\u201cI want (fans) to see a physical team that that lays it on the line, that plays together, that has fun together, and that can execute without making a lot of pre-snap, post-snap mistakes,\u201d Hafley said. \u201cA smart football team who plays as hard as they can for as long as they can and enjoys playing together, and that’s really important because those are the things that we can control.\u201d <\/p>\n
Of course, an old adage among football coaches is the only way to get better at football is by playing it. By extension, if Hafley wants his team to be physical, live tackling drills are almost a necessity to build that physicality within the team\u2019s fabric. <\/p>\n
One of Miami\u2019s core players under Hafley and for the foreseeable future is linebacker Jordyn Brooks. He said he was happy with the change Hafley has made. <\/p>\n
\u201cI love it,” Brooks said. “I love it. I think the only way you can get better at tackling is to tackle. It’s hard trying to get your feet ready and get that working in the first game of the season, you know what I mean? And it’s always pros and cons to each situation. Some teams want to take care of guys, don’t want to get people hurt, so you don’t get those real tackling reps. So first time you tackle is the first game of the season. It might end up good, might end up bad, but I think it’s great. I don’t believe in trying to be too careful. The game is the game. Get hurt, it was meant to be, I guess. The live reps, I think is gonna be huge for us. Get practice going, get the juices going, and, shoot, just go hit somebody. So it’ll be fun.\u201d <\/p>\n
Buyer Beware<\/p>\n
While Brooks\u2019 words will ring across the locker room and help set the physical tone that Hafley desires, there are also some drawbacks to tackling in practice. <\/p>\n
There are certain restrictions, and things that NFL teams are more focused on than they once were. It\u2019s not as simple as forcing players to tackle more in practice and that leading to good outcomes in games when there are real consequences to missing a play on the field.<\/p>\n
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