-
Marcel Louis-Jacques
MIAMI GARDENS — At a podium in Cleveland’s Huntington Bank Field, a typically verbose Mike McDaniel was notably direct.
A 31-6 defeat to the Cleveland Browns can certainly bring that out in a head coach.
The Miami Dolphins appeared uninspired amid rainy conditions in Week 7. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw three interceptions before being benched in the fourth quarter. Social media buzzed with speculation about McDaniel potentially coaching his last game.
In response, McDaniel vowed to implement changes.
«We’ll review the tape and alter our style of play if necessary. All options are on the table; entering a game, you expect to win only to face a humbling loss,» the Dolphins’ coach stated. «No denials—players must act professionally and rise to the occasion. If anyone claims, ‘It’s not me,’ it indeed is them. I’ve made it clear to the team; our focus will be rigorous prepping for the upcoming opponent.»
«We claim we want to win games, hence we must ensure we do what is required to achieve that. Until we accomplish this, losses will follow.»
This defeat marked Miami’s third consecutive loss, plunging their record to 1-6—the poorest start in McDaniel’s four seasons. Notably, three of these losses were by a single score, and the Dolphins had opportunities to secure victory.
However, Dolphins players insist they haven’t given up on the season or on their coach. As they gear up to host a struggling Ravens team with two wins on Thursday (8:20 p.m. ET, Prime Video), they’ve adjusted personnel lineups and game-day practices, participated in ‘tough love’ film sessions with Tagovailoa and McDaniel, and publicly supported each other in maintaining the intact roster.
After squandering late leads against the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Chargers, the blowout in Cleveland signified a critical juncture for Miami, presenting a choice: rebound or hit rock bottom. McDaniel expressed confidence in his team’s response.
«Following an embarrassing loss at the NFL level, teams typically choose one of two paths,» he commented. «I didn’t foresee the detrimental path as an option for our locker room. Generally, sustaining efforts through adversity builds momentum; results will follow, though it isn’t straightforward.»
The results arrived for Miami a week later with a dominating 34-10 victory against the Atlanta Falcons, signaling a much-needed end to the losing streak even as they remain four games under .500 with formidable opponents upcoming (home games against the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, and Washington Commanders prior to a Week 12 bye).
Among the 215 teams in the Super Bowl era that started a season 2-6, only three have reached the playoffs: the Cincinnati Bengals in 1970, the Commanders in 2020, and the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022. According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, Miami’s playoff chances sit at a meager 1.1%, ranking as the fifth-lowest in the league.
Despite the swirling rumors regarding his job security, McDaniel professes that his focus remains on executing his responsibilities rather than worrying about retaining his position.
«To consider job security is disrespectful to all involved. I need to devote myself to my role,» he stated post-Browns game. «While I hold the coaching position with the Miami Dolphins, they’ll receive my utmost effort. I refuse to dwell on job security—focus on your role, excel at it, and that’s where my attention is.»
Jack Jones expressed that the team’s approach is on track.
The principal issue, as noted by many Dolphins players, is execution.
«We make minor adjustments without overhauling everything,» Jones explained. «It’s about not overthinking. We have strong players and coaches calling effective plays; we merely need to execute. Once coaches eliminate the mistakes and players rectify their errors, results will improve.»
Trade deadline rumors have circulated regarding the availability of Dolphins players, particularly wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and linebackers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips. An insider conveyed to ESPN that the Dolphins do not intend to trade players, and McDaniel publicly dismissed such trade speculative comments as «groundless.»
Amidst this environment, a sense of cautious optimism permeates the Dolphins’ facilities.
Players from the 2021 roster recall their own tough start (1-7) that culminated in a 9-8 finish, albeit aided by a relatively easy schedule. Although the Week 8 victory against Atlanta was commendable, celebrations were tempered by the upcoming anticipation of the Ravens, especially on a short week.
McDaniel and his players assert the importance of tackling the remainder of this season one game at a time.
«Our team’s success hinges on its self-perception, which directly relates to the opponents we face,» he noted. «If we lose sight of the broader picture, we risk losing grasp of its definition. Each step must be deliberate; we’ve adopted a week-by-week mindset that facilitated our last game’s success.»
«The key is to focus on the ingredients that lead to success: sweat equity, focus, commitment, and conviction—all of which stem from preparation, and I will relentlessly seek this in the lead-up to our next game.»
«That’s a given; no one should hinder the team’s quest for victory,» he added regarding the need for the right mindset. «I approach each game with the intent to contribute to our success. If I turn the ball over, that leads to failures in helping the team achieve victory. My role as QB is to propel our offense forward and put points on the board, regardless of how that manifests.»
Although McDaniel has consistently shown support for Tagovailoa and fostered his confidence over the past three seasons, the quarterback acknowledged the value of the coach’s tough-love approach during this turbulent stretch.
«Such dynamics are crucial in a relationship,» he said. «It can’t merely be about praise and reassurance. Difficult conversations are essential, and I’ve had those with him this week.»
«This structure remains vital; however, if inefficacies arise, it isn’t unreasonable to seek change.»
Download the ESPN app and enable Adam Schefter’s news alerts to receive push notifications for the latest updates first. Opt in by tapping the alerts bell in the top right corner. For more information, click here.
«The running game provides significant openings depending on the front’s strategy and the linebackers’ perspective,» he noted. «Utilizing bootlegs and play-action schemes contributes to this. We not only executed plays under center but also frequently employed shotgun or pistol formations. … This substantially influenced our passing game.»
This adjustment also transformed the Dolphins’ offensive mindset.
«The expectation is to dominate when employing the jumbo package,» center Aaron Brewer declared. «I mentioned earlier, if we could field eight offensive linemen, we would. When we unite on the field, domination is the only acceptable outcome.»
Another pivotal change: Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith operated from the sideline for the game instead of the booth, where he had remained all season until the victory over Atlanta.
McDaniel, responsible for calling plays, suggested that Smith’s sideline presence enabled him to immediately address player needs based on week-long observations. Miami concentrated on refining its pre-snap protocols, an area McDaniel acknowledged as previously neglected. Last week, he observed players leaving the huddle with conviction, moving swiftly to the line of scrimmage due to Smith’s guidance on operational aspects throughout the week.
Smith articulated that it is imperative for coaches to «match or exceed» the pace required of players, necessitating a high energy level from the sideline.
Dolphins tight end Darren Waller texted Smith post-game, stating, «I believe they witnessed the authentic version of you.»
«Being present on the field significantly alters the experience,» Smith said. «In the press box, there’s an emotional detachment. On the field, one feels the energy and momentum; it changes the game entirely.»
Running back De’Von Achane humorously declared that he hopes Smith remains sidelined, relishing the «juice» he contributed. Smith has confirmed he intends on continuing this sideline role moving forward.
«Such leadership is essential on the sidelines,» Tagovailoa remarked. «He invigorates team morale, regardless of the score, ensuring we maintain operational consistency. I think this positively influenced personnel decisions and operations with the offensive line, among other aspects.»
Beyond the public eye, McDaniel has worked to recalibrate his daily schedule, ensuring he dedicates time equally to all offensive, defensive, and special teams units—especially beyond typical meetings.
«He ensured we remained focused, wholly engaged with the task at hand,» Waddle revealed. «Staying concentrated throughout the week was vital; his leadership minimized distractions and upheld a forward-looking mindset.»
Chop Robinson expressed that the team is «exhausted by the losing streak,» while Brewer underlined the necessity for players to remain committed to their tasks, irrespective of results.
«This is what we signed up for—a comprehensive football season without pause,» Brewer stated. «Each game reflects our credentials; we have to represent ourselves to the best of our ability every week. This remains our motivation, as we never know when the tides may turn.»
Now, Tagovailoa emphasized the task of achieving consistency following their second win of the year. After their Week 4 win against the New York Jets, they had initially taken a 17-0 lead against Carolina, only to fall 27-24.
Chubb remarked following that game that players appeared to have become complacent after building a three-score advantage. The message throughout the Dolphins’ facility as they aim for a winning streak for the first time this season is to sustain the behaviors that led to triumph in Week 8.
«We must maintain our energy,» Chubb asserted on Tuesday. «Sustaining momentum is key; we can’t afford to treat this as a solo success. We are aware of what propelled us—it’s simply about continuing those practices.»
