Jalen Ramsey’s Surprising Reaction After the Altercation at Tuesday’s Dolphins Practice

Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) talks with Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel during NFL mandatory minicamp at Baptist Health Training Complex in Hard Rock Stadium on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. DAVID SANTIAGO dsantiago@miamiherald.com

An explosion of shouts came from the crowd toward the end of Miami Dolphins practice on Tuesday, the second day the team put pads on during training. The offense, which was having its worst day of camp because of bad snaps, dropped passes and turnovers, didn’t resemble the unit that led the NFL in total offense last year. But as 11-on-11 drills continued, frustrations reached its tipping point.

During a third-and-short drill, where the offense’s objective was to gain 1-yard to reach the first down mark, rookie running back Jaylen Wright and cornerback Kader Kahou began shoving one another. A scrum ensued, and was highlighted by rookie offensive tackle Patrick Paul, who is 6-foot-7, 332 pounds, lifting Kohou high in the air and nearly suplexed the 5-foot-10, 197 pound cornerback to the ground. “We’ve got some dogs on our defense,” said safety Elijah Campbell.

“They are not gonna be getting bullied all day.” While a fight during training camp is usually a minor incident to note, for a team that has a reputation of folding under pressure, and late in seasons when the stakes get raised, a skirmish like what took place Tuesday could be viewed as a step in the right direction.

“I think the fight we had today was amazing. We need that. Teams that I’ve been on that won, those teams fought,” receiver Tyreek Hill said.

“They aren’t going to fight in the locker room. This is where you fight. Then right after the play you calm yourself down, in between the whistle you’re right back at it with no mental errors.” Earlier this month, new safety Jordan Poyer said how outsiders viewed the team he’s now a member of, pointing out that his former team, the Buffalo Bills, thought the Dolphins tend to crumble when the lights shine brightest.

However, this year’s team is trying to change that narrative through various means. That’s why, after practice, Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey gathered the team, giving an impassioned ten-minute speech about “being the bully”.

Miami Dolphins owner and chairman Stephen M. Ross, left, walks with general manager Chris Grier, right, during Day 6 of training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. D.A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com

The speech seemingly resonated with those who could hear it, including owner Steve Ross, who was on the field for his first training camp practice of 2024, seeing as how the word “bully” was brought up countless times during Tuesday’s media availability. The aforementioned third-and-short drill was characterized by tackle Terron Armstead as a battle of wills.

“In short-yardage competition, it’s much less about technique honestly. It’s much more about competing,” Armstead said. “I wanna whoop [my man’s] ass, let’s get a first down [and] let’s talk s*** afterwards.” Armstead, who did not participate in team drills on Tuesday, was not able to assist his fellow offensive lineman on the field. It certainly showed, as the offensive line struggled to contain the defense line and linebackers.

When the offense tried running the ball inside, the inside linebackers and defensive tackles did a good job plugging the holes. When they tried running the ball outside, the outside linebackers set the edge well, forcing the running backs back inside into a pile of defenders. In training camp, players and units will experience fluctuations in their performance.

It’s not a disaster if the offense or the defense has a bad day. However, it is how players respond in the face of challenge that will ultimately determine the team’s fate this upcoming season. With their new mindset to “be the bully”, the team appears to be addressing that head-on. “I think that everybody’s mentality coming in, [including] new guys like myself is to be physical,” inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks said.

“We want to be feared. Right now we’re in the process of doing that. Not everyday is going to be perfect, but that’s why we put the pads on [and] working in the heat. We’re emphasizing it day after day.”