I wish I could just talk about how the Dolphins won a disgusting, non-aesthetically pleasing football game between themselves and the Jets of New York. I really wish I could speak about how dominant their defense was after coming off their worst performance of the season last week. I really wish I can talk about how Cam Wake had two sacks and Akeem Spence added another two sacks. I really really wish I can get into the four interceptions they forced of Sam Darnold. I’d love to do those things, but this is the Miami Dolphins we’re talking about. That means completely ridiculous, seemingly very avoidable situations that only happen to them will occur and this Sunday was no different. I feel like Peyton Manning did that one time at the pro bow and he had to talk about his idiot kicker, Mike Vanderjact, that got liquored up and shot off his mouth. All he wanted to do was throw a TD pass to Jerry Rice and I all want to do is talk about how Miami’s terrible roster with only 139 yards passing and not scoring an offensive TD won a football game and are currently 5-4. But as we all know life isn’t fair.
What Happened
Reshad Jones, who is one of Miami’s best players and has been one of their best players for the past 5+ years, for some reason was not on the field late in the first quarter. Okay, maybe he got hurt, or needed a breather. Whatever the reason was, I and everyone else didn’t think to much about it besides the fact that he wasn’t out there and usually that bodes real bad for Miami. Then Twitter started sizzling with this kind of talk.
Never have I ever heard of a player taking themselves out of a game. Not in high school, not in college, not in the backyard and certainly not in the pros. But when you’re talking Miami, you need to expect the unexpected. The term “freelancing’ is getting thrown around in regards to this situation. Something like Reshad often runs the back end of the defense and he’s earned that right. He gets people into place and kind of roams around back there being instinctual. I’m not saying that he goes full Jackie Moon and goes rover, but it’s not uncommon for Jones to not be exactly where his coach wants him to be. Most of the time Jones’ instincts would turn out to be good ones and he would make a great play. Well, Miami’s defense coordinator Matt Burke nearly popped every blood vessel in his face last week against Houston because Miami’s secondary were communicating like a 2nd grade class playing the quiet game and gave up huge play after huge play. Some changes needed to be made and apparently these changes may have led to Jones taking his ball and going home.
Reports on-line are saying that Jones took exception to Miami rotating in rookie standout Minkah Fitzpatrick at safety where Jones plays. After he saw Fitzpatrick in and him being taken out, Reshad apparently said he wasn’t going back in. I haven’t found anything definitive on-line from and reparable source but I’d bet parts of my soul that this is the case. What other reason would there be for a multiple pro bowl caliber player, who isn’t injured to simply start a game and then when he gets replaced for a play or so just out of no where say he’s not going back in? I don’t think there is one besides he doesn’t like how Matt Burke grew a spine and finally put his foot down on Jones doing his own thing and changing coverages.
Postgame
After the game Dolphins Twitter was on fire. Not many cared about the game. Everyone wanted to know what in the hell was going on with Reshad Jones.
So if Miami was trying to find a really weird way to overshadow a victory they succeeded with this.
What’s Next?
Your guess is as good as mine as to what happens next with this whole thing. You have to think some sort of discipline being handed down to Jones in the form of a suspension will happen or worse. Gase doesn’t stand for any kinds of insolence and when a player gets out of line he typically sends them packing. I wouldn’t even be surprised if Jones gets the Keyshawn Johnson treatment and gets deactivated. You simply can’t have guys you’re relying on refusing to go into a game regardless of how good they are and what they’ve meant to you over the years. Maybe Cam Wake can talk to management and vouch for him like Mike McD did for Worm. Maybe Reshad Jones ends up being the president of football operations. It’s Miami meaning if it’s really stupid and nonsensical, then there’s a good chance that it will happen. This is all perfect because Miami travels to Green Bay next week to visit Aaron Rodgers. I’m sure this schism that’s been caused won’t negatively effect them one bit when they’re trying to prepare for one of the greatest QBs of all time. Honestly since this is the Dolphins we’re talking about, I wouldn’t be surprised if they come out and drop 40 on the Packers and win by double digits because why the hell not? That’s how Miami rolls. Just when you think they should die they hang in there. This is just another day in the life a Miami Dolphin’s fan. This is just another instance of Miami being Miami.
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