Introducing Joey Haynos
By Brian Miller
Pull up your Internet browser and type in www.Google.com. Type in the name Joey Haynos and hit enter. What you get is very little. A short description on Wiki is about all. An NFL.com player bio that is little to nothing in context. A Maryland website that has about the same info. Basically, not much. So why is it that the Miami Dolphins starting TE in two TE sets has nothing written about him? Maybe it’s because no one really knows who is. It’s time to change that.
A viral video was made that can be seen on Youtubeabout the guy and for now, the trail stops there. But really, who is this guy. At 6′-8 inches tall, Joey Haynos took on the shouldered responsibility of being the Dolphins number 2 TE behind incumbent starter Anthony Fasano and as we have recently learned is now one injury away from being “THE” guy.
Haynos grew up a Washington Redskins fan in the DC/Maryland area. Too young to remember the Dolphins/Redskins super bowl he passed on following a basketball career with Gonzaga and scholarships elsewhere to stay closer to home when he opted to play for the Maryland Terrapins. It was in Maryland that he sat behind San Francisco 49’er TE Vernon Davis. Ironically, he now plays with his younger brother, rookie CB Vontae’ Davis. As his collegiate career wound down, Joey sat and listened to name after name tick off the draft boards during the 2008 NFL draft.
"“It was tough, he said. I had family and friends around me and as the rounds ticked by it became awkward.” Joey didn’t think he was a first day pick but figured he would go in the 5th or 6th rounds. Instead, it wasn’t until after the draft that someone called. “Green Bay called me and wanted to sign me to an un-drafted rookie contract so things got better” he said in a recent interview I had with him."
For Joey, the trip to Green Bay was a short lived one. He made it through training camp and found spot on the practice squad where he would get poached in the first half of the season by the Dolphins. Joey found that training camp in GB was laid back and a lot more “relaxed” than what he found in Miami this off-season.
"“They did things different up there,” he said referring to GB. “I can tell you that in Miami it is not the same. It’s a lot more intense. I think Miami has the toughest training camp there is.” Joey also had to grow accustomed to the heat something he didn’t have to deal with in northern Wisconsin."
When asked about who he admired the most in sports growing up the first person he mentioned was his father, and then an uncle. Joey says of himself, that he is a tough player and wants to be thought of as such. For now he waits his turn to become “THE” guy in Miami.
"“I love it here. I love this team and I love this town” he said regarding the city of Miami. Hopefully, he will have a long career here to enjoy it."
I have interviewed a decent amount of Miami athletes, media guys, former players, and even executives for the team. Joey Haynos is one of the more personable. Young enough to know that he is still hungry and smart enough to know that the job in front of him is not only going to be tough, but far from over as well. This is a simple introduction of Joey Haynos with more to follow in the coming weeks.
Later this week I will have the full audio of the interview up on this site for you to listen to and enjoy. For now though, you know a little bit more about Joey Haynos.