Dolphins Get Back to Football After Lengthy Lockout

We can all breathe easy. The NFL lockout is over. Not that anyone was particularly concerned, I don’t think. Not once did I hear anyone talk like there wasn’t going to be an NFL season. It’s not like we were considering dooming ourselves to spending Sundays in the fall doing crazy things like going outside and enjoying the nice weather. Or relating to our friends and family. But this week the NFL finally agreed to go back to work. And Friday, the Dolphins took the field for the first time in the 2011 campaign.

THE DOLPHINS ARE OUR SPORTS IDENTITY

The Dolphins being back is particularly important for sports-apathetic South Florida. Because unlike every other team in this area, the Dolphins actually have a solid base of fans. This is only because they were the only game in town for almost 30 years, but it is the case nonetheless. So the Dolphins, mediocre as they’ve been, are still the sports soul of South Florida.

Without the Dolphins, we have no sports history. Without the Dolphins, we have no collective discussion. And without the Dolphins, we’d have unfortunately had to spend most of the fall getting our hopes up for the Heat. Who showed us they really are nothing to get excited about.

NOTHING LIKE A BUZZ ON A HOT DAY

So on Friday in Davie, the first practice of the season drew more people that a lot of Marlins games.  Even on a weekday in blistering heat with no shade, Dolphins faithful showed up just to see their guys run basic drills in light pads. We were that sports starved here in Miami.

There was a certain buzz in the crowd with the team’s signing of former Heisman winner (then giver-upper) Reggie Bush. People were clamoring to get their first look at him in orange and white. Quarterback Chad Henne took his first snaps of 2011, lineman got in their first contact, and receivers ran their first routes. Only a month late, but it looks like the season is in full swing.

DOLFANS HAVEN’T MISSED A BEAT

The fans, for their part were in full swing as well. Within thirty minutes of the beginning of practice, some fans were already yelling at Henne to get rid of the ball faster. Not recognizing what was clearly a blocking drill, and instead opting to demand that Kyle Orton be put in immediately. I said Dolphins fans were dedicated. I did not say they were educated.

And because Dolphins fandom is really the only kind of fandom Miami fathers can pass on to their sons, it was also nice to see a lot of dads out at the practice with their boys. One sitting behind me made this observation to his son:

“Look at Devone Bess. He’s good. Oh, look at Brandon Marshall. He’s tall. Doesn’t look like he was stabbed recently, does he?”

Always nice when the kids can learn at an early age what quality individuals professional football players can be.

But despite the heckling, South Florida fans were happy to see their flagship team back on the field Friday. Football is back, and all is right with America.

Related Links: • Lockout Doesn’t Stop Dolphins From Raising over $600,000 During Fins Weekend Related Categories: Miami: Sports News, About the Author: Matt Meltzer is a featured columnist at Miami Beach 411. See more articles by Matt Meltzer. See more articles by Matt Meltzer Was This Post Helpful? Please Share It With Others! Tweet

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