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Miami Dolphins starter has a strong response to common perception about the team heading into the season

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Craig Smith | Last updated Jul 22, 2025 3:40 PM ET

The Miami Dolphins have had their share of detractors this offseason, and to be fair, those opinions have not been unwarranted.

Miami general manager Chris Grier addressed a roster that went 8-9 a year ago with a number of players who either lack experience or have significant question marks coming into the season.

The Dolphins will likely be relying upon at least two rookies on both sides of the line of scrimmage in guard Jonah Savaiinaea and DT Kenneth Grant. Patrick Paul will step into the starting left tackle spot after a shaky rookie season. Third day rookie draft picks Jordan Phillips and Zeek Biggers could be 53-man roster players with depth roles. Oft criticized cornerback Cam Smith appears to be a starter, with the other spot being up for grabs among a group of inexperienced options which include 2024 undrafted free agent Storm Duck and rookie CB Jason Marshall, Jr.

Miami's free agent signings include players with substantial injury question marks, including former Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu and projected starting guard James Daniels, who's coming off a torn Achilles. And new TE1 Darren Waller was out of football last year.

And that's to say nothing about the drama and resulting distractions surrounding Tyreek Hill since the team walked off the field to end the 2024 season.

As such, there has been a good amount of warranted skepticism among experts this offseason about whether the Dolphins can take a significant step forward and make it back to the playoffs to try to win their first playoff game in a quarter of a century.

Miami starting fullback Alec Ingold was asked about that sense of doubt among pundits about the Dolphins coming into the season. His answer was simple: "I don't give a s---."

It's hard to blame Ingold for that response, but there's also the opportunity to take that doubt and use it as bulletin board material for a bounce back season in 2025.

The Dolphins know what they have to do in 2025 to succeed, and that's be more physical on both sides of the ball, establish a better ground attack, and keep Tua Tagovailoa healthy and upright throughout a 17-game season.

If Miami can do that, then they could have the opportunity to prove a lot of people wrong this fall. But there are a lot of ifs that have to break their way on the roster for that to happen.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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