There are a number of sports teams that undoubtedly benefit from being located in a particularly attractive location, and it’s safe to say franchises in Miami fall under that umbrella. However, former Dolphins safety DeShon Elliott seems to think the city’s many distractions could prevent his former squad from ever getting over the hump.
The fact that Florida lacks a state income tax means sports teams in Miami already have a bit of a leg-up on the rest of the competition when it comes to luring pro athletes who make millions of dollars a year, but the city’s gorgeous weather and plethora of entertainment options certainly don’t hurt when it comes to courting players.
Current Steelers safety DeShon Elliot got a taste of what the area has to offer after playing for the Miami Dolphins in 2023 on a one-year deal, and we may have some insight into at least one of the reasons he ultimately opted to downgrade a bit on the climate and culture front by taking his talents to Pittsburgh.
Elliott recently chatted with Ravens cornerback (and former Baltimore teammate) Marlon Humphrey on the Punch Line Podcast during a conversation where he reflected on his stint with the Dolphins and made it clear he was less than thrilled with the experience he had on the “soft” team.
Here’s what he had to say:
“Last year I played on a team that was soft as f–k. There were some guys who were tough, but the majority of the team were not mentally tough individuals…
Miami, it’s a distraction. I would say that we already didn’t hang out much as a team because there’s so much to do in Miami. So guys are dispersed so much, and everyone thought they were somebody because of the mindset of, ‘Oh, I’m In Miami; I can be somebody different,’ you know?”
Elliot added he thought the Dolphins were a “really good team” when he arrived but noted a significant shift in energy after they were ravaged by injuries and fell to a Titans team that was 5-8 when they faced off midway through December, noting:
“We played Tennessee and lost to Tennessee. You can tell the heart and soul for that team disappeared…Guys started going out more. Guys are going to strip clubs throughout the week. Guys are showing up to meetings late.
You could just tell the Miami culture is the reason why Miami will never be good. Like, Miami will never be a good football team. I don’t care. They will never be good because of the Miami culture.
I think they have great players. The culture is not going to be there. I don’t care what anyone says. It’s true.”
The Dolphins have been trending in the right direction in the Mike McDaniel Era, but they’ve lost in the first round of the playoffs two years in a row.
They’re currently sitting at 3-6 (which is still good enough for second place in the dismal AFC East), but it’s hard to imagine this is going to be the year they win their first Super Bowl since 1974 or appear in The Big Game since 1985.
It would be foolish to suggest Miami’s cultural offerings are the biggest reason the Dolphins have spent decades trying (and failing) to get back to the mountaintop, but Elliott might be onto something.
The post Former Dolphins Safety Claims City Of Miami’s Party Culture Prevents Team From Being Elite appeared first on BroBible.
Former Dolphins Safety Claims City Of Miami’s Party Culture Prevents Team From Being Elite
Pinoy Human Rights
0 Comments