MIAMI GARDENS ― Tyrel Dodson came up with an interception for the Miami Dolphins at the New York Jets and the team celebration was on.
Linebacker Jordyn Brooks shouted at Dodson to sit down on the Dolphins bench.
“Tyrel Dodson!” Brooks chanted as all of his teammates gathered around and followed suit.
Zach Sieler and Bradley Chubb shared a sack.
“Zach and Bradley!” players chanted in unison. “Zach and Bradley!”
“Iffy Mel!” they chanted for Ifeatu Melifonwu.
“Ethan Bonner!” they chanted after his impressive one-handed interception.
This Dolphins team is coming together. And, sure, it helps when there are four straight wins and five in six. And sure it helps when sacks and turnovers are coming in bunches.
But it genuinely seems this group of players like each other. And support each other. And want to see their teammates succeed.
It’s good vibes.
“Football is a business in the National Football League, but you are successful if you have the energy and exuberance of your childlike love,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. “So you know that group behavior I think is very impactful for how guys play together on the field.”
Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks said the chanting actually began in team meetings.
“I think honestly it started because we would start doing it because if you come in a meeting, you feel like you don’t have no juice,” Brooks said. “We’re calling everybody in person who’s coming in juiceless, kind of to wake them up, you know what I mean? And so it really started from that.”
The Dolphins will face former defensive standout Jalen Ramsey on Monday Night Football in Pittsburgh. Ramsey was talented but was traded in part because he could be an energy vampire.
Ramsey’s personality could be unpredictable and, at times, negative.
Former Dolphins safety Jevon Holland was not re-signed after last season, as well.
Miami’s defense has made great progress throughout the season. It’s not perfect, but Miami has a group of players with strong positive vibes, including, especially: Jordyn Brooks, Bradley Chubb, Jack Jones and Rasul Douglas.
Some will say that good vibes comes with winning. And some will say good vibes helps winning.
It’s clear they often go together.
“That energy has been real, man,” Brooks said. “And I want to keep it going.”
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins have come together as a team with improved chemistry
Reporting by Joe Schad, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
