Zach Sieler Embraces Dolphins’ Youth Movement and New Era

Captaincy Still Has to Be Earned

Sieler’s teammates have once again recognized his leadership.

For the third consecutive season, Sieler has been named one of Miami’s captains. Even after receiving the honor multiple times, he doesn’t believe previous recognition automatically entitles someone to receive it again.

“It’s an honor, man,” Sieler said. “It’s an honor to be, three years now, to be a captain, and I think it’s earned every year. It’s not something that should be given.”

Being selected by a locker room containing so many new players makes this year’s honor particularly meaningful.

“To earn that again this year is a huge honor,” he said. “Just the new locker room and the new guys that still think that of me is incredible.”

Sieler also welcomes the additional expectations that come with wearing the captain’s “C.”

He recalled Jeff Hafley telling Miami’s captains that the coaching staff intends to push them harder than everyone else because more is expected from the team’s leaders.

“They absolutely should,” Sieler said.

Sieler Praises Patrick Paul and Malik Willis

Sieler was also happy to see some of Miami’s emerging leaders receive the same recognition.

He specifically praised Patrick Paul and Malik Willis.

Willis has quickly made an impression after coming to Miami from Green Bay.

“To see Malik come in from Green Bay and come here just with the confidence and just the energy he comes in with is incredible,” Sieler said.

Paul’s path has been different. Sieler has watched the young offensive tackle develop within the Dolphins organization and believes his captaincy was earned.

“Pat Paul is another great example of a guy that just working from the ground up,” Sieler said. “He’s been here, he’s worked here, he’s just made his career here, and to see him earn that, and he has earned that, is incredible.”

It’s another example of the transition taking place inside Miami’s locker room. The Dolphins aren’t simply getting younger; they’re asking some of those younger players to become foundational pieces and leaders.

COVID Changed How Sieler Watches Film

One of the more interesting moments from Sieler’s media session came when he was asked when he truly learned how to study film.

His answer was immediate.

“COVID. COVID, absolutely.”

Sieler explained that before the pandemic, he watched film more like a spectator than someone studying the details and reasons behind what was happening.

“I was watching film, but I was watching it,” Sieler said. “I was watching it like a spectator; I wasn’t watching the little fine details.”

The unusual circumstances surrounding the 2020 offseason changed his approach.

With players unable to participate in the traditional offseason program, Miami’s coaches spent additional time teaching players the finer details of football and explaining why offenses operated the way they did.

That education changed how Sieler saw the game.

“To be at home, just on your laptop watching it,” Sieler said, “to take that in and kind of understand how to see the game and how to see each player on the field, it really helped, I think, move my career along the next step.”

It’s a skill Sieler can now pass along to Miami’s younger defensive linemen.

He discussed helping players such as Zeek Biggers, Jordan Phillips, and Kenneth Grant understand that studying film isn’t simply about focusing on the player directly across from them. It’s about understanding what is happening across the entire field.

“There’s a big picture going on out there too,” Sieler said. “There’s 11 guys out there, and all 11 have to be hitting on all cylinders to make a great play.”

Ready for the Week 1 Challenge

Miami’s preparation for Week 1 also comes with an additional challenge because its opponent has undergone changes of its own.

Without several weeks of current-season film available, Sieler said players must rely more heavily on studying individual opponents and their previous tendencies.

“The big thing with Week 1 is know your opponent,” Sieler said.

That means studying offensive linemen individually, understanding their tendencies, and looking for clues from previous seasons that could carry over despite schematic changes.

Sieler also discussed the importance of creating pressure and disrupting the timing of an opposing offense.

“Just getting pressure and just helping throw things off their game and the timing of everything,” Sieler said. “Just to be able to get back there and just work our moves and hopefully make it a one-dimensional game.”

He also singled out center Tyler Linderbaum as a significant challenge, comparing his quickness to Dolphins center Aaron Brewer.

“Very smart center,” Sieler said. “If you’re wrong, you’ll know you’re wrong. He’ll take advantage of that, so we got to be on our A game there.”

A Veteran Leader for a Young Dolphins Team

Sieler’s role with the Dolphins has evolved considerably over the years.

He’s developed from a waiver claim trying to establish himself into one of Miami’s most accomplished defensive players and, now, a three-time captain being asked to help guide a young locker room through another organizational transition.

And he appears to be embracing it.

The Dolphins’ youth movement has brought significant change to Miami, but Sieler sees something encouraging in the maturity, curiosity, and energy of the players surrounding him.

Now comes the important part.

After an entire offseason of preparation under a new coaching staff, Miami finally gets the opportunity to show what this new-look team can become.

For Sieler, the formula for Week 1 isn’t complicated: prepare for every detail, play together, and above all else, don’t beat yourself.