Dolphins’ Relative Incident Free Offseason

The Detroit Lions lead the way with five arrests — taking note that Leshoure and Fairley each were arrested twice.  The Lions are followed by the Vikings and Seahawks, each team with three arrests.  Although the Dolphins are on the list with the arrest of Koa Misi, this arrest resulted from an incident which occurred in June 2011 — not under Sheriff Joe’s watch.

I think it is great that the Dolphins are not in the news for the wrong reasons.  It is great that we all can read articles about how well the Dolphins will do this year, who will start at QB, will the West Coast offense be an improvement, will this year’s 4-3 defense be as good as last year’s 3-4, etc — rather than articles about transgressions committed by players.  I think it is great that we see photos of players in football uniforms — rather than mug shots.  And, I think it is great to worry about possibly losing players to injuries — rather than prison sentences or league suspensions.

All reports indicate that Sheriff Joe is quite the family man.  I hope he is communicating to the Dolphins players that, for better or mostly for worse, kids look up to professional athletes.  And, Miami Dolphins players should set a positive example for the kids of the Miami community.   Players should inspire the kids to reach for bright stars made up of positive accomplishments, not for dark stars made up of a life of crime and prison.

Please allow me for just a minute of your time to read the words of a prayer I love — the Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi.  Even if you are not a person of faith in a Higher Power, the words surely are ones which, if everyone could follow (including NFL Players), the world would be a better place.

Lord, make me a channel of thy peace, that where there is hatred, I may bring love; that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness; that where there is discord, I may bring harmony; that where there is error, I may bring truth; that where there is doubt, I may bring faith; that where there is despair, I may bring hope; that where there are shadows, I may bring light; that where there is sadness, I may bring joy.  Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted; to understand, than to be understood; to love, than to be loved.  For it is by self-forgetting that one finds.  It is by forgiving that one is forgiven.  It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life.

What do you think?  Is Joe Philbin making difference in the character of the Miami Dolphins?

By the way, speaking of Koa Misi and his transgression, I find it interesting that the preliminary hearing for his battery charges in Santa Barbara, CA was held in April of 2012 and no trial date has been set yet.  Hopefully, this means that the trial date will not be until after the 2012 season is over — his attorney could easily seek and be awarded such a delay, if necessary.  Misi has looked good, thus far, in training camp and the Dolphins could use an effective third LB.  However, given the transgression and the possible penalties (criminal and NFL league) which could be forthcoming, I wonder whether the Dolphins should trade him and the distraction?  It sure would send a further message to the other players.  And, the Ravens could use an emergency OLB at this point (to replace injured Terrell Suggs) possibly resulting in something worthwhile for the Dolphins in return.

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