With trade rumors swirling that Dolphins safety Reshad Jones is the next casualty of the 2019 roster purge in Miami, a single comment yesterday during the team’s first voluntary workout set off a slew of questions. Coach Brian Flores had this team on the practice field for the first time, but not before he fielded questions from the media. When Flores announced to the media that safety Reshad Jones was not in attendance, the speculation began to build.
Are you (Brian Flores) disappointed? Is Reshad’s shoulder injury a factor? Is Reshad upset? Has Reshad indicated that he wants a trade?
And Flores, to his credit, offered an example of why he carries the reputation of a coach players are going to love to play for. Under this barrage of questions, Flores never blinked. He never threw Jones under the bus or criticized him for not being present at the voluntary workout. But it isn’t like Flores lied, either.
“I’m going to tell you guys this, ” said Flores when asked if Jones had requested a trade. “My conversations with our players, I’m going to keep them private. I’m going to leave it right there.”
Flores wasn’t going to budge, staying firm that in-house business is exactly that — in-house. One has to respect the directness of his stance, but also the respect and courtesy he’s offering Jones — regardless of what Jones’ positioning or situation is as a long-term member of the team.
