The upcoming NFL season brings about a lot of excitement among fans and followers of the sport. With the pre-season games taking off and the official start of the NFL matches just right around the corner, the Miami Dolphins could not wait to get back in the field and show off the new and improved version of their NFL team. This kind of optimism is echoed by the NFL stars from the Miami Dolphins - with team leader Mike Pouncey confidently stating that this NFL season will mark the return of the team to the playoffs.
"We feel like this is our year to make the playoffs," said Mike Pouncey during the kickoff luncheon of the Miami Dolphins, according to Miami Herald. The Miami Dolphins guard went on to say, "I know we say that every year but this year our football team, it's the mind-set we have." Mike Pouncey then continued to share that the entire offseason saw him and his Miami Dolphins teammates work on strategies and gameplays that would definitely put the NFL team in a different light. He further shared that the Miami Dolphins "love the direction" the NFL team is currently taking.
One of the most notable players in the Miami Dolphins roster is Jarvis Landry. The 2014 NFL season saw the Miami Dolphins star lead the team with 84 receptions for 758 yards and five touchdowns, according to The Times - Picayune. While he played the past season as an NFL rookie, Jarvis Landry appeared to be comfortable in taking on the lead role in the Miami Dolphins locker room.
However, Jarvis Landry opted to shrug off the numbers and instead pay more attention to the pressing matter faced by the Miami Dolphins this coming NFL season: winning. He said, "Honestly, the focus right now is on winning." Jarvis Landry then added, "Things like [the catch record] come. But it's about this team. It's about overcoming I wouldn't say a couple of bad years but it's about overcoming what the Dolphins standards are and redefining them."
The concept of "redefining" the Miami Dolphins' "standards" in the past NFL seasons was agreed on by defensive end Cameron Wake. Although the NFL star had been chosen to participate in the Pro Bowl four times, Cameron Wake has yet to take part in the NFL playoffs. With a record of 93 matches played with the Miami Dolphins, the NFL star believes that the succeeding games will mark the beginning of their playoffs journey.
"Not being able to play in the postseason in all that time I've been here, now is the time," shared Cameron Wake, echoing the enthusiasm and confidence of Miami Dolphins teammates Jarvis Landry and Mike Pouncey. He added, "This is definitely the year." It could be recalled that the Miami Dolphins was last seen in the NFL playoffs in 2008. The NFL team has repeatedly failed to win a playoff match since December 30, 2000.
With the recent move of the Miami Dolphins to remove DeVante Parker from the physically unable to perform list, it appears that the NFL team's newfound optimism on the upcoming season is starting to rub off on its players. The rookie receiver was a first round pick of the Miami Dolphins and while the decision to take him off the injured list might mean that he would be seen in the field sometime soon, ESPN reports that Parker's participation in the practices remain limited.
Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins bid goodbye to tight end Arthur Lynch on Tuesday as the NFL star was claimed by the New York Jets. The entry of Lynch in the Miami Dolphins locker room as the fifth round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft was marked by a year-long stay in the injured reserve list due to a back injury. His introduction to the New York Jets roster prompted the waiver of punter Jacob Schum.
