Several players spoke to reporters before the third annual Dolphins Cancer Challenge Celebrity Golf Tournament at Turnberry Isle Miami on Friday. Here were some comments that stood out, along with some perspective:
— The 2017 season featured a breakout performance by running back Kenyan Drake, who became the lead back late in the season and ended up leading the NFL in rushing yards over the final five weeks. Drake, a 2016 third-round pick, is hoping that was just the start for him and he can duplicate that kind of performance over a full season.* * *
"We're teammates, man. We've got one goal in mind, that's a championship. We're happy to have him on Sundays. Sunday, Monday, Thursday. Whatever day it is, we're happy to have him on our sideline."
— Cornerback Bobby McCain couldn't help but laugh when he was asked whether he had spent time with wide receiver Danny Amendola since he signed with the Dolphins. McCain and Amendola were involved in an altercation in the Dolphins-Patriots game at Gillette Stadium last November that resulted in McCain's ejection. That's all forgotten now that they're both on the same side and will try to help each other win games.
— McCain was impressive in coverage for most of the 2017 season when he started seven games and had two interceptions, but he's looking for more takeaways this fall. McCain is a key part of what has the makings of a very good cornerback group.
— Tackle Sam Young re-signed with the Dolphins after he had become an unrestricted free agent, indicating he enjoyed playing in his native South Florida and liked the group joining him at work every day. That includes new offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn, who was the position assistant in 2016 before he spent last season with the Chicago Bears. Young indicated that his relationship goes all the way back to the Senior Bowl when Washburn was the assistant offensive line coach for his team. Young has been a valuable backup along the offensive line since first joining the Dolphins in 2016, and last season he started six games.
