Miami Dolphins linebacker Kyle Van Noy is eagerly awaiting his team’s opening game on Sunday versus the New England Patriots.
Without a doubt, Van Noy is quite familiar with both sides that will take the field a few days from now.
Van Noy signed with the Dolphins back in March. He came from the Patriots, where he first connected with Dolphins head coach Brian Flores a few seasons ago. According to Van Noy, the two teams are run very similarly these days.
Kyle Van Noy says just like the Patriots, the Dolphins are run really, really well
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) September 9, 2020
Now in Miami, Van Noy senses the opportunity before him and can hardly contain his anticipation to start playing in games.
“I feel like I didn’t have an opportunity in my first destination and I did in my second — and now I have an even better one at my third,” he said. “So I can’t wait.”
Drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, the 29-year-old Van Noy was traded to the Patriots in the middle of his third season in the league.
In his first two years in the NFL, Van Noy played in a reserve capacity and didn’t really contribute much in statistical categories.
However, Van Noy has shown a knack for coming through in the clutch, offering an analogy to describe how he approaches the game.
“My whole life’s been that way,” Van Noy said. “Just try to thrive in pressure, and pressure makes diamonds. I feel like I’m trying to be a diamond.”
One of Van Noy’s best seasons came during Flores’ last year with the Patriots in 2018. That fact offers hope that the veteran can continue to excel with the Dolphins.
“Anytime when you have a good working relationship, to know how to get the best out of each other and what each other expects — I have a lot of respect for him and what he’s done and I’m excited to continue to earn his respect and earn the respect of Miami,” Van Noy said of working with Flores. “We want to do everything we can to win. I mean, the city of Miami is lovely and people want to win here. It’s been 20 years since getting to the playoffs.”
The uncertainties of any season have been magnified during a season that will be played under the specter of the COVID-10 pandemic. For Van Noy, it’s clear that his eagerness to finally prove himself could turn out to be mutually beneficial for both him and the Dolphins.
