Yesterday, the Miami Dolphins held a Kickoff Luncheon, gather players, coaches, staff and fans in the club level of Sun Life Stadium in preparation for the 2011 regular season.Everyone mingled and ate lunch together, and the players and coaches conducted question and answer sessions.
But, the highlight of the event was clearly Head Coach Tony Sparano's key note speech. Sparano was surprisingly emotional throughout the speech.
"This 2011 team is going to be exciting," Sparano said. "They're going to have a great attitude. We have an outstanding defense. We have an outstanding, attacking offense. Our special-teams unit is attacking.
"This place is full of passion."
While a coach being fired up about his team before the season starts is to be expected, Sparano's speech demonstrates his confidence in the 2011 Miami Dolphins, and his belief that this team will surpass all the negativity being published by the "experts" in the media.
"I'm going to say this to you, and in public," Sparano added. "And I don't say a whole lot. But this team will win. That's not a surprise to them. They've heard it."
Now, it's time for the team to back up their coach's beliefs.
See the entire 9-minute speech, via MiamiDolphins.com after the jump.