COCONUT GROVE — Miami Dolphins veteran defensive lineman Zach Sieler and second-year nose tackle Brandon Pili emerged from their fishing boat Saturday after dealing with the rough seas off the Miami coast.
With the high winds, Pili and Sieler were woozy, but survived the two-day Annual Fins Weekend that many of their teammates did not, backing out after Day 1.
Perhaps it’s a good omen that Sieler, whose been with the Dolphins since 2019, and Pili, aundrafted free agent contributor in 2023, are ready to rock the boat again this season on Miami’s D Line.
The annual fishing tournament, started by then-Dolphins head coach Jimmy Johnson 25 years ago, raises money forthe Baptist Health Foundation, which has trainers working with South Florida high schools.
A handful of Dolphins players – the ones who didn’t back out early – Dolphins alumni, staff, cheerleaders and fans participated in the fishing tournament that was highlighted by an unofficial world record when a boat with Miami fans reeled in a 50-pound black-fin tuna.Angler Bob Kowalski, the Sinnick family and captain Gareth Haddamall shared in the black-fin capture.
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Sieler started fishing in Michigan as a kid and his game has only stepped up since being acquired off waivers from Baltimore late in the 2019 season.
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Sieler and Pili each caught a couple of 20-pound tunas. Pili added – appropriately enough - two dolphin fish to his collection at the weigh-in at Grove Harbour Marina. They were on the same boat as recently signed free agent Cam Brown, formerly of the Giants.
“it was a little windy today but a great day though,’’ Seiler said. “Beautiful weather minus the waves and chop. The three of us did pretty good. No one did anything overboard, giving up breakfast.’’
Sieler has become a big-time fisherman since becoming a Dolphin, going six times a year to Marathon to fish and taking fishing vacations to Costa Rica and Aruba.
“I kind of got hooked,’’ Sieler said. “You’re in one of the capitals of the world for fishing. The hardnosed guys are fine (in these conditions). Guys who don’t go often, those are guys can’t be man enough not to take Dramamine. You can’t just suck it up. When you get seasick, you get seasick, period.’’
Pili, who played at USC but went undrafted, grew up in Alaska and fished in a different manner– on the beach with a 5-foot net. “This was a different experience,’’ Pili said.
Pili was a small surprise last season, making the squad and getting into two games early on. After losing defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to free agency, there could be a depth role. Voluntary OTAs ended last week. The mandatory three-day minicamp starts Tuesday.
“It’s an awesome experience seeing him grow from last year to this year,’’ Sieler said. “Showing up for his first full OTAs and seeing the growth, I’mexcited about him this year.’’
Any depth helps as the Dolphins’ 2023 postseason was wrecked by injuries to the defense.
“I learned a lot last season from Zach, Chris Wilkins, Raekwon Davis,’’ Pili said. “They were a huge help to me. I attribute a lot of my rookie success to them. showingme the ropes. I’m real excited what this year has to bring.’’
“I have high expectations of myself,’ Pili added. “I’m excited to build on last year.’’
Pili's sister, Alissa, is the WNBA's newest standout
He’s got an athletic family as his younger sister, Alissa Pili, is the WNBA’s newest standout. She was selected8thby the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA draft last month. On Friday, she busted out for 20 points, shooting 4-for-4 from 3-point land.
Pili was not in New York with his sister because it marked the reporting date for OTAs in Miami Gardens. She played at USC before transferring to Utah. “I got to Facetime with my dad, though’’ Pili said.
Meanwhile, Sieler, a Dolphins’ mainstay, doesn’t want to look back at what could’ve been had they been healthier.
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“Everyone hopes for things to go better unless you’re the Super Bowl winner,’’ said Sieler, out of Ferris State. “Injuries happen. You have to work through them. Those guys who aren’t the top-round picks, the guys in the mud, aren’t names, aren’t known. Those are the guys who help win you games and win you Super Bowls. That’s how I got my start in the NFL, filling in those spots."
And those may be the guys who can survive the rough waters off Coconut Grove.
“It’s a charity, but it brings the players, Dolphins fans -everyone - together with something we all love – fishing,’’ Johnson said.
