The team and the event have some things in common.
They say that Rome wasn’t built in a day, but don’t tell that to folks in South Florida.
The age-old adage of patience and planning in building references the first empire this world had ever seen. The Romans expanded their reach thanks to the advent of roads, connecting their vast empire.
When it comes to roads and speed, let’s fast forward to modern times, where both a literal and figurative racetrack have been constructed in Miami.
On Sunday, Miami Gardens and the Eden of Hard Rock Stadium convert to a Formula-1 racetrack. The Miami Grand Prix has brought another element to the vast entertainment landscape of what the business end of the Miami Dolphins organization brings to sport and community.
Just a week following the NFL draft, and months into an already successful offseason, the Dolphins organization has ironically taken the same blueprints from the business side of the building.
Bring in speed.
Forget patience and planning and the dreaded word “rebuild.” The Dolphins have changed their identity, virtually overnight following building blocks such as Tyreek Hill, Chase Edmonds, Raheem Mostert, and even newly drafted linebacker Channing Tindall. The three veteran acquisitions are offensive speedsters who could take the ball to the finish line at any given moment.
Tindall, who comes from the defending collegiate national champion Georgia Bulldogs, has blazing speed of his own. The inside linebacker who’s expected to be an immediate impact player ran a 4.47 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. There’s no question why the Dolphins were kicking the tires on him the entire draft process.
Whether it’s on offense or defense, the Dolphins’ garage is full of vehicles to drive them to success, and most tend to do so quickly. Throw in second-year, record-breaking receiver Jaylen Waddle and tight end Mike Gesicki in the pole position as an offensive veteran and team leader.
Like any championship organization, the team or car is only as good as the full crew. Drivers on Sunday will have faith in their pit crew, as it truly takes a small army to win an event like the Miami Grand Prix.
The same is to be said about football and what will be featured at Hard Rock Stadium come September. New coach Mike McDaniel and his pit crew of assistant coaches and coordinators seem to work in harmony with that business end of things, in this case, general manager Chris Grier and master salary-capper, Brandon Shore.
Football isn’t just about a quarterback as much as an F1 race is about one driver. Sure, the praise and blame may be showered upon them, but it’s a full unit that must work in coordination for trophies to be lifted.
Much like a winner will be crowned on Sunday following the Miami Grand Prix, the Dolphins have started their race like all other NFL teams to attempt to reach the ultimate finish line.
As for fans of all things Dolphins, and South Florida sports, including tomorrow’s race, excitement is at an all-time high. The wait’s nearly over, and the time seems to be now.
Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines.
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