Time to give tanks
Flores, players still are thankful during rebuilding season
DAVIE — The on-field needs continue to become glaringly apparent as the injuries and losses pile up during the first season of the Miami Dolphins’ rebuild under coach Brian Flores and general manager Chris Grier.
A pursuit for a franchise quarterback, like LSU standout Joe Burrow and injured Alabama star Tua Tagovailoa, should headline the coming offseason.
An explosive, edge-setting defensive end like Ohio State star Chase Young, who is considered by many to be the best NFL prospect in college, could raise intrigue in Miami.
Add game-changing running back and dynamic wide receiver to the list of Dolphins’ concerns among other positions the team hopes to fill with developing talent and depth this offseason.
Those concerns, however, are for another day — like the NFL 2020 NFL draft in April.
Flores wants his Dolphins players to reflect and enjoy Thursday’s Thanksgiving holiday ahead of Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles (5-6).
“I talked to our players this morning, [and told them] it’s a great opportunity for you to instead of going on Instagram or Twitter to write a note to somebody that’s done a lot for you: a
mentor, a coach, your girlfriend, your wife, your kids, your parents,” Flores said.
“You should do it all the time, but it’s Thanksgiving. We all have a lot to be thankful for. They should go out, and I try to encourage them to do that. It’s a lot of areas we can get better, and that’s my job. That’s what I love to do is help people get better.”
Flores says Thanksgiving is his favorite holiday. He remembers spending quality time during the holiday with brothers, parents, cousins and uncles.
He spent Tuesday night with members of the Dolphins organization giving away Thanksgiving supplies to families at Hard Rock Stadium.
He plans to spend this Thanksgiving enjoying turkey with his wife and three young children.
“I have a lot to be thankful for: Family health, friendships, we’ve got a lot of blessings and great opportunity,” Flores said. “It’s a great opportunity and blessing to coach this team and be part of this organization. I wake up every day and I’m excited and happy. I have a lot to be thankful for.”
Dolphins starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who will spend the day with his wife and seven children, says his favorite Thanksgiving dish is the pecan pie. He prefers to pronounce it as “puh-KHAN” pie.
Fitzpatrick also has his deep-fried recipe down to a science.
“It’s 45 minutes. It frees up the oven for other things. I can kinda sit, and feel manly, and man the fryer a little bit. So that’s probably what I’ll be doing,” Fitzpatrick said.
“Maybe two birds in there so an hour and a half, 30 minutes of prep time, so I’ll have two hours to sit by myself unless other people come up and talk to me — which I don’t mind,” he added with a smile.
Rookie running backs Patrick Laird and Myles Gaskin are thankful for a few things close to the heart like their budding friendship fostered this season.
“I’m most thankful for my family specifically turkey
because I have three older siblings and two parents who really set a really good example of how to be a good person,” Laird said. “They all have good work ethics. They all care about the right things. There’s a lot of people out there who don’t have that, and I think about that a lot.”
“Myles is thankful for his family, thankful being on the Miami Dolphins, being able to live out of a childhood dream of playing for an NFL team,” Gaskin said. “I’m thankful for the struggles, the day to day struggles, that make you a better man. And I’m thankful for this Miami weather coming from Seattle. I’m thankful for a lot of things.”
“I’m most thankful when people talk the third person,” Laird added.
Dolphins defensive end Taco Charlton, who is gradually working his way back from a right elbow injury, is grateful Miami gave him an opportunity earlier this season to revive his career after being released by the Dallas Cowboys in September.
“You have to count the little blessings God is able to bless you with,” Charlton said. “I’m thankful to have family that support me, friends that support me. That’s always No. 1, and thankful to for the blessings from the Man above. I’m thankful to be here for another opportunity to play the game I love.”
New cornerback Ryan Lewis is thankful for being able to play for the Dolphins during the last month of the regular season.
Lewis spent the offseason and training camp with the Buffalo Bills. He played three games before being released by the Indianapolis Colts. He played two games with the Philadelphia Eagles before being cut. That all happened this season before joining Miami.
And he was able to secure his first career interception while defending Odell Beckham Jr. last Sunday against the Browns.
“It’s been a wild ride, but I’m thankful to get back to the game, get a chance to actually start, to keep playing and doing what I’m doing right now,” Lewis said. “It’s great with all the support I’ve been getting from the team and teammates. The season has had its ups and downs, but I’m still here.”
Dolphins coach Brian Flores talks with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick against the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 17 in