New Miami Dolphins team captain Zach Sieler fights to get 'all emotional'
MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins answered the question Monday of which player would step forward to lead the defensive line now that Christian Wilkins is gone.
There isn’t one player. There are two.
When the Dolphins announced their team captains for 2024, it was noteworthy that the defensive line was the only position group placing two players — Zach Sieler and Calais Campbell — among the eight men selected by teammates. The remaining captains were spread among the position groups: quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, fullback Alec Ingold, receiver Tyreek Hill, offensive tackle Terron Armstead, linebacker David Long Jr., and cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Sieler, Campbell, Long and Ramsey are first-time selections.
More: Miami Dolphins live chat with Palm Beach Post's Joe Schad, Hal Habib
Coach Mike McDaniel said he could sense the honor was particularly moving for Long, who is entering his second season with the Dolphins after leading them in tackles with 110 last year.
“He tried to play it cool in front of all of his teammates,” McDaniel said. “I’m convinced that him and a couple of other of his fellow captains probably had an emotional moment behind closed doors. That’s just me guessing because I truly know how much this game means to David Long.”
David Long Jr. made sure to call home to his mother
More: Listen Now! Jacksonville Jaguars visit Miami Dolphins in Week 1 battle of AFC contenders
Long said there was a special moment, but it involved a phone call to his mother.
“Because we have our little talks when stuff is going bad and when stuff is going good,” Long said. “So she knows what it means to me.”
Campbell, 38, will one day see his name up for consideration into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. From that perspective, it’s not surprising teammates look up to him. But he didn’t join the Dolphins until June 18, meaning in just 2 1/2 months he has made that strong an impact in the locker room.
“That’s funny, because I’ve seen people saying that, but the thing is, he’s not being anything other than himself,” Long said. “He just does things so naturally — he’s another coach on the field, another motivator.”
Sieler added, “Being able to be that big of an impact and role model to get voted captain is incredible.”
Sieler has proved to be one of the best finds the Dolphins have had off the waiver wire. He was awarded to Miami in December 2019 after being cut by Baltimore and steadily worked his way up to being a fixture on the line along with his close friend, Wilkins. And now, with Wilkins a member of the Raiders, this is Sieler’s line, with the captaincy to show for it.
Ingold said Sieler beats “dang near everybody” into the facility each morning. On Monday, Sieler said he arrived at about 6:15 a.m. It was Labor Day; he was laboring.
“I think it just shows just hopefully to be a leader and a role model to kids and anyone that’s kind of been told they can’t do something,” Sieler said. “I mean, that’s what my story was from leaving high school.”
Sieler, who went to Ferris State, had to overcome being told he’d never advance beyond scout team. Making the leap to the NFL, he was the 238th draft pick in 2018.
“It’s just to never give up and keep persevering,” Sieler said. “I mean, not trying to get all emotional, but it means a lot. It’s something special.”
Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at hhabib@pbpost.com. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal. Click here to subscribe.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins defensive line has two captains for 2024 NFL season
