DAVIE, Fla. — After a few questions circled around his team’s early success on Sunday, Adam Gase deadpanned with one of his sound bite-worthy chimes.
“It started for us in April, it’s just nobody realized it, so we’ll just keep getting better and keep surprising people,” the Miami Dolphins’ head coach said.
It was a not-so-subtle shot at his team’s doubters.
A few questions later, someone asked Gase about the versatility of Albert Wilson, who has played receiver, running back and wildcat QB thus far and scored a touchdown Sunday. Gase, remembering an offseason story that questioned if the Dolphins had a logical plan for Wilson, used Sunday as a perfect time to fire back.
“That’s what happens when you have a plan for a guy when you sign him as a free agent,” Gase responded.
Sometimes, Gase can’t help it. Occasionally, criticism gets past his wall and he hears it. Let him prove you wrong and a snarky Gase comes out.
This much is clear: Gase has a plan. The Dolphins believe Gase is building a team that’s going to surprise the league. And if he and they are right, he won’t hesitate to remind those who doubted his ability to get it done.
“There’s something special going on here,” defensive end Robert Quinn said. “I’m just a piece of the puzzle here. Once it all comes together, it’s a beautiful picture.”
Gase believes it might take “all year” for the finished product of the 2018 Miami Dolphins to be realized, but he does agree it can be something special.
“You’re just trying to avoid peaks and valleys,” Gase said.
It’s still early, but the Dolphins have a few more folks on the bandwagon than they did two weeks ago. They will likely be favored to knock off the 0-2 Oakland Raiders, who have to make a cross-country trek to Miami.
If that happens, then the Dolphins would be 3-0 and a few more will jump on. And that hope to become a playoff contender becomes more than optimistic noise.
“We knew that was going to happen,” Wilson said, about doubters turned supporters. “We’re not surprised where we’re at. I just hold a higher expectation for this team.”
The Dolphins are beginning to take on the personality of their coach, particularly in terms of bold, unabashed confidence.
After a year of chaos in 2017, Gase believes his team is better prepared for adversity. He also believes some of the Dolphins’ best players are their best leaders this year.
“This team is battle-tested. We’ve been through a lot,” safety Reshad Jones said. “We’ve got resilient guys in this locker room and a great coaching staff.”
Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill has completed 73 percent of his passes. That includes a lot of short passes, but he has had some success on deep balls, such as the 75-yard touchdown he threw to Kenny Stills in Week 1.
Gase, not too long ago considered by some as one of the NFL’s premier up-and-coming offensive minds, relishes the chance to spout off about his quarterback.
“He makes sure that we complete the ones when they’re open. His accuracy down the field is probably one of the better ones in the league, which I love saying, considering that I was told he can’t throw the deep ball,” Gase joked. “I always like bringing that up.”
If the Dolphins continue this pace, it won’t be the last reminder he shares, either.
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