fundamental, smart, tough, disciplined football for those people, for this community and try to improve on a daily basis.”

The first preseason game is drawing ever closer, and head coach Brian Flores is challenging his team to go beyond expectations. The pads came off on Monday’s training camp, as Flores gave the team a chance to rest after Saturday’s scrimmage. But this does not mean things were easy. On the contrary. Flores gave the players plenty of scenarios to work through, calling 3rd and 20s and trying to have them manage the situation.

With that in mind, here are the top three players from day ten of training camp.

Preston Williams, WR

This should come as a surprise to no one by now, but Preston Williams is turning out to be really good. Since arriving at the Dolphins facility, Williams has slowly worked his way up the ladder. He’s worked hard, and he’s earned the adulation of his teammates. That continued on Monday morning, as Williams received snaps with both the first and second teams, thriving with both.

Rosen ➡️🏈➡️ Williams! #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/05LJcOUCDB

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 5, 2019

His rapport with Josh Rosen was on full display, catching a pass down the sideline for a would-be touchdown. Even without the pads on, it’s impressive just how often Williams seems to be open, and he’s not shy about fighting for the ball.

While the competition is far from over, Williams has come a long way from the dark horse he was originally projected to be.

Kenyan Drake, RB

It’s wise not to look too deeply into terms like “starter” or “backup” with this regime. Kalen Ballage starting over Drake is apparently a big deal. Then the depth chart came out, and Drake was listed with Ballage as a co-starter. If it isn’t clear yet, they’re both talented backs who ideally will platoon throughout the year. On Monday, however, Drake was the better back.

Folks can question his durability all they want, but there’s no denying Drake is explosive. When the ball is in his hands, Drake makes plays. He catches pass out of the backfield, screens, and he uses his amazing speed and agility to escape defenders and make something out of nothing. He did that all day Monday, and there was no stopping him. As long as he’s healthy, there’s a strong chance Drake could have a semi-breakout year.

That should be very exciting.

Bobby McCain, FS

There really wasn’t much to list for Monday’s practice. Very few people stood out above the others. What can be said, however, is that Bobby McCain is adjusting well to his new position in training camp. There were concerns regarding McCain’s size and whether he could handle the demands of the position. Upon further inspection, McCain’s height and weight is comparable to the likes of Tyrann Mathieu and even Earl Thomas.

No, he’s not as good as those two, this is strictly a size thing.

McCain had one moment during practice where he came down on a safety blitz and made a would-be sack on Ryan Fitzpatrick. While that doesn’t scream MVP status, it was impressive all the same, and it’s a sign of good things. Some will undoubtedly question the merit of moving McCain to safety while letting Minkah Fitzpatrick take McCain’s old spot. Wasn’t the entire point of drafting Minkah Fitzpatrick to make him a safety?

This regime believes in putting players in the best position to succeed. Fitzpatrick was an elite slot corner at Alabama, and a good – sometimes great – safety. So there’s no harm in experimenting, and the experiment seems to be a success. Now Fitzpatrick can play closer to the box and make those amazing plays he made in college. While McCain can roam the field and bring players down as the last line of defense.

Alejandro Bedoya no se aguantó y aprovechó el momento cumbre de un jugador de fútbol para enviar su mensaje a la sociedad norteamericana, en especial a aquellos que tienen en sus manos los cambios que pueden hacer de este país un país mejor.

El jugador del Philadelphia Union anotó el un gol tempranero en la imponente victoria 5 a 1 ante el DC United la noche de este domingo, e hizo un llamado claro al congreso de los Estados Unidos.

Bedoya, nacido en New Jersey, con ascendencia latina, exigió que los congresistas “hagan algo para terminar con la violencia por el uso de las armas”, tras un fin de semana que dejó varios tiroteos en el territorio norteamericano.

Philadelphia Union soccer player Alejandro Bedoya scores a goal in tonight’s game against D.C. United, runs over to a field microphone and shouts, “Congress, do something now. End gun violence.”
Via FS1 pic.twitter.com/7WH4PA08cs

“Antes de ser futbolista, soy un ser humano”

Our captain @AleBedoya17 making a statement. Our hearts go out to everyone affected. pic.twitter.com/sJuKxjbIOA

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) 5 de agosto de 2019

Hablar de cifras sería ser redundante en torno a un tema que va mas allá de cuántos muertos y heridos hubo en cada caso específico.

Estados Unidos tiene un serio problema como sociedad. Hay una minoría fuera de control que está tratando de someter a una mayoría pacífica, trabajadora, y con valores de familia. Un puñado de locos quiere someter al terror a una amplia mayoría de personas que han construído una gran nación producto de la mezcla de cientos de culturas por varios siglos.

Los deportistas tienen una plataforma importante, y pueden llegarle a muchas personas, así como los políticos.

¿Qué está haciendo el liderazgo político para tratar de evitarle mas momentos de dolor a las familias de este país? La respuesta no es clara.

 

Luego del partido, Alejandro Bedoya explicó su celebración. Habló de su esposa e hijos y de cómo les afecta esta situación.

“Antes de ser futbolista, soy un ser humano”

(🎥@JTansey90)pic.twitter.com/ZeudH2OIPy

— Gabriel Hidalgo (@gabohidalgoh) 5 de agosto de 2019

Alejandro Bedoya es un pequeño ejemplo de lo que están sintiendo millones de familias a lo largo de este extenso país.

Pasa y pasa el tiempo, y pareciera que este tema no es una prioridad, cuando claramente Estados Unidos se ha convertido en el país de los tiroteos masivos, a una tasa única en el mundo.

Todos somos Alejandro Bedoya. Todos queremos vivir en un país en el que puedas ir de compras, a un bar o a un concierto, sin temer porque a algún desquiciado se le cruzaron los cables.

La comunidad afroamericana se unió alrededor del movimiento Black Lives Matter, y esto llegó al deporte profesional, especialmente en la NFL.

Ojalá veamos algo similar con respecto a los tiroteos, con respecto a lo fácil que es el acceso de cualquier loco a armas de guerra.

Es más fácil comprar un AK-47 que rentar un carro, que alquilar una casa, que pedir un préstamo en un banco.

¿Cuántos tiroteos mas tiene que haber para que se haga algo al respecto?

¿Veremos a grandes estrellas del deporte levantar su voz para impulsar un movimiento que genere algún cambio en el futuro próximo?

Ojalá que podamos regalarle eso a las futuras generaciones…

As someone that was in the building during the final hour before the MLB trade deadline, I saw how surreal it was to see someone in uniform prepare for a game that they were not going to play because they were about to pack their bags and move out of town.

Marlins rookie reliever Nick Anderson was warming up with a rag with his teammates prior to Wednesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins. He received closing considerations during the aftermath of the Sergio Romo trade. Within minutes he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays along with Trevor Richards for outfield prospect Jesus Sanchez and right-hander Ryne Stanek.

Stanek was known more as the “opener” in Tampa Bay but will most likely be viewed as a stabling force in the back end of the bullpen. However, he was placed on the 10-day injured list on July 20 for right hip soreness. He was the Rays’ first round draft pick in 2013 and recorded 61 strikeouts in 55.2 innings with a 1.15 WHIP prior to the injury.

Zac Gallen was also traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for shortstop prospect Jazz Chisholm. In those trades, the Marlins received Arizona’s No. 1 prospect and Tampa Bay’s No. 4 prospect, which serves as a victory for the front office’s longterm mission.

“We continued on that path with the trades we made, with Lewin Diaz and Jazz Chisholm and Jesus Sanchez,” Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said. “Left-handed bats are at a premium. In our organization, we felt like we were very right-handed.”

The trades came after the Marlins used their two first round MLB draft picks on left-handed-hitting outfielders JJ Bleday and Kameron Misner. Second baseman Isan Diaz was Miami’s primary left-handed-hitting position player at the upper levels going into the season. Hill noted that these moves balances the talent pool in their organization.

“When you look at our prospects, aside from Isan Diaz, Lewis Brinson, Monte Harrison, those guys are all right-handed at the upper levels,” Hill said. “We just wanted to create a little balance to our lineup, our future lineup, our championship lineup.”

There Marlins were unable to trade Starlin Castro, Neil Walker and Martin Prado, veteran infielders with expiring contracts. means the Marlins will have veteran players in the final years of their contracts on the roster for the rest of the season.

#marlins manager Don Mattingly after the trade deadline. A total of three pitchers were sent away for one big league pitcher and two high caliber prospects. pic.twitter.com/36695F8O7n

— Tony Capobianco (@TonyCapobianco) July 31, 2019

Manager Don Mattingly said he will speak with players individually to let them know where they stand.

“Just let them know what we think the situation is,” Mattingly said. “I’ve found in the past, being up front, being straightforward with guys … It could be Starlin. It could be Walker. It could be Martin. It could be anybody that you’re having a conversation with. Being up front, straightforward is really the best way, even if it’s upsetting a little bit.”

The aftermath of the trade deadline can affect the team on that day leading up to the game, especially when numerous players end up having to leave the clubhouse. It’s the human element to this day that is rarely mentioned.

“They definitely came out of the blue,” Marlins reliever Jeff Brigham said on the trade news, “all three of them to be honest. Those were three of my best friends on the team so it was definitely a tough pill to swallow. I am excited for the other guys who got called up with me because of these past couple trades but it definitely was tough to see my friends go.”

The Marlins called up Brigham, Tyler Kinley and Kyle Keller to fill the holes in the bullpen. They also reinstated Jon Berti from the 10-day injured list. Keller was in the Arizona Fall League last season and comes into the fold after striking out 68 batters in 51.1 innings in the minor leagues.

“He’s a guy with a big arm,” Mattingly said. “A guy who has been putting it together in Triple-A this year. So we’re going to get a look to see how he handles his first attempt at the big leagues and see how his stuff is going to play.”

“I saw him this morning and I’m so pumped for him,” Brigham said. “He’s an awesome guy. I mean he’s been working his butt off all year. He’s got good stuff. He definitely has a chance to succeed up here.”

The Rays are in the thick of the wild card race and on top of the pitchers they got from Miami, they also brought in Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jesús Aguilar. He hit 35 home runs last season but is hitting only eight home runs and batting .225 with a .694 OPS this season. We saw what Tampa can do for players searching for career rehabilitation. 30-year-old catcher Travis d’Arnaud went from castoff to power hitter just by rocking the sunburst.

Around the same time Arizona acquired Gallen, the Diamondbacks added Mike Leake from Seattle and sent Zack Grienke to the Houston Astros for four prospects, one of which is named Beer. Greinke is 35 and was the ace of the Diamondbacks staff with a 2.87 ERA, which reminds people in Miami to not use age as a reason to rush a controllable starting pitcher out the door, regardless of trade return.

After sending their top prospect to Miami, Arizona receives Houston’s No. 3-5 prospects in first baseman Seth Beer and right-handers J.B. Bukauskas and Corbin Martin, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery. They also received No. 22 ranked prospect, infielder Josh Rojas, and cash. The Diamondbacks (3.5 games back from wild card) restocked their farm system but still have the pitching to continue competing for the playoffs.

Meanwhile the Astros are going into the playoffs with a rotation of Justin Verlander, Garrett Cole and Grienke. If that doesn’t win the World Series this year, what will?