Miami Dolphins with subtle message to DeShon Elliott

Head coach Mike McDaniel and some players responded to former Miami Dolphins safety DeShon Elliott’s comments about the team being “soft as f—” last year, but there may have been an even better nonverbal rebuttal during practice Thursday.

It came in the form of a musical selection as the players stretched out for their first practice ahead of their Week 11 game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

This particular song was “Feel No Ways” by Drake.

The song contains this text:

And now you’re trying to make me feel on purpose

Now you’re throwing it back in my face on purpose

Now you’re talking about my name on purpose (ah) (yeah)

And you don’t feel like you think I deserve it at all

Feel a way, feel a way

Young (n word) feels a way

I don’t listen to the things you say anymore

After head coach Mike McDaniel, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and others responded to Elliott’s comments on Wednesday, it was defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver’s turn on Thursday morning.

Weaver also has a different perspective on the comments because, first, he was not with the Dolphins last season and, second, he was part of the Baltimore Ravens coaching staff in Elliott’s final season with that team in 2021.

“I know DeShon,” Weaver said. “I obviously respect who he is as a player. I don’t think every guy that walks on that field and plays this game is soft. So I know the guys in that locker room. I know the passion, the physicality and the tenacity.” what they play with. So the fact that he feels that way, hey, God bless him. But we have a chance to get rid of that softness, or whatever he wants to say every Sunday a chance to change that.”

Perhaps the strongest reaction from a player came from fellow safety Jevon Holland.

“I mean, honestly, if you want to call someone, go ahead and do that and say the names, but other than that, it’s what floats your boat, whatever gives you a good night’s sleep, it’s what you do. that’s how it is,” he said. “But if you don’t name anyone, you don’t mention anyone, then the rest of the comments are just empty. At that moment you are just talking. I wish nothing but the best for DeShon, he has a I hope he continues that success, but other than that, that (expletive) doesn’t really mean anything to me.

Head coach Mike McDaniel took the high road when addressing Elliott’s comments.

“I’m definitely only concerned with the 2024 Dolphins,” he said. “I think any team’s ability to be mentally tough is definitely tested in the NFL season, and I think in this case some of the things that we went through. I think our team played a hard-fought game over the last three weeks and finally found a way to win last week. I don’t think that’s the easiest thing to do and I’m just concerned about this year’s team. Did you say on a podcast? Cool podcast.”

Additional information:

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— Tua’s teammates respond to a challenging tackle stance

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