MIAMI GARDENS ― At some point this summer, Miami Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley plans to have his team tackling. It's not entirely common in today's NFL training camps.
"I love it," Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks said on the day veterans reported to training camp. "The only way you can get better at tackling is to tackle."
Brooks and Hafley are on the same page and so it's no wonder Miami recently extended Brooks' contract by three seasons. Brooks, 28, is the perfect player to help Hafley executive his vision, tone and messaging.
"He wants us to be a tough, hard-working football team," Brooks said. "Smart football team, gritty. I think that's his mentality. I think that's who he is as a person. And so that's kind of what comes off. And that's right
up my alley."
The Dolphins may win four, five, six or seven games this season. Expectations are low. But regardless of the final win total, Hafley changing Miami's culture is essential. In fact, it's most essential.
"There's a level of urgency and excitement," Hafley said on the day his full team reported.
Hafley, a former defensive coordinator in Green Bay, intends to ramp up the physicality and competitiveness of his first Miami team. Those elements have been lacking in recent Miami seasons.
Miami Dolphins training camp opens with focus on physicality
Hafley appears to be a straight-shooter and so when he said he's not focused so much on poor national forecasts and projections right now, there is every reason to believe him.
At times in the future, Hafley said, of course he may bring those facts up.
But ― and this seems like a well-calculated move ― the Dolphins right now are focused on learning the plays, executing the proper technique and, of course, effort.
Everything about Hafley is effort. If he does not see it, expect him to pull or bench a guy or two early on, to send a message.
Things were a bit too loose, a bit too lax around here in recent years.
Some of that is on the previous staff. Some of that is on departed players.
Miami Dolphins extended Jordyn Brooks, Aaron Brewer, De'Von Achane
Miami committed to Brooks, center Aaron Brewer and running back De'Von Achane because they believe they are not only talented, but they approach their jobs the right way.
"The way those guys go out and practice, the way they are in the meeting room, the way they are in the weight room, the way they take care of their teammates and look after their teammates and try to lead the younger guys, I think it says to everybody on our team, 'Okay. If I go out and I can produce and I do things the right way, then I will be rewarded here,'" Hafley said.
Miami may have the youngest roster in the NFL in 2026.
Hafley needs Brooks, Brewer and Achane to not only perform, but to lead the way he needs them to.
"It lit a fire in the locker room," quarterback Malik Willis said of Miami's decision to extend those three players.
The Dolphins' GM Jon-Eric Sullivan is a "man of his word," Brooks said.
It's somewhat sunshine and rainbows and unicorns on the first day of training camp. It will only get harder from here. Some players may not love the live tackling. Some players may not love longer, harder sessions.
And some players may not love what Hafley plans to demand of them overall.
That's why having players like Brooks in the middle of post-practice and pre-game huddles means everything to a first-year coach trying to change everything.
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 training camp goals: Tough, hardworking, smart, gritty
