I wish to God the Dolphins would blow that damned bubble up!!! Get your asses out in the hot sun, build up that tolerance to the extreme heat and humidity of south Florida. Then use that tolerance and endurance to run your opponent to death!! That’s what Shula did and why Miami always held such a significant home field advantage. Other teams just couldn’t compete in these conditions.
As a kid growing up in Davie, I didn't know anything about S Florida being extra hot or humid....the temperature was what it was and we played in it like all kids do. And when I moved to the Carolinas in my 20's, I was perplexed when people said how scorching hot it was when we had 90+ degree days with 30-50% humidity. It felt like a really comfortable summer day to me. I don't know that practicing in the heat makes that much of a difference since players are in the heat every single say/night...I think it's more getting used to it and drinking the right fluids than anything. The big thing is how much you sweat being in that sun for 3-4 hours and knowing to hit that Gatorade early and often to stay ahead of dehydration- visiting team trainers preach it but the players don't realize they're falling behind. And as they naturally tire out from the sun, opponents slow down just a touch and that's where the injuries come in. The O lineman that got knocked out last week was a perfect example- it wasn't a massive hit or anything, but the guy was already exhausted while still on his feet. Anyway, I don't know if practicing outdoors matters or not....I'm sure they did some studies on the effects both ways (the gains in fitness vs the losses from dehydration). I'm guessing that just living there is the secret to adapting to the humidity though. It's sometimes hotter in South Carolina than it is in Ft. Lauderdale, but it never feels hotter because it's a completely different kind of heat.
As we say in the military, "train as you fight". The Dolphins aren't a dome team so practicing indoors makes no sense since we play outdoors. Additionally, if we TRULY wanted to have a true home field advantage, wouldn't it make sense if we actually practiced IN the stadium itself, getting used to the feel of the field, the different nuances, etc
Indeed. On the stadium practise - wasn't there news this off-season that facilities would be moving away from Davie and back to the stadium?
Why the hell not just put a full roof on Hardrock if you're not even gonna bother practicing in Florida weather/humidity? There is no advantage if these guys aren't uncomfortable at practice.
I'm hoping Gase is playing mind games with the Pats regarding some of these injuries. Like how Brady has a 'shoulder issue' most every week.
Assuming there is no rain or anything they use the Nick Saban Memorial Bubble when they are working on things they don't want anyone to see.
