Dolphins center Mike Pouncey sternly fired back at his critics Friday, the ones who said he wouldn't play all 16 games this season.
Pouncey, the three-time Pro Bowl selection whose practice work has been closely monitored this season due to a lingering hip condition, said playing all 16 games for the first time since his second NFL season (2012) would be symbolic.
"It means everything," the normally smiling Pouncey said with a straight face. "All the hard work, it'll prove that it paid off.
"To all the doubters, the people that doubted me, it'd be a big middle finger to them."
Asked how many doubters are out there, Pouncey counted off the reporters around him.
"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven," he said, pointing to specific reporters as he counted.
And he wasn't smiling, which he'd normally do after such a statement.
While that was going on defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh playfully ambled over and fired off a couple of joking questions to Pouncey.
That brought a slight smile to Pouncey's face.
But then it was back to business.
Coach Adam Gase and offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen have said Pouncey has been the steadiest offensive lineman all season, and Gase said Pouncey's play has improved in the second half of the season.
Pouncey discussed his condition briefly after Sunday's 29-13 loss at Kansas City.
"The extent of my injury, I had avascular necrosis," he said. "I was told my career was over at one point. Just to be here, going into Game 16 of the season, obviously, it was just a blessing."
Asked about how he's played this season, Pouncey was succinct after the game.
"I had my best year," he said. "Ask the coaches. They'll tell you the same thing."
Told Friday he seemed to have a chip on his shoulder, Pouncey appeared to embrace the characterization.
"I'm going to have one for the rest of my career," he said. "I just want to prove all you wrong. It's that simple."
