What Fitzpatrick is doing behind scenes. And Kiper on how Dolphins can hit ‘home run’
You know what the Dolphins would really love? If they could somehow, eventually, a find a young quarterback who would combine all of the elite physical skills with the leadership, intelligence and likability of Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Though his time quarterbacking the Dolphins might ultimately be a footnote in team history, he has left an enduring mark on teammates.
“I think he’s just got a way about him with his teammates, with the coaches, with everybody in the building,” coach Brian Flores said. “He’s just a real likable person, and he’s got great leadership. He loves to play the game and it’s infectious — the way he practices, the way he creates relationships, and that’s been very, very helpful to our young team.”
Add that to the list of reasons Fitzpatrick continues to play ahead of Josh Rosen.
Behind the scenes, Fitzpatrick has gone above and beyond to cultivate relationships.
Tight end Mike Gesicki said Fitzpatrick joins the tight ends for dinner at a Fort Lauderdale restaurant every Thursday evening — something Fitzpatrick also did with the tight ends when he played in Buffalo.
“It’s great,” Gesicki said. “That’s where chemistry builds.”
Meanwhile, guard Michael Deiter said Fitzpatrick has taken out the offensive linemen at least a half dozen times.
“We’ll go eat together, especially on away trips,” Deiter said. “In the lunch room, he sits with us all the time. It’s o-line, receivers, tight ends, which is why he’s such a good leader.”
Why is this important?
“Chemistry matters,” Fitzpatrick said. “Chemistry has a lot of different aspects to it, but one of those is getting to know people and especially as a quarterback. Not everybody responds the same way, so you’ve got to find what makes each person tick and what they respond to.
“Over the years, that’s something that I’ve come to learn in playing with so many personalities, is you have to figure out when to challenge guys and when to just talk to guys. There’s a different way to handle each person.”
And Fitzpatrick hit it off with Gesicki, which is one factor in their on-field chemistry.
“In terms of personality, in some ways we’re very similar and I just enjoy hanging out with him,” Fitzpatrick said. “In terms of guys that I’m close with on the team, he’s definitely near the top.”
KIPER’S PLAN
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. said the way the Dolphins could hit a home run is by “adding [Alabama quarterback] Tua Tagovailoa after using its first pick on someone else. That was unthinkable a month ago. The ESPN Football Power Index (FPI) projects the Dolphins to have picks Nos. 4, 19 and 24, and they also have an extra second-round pick.
“Could they grab another player at No. 4, then package a few picks to move up in the first round for Tagovailoa? I don’t think he’s going to be around at No. 20. Either way, the next step in the Miami rebuild is finding a franchise quarterback.”
▪ There’s a real chance that the Dolphins could start a cornerback on Sunday who has never appeared in a regular-season game: former University of Cincinnati player Linden Stephens (claimed off Seattle’s practice squad last Friday after previous stints with the Rams, Denver and New Orleans) or undrafted North Texas rookie Nate Brooks (poached off New England’s practice squad this week after spending the summer with Arizona).
One of those players - who are both six feet — could start opposite Nik Needham on the boundary, with 5-10 Jomal Wiltz in the slot. How do the Dolphins make evaluations of players who have never appeared in a regular-season game?
“A lot goes into it,” Flores said. “You see how they practice, absorb information. Both guys [Stephens, Brooks] practiced well” on Wednesday. And Flores said the Dolphins have studied all of their preseason snaps with other teams.
▪ Former UM cornerback Adrian Colbert started the past two games at safety and played every defensive snap last Sunday, and Flores said he has “been here three weeks, and feels like he’s been here all year. He brings people together. Been good having him.”
▪ Flores said receivers DeVante Parker and Albert Wilson “may or may not” come out of concussion protocol in time for Sunday’s game at the Giants; both were limited in practice Thursday. Receiver Allen Hurns, who missed practice Wednesday with ankle and knee injuries, was a full participant Thursday. Fullback Chandler Cox (ankle) and cornerback Nik Needham (groin) were again limited. Defensive tackle Gerald Willis (hip) missed practice.
▪ The Dolphins routinely play defensive players at multiple positions and they did that on offense against the Jets, with Gesicki shifting to the X wide receiver spot for two plays. Gesicki said it’s the first time he played receiver since college. Gesicki grew up a Giants fan and said it will be “cool” to play against them on Sunday in New Jersey.
This story was originally published December 12, 2019 at 12:26 PM.
