Flores insists Dolphins not tanking regardless of trades
The Miami Dolphins underwent a large overhaul of their roster this week, however coach Brian Flores is adamant that his crew is not tanking this season and it is nonetheless “crucial” for them to win in 2019.
After buying and selling away left sort out Laremy Tunsil, receiver Kenny Stills and linebacker Kiko Alonso for future draft picks and function gamers this weekend, the Dolphins seem like centered on the long run greater than the now, and the right way to additional remake this crew by way of the 2020 and 2021 drafts.
However Flores says he plans to have his crew able to compete each Sunday. He passionately doubled down on his plea from February that tanking is not one thing that he would ever take into account.
“This recreation means rather a lot to me. I would not disrespect the sport with that. Once more, no, we’re not. We’ll attempt to win each recreation. I feel that is disrespectful to even say that,” Flores mentioned. “These guys work extraordinarily exhausting. They’ve accomplished that every one summer time. They do all of it spring. They will proceed to take action. It is disheartening to listen to individuals discuss it, to even say that. For a man who respects the sport as a lot as the sport has accomplished for me, when individuals say that, it is extraordinarily unhappy.”
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Miami was already set to be in a rebuilding season, with reaching the playoffs thought of an uphill problem, however the trades of Tunsil and Stills made its long-term plan much more drastic than beforehand thought. When requested how the Tunsil and Stills trades assist the Dolphins win in 2019, Flores deferred to the long run picks they obtained within the haul.
“You guys noticed the compensation we obtained within the commerce. It was one thing we could not flip down,” Flores mentioned. “Kenny is a really gifted participant, as is Laremy. On the finish of the day, we felt we have been doing what’s greatest for the crew and the group.”
It has change into clear that what’s thought of greatest for the group is to plan forward for 2020 and 2021, even when that is not one thing Flores can say to his 2019 crew.
Flores mentioned he feels good about his crew. He believes his gamers will come out motivated to work exhausting, struggle and band collectively to attempt to win.
“It is at all times necessary to win. I’ve at all times believed that. I feel to take some other method will not be the way you coach the sport,” Flores mentioned. “That is not the way you play the sport. To take some other method is disrespectful to the sport. It is crucial.”
Flores mentioned he spoke with Tunsil and Stills — each flew to Houston to start out their new journeys with the Texans on Sunday — in regards to the commerce, however most well-liked to maintain these conversations non-public.
The commerce of Stills raised some eyebrows as a result of the receiver is repeatedly outspoken on points regarding social injustice. He known as out Dolphins proprietor Stephen Ross for internet hosting a Donald Trump fundraiser at his house whereas operating a non-profit in RISE that focuses on preventing racism. A few weeks later, Stills questioned the best way Jay-Z went about establishing his social justice partnership with the NFL. The following day, Flores performed eight consecutive Jay-Z tracks at observe in entrance of the media in what he mentioned was a problem to get Stills to play higher.
However Flores mentioned Sunday that buying and selling Stills was “by no means” associated to both incident, and was a matter of the compensation the Dolphins obtained within the commerce.
Flores mentioned Ross has been “very supportive” within the strikes that he, common supervisor Chris Grier and vice chairman of soccer administration Brandon Shore have made this offseason.