MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel met with reporters as the team revved up preparations for this weekend’s game at the New York Jets.
Highlights:
What is the plan for short-yardage conversions?
McDaniel says coaches weigh risk/reward on whether to go with power (Ollie Gordon II) or “a trick play.” It depends on the opponent.
“You’re making a call that we think we can execute,” McDaniel said.
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McDaniel added that you can’t assume something is going to work because it has in the past.
Why did Tua Tagovailoa slide short of a first down?
On the Tua Tagovailoa slide with three minutes left in the Saints game that was 1 yard short of the sticks and led to a fourth-down play that failed:
“He confirmed it – he wasn’t trying to slide. He was trying to dive forward.”
McDaniel said Tagovailoa wasn’t holding the ball properly at the time, giving officials a judgment call.
Should Tagovailoa have been more aggressive, going for an important first down?
“You take your chances when the chances are necessary to take.”
McDaniel mentioned John Elway’s famous “helicopter ride.”
What’s wrong with Tua Tagovailoa?
Is Tagovailoa holding onto the ball too long?
“The answer is never super easy, one thing. There’s layers to things. … I don’t think it’s as easy as one little thing.”
Linebacker Jordyn Brooks quietly makes presence known
On what makes LB Jordyn Brooks, the NFL tackles leader with 137, or 19 more than the next-highest total, unique:
McDaniel says “it’s rare” that a quiet player like Brooks becomes the vocal leader of a team.
“He’s so focused that you can count on him 100 percent, every day.”
McDaniel added, “Whatever credit he gets, he deserves more.”
McDaniel said Brooks was the No. 2 vote-getter when players voted for team captains.
What makes De’Von Achane unique?
Turning to RB De’Von Achane, McDaniel says he has not had a player like him before.
“What I noticed from his college days is he was never taking hits on directly,” and when backs can do that, it’s a skill of avoiding direct tackles.
“What you learn about him over time is he’s trying to be great.”
Is facing the Jets still a ‘rivalry’ game?
“You don’t know until you’re in it. Obviously there’s a history in fan bases.”
McDaniel mentions that the Jets have been performing better.
“It’s fun to play division games in December.”
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel breaks down Tua Tagovailoa, De’Von Achane
Reporting by Hal Habib, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
