RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesFollowing the Miami Dolphins hitting the field for their first day of training camp practice as a full team , the longest-tenured player on the roster, Zach Sieler, spoke with South Florida reporters. He spoke about topics ranging from his impressions of first-year head coach Jeff Hafley to his evaluation of the team's top draft pick.
Starting off with answering a question about the differences in practice between Hafley and previous coaches.
"This practice was a really fun first opening practice to camp," Sieler said. Obviously, we had a lot of new players here, a lot of new faces. It's a great energy coming from the players, and guys want to just put their best foot forward and go out there and fly around. It was really fun seeing that.”
Obviously, it wasn't perfect. The first practice never is. But guys are committed and they want to grow each and every day. So, it's been really exciting to get out there today with them and can't wait for the rest of the camp... it's a nice, it's a two-way but it's a very clear this is how I want it. It's we're going to do this the right way every day, and if it's not, we're gonna respectfully say it. You're going to have to grow and learn as a player, and if you can't take that, you can't play here.”
In terms of his early thoughts on his new coach’s defense, Sieler told the media, “Obviously we're early in the install. We did a lot of OTA stuff. I really enjoy the two-way communication between coaches and players and the why behind things. And hey, I see this because of this, so we can all be thinking and talking the same language. So I'm very excited for that and to keep moving forward.”
Reported by eyewitnesses at practice when the whistle blew, players stayed after to continue to work, which Sieler said, “what’s awesome about that obviously it's not required, it's not mandatory. Each group has leaders in every group that just want to make sure that their position group is the best for the team, for themselves.”
He elaborated, “the selfish, the jealousy, the ‘me, me, me’ stuff, it's just to be a better player for the team and it's all for the team. And to see guys go out there, to want to hone in their craft for themselves as much as each other, it's just incredible. When you're fighting for your brothers and fighting for the men next to you, and you really stress that communication, that bond is it's impressive.”
Sieler also gave his perspective on rookie offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor.
"He's a big body. He's got good feet. I'm excited to see him keep growing through camp," Sieler said. "Him, Jonah (Savaiinaea), right there next to (Aaron) Brewer and see Brewer lead that o-line group like he has, has been really exciting. I'm excited to see how they keep continuing to grow.”
The Dolphins will pracitce again on Thursday and are a few weeks away from real tests when joint practices will occur with the Washington Commanders on August 12 as well as the New York Giants on August 20.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins' Zach Sieler talks up Miami's top pick and coach Jeff Hafley
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