MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel mentioned quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s latest feedback about some teammates skipping or exhibiting up late to players-only conferences have already been addressed internally — and that the team’s focus is on fixing its on-field issues, not finger-pointing.
Tagovailoa raised eyebrows after Sunday’s 29-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, suggesting an absence of accountability and management had contributed to Miami’s six-game slide.
“I think it starts with the leadership and helping articulate that for the guys,” Tagovailoa mentioned after the sport. “We’re expecting ‘this.’ Are we getting that? Are we not getting that? We have guys showing up to player-only meetings late, guys not showing up to player-only meetings.”
McDaniel advised reporters Tuesday that Tagovailoa spoke with teammates each individually and in teams, and the difficulty is now behind them.
“The first, last and only thing if I have anything to say about it — and I did in several meetings — is the Cleveland Browns,” McDaniel mentioned. “He communicated with his teammates, and there’s much bigger fish to fry.”
The Dolphins’ defensive struggles stay a significant concern because the team ranks final within the NFL in opposition to the run.
Notably, over the past three video games, Miami has given up 199 speeding yards to the New York Jets, 206 yards to Carolina Panthers operating again Rico Dowdle and third-string operating again Kimani Vidal added 138 all-purpose yards throughout that stretch, contributing to a 1-2 report.
Asked why the group didn’t search line of defense assist via trades or free company, McDaniel mentioned the team believes in creating its present gamers.
“Just because you’re not active doesn’t mean you’re complacent,” McDaniel mentioned. “You’re taking a snapshot of what that was and asking, ‘What can we coach and improve with the player?’ The easiest answer is grass is greener, but you have to focus on what they can do and get them to do their best stuff.”
McDaniel additionally addressed the absence of veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell, who performs for the Arizona Cardinals, calling him “a very good player that provides a lot of things,” although he stopped in need of blaming his absence for the team’s struggles.
On the offensive aspect, McDaniel mentioned rookie guard Jonah Savaiinaea stays a part of the Dolphins’ long-term plans regardless of early rising pains.
“I think Jonah had probably his best technique game,” McDaniel mentioned. “The process needs to occur or you evaluate other options, but our best coaching is done through improvement of failure.”
When requested to mirror on his tenure — now 28-29 within the common season — McDaniel mentioned he isn’t targeted on self-evaluation.
“I’m not in the mindset of reviewing eras,” he mentioned. “My job is to be the best head coach for this team, focused on preparation, conviction and detail.”
The Dolphins (1-5) will strive to snap their skid Sunday after they go to the Cleveland Browns (1-5), a team led by All-Pro cross rusher Myles Garrett — a problem McDaniel mentioned requires “collective focus.”
“It’s no single person’s job when you’re talking about one of the best players in the league,” he mentioned when speaking about Garrett. “You prioritize him in the game plan, for sure, while spreading the duty across a group, not an individual.”
Kickoff from Huntington Bank Field is about for 1 p.m. Sunday.
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