DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -Dolphins coach Tony Sparano changed things up at practice Monday with a little field trip.
After a walkthrough session in the morning, Sparano surprised his players by telling them to hit the showers and load the bus. It was movie day at Dolphins training camp.
The new “G.I. Joe” film to be exact.
“Seeing 65 players, or 66 players sprint out of the bubble like a kid at Christmas, it was pretty good,” Sparano said.
Usually an intense, in-your-face coach, Sparano showed off his softer side Monday. He thought his Dolphins, who play their final preseason game Thursday night at New Orleans, could use the trip as a way to rest and bond.
Last year, Sparano took the team to see “The Express,” a drama based on the life of Syracuse Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis, the first black player to win the award.
e things, so I thought it was pretty good. It had a nice looking woman in it, too, for them.”
The Dolphins aren’t the only team to take such a trip.
A year ago, Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt called off practice one day late in training camp and sent his players to the movies. What followed was a surprise run to the Super Bowl.
Being a bit superstitious, the coach decided to stick with the movie break again this season when he took his Cardinals to see the alien thriller “District 9.”
Sparano said he thought the trip was more about camaraderie and a day away from practice than anything. Maybe even a chance to score some points with players, who were not available to reporters Monday.
“A lot of popcorn, big smiles and some rested bodies,” Sparano said. “The reason I like doing those kinds of things, I like to make sure guys first of all get a chance to know that I have a heart. Second of all, you appreciate what those guys have done.”
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