One factor of life in the NFL that always seems to be taken for granted by fans is how hard it can be to come in and play as a rookie. There is a human element to pro athletes, one that deserves to be acknowledged and accepted more widely.
You don’t have to take our word for it, just listen to former Dolphin Joe Rose, co-host of The Audible podcast, talk about the differences in playing in the NFL in year one vs. year two.
“I look back to when I played too, from year one to year two, was a big jump in confidence. Now you’ve got some playing time under your belt. You had a chance to look back, ‘Oh I’ve been in those situations’. You’re just more confident, you feel better. You feel like you belong.”
Imagine what this mental boost provides Minkah Fitzpatrick, who was good as a rookie anyway last season. And then there’s the slow starters like TE Mike Gesicki and RB Kalen Ballage.
You could technically even rope LB Raekwon McMillan into this category, given he missed his entire rookie season in 2017.
One thing Miami has on their side? Youth. Youth provides hope and promise of upward development, and that now falls on the mental fortitude of the players and the new coaching staff to pull things together.
