Coach Mike McDaniel meets with the media | Miami Dolphins

Um, you should stand corrected. Good morning. False. Great morning. Let’s go. H. What makes us wonder? Because we’re another day closer to death. You’re welcome. That that’s a that’s I mean it’s a it’s a reality. It’s a reality. Wouldn’t you like to take that in mind when you’re uh you know considering what you’re going to do today or maybe if today is a good day or not. Sure. The most important thing you’re welcome. Prior to us starting any update you can give us on Matt Hooks. It was good to hear that there was movement in extremities. Uh how’s he doing? Well, um it yeah, that was a um the the time it took, you know, as as he you know, he left the field and you know, that’s a that’s a tough moment for uh any team. We were we were really pumped to hear that he is feeling in um and movement in all extremities. um and and he’s uh he’s um doing better and better, which is what we’re focused on. And then I was young Brewer as well. What’s caused him to not practice and do you expect him back by late preseason, regular season? Um well he’s not on PUP and you know we did that um you know so he can uh he can um you know participate with Tua uh daily um with uh with some snaps and stuff that um but it it’s a lower extremity uh slight soft tissue not overly concerned. Um uh you’ll you’ll you should see him sooner than later. fact Tua said that you know Tyreek and the team are still working on their relationship the other day um following Reek’s comments at the end of last season. You know when you have a situation like that how do you as a coach kind of handle it? Are you hands off? You let the guys handle it or are you trying to sit you know both parties down and have them come together? No, I think um I think what uh you know what guys have discussed even in in the media um you know so in any relationship trust um is built through transparency um and I think it’s super important in situations to to just open the air. A lot of conversations are had and I think um what you’re seeing is direct communication that’s real, not fake. Um and so you know I think uh I don’t think anyone was surprised um by reading anybody’s within the team like these are open conversations that we’re working working towards and the thing is is if you have the right intent um and uh you have an opportunity every day to define yourself. Um so you know work that’s that’s a proactive thing that is a positive um uh to me because you know what what happens on the opposite side of uh individuals working um towards a relationship. Well there’s there’s the bond and that’s you know like all things that’s how you that’s how you heal that all those things. So um I’m I’m proud of the work. I’m proud of um the transparency. Um um uh I think you know that’s that’s how men can um better themselves and and become you know a better version of themselves which they pretty much everybody wants. Coach, yesterday you stepped into practice and stopped it a couple of times and I was just wondering about your process with how to do that. How do you determine when’s a good time to interject into practice versus letting things kind of play out? Yeah, it’s um when you’re observing it from the side, just do the inverse of what common sense would tell you because like for me, if if things aren’t going the way that um I necessarily want them, that’s a perfect game rep because you don’t get to call timeout and quiet the crowd to make a point. generally when you know things are frustrating me I’m uh walking around and letting everyone know exactly how things need to adjust and try to work through it um the with the players on the field. If I’m stopping practice, I’m making a point um within the the structure of the practice. Maybe I’m emphasizing um something that we’re working on that day. Uh could be emphasizing finishing um something that uh that we said we’re going to start. just points for guys to be focused on because again, you know, I think the big thing that we’re all trying to do is every day focus on actually what matters and solely that. So, um, when you’re stopping, for me, when I’m stopping practice, I’m trying to test the guys focus, ask for something and see, um, how they respond to that. Mike, at what point will you know that you need to go outside the roster for a quarterback? Um I mean I think that uh I think that defeats the nature of uh of uh really the our whole process. We are coaching, developing, evaluating and um always trying to get the team better. So you are assessing your group um how how an addition um alters the entire group and if we’re better not just the corners not just like the entire team and how it affects it. Um and that’s a you know a daily process really with with everything. So, um, typically, uh, there’s a lot of directions you can go, um, you know, if you have a, um, injury or you’re you’re worried about a position and that that timeline, you know, you let the let the players decide a little bit, uh, to a degree as well. Um, because, um, what type of day is uh, Kater Kohu going to have today? He’s going to tell me. Same as the rest of the group, right? So, um I I think you have to really uh fight the urge to predict the future and um watch see what you’re working with and see and knowing exactly what’s out there and that it literally could be any day, two weeks, yesterday, you know, technically couldn’t, but you get the drift. Could you could you theoretically put somebody out there for the opener and think he’s going to develop and by game four, game six, game eight, he’s going to be where he needs to be as a first team? Um, you think I could go in front of the team and say, “Hey, uh, we got this guy that we’re developing. Are we developing your career, everyone else? There’s you got to be able to roll.” Um, that’s why every practice is so important. Um and uh you know a a day of practice is an enormous amount of time. Like we have gotten uh we have gotten so much work out of two days of practice. Um, and you know, the the conversation changes every every day with you know what’s what’s awesome is players have the control over what that is by their effort and execution on a daily basis. Cornell Armstrong, a corner who you did just sign. Um, I like, you know, I have uh I have experience going against him, familiar with him. Um, and then, you know, just with uh interpersonal connections, uh, really like uh where this guy’s mind’s at, where his talents at. Um, I think he he has a um a chip on his shoulder, and I I like the way he goes about his business. I think he’s I’m excited to add him to the group. Goes into the post uh practice sprints that we’ve noticed. Um that’s a you know it’s a it’s a way to for for players to um re-emphasize the importance of doing the little things the right way. And uh it’s something that you know when when you’re looking at ways to improve your team um like right at the beginning of the controllables are the the yards lost because and you didn’t do a play pre- snap penalties those type of things. So, um the the nucleus of the locker room, um the leaders of the locker room, um you know, that they they were put in charge of um being the being the police after practice for all the things um that the officials uh uh noted that were illegal. Were there any other I guess new things that the leaders in the locker room have implemented uh going along with what you were saying? Um I I couldn’t list I I I couldn’t I mean yeah there’s um you know each and every year you’re looking yourself in the mirror. Um every year uh that I have experience with you know certain guys in the locker room and the core of our locker room. Um we we we you know I learn them um and how to best impact them. So there’s a lot there there’s you know I couldn’t list how many things we’ve changed but you know I think that’s kind of the way uh I hold myself and the rest of the coaching staff and the organization responsible is that um you are not just doing something to do it um or because you did it before ever. That’s that’s not good enough. So um we’re always assessing everything. Um there’s a good amount of change that has changed. there’s a good amount that’s stayed the same. Um you’re you’re evolving to people. Um and and when the people buy in, um you you know you’re headed in the right direction. What did you learn about the offensive line during that stretch without Austin Jackson? Um you know, I kind of what I already knew. He’s really good. Um, I think I think I also I learned um, you know, I think Austin’s quiet. He he really really speaks with how he works. Um, and I didn’t ne maybe I have a different appreciation for how much he rubs off on his teammates, how much his um his fearless attack at his at his craft and um his mental toughness. uh to to really put everything into something and then it not work sometimes and that not you know set you back which is which is a problem for most people. So learned a lot about him um and uh I think I have a better appreciation of how he rubs off on his teammates. Have you heard about um Teddy Bridgewwater’s coaching suspension? Do you have any thoughts on like both the suspension and also just like his continued generosity in like the broader Miami community? Um I haven’t um uh you know I have a great relationship with Teddy and I just have um so much admiration for the things that he’s done. Um but I haven’t heard about that. So super inappropriate for me to talk about that. Where’s Cam Smith at? you essentially got a challenge by Chris Greer um I think this off season saying that you guys need him to step up. You can’t hold his hand anymore. How have you seen him enter camp and perform these past two days? Uh the first question was much easier. He’s downstairs. Um no, the the the idea where Cam needs to be is um uh really progressing in the dark. There’s nothing. He is he is every day chopping wood and um and chasing technique fundamentals um and being one with his teammates. And that for a talented young player, it’s boring, but that is the formula. So like two practices in, sweet. and he knows that I care about the third practice today and then we keep stacking those. Um, but uh I like where he’s at today. What does that mean moving forward? We shall see see. But so far so great. How much did you practice that he explained it to us? like so it’s an easy way to was this in the mirror situation were okay uh how has he looked on the field? Uh well, first and foremost, um I h it’s interesting with with young players, but you can get so much information by their veteran teammates and quite literally um you know, you I don’t ask them, hey, um because guys are nice guys and they’re you know, I’m the head coach, they’ll say something, but you watch how people how the veterans interact with a rookie player. very got a lot to learn. Um, love his approach, but you can tell uh the the veterans believe in him. And so he’s uh he’s doing a great job. Fired up. Um because uh he you know, you you have to earn that in a real way. um veteran trust and especially, you know, as a young guy where you’re probably gonna have errors here or there. So, when veterans can see that he’s made of the right stuff, um that’s the best news I could get. Mike, same question on Kenneth Grant, which is much easier to pronounce. It is. Um hopefully you didn’t do as many reps. Um uh the yeah he’s he’s been awesome. I think the way his emotional intelligence on this football team has been phenomenal knowing that on a football team that’s hungry that is not um that that is trying to um diligently work like a pro as a first round draft pick. Um you it is the the team wants to see a guy that knows he’s a rookie that knows that we need a lot from him and is willing to do whatever uh to be his very best. And that’s what I see from Kenneth Grant. Um and is one of the reasons we were so high on him is because uh this is professional football. we needed his skill set um to contribute and we couldn’t hold our breath um if if we’re gonna get a guy that can um be a a a force on our defense. So um I think he’s he’s working um relentlessly and I like where he’s at right now and I want to see his his game continue. I know the rest of the team does as well. What’s the skill that you and Chris and the scouting staff liked about Taj Washington when you drafted him a year ago and has he regained those skills after the injury? Um well I I Taj was always um we were really excited to get the opportunity to draft him um because of his I he’s a very very good um collegiate football player. But the biggest thing to me is if you are uh talented in movement um and you’re fast and and you’re not a giant guy um you have to be football fearless and and football fearless guys that are willing to um you know play on the outside but make a tough catch on the inside. He he is um tougher than he is big and all. And that in is the biggest compliment I could pay to him because that’s the commonality with guys of traits that are quick, fast, and in this league. Um you know, that’s that’s kind of like the the cut off is all right, you don’t have the toughness to get hit going across the middle and it’s hard to play. So, really like that about him. And I like how he’s um he he’s really had a long journey um where he just got a taste of stuff and then um had a season ender. So, uh, you you can tell by the way he attacks the field that although it’s an unfortunate um piece of adversity to have the injury, he definitely used it as an opportunity to have perspective and attack um trying to make make the squad and have a role on this team with full force and vigor. any guys you can note that have stood out due to their energy on the practice field or how vocal they are um out there? Yeah, I’ve seen um I’ve seen a ton of guys uh with energy that the best way I could describe it is um towards uh the football team. So, uh, you know, I think leaders, um, particularly the competitors that we have like, uh, you know, Tua and and JB, um, and, you know, uh, the the I think out of new guys, Will Willie Gay is really really uh provided a spark plug for us. um you know Nick Nick has as well but ultimately I I feel the energy is more focused on good football. So like um it’s not celebrating um the result of a play. It’s celebrating um you know how people are attacking their jobs and how they’re utilizing their technique and and when a play is made from that people are getting juiced. So overall, whether it’s the I don’t whether it’s individuals, whether it’s the addition of the new guys, I think it’s all um kind of a combination of all of those things. But I’m seeing an energy that’s more um it’s less about offense verse defense and it’s more about um the Dolphins having the most competitive practice where uh you better be on your stuff or the opposite side is about to smoke you. Right. Talked about patience being one of the biggest areas of growth for him from year one to year two. Just curious, have you seen that same patience out on on the field? Absolutely. I think um a lot of times if you fixate on uh the desired result um you you end up not giving the best version of yourself in your moment because um in the times that you’re not getting the opportunity, if you’re thinking about not getting the opportunity, um you’re probably not going to be prepared for your opportunity. So what you have to do is focus on the the correct things um which are the things that you can control and make sure your game is right for your OP. So while what I see him every day um we have a lot of talented players on the field uh have to and we have to distribute it amongst all the people in the running back room and all the eligibles. But when you are focused on um your technique and fundamentals and your intensity and and um whatever that uh very very focused piece of information is then your opportunity comes and you’re more you’re more in a flow stateish. So that’s that’s what I see from him is that he’s making more plays because he is focused on the right things. What are your early impressions of Fitzpatrick? Oh, I’ve been It’s You get super pumped when you’re like, “Yes, that’s what I was hoping for.” You know, that’s my my initial impressions. Why? Because I see a, you know, a quiet guy that I engage with, a mild manner. He He’s He’s cool, but he’s, you know, kind of um mid uh energy in a building. and then watch him put on a uniform and step on the grass and you see a different energy and command just you can tell that’s that’s his sacred place on the football field. Um, you know, there’s a a couple plays yesterday that, um, within the defensive system, um, he was able to utilize some of his football FBI and, um, really disrupt a couple pass plays in particular, um, that to you guys were just a random incompletion, but, uh, he was taking away where where we’re trying to go. So um and then I see a guy that uh doesn’t underestimate the importance of earning his uh relationships within the team like understanding um that you need to get to know people before you can affect them um or influence them or help them. So, I I see him really leaning into a lot of relationship building within the team, which uh can tells me what I already what I already knew that um you know, he he somewhat sees himself as a um a leader of this team that wants to earn it the right way and and that’s how you do it. What was your reaction to seeing Arty go down in what had to be a tough moment so early in his Dolphins tenure? Yeah, you know, um I it’s it’s hard the when you see someone go down for me. Um you know, the journey hits me square in the eyes. Um so I for him yeah it was th those are um true tests um for me as a coach uh just like it is for the team because you uh your heart goes out and then you have a lot of time you know with the teammates that we have here there’s an obligation to even the guy that just got hurt that all right he got hurt trying to be a part of something he believes in. So, we have to push that forward. Um, it’s very very difficult. Um, and I know a lot of a lot of uh teammates have reached out and um you know, just he’s a he’s a very tough-minded person that has been through stuff before. So, um I I’m confident that he’ll he’ll get through this. Um and it’s just going to take time. Mike, what’s the process like as a coach to get into training camp and kind of transition from the team that maybe you think you had or you aspired to try to construct throughout the offseason to the team that they tell you that they are throughout this process in the preseason? It’s a I it’s really that’s a really cool question to me because I think that you know from an integrity standpoint I think it’s super important that I don’t um that that I coach the team for what they need to be coached on so they have to tell me who they are and so I can reach them and push them in the right ways. And you know, I think the the biggest um I don’t know, it’s a very quick test, but you’re you’re adjusting on the fly very fast is after your summer break because technically you don’t know if anyone’s done everything or nothing. You don’t know where their botters are at. So, you find that out live speed. Um and then you feel the energy of the team. Um and you can kind of set your direction for that team. What I what I found out um with with this team from coming back this summer is uh it’s the most in shape they’ve been. They were ready to practice. So now I can go I I don’t need to focus on how important these practices are. I need to focus on what’s important within them. Okay? They already know it’s that important. They’ve shown me by being in the best shape that they’ve been in before. So that it’s always an adjustment. I think that’s um it’s not about doing the perfect thing. It’s about having the right intent and shooting your shot. And I think um players and teams respond to that.

Coach Mike McDaniel meets with the media on Friday, July 25.

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