‘I don’t know if they practice how we practice’ – Detroit Lions player continues narrative about Miami Dolphins that should serve as a slap in the face
The Miami Dolphins have a reputation problem that’s no secret to just about anyone in the league or anyone even casually keeping up as a fan. This isn’t a team that’s shown it will put its fingers in the dirt and bully its opponents, which is sometimes an absolute necessity in the sport. Former and […]
The Miami Dolphins have a reputation problem that’s no secret to just about anyone in the league or anyone even casually keeping up as a fan. This isn’t a team that’s shown it will put its fingers in the dirt and bully its opponents, which is sometimes an absolute necessity in the sport.
Former and current players have talked about at length about the Dolphins being soft, including former safety DeShon Elliott and current linebacker Jordyn Brooks. That primarily comes from an underwhelming performance against good and/or physical teams during Mike McDaniel’s tenure as the Dolphins’ head coach.
However, it’s not just on the game field where the Dolphins have earned that reputation. One of their upcoming opponents claims he’s seen in on the practice field. Current Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard took a swipe at the Dolphins recently on the Detroit Podcast, questioning their practice habits when he went up against them in previous years. The Lions and Dolphins will engage in joint practices this week ahead of their preseason clash on Saturday.
“I don’t know if they’re ready, man, I’m gonna keep it a stack,” Stuard said. “Just because I’ve played at other places and played against that team last year, and I joint practiced against that team twice when I was in Tampa. I don’t know if they practice how we practice. So, I’m excited to see our guys for sure, and I’m excited to get out there and do something against somebody else, where they don’t know every in and out of what we’re doing. So, that’ll be cool. That’ll be dope.”
Stuard was a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021 and was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in late August 2022 during roster cutdowns. He did face the Dolphins in the 2022 preseason and played against them last year as a member of the Colts during the regular season. As such, he has some experience playing against them during McDaniel’s tenure.
What those words should do is serve as a verbal slap in the face to Miami’s players ahead of the joint practice. While you never want to see punches thrown, when someone questions your toughness in this league, you’d better respond.
Miami has been questioned plenty over the last couple of years. It’s time they start showing they’ve got the backbone to bow up when they need to, both from a physical and mentally tough perspective. If they can’t, then it will be more of the same in 2025.
