Tag: Mike McDaniel

Mike McDaniel explains Dolphins’ new emphasis on ball-control drives

The Dolphins had as many 14-play drives Sunday as they did their entire 2023 season.

During the Miami Dolphins’ prolific year of offense in 2023, they had three drives with at least 14 plays. On Sunday, they matched that total in a single afternoon.

During a 34-19 win against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Dolphins put together a pair of 14-play drives along with a 16-play drive that was the longest for the team since Mike McDaniel was hired in 2022. It wasn’t an aberration either. In the six games Tua Tagovailoa has started this season, Miami has put together 16 drives with at least 10 plays.

In the absence of big plays from Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and De’Von Achane, the Dolphins have found a new identity as a team willing to methodically grind away at its opponents.

“When you have some offensive production, or sustained offensive production, specifically with last year … you’re going to get offseason attention and people are going to have a different plan for you,” McDaniel said Monday. “You have to adjust to what is being presented to you and people have different plans of actions.

“Once people put two-high conservative and/or two-man coverages against your offense — until you’re able to take advantage of that through the quarterback extending plays or throwing shorter to space and staying efficient and maximizing those gains with YAC — until you prove that you’re able to execute and have games like that where you don’t punt the ball, you’re going to get that type of defense.”

Will the Dolphins’ recent success with lengthy, mistake-free drives force defenses to rethink their approach to stopping Tua Tagovailoa and co.? It remains to be seen. But McDaniel is hopeful that Miami is learning lessons that will pay dividends down the stretch.

In 2023, the Dolphins offense faded in the final weeks of the season. After averaging 31.5 points and 414.1 yards in the first 15 weeks, Miami managed just 18.3 points and 341.7 yards per game in the last three. A 26-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs followed.

“Something that we’ve been talking about since the start of the offseason in conjunction with forecasting how do we win elimination games? How do you win down the stretch of the season?” McDaniel said.

“Something that has been on the forefront of our guys’ minds in terms of we’re finding different ways to execute and move the ball down the field and score points, and I think that’s an important part of the process when you’re talking about a winning formula for big games and elimination games in particular, which is what we’re trying to grow to.”

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Christian Wilkins is helping Raiders even without playing Week 11 vs Dolphins

Raiders DT Christian Wilkins is on IR, and thus won’t play vs the Dolphins, but his intel on his former team could prove very beneficial.

Don’t let the 3-6 record fool you. The Dolphins team is very good. And the Raiders will have to use every advantage they can if they hope to pull out a win.

One advantage they will not have on the field with them is Christian Wilkins. The Pro Bowl DT is currently on injured reserve. But just because he can’t take the field, doesn’t mean he isn’t helping them.

When the Raiders take the field in Miami, they will be facing a team full of former Wilkins’ teammates playing for a staff of former Wilkins’ coaches. And they plan to get every bit of intel on the orange and aqua Wilkins can provide.

“Absolutely. We’re in the business of gathering information,” said Raiders DC Patrick Graham. “Christian [Wilkins], he’s a smart football player, he picks up on tendencies well. So, absolutely getting information from him.”

Wilkins was a first round pick by the Dolphins and spent the first five years of his career in Miami. The last four lining up across from Tua Tagovailoa in practice every day and the last two under head coach Mike McDaniel. So, he knows a thing or two about their strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies.

Certainly facing former players on other teams is nothing new. It happens every week practically. Sometimes it is quite beneficial. This could be one of those times.

Mike McDaniel messed with one of the ESPN game cameras before MNF, and it was gold

Mike McDaniel always knows how to turn on the funny.

Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel is never one to ignore the perfect moment to be funny.

Ahead of his team’s Monday night game against the Los Angeles Rams, McDaniel decided to mess with one of the ESPN cameras as he paced his walk slightly off the expectation of the broadcast.

It’s such a routine moment, a football coach walking on the sideline, but McDaniel knew exactly how to ramp up the charm

If you were watching this at home, you probably didn’t think anything of it until McDaniel switched things up. As far as pregame gags go, this is pretty good.

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Mike McDaniel on trade deadline inactivity: ‘We believe in the roster’

The Dolphins made eight midseason trades between 2019 and 2023, but decided to stand pat at the deadline this year.

The Miami Dolphins did nothing at the 2024 NFL trade deadline. That’s not modus operandi for general manager Chris Grier, who has been aggressive in upgrading the roster with midseason deals throughout his tenure.

In the five-season stretch between 2019 and 2023, Grier completed eight trades in the months of October and November — including deals that added Bradley Chubb and Jeff Wilson Jr. to the current roster. But with the Dolphins sitting at 2-6, they opted against adding players to help turn their season around. They also decided not to send any players elsewhere.

“There was a couple of conversations we had, both about people reaching out to us and different possibilities inward and outward,” Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. “I think the action was that there was no action. That in itself, I think we believe in the roster and want to see guys come through a tough time. I think that’s really what was executed and nothing more than that.”

McDaniel foreshadowed the Dolphins’ inactivity at the trade deadline with a similar answer about his confidence in the current state in the roster Monday.

“Chris Grier’s job is to field all business and listen and think both in the short and the long term of the best interest of the franchise,” McDaniel said. “But I know first and foremost, we are absolutely convicted in this team being better than the win-loss column right now and believe that it can make a turn and that’s how we’re approaching each and every day.”

That could begin Monday night at SoFi Stadium when the Dolphins take on the Los Angeles Rams, who are riding a three-game winning streak. With a win, the Dolphins would validate make their decision to sit pat at the deadline. With another loss, the reluctance to part with aging veterans could quickly look like a stubborn decision that did no favors for the franchise’s long-term outlook.

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Dolphins’ Jordan Poyer calls hit on Bills’ Keon Coleman ‘clean’

Dolphins’ Jordan Poyer calls hit on Bills’ Keon Coleman ‘clean’

The Bills were charging downfield on offense in the final minutes of their matchup against the Dolphins Sunday, aiming to score the winning points to break a tie and win the game before the end of regulation.

Buffalo did just that, winning 30-27, and a former Bill even helped them get the opportunity for the victory, albeit at a cost.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen and the offense were making their way downfield in the final minutes of the contest after Miami tied the score at 27 when Allen threw a deep pass toward the left sideline targeting rookie receiver Keon Coleman.

While the pass was incomplete, Dolphins safety and former Bill Jordan Poyer, who returned to Orchard Park for the first time since his seven-year run with Buffalo ended, was whistled for a personal foul as he made helmet-to-helmet contact on the play. The flag kept the drive alive and led to Buffalo winning the game on a 61-yard field goal by kicker Tyler Bass.

Poyer’s helmet crown made contact with Coleman’s facemask, and his helmet also came into contact with the rookie’s right hand during the hit as well, and he appeared to motion toward his arm on his way to the sideline after the play.

Per Syracuse.com, Coleman had a brace on his right wrist and left the game late after the injury.

Poyer said postgame that he believed at the time that the play was clean.

“I’m just playing football. I thought it was a clean play, felt like I put my helmet right into his chest,” he said to the press. “I’m just playing football, it’s tough. … What can you do? I don’t know. I had a great post-break, he went up for the ball and I literally didn’t stop my feet. I felt like I hit him where I was supposed to hit him. Apparently, the ref didn’t think so.”

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel acknowledged that their goal is to play aggressively, though he did not disagree with the penalty call.

“It takes it out of everyone’s hands when you go helmet to helmet,” McDaniel said. “I didn’t see it live, but if there was helmet-to-helmet contact, it is what it is. You have to go strike zone, which is below the neck. So they’ll call that every time if that’s the case.”

Buffalo was down a receiver as recent trade acquisition Amari Cooper had been ruled out ahead of Sunday’s game with an arm injury of his own.

Coleman has been a top receiver for the Bills this season with 22 catches for 417 total yards and two touchdowns.

Mike McDaniel not giving up on Odell Beckham: ‘We know he can help us’

Mike McDaniel envisions more involvement for Odell Beckham Jr. after he was “running the best routes” Sunday.

October is coming to a close and Odell Beckham Jr. still hasn’t recorded a reception with the Miami Dolphins.

After starting the year on the physically unable to perform list, Beckham has been active for three games with the Dolphins. But three targets in his first two games fell incomplete and Beckham played only 11 snaps in Miami’s 28-27 loss on Sunday.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said he was encouraged by what he saw in that limited time, though.

“I thought he looked as comfortable as he’s looked,” McDaniel said of Beckham on Monday. “I think Tua [Tagovailoa] sees that on tape and we kind of adjust to what players show us and I thought he was running the best routes, so my expectation would be more involvement.”

But is Beckham willing to continue being patient in an offense that has even found a way to get sixth-round rookie Malik Washington and former practice squad receiver Dee Eskridge involved?

When fans on social media made fun of Beckham for failing to record a reception in his time on the field with the Dolphins, the veteran receiver replied by seemingly implying that he’s been getting open but isn’t getting fed the ball.

“I think it was a step in the right direction, albeit, the box score doesn’t really assess that,” McDaniel said of Beckham. “From our standpoint from the way we look at offense and the way we look at doing our jobs, I thought he did a good job with the opportunities he had, and we’ll continue to push that envelope because we’re trying to max out what type of football team we are and we know he can help us.”

The Dolphins offense had its most productive day in Week 8, but came up a point short against the Cardinals. Tagovailoa targeted eight different receivers Sunday with Tyreek Hill, De’Von Achane, Jaylen Waddle, and Jonnu Smith getting at least six targets each.

Beckham signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Dolphins that included an additional $5.25 million in incentives. He needs to record at least 36 receptions, 566 receiving yards, and/or four touchdowns to receive more than $3 million.

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Stephen Ross ‘really believes in’ people he hired, says Mike McDaniel

Stephen Ross has been “disappointed” but “very supportive” of the Dolphins staff, says Mike McDaniel.

Despite a frustrating and disappointing first half of the 2024 season, Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has remained supportive of the team’s top decision-makers, according to head coach Mike McDaniel.

“He knows the people that he’s hired that he really believes in and so he’s very supportive,” McDaniel said of Ross on Monday. “I think he’s also supremely competitive so he doesn’t like to lose, but he’s kind of – we’re definitely aligned in that it’s the process and evaluating that and sometimes results are fleeting, and they fall in different arenas. He tries to do everything in his power to facilitate success, so he’s disappointed obviously when we don’t have it.”

McDaniel was hired by the Dolphins in February 2022 and led the team to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons, although the team failed to get a win in either postseason appearance. After a 2-5 start this season, McDaniel has a 22-19 record with the Dolphins.

In August, McDaniel received an extension through the 2028 season.

Perhaps the bigger question mark is how secure Chris Grier’s place is as the Dolphins’ general manager. The 54-year-old executive has been with the organization since 2000 and has served as its GM since 2016.

The Dolphins’ rough start in 2024 has largely been due to roster flaws like the team’s inability to find a reliable backup quarterback, or avoid adding players with an injury history. Miami has also received very little contribution from its recent draft classes with the exception of running backs De’Von Achane and Jaylen Wright.

If Miami’s tailspin continues and no rebound happens, it’s hard to imagine Grier’s job is safe. But for now, it seems Ross is still willing to ride out things with the Dolphins’ current brain trust.

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Mike McDaniel: ‘We get what we deserve’ when mistakes add up

Mike McDaniel says there’s no time for the Dolphins to sulk after another frustrating loss.

The Miami Dolphins are 2-5 and it’s looking like the Buffalo Bills are cruising to an AFC East title without much resistance. A win for the Bills on Sunday against the Dolphins would all but guarantee that Miami has no shot at catching up.

But Mike McDaniel says there’s no time to sulk after their 28-27 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

“The answer is not to take the foot off the gas,” McDaniel said. “It’s to take a hard look, which will probably be pretty rough tomorrow, but that is what it is. We have to fix it. We have to get the win … no team’s going to frankly give a (expletive) about our problems.”

Those problems on Sunday included the inability to sack Kyler Murray or force any Cardinals turnovers, as well as four fumbles by the Dolphins offense. While Miami scooped three of those off the turf, one was shoveled out of the back of the end zone by Tua Tagovailoa for a safety.

“We can’t have those type of issues. You can’t just give free points to people,” McDaniel said. “That ended up being the difference in terms of points but it wasn’t just that play. There’s a multitude of things that ended up in points, like not connecting and settling for a field goal on the 7-yard line earlier.

“Those are things that add up, so hard lessons and they have to be lessons learned if you want it to change and so we’ll have an opportunity to do that. It’ll be a long week, but we get what we deserve.”

For now, the Dolphins don’t deserve anything more than two wins and 10th place in the AFC.

And unless Miami corrects its errors very soon, this season will be a lost cause and it’ll be time to turn the Dolphins’ attention toward making major changes for 2025 and beyond.

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‘Zero’ medical experts told Tua Tagovailoa to stop playing football

Mike McDaniel says Tua Tagovailoa met with a “litany” of medical experts and none told him to walk away from football.

Tua Tagovailoa will return to the Miami Dolphins’ lineup Sunday more than a month after a concussion suffered against the Buffalo Bills had many questioning if he should ever play again.

But less than two years after Tagovailoa told reporters that he considered retirement after suffering multiple concussions in 2022, the Dolphins quarterback dismissed the idea of walking away from football at a press conference earlier this week.

According to Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, medical experts made no effort to urge Tagovailoa to make that decision.

“Tua met with a litany, a laundry list, a long list of medical experts, and zero of them recommended that he shouldn’t play football,” McDaniel told reporters Friday. “So that means 100 percent of them were supporting the continued journey and I think that is as easy of a relay as possible.

“I think there’s a lot of things out there, so I can’t tell you how many people or if many people asked him, but I know that’s what drove his confidence is making his decision in step with medical experts who fully support what he’s doing.”

When Tagovailoa spoke to reporters Monday, the Dolphins quarterback said he had no discussion with his family about leaving the sport and he dismissed the idea of wearing a Guardian Cap to provide an additional layer of protection. But McDaniel wants it to be known that Tagovailoa is as mindful as anyone when it comes to concussions.

” From all the way to the most minimal thing with hydration and how you eat – I know in the locker room, he is my foremost expert on the brain,” McDaniel said of Tagovailoa. “No one in this process has trivialized any of this. … I think he’s really gone above and beyond since 2022 really, and he’s taking it with that same seriousness, just probably leveled up a little bit.”

Tagovailoa led the NFL in passer rating (105.5) during his injury-shortened 2022 season and was the league’s leading passer (4,624 yards) in 2023 after playing in all 17 games for the first time in his career.

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Dolphins will ease Tua Tagovailoa back into offense, says Mike McDaniel

“You don’t go and ride the Tour de France on the first time you’ve picked the bike back up, you know?”

When Tua Tagovailoa spoke to reporters earlier this week, the Miami Dolphins quarterback said he’s been symptom-free since the day after he suffered a concussion in Week 2 and he’s spent the last five weeks throwing, studying, and prepping for his return.

But even if he’s physically ready for his Week 8 return, Tagovailoa hasn’t worked with Dolphins receivers in over a month. So head coach Mike McDaniel doesn’t think it’s the best idea to throw the entire playbook at the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday in Tagovailoa’s first game back.

“You don’t go and ride the Tour de France on the first time you’ve picked the bike back up, you know?” McDaniel told reporters Wednesday. “So that’s kind of the way we’re approaching it and excited to see him start the process.”

What a dialed back version of the Dolphins’ offense looks like remains to be seen.

The goal, according to McDaniel, is “that everyone is playing their most comfortable for the first time since Week 1.” And Tagovailoa’s confidence and comfort is the team’s top priority.

“He needs to be the captain, he needs to be the leader of this team, and he needs to feel complete ownership of his game,” McDaniel said. “You’re trying to build on what the team is doing right now and then utilize his strengths.”

On Monday, McDaniel said that he warned Dolphins players not to think of Tagovailoa as the “savior” who will rescue the offense after it spent four games sinking in quicksand. But the excitement of Dolphins players has been palpable.

Wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who hasn’t caught a touchdown pass since Week 1, said hearing Tagovailoa’s voice in practice nearly brought him to tears. And running back Raheem Mostert said the connection between Tagovailoa and Hill in their first practice in over a month “just looked like they didn’t skip a beat.”

McDaniel wants the Dolphins offense to walk before it starts to run, but the sooner the unit can get going, the better.

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