Dave Hyde: When did these Dolphins know their careers could succeed in NFL?

Dave Hyde, South Florida Sun-Sentinel on May 30, 2026

Published in Football

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

When did they know they were good?

Sometimes one, simple question illuminates a personal story. Here is the answer of several Dolphins, old and young, coaches and players:

Zach Sieler, defensive tackle

It was probably the end of my second year when I got down here, got a start against Cincinnati with threes game left (in 2019), where I made a couple of plays. That really kind of helped me. I feel like it catapulted my career into what it became. I said, ‘OK, maybe I got something here.’ Kind of got some confidence. That’s a lot of the thing. I tell these guys, ‘You got to find what helps slow the game down for you and what gives you that confidence.’ And then once you do that, you just keep working on that and hone in on your little techniques here and there. Just keep building. That game gave the confidence.”

Dante Trader, safety

“I feel like once you’ve set that bar as a kid — I’m from Delmar, Delaware. Small town. Nobody comes from there. Probably some people don’t even know it’s a state on my team. It’s where they don’t give you nothing. I set my foot forward, like I’m doing it, I’m going, regardless of what everyone says … So, (it was) a high bar, and it was about just chasing it right from setting that bar in my small town.”

Larry Little, Hall of Fame guard

“I thought I could play in this league in my second year with the Chargers. I started four or five games with San Diego that year (1968). I would’ve started more but (coach) Sid Gillman wouldn’t play me because I had a $1,000 bonus if I’d played more. But it was in those games when I knew I could play. I was on what they called the taxi squad for the start of my rookie year. Never even played. Then I was learning from a pretty good guard in front of me, Walt Sweeney. Then, I got a chance that second year and knew I could play in the league. But when did I know I was good? That took a little longer. That wasn’t until I was traded to Miami and started playing here. We started to have some success and I felt I was part of the reason for that. That’s when I knew I was good.”

Chris Tabor, special teams coach

“My dad was a longtime high school football coach in the state of Missouri, God rest his soul. But I just wanted to be my dad. That’s how I got into coaching. I always thought that if I could be my dad then I made it, so I’m still chasing that.”

De’Von Achane, running back

“I’ve always been a good football player, but probably like college when I was like, OK, I actually can be able to go to the next level. Then my first year when I got here, I saw the game, I seen like, OK, I still can make plays and I was like this (is) for me.”

Malik Willis, quarterback

“Whenever (I got) the opportunity to show it. You can think all you want, but until you get the opportunity to show it or go out there and do it, then all it is is your confidence.”

Patrick Paul, tackle

“The more I played, the more I thought I could play at this level. It’s a learning process. I study other players all the time to see how they do it, maybe pick up something to help my game. Just my third year now. So, no matter where I am today, the idea is to get better.”

Chop Robinson, edge rusher

“I’d say sophomore year in high school. I transferred schools, and then I was on the scout team. I was going against the varsity guys and I was on the defensive line playing three-technique sometimes and I was just burning past (blockers) on my get-off. I started to realize I had a chance. I was like, ‘All right, I could be something.’ I just waited my turn and went to work.’’

Jahmile Addae, defensive backs/cornerbacks coach

“I knew that I was a decent coach as a player. I actually had a year where I had to sit out (injured). And during that year of sitting out I got a chance to tutor some of my teammates and peers. I found myself having just as much fun and just as much joy with them having success as me having it. That’s when I realized eventually that I’d be doing what I’m doing right now.”