Lousaka Polite: The Dolphins sure thing

In 1964, the people of the newly independent nation of Zambia (formerly Northern Rhodesia) selected Lusaka as their capital.

That name struck a chord in the Polite family around the time their new baby boy was coming into the world in September of 1981. And coupled with the fact Mr. Polite's name was Lou, it made perfect sense to name the new addition Lousaka.

Today Lousaka Polite is the Miami Dolphins' starting fullback. They could just as easily have a different name for him: Sure thing.

Polite, you see, is exactly that on short-yardage situations. Ten times this season the Dolphins have handed him the football on third or fourth down and 1 yard to go. All 10 times Polite has delivered a first down.

That pretty much continues a trend Polite started in 2008 when he converted 11 of 12 attempts on third or fourth down. So what gives?

"The first thing I think about is I'm thinking about what the front is going to be on defense," Polite told me Thursday. "What are they going to show me? Then I think about my reads and what they entail, proper footwork and getting behind the right guys and trusting my blockers and fighting for a yard.

"It's all 11 against 11 fighting for a yard. That's what goes through my head. And it's an honor that they trust me enough to put me in that situation. I always want to deliver for my team. In my mind I feel like I have to get it done for my team because they're counting on me. That's what I contribute, as well as blocking, but especially in those situations -- that's when you want to deliver.

"All eyes are on you. The whole sideline knows you're getting the ball. You want to deliver for them."

So what's the secret?

"There's no real secret to it," Polite said. "It's just fighting and making the right decision with the ball. You just put two hands on it and fight until the whistle blows. Honestly, the guys up front make my job easier. I couldn't get that yard if they didn't block the guys in front of them. It would be impossible -- me against the other 11 guys. That's not going to happen. It starts with them and moving those guys off the turf."

Polite's conversion prowess this year, not to mention the fact he's a very good blocker, has made him a Pro Bowl candidate. I vote for the Associated Press All Pro team and he will be on my ballot at fullback.

But even as fan voting continues and teams will vote next week, Polite says that's not his priority at the moment.

"There's talk about it but that's not important to me right now," Polite said. "What's important is that we stay together and try to stay in this thing. Those things take care of themselves as far as accolades. If you're winning and playing well as a team, people will notice. That's their job. Who doesn't want to be the best at what they do? It would be a great honor, but it's not the first priority right now."

Coach Tony Sparano has said Polite is among the most thorough and smart players on his team. He knows his job inside and out. He knows his assignment. He knows what's asked of him. He knows how to be a pro.

And part of being a pro is trying to become a better pro. So Polite is trying to do that.

"I want to be a more dominant blocker," he said. "I don't want my guy even in the mix. I don't want him to lay a hand on the runner. I don't want him to get near the quarterback."

Polite has obviously come a long way from his three years in Dallas and then one season in Chicago in 2007.

"I think earlier in my career, the first couple of years, I was still getting a feel for the game and adjusting to the speed of the game," Polite said. "Maybe it just wasn't my time yet."

When the Dolphins gave Polite his opportunity last season, when he was signed as a free agent in October of 2008, Polite's time had come.

"It was an opportunity," Polite said, "to show that I've grown and I'm a better player."

No doubt.

Comments

[Willy Cher-ino]

please if you have me , let me be myself , just one time , let me be myself HMMMM hmmmmm

[kdenn100]

Every time I see the Dolphins run the ball I look for Polite leading the way. I have seen him wipe people out countless times and always converts on 3rd and 4th and 1. When I see 4th or 3rd and 1, I know exactly who is getting the ball an where it's going; I'm sure the defense knows that too, but Lolite never gets stopped. Polite is am excellent blocker and short yardage back. I hope he gets Pro Bowl nod in addition to a playoff berth.

[Martin]

Willy-

You like that uh?

Go Phins!

[Martin]

Henne has missed Polite twice as I can recall. He was wide open with some some running room. Its going to be cool when they finally hook up. He is a steamroller on run blocking and can be counted on for short yardage as you pointed out. If they could get a little Keith Byers out of him in the passing game, Watch out! Love me some Polite!

Go Phins!

[PApayon]

Best FB we have had in quite a while

[Martin]

I'm going to take Lousaka to the Mall with me Christmas shopping. He can block for me and open up some huge holes.

Next time some lady stops in front of me to text on her phone...Boom Lousaka

The tree hugging dude with the double stroller taking up the whole isle...Boom Lousaka!

Long line at Hot Dog on a stick...Boom Lousaka!

The Cell Phone salesman cutting me off to sell his wares...Boom Lousaka!

The lady at the perfume counter spraying me as I walk by...Boom Lousaka!

Go Phins!

[Martin]

You been Hit!

by
Lou!SOCK!a
Sucka!

Go Phins!

[Martin]

Armando "Fez" Salguero!

Ajorrale Vato!

You da man Ese!

But don't let it go to your head and start wearing a Brim like that Omar Loc. Keep it real! LOL

Go Phins!

[Andrew H]

Armando, Zimbabwe is the country that used to be called Rhodesia.

[Robert]

Great Blog! Five Stars

[xpat]

Northern Rhodesia became Zambia, Southern Rhodesia became Zimbabwe

[downer12]

Martin...your post was really funny ha Good post on a bad night...thanx for the laugh.

Miami needs to go after Demeco Ryans and dump Crowder.what you guys think?

I think Ricky will have a great game and lead our Dolphins to another win.I don't know how our D will do against MJD...we don't have Ferg in the middle anymore...someone has to step up for sure.

Much love Phin Fans

[downer12]

Martin...your post was really funny ha Good post on a bad night...thanx for the laugh.

Miami needs to go after Demeco Ryans and dump Crowder.what you guys think?

I think Ricky will have a great game and lead our Dolphins to another win.I don't know how our D will do against MJD...we don't have Ferg in the middle anymore...someone has to step up for sure.

Much love Phin Fans

[igor]

I need a Polite jersey. Loved the guy last year, love him more this year.

[Big Blackie]

Miami 31 Jax 13

[Kman]

If all the players could play with the intensity polite brings our team will be amazing. That guy does not get enough recognition nationally from what I see. He is the man hope he sticks around for a long time

[SteveFinNJ]

Here's a question that's off topic but
Maybe someone can answer it

When the fins traded welker they got a 2nd. & a 7th for him. What did they pick / get with those picks

[Ace]

NJphin the plumber faked aloco all last night ,good job plumber.

[Ace]

a hint for people about nj phin,when you see a post w/NEGATIVE race referance in it you know it's the PLUMBER NJ PHIN FAN .

[perspective]

Polite is a Parcells type player. Quietly effective.

[Nathaniel Dodsworth]

I don't mean to be a nitpicker, Mr. Salguero, but I have noticed recently some improper punctuation and syntax in your posts.

For example, the word "Dolphins" in the title of this article needs an apostrophe at the end to indicate it is possessive.

In your previous post, twice you said "is when." That is grammatically incorrect. One never says "is when." The correct term is "occurs when."

It's okay. I still like you. But Tom Brady statistically had a much better day on Sunday than Chad Henne did.

[Terrence]

For welker the got the center satale and linebacker Folmston...Not sure the correct spelling, but it's the guy we just cut. As you know for Satale we got Grove which was a huge improvement. The trade was worth it though because we was going to loose welker anyway. The price tag was extremely too high. Welker is a great player now, but only because he plays with New England. Ted Ginn on New England is a great player also...Our system didn't fit welker strengths. The same with Ginn...Once we start using players to their strength like throwing the ball deep...Quick slants and comeback routes you will see all this crap about Ginn can't play will cease. Let's go Dolphins Nation.

[Victor Barney]

Go Lousaka Polite! Let's go to the Super Bowl!

[Spot]

Polite got my vote for the Probowl too. Can't think of a fullback in recent memory to get more key blocks and short yardage first downs than him.

[mike]

SteveFinNJ,

We took Samson Satelle with the Welker 2nd round pick. Not sure who we took with the other.

[mike]

" But Tom Brady statistically had a much better day on Sunday than Chad Henne did."

How so? He had more yards...but not many I think maybe 50. And he had 2 picks.

[nick362]

Whenever its 3rd or 4th and 1, I take off my Ricky Williams jersey and put on my Lousaka Polite jersey.

That's why he's always getting the first down.

[carlito from golfito]

Polite the Punisher!

I have been voting for him on the fan vote...

[SoiledBottom]

Dear Mr. Terrence

"Welker is a great player now, but only because he plays with New England."

"Ted Ginn on New England is a great player"

"Quick slants and comeback routes you will see all this crap about Ginn can't play will cease."

I believe somebody has slipped a micky in your drink.....or you are just drunk.

Be very careful that girl sitting next to you has an adams apple.

Call a cab, go home and drink some coffee quick.

You can thank me in your next post.

Soiled :)

[carlito from golfito]

Nathaniel,

Brady did not have statistically better day than Henne. Yes he threw for 25 or so more yards, but also threw more interceptions. He also did not have the most important statistic which is another game in the win column.

[Israelzion]

There I say kieth Byers. Polite tell Henne to throw you a bone, Polite could have had a huge catch and run if Henne had not missed him Twice. Did any of you see the browns last night? Boy Brady Quin really sucks!!!!!!!!!!

[carlito from golfito]

Ricky Williams will break the 1,000 yards rushing mark on sunday.

[SoiledBottom]

Dear Mr. Nathaniel Dodsworth

I am sorry but I believe Brady also had a better day.

Henne zero babys conceived and zero babys born
Brady zero babys conceived one baby born.

Although these stats didn't show in the game stats
all in all Brady had the better day despite the team loss.

Soiled :)

[Mark in Toronto]

LOOOOUUUUUUU!

[SoiledBottom]

Dear Mr. Dodsworth

I retract my last statement about Brady having the better day because of the birth of his child.

It has been brought to my attention that following the game Henne went to a strip club and had the VIP room to himself and all the strippers lined up to give him free lap dances all night.

allowing him to have the best night ever.

Soiled :)

[scbrandon]

Lousaka is the man!!!!!!!!!

I'm willing to bet that the Carolina Panthers would vote for him being in the pro-bowl. Everytime that he blocked someone he destroyed them....

[carlito from golfito]

Soiled,

Maybe Parcells told Henne that he can't have celebrity girlfriend like Tony Romo so he just settles for strippers. (I think Henne is married, so in that case he definitely settle for strippers)

I hope he go to nice place with clean ladies, not like the place where aloco's family working to pay off debt for being smuggled into this great nation.

[Mclovin]

All i got to say is one word:

"LOUSAKA"

Watching him play, i feel confident that he will deliver those first down. The funny thing is i know the play if it is 3 n 1 or 4 n1 , i know what is coming, he is just a beast!

[Mark in Toronto]

Clean strippers???? Carlito, when you find such a thing, let me know. I'll be right down!

[klndry]

Polite is only polite to us. He isn't polite to the opposition, causing extreme stoppage and pain. Oh Yeah
Soiled Bottom: Welker was the best offensive player on our team when he played here. I hope you don't consider the dropsy boys better players than him. He took kickoffs, fielded punts, and caught the ball better than anyone that played for that Saban team. He would be a great asset to any team in the league. Now go wipe your bum, little man

[dfins006]

Looooooo Polite and Randy Starks should be considered the team's co-MVPs right now...

[Jack Kompan]

Terrance

Nice Post. I agree 100-percent. The ability to find players who fit your mold is a real talent. Getting the most out of the players you have is real genious.

[Ace]

NJ PHIN predicted we lose vs the pats by 17 points .the plumber

[Fever]

Needs some info, Phins Jags blacked out in brevard county (orlando) How far south do I have to go to pick up West Palm feed? Sebastion?, Ft Pierce? Any good sports bars?

[Jack Kompan]

Terrence (sorry I misspelled your name last time)

I should have added: So far the Sporano team has shown a pleasant inclination to do both.

On the question of stats, Brady vs Henne, I calculated Henne's QB rating Sunday and got something barely over 80. Did I do it wrong? If not, how could Brady be 100 with two picks? If you can help me, thanks.

[Low cut tee]

indeed Lou's sack is polite..

[SoiledBottom]

Dear Mr. klndry

"Soiled Bottom: Welker was the best offensive player on our team when he played here."

I agee totally about that accessment.
He was a star for the Dolphins when ever he touched the ball.

I don't care who throws the ball to Ginn...My dog "Bosco" has never dropped a ball thrown his way and to my dog....the game is always on the line.

Soiled :)

[eldustino]

Here's a question that's off topic but
Maybe someone can answer it

When the fins traded welker they got a 2nd. & a 7th for him. What did they pick / get with those picks

The 7th round pick was actually Abraham Wright a defensive end from Colorado. He was taken along with Satelle in the 2nd round of the 2007 draft in the Welker trade.

[carlito from golfito]

Fever,

You should be good in Vero Beach/ Fort Pierce area... I think they get WPB stations there

[SteveinCentFL]

Jim Mandich said it best when he called Polite the human bowling ball! I really hope he makes the pro bowl this year!

[SoiledBottom]

Dear Mr. SteveinCentFL

"Jim Mandich said it best when he called Polite the human bowling ball! I really hope he makes the pro bowl this year!"

As a former league bowler myself and a viewer of many PBA (Pro Bowler ass.)events on ESPN.

I wonder what Lousaka's league average was ?

Soiled :)

[Standley23]

John Beck was picked first in the 2nd rd in 2007

[Standley23]

Beck was picked in the 2nd round

[Gian]

I'm not aware of Polite's contract status, but I believe this management knows which players are of long term value to the organization, and they need to make sure he is content with the terms. Polite is a complete football player and his upside is outstanding. Past coaches and Mngmt. let players such as Welker and Ogunleye go for nothing. A shame.

[CHRIS]

yea man polite is a special player. i hope he makes it to the pro bowl.

[carlito from golfito]

Miami Dolphins are 5-0 in December under Tony Sparano

[ALoco]

lousaka reminds me of mosaka w/eggplant .

[Jimmy Jam]

Cuban menace is impersonating the nice guy ACE. The menace is Fake ACE. Nice job Cuban Menace. I'm sure the real ACE will like that.

[Ace]

jimmy jam is the plumber

[Cam Cameron]

eltusdino is right and stanlyd23 is WRONG. It was Satale and wright for Welker.