Below are Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel’s comments made to media during preseason camp, McBreviated. A summary of his answers for those short on time or on patience for extended bloviation.
(NOTE: Since I am posting these before the transcripts are available online, I’m using a Youtube transcript creator. I started to edit it this one, but the point is to give readers the summary, if possible. So moving forward if continue this series, there will be no editing of what the generator creates, save names being incorrect. Also, this is the last time I remove the words “um,” “uh,” and “you know” as I think it adds context to part of why McBreviated was born and has a place in society)
Q: Prior to us starting, do you have an update you can give us on Byron Matos. It was good to hear that there was movement in extremities. How’s he doing?
“As he, he left the field and that’s a that’s a tough moment for any team. We were we were really hyped to hear that he has feeling in and movement in all extremities. And he’s doing better and better, which is what we’re focused on.”
McBreviated: Matos has feeling in his arms and legs and is getting better.
Q: And then Brewer as well. What’s caused him to not practice and do you expect him back by late preseason, regular season?
“Well he’s not on PUP and we did that so he can he can participate with Tua daily with with some snaps and stuff like that but it it’s a lower extremity slight soft tissue not overly concerned. you’ll you’ll you should see him sooner than later. Fact.”
McBreviated: Brewer’s injury isn’t a big deal and he should be back soon. Mike is confident.
Q: Tua said that Tyreek and the team are still working on their relationship the other day following ‘reek’s comments at the end of last season. 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 both parties down and have them come together?
“No, I think I think what what guys have discussed even in in the media. So in any relationship trust is built through transparency and I think it’s super important in situations to to just open the air. A lot of conversations are had and I think what you’re seeing is direct communication that’s real, not fake. and so I think I don’t think anyone was surprised by reading anybody’s within the team like these are open conversations that we’re working working toward and the thing is if you have the right intent, and you have an opportunity every day to define yourself. That’s a proactive thing that is a positive to me because what happens on the opposite side of individuals working towards a relationship. Well there’s there’s the bond and that’s like all things that’s how you that’s how you heal that all those things. So I’m I’m proud of the work. I’m proud of the transparency. That’s how men can better themselves and become a better version of themselves which they pretty much everybody wants.”
McBreviated: Mike likes that Tua took on a leadership role that included holding the team’s most talented and sometimes troublesome player, accountable both privately and publicly. He think’s its good for the relationship between the players.
Q: 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 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 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 things are frustrating me I’m walking around and letting everyone know exactly how things need to adjust and try to work through it the with the players on the field. If I’m stopping practice, I’m making a point within the structure of the practice. Maybe I’m emphasizing something that we’re working on that day. Could be emphasizing finishing something that that we said we’re going to start. Just points for guys to be focused on because again, I think the big thing that we’re all trying to do is every day focus on actually what matters and solely that. So, when you’re stopping, for me, when I’m stopping practice, I’m trying to test the guys focus, ask for something and see, how they respond to that.”
McBreviated: Mike doesn’t typically like to stop practice because that’s not reality for a game. He prefers to see the mistakes and use them as learning opportunities. If he’s actually stopping practice, it’s usually to emphasize either an overriding point in the practice or something the team has already talked about and need to focus on.
Q: Mike, at what point will you know that you need to go outside the roster for a cornerback?
“I mean I think that I think that defeats the nature of of really the our whole process. We are coaching, developing, evaluating and always trying to get the team better. So you are assessing your group how how an addition alters the entire group and if we’re better not just the corners not just like the entire team and how it affects it. and that’s a daily process really with with everything. So, typically, there’s a lot of directions you can go, if you have a, injury or you’re worried about a position and that that timeline, you let the let the players decide a little bit, to a degree as well. , because, what type of day is Kader Kohou going to have today? He’s going to tell me. Same as the rest of the group, right? So, I think you have to really fight the urge to predict the future and 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, technically couldn’t, but you get the drift.”
McBreviated: Mike did not love this question, held back a little irritation and made it clear that the team wants to see some of the young cornerbacks and how they develop at this time.
Q: 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?
“Do you think I could go in front of the team and say, “Hey, we got this guy that we’re developing. Are we developing your career, everyone else? There’s you got to be able to roll.” That’s why every practice is so important. and a a day of practice is an enormous amount of time. Like we have gotten we have gotten so much work out of two days of practice, and the conversation changes every every day with … what’s awesome is players have the control over what that is by their effort and execution on a daily basis.”
McBreviated: Mike thought this question wasn’t too good and let it show. He then re-emphasized the importance of this preseason practice time while sending a mini-message to players that they control with their effort and execution who will be put out there.
A question was asked about new cornerback signee Cornell Armstrong
“I like, I have I have experience going against him, familiar with him. And then, just with interpersonal connections, I really like where this guy’s mind’s at, where his talents at. I think he he has a a chip on his shoulder and I like the way he goes about his business. I think he’s — I’m excited — to add him to the group.”
McBreviated: “I know people who knew him so we signed him” said in coach speak.
Q: What goes into the post-practice sprints that we’ve noticed?
“It’s a way to for players to re-emphasize the importance of doing the little things the right way. And it’s something that when when you’re looking at ways to improve your team like right at the beginning of the controllables are the yards lost because and you didn’t do a play pre-snap penalties those type of things. So, the nucleus of the locker room, the leaders of the locker room, that they they were put in charge of being the being the police after practice for all the things that the officials noted that were illegal..”
McBreviated: Players are self-policing penalties and holding each other accountable post-practice in the form of conditioning.
Q: Were there any other I guess new things that the leaders in the locker room have implemented going along with what you were saying?
“I couldn’t list I I couldn’t I mean yeah there’s each and every year you’re looking yourself in the mirror. Every year that I have experience with certain guys in the locker room and the core of our locker room. We I learn them and how to best impact them. So there’s a lot there there’s I couldn’t list how many things we’ve changed but I think that’s kind of the way I hold myself and the rest of the coaching staff and the organization responsible is that you are not just doing something to do it or because you did it before ever. That’s that’s not good enough. So we’re always assessing everything. There’s a good amount of change that has changed. there’s a good amount that’s stayed the same. you’re you’re evolving to people. and when the people buy in, you you’re headed in the right direction.”
McBreviated: A very lengthy non-answer that basically said, “not really.”
Q: What did you learn about the offensive line during that stretch without Austin Jackson?
“I kind of learned what I already knew. He’s really good. I think I think I also I learned, I think Austin’s quiet. He he really really speaks with how he works. And I didn’t maybe I have a different appreciation for how much he rubs off on his teammates, How much his fearless attack at his at his craft and his mental toughness. To to really put everything into something and then it not work sometimes and that not set you back which is which is a problem for most people. So learned a lot about him and I think I have a better appreciation of how he rubs off on his teammates.
McBreviated: Mike think’s Jackson is a really good player who lets his actions talk and that a lot of his overcoming adversity has been noticed positively by his teammates.
Q: Have you heard about 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?
“I haven’t. I have a great relationship with Teddy and I just have so much admiration for the things that he’s done. but I haven’t heard about that. So super inappropriate for me to talk about that.”
McBreviated: “Yeah, I have enough trouble on my own to address that one.”
Q: Where’s Cam Smith at? He essentially got a challenge by Chris Grier 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?
“The first question was much easier. He’s downstairs. No, the the idea where Cam needs to be is really progressing in the dark. There’s nothing. He is he is every day chopping wood and and chasing technique fundamentals 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. But I like where he’s at today. What does that mean moving forward? We shall see. But so far so great.”
McBreviated: Mike made a joke and then basically said Smith is doing what they ask him to do in front of them and they need him to do it when nobody is watching. But so far, so good.
Q: How has guard Jonah Savaiinaa looked on the field?
“Well, first and foremost, I think it’s interesting with young players, but you can get so much information by their veteran teammates and quite literally, you I don’t ask them because guys are nice guys and I’m the head coach. They’ll say something, but you watch how people how the veterans interact with a rookie player. I love his approach, but you can tell the veterans believe in him. And so he’s doing a great job. Fired up. Because you have to earn that in a real way. Veteran trust and especially, 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, that’s the best news I could get..”
McBreviated: Mike didn’t really answer how he thinks Savaiinaea has looked but likes what he hears veterans saying about him. He thinks they think he’s ‘made of the right stuff.’
Q: Mike, same question on Kenneth Grant, which is much easier to pronounce.
“It is. hopefully you didn’t do as many reps. yeah 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 that is trying to diligently work like a pro as a first round draft pick. you it is 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 to be his very best. And that’s what I see from Kenneth Grant. And its one of the reasons we were so high on him is because this is professional football. We needed his skill set to contribute and we couldn’t hold our breath if we’re gonna get a guy that can be a a force on our defense. So I think he’s working relentlessly and I like where he’s at right now and I want to see his game continue..”
McBreviated: McDaniel likes what he sees from Grant from a work and responsibility standpoint. He is exactly the type of player they wanted for the defense which is why they drafted him high. He looks forward to seeing how his work pays off. (What he didn’t say: line play is tough to diagnose when the players are in shells).
Q: What’s the skill that you and Chris and the scouting staff liked about Tahj Washington when you drafted him a year ago and has he regained those skills after the injury?
“well I Tahj was always we were really excited to get the opportunity to draft him because of his I he’s a very good collegiate football player. But the biggest thing to me is if you are talented in movement and you’re fast and you’re not a giant guy you have to be football fearless and football fearless guys that are willing to play on the outside but make a tough catch on the inside. He he is 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. That’s that’s kind of like 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 really had a long journey where he just got a taste of stuff and then had a season-ender. So, you can tell by the way he attacks the field that although it’s an unfortunate piece of adversity to have the injury, he definitely used it as an opportunity to have perspective and attack trying to make the squad and have a role on this team with full force and vigor.”
McBreviated: Washington was too small to play last year and the concern is still the same this year, but McDaniel likes how tough Washington is, which is admirable considering his size.
Q: Are there any guys you can note that have stood out due to their energy on the practice field or how vocal they are out there?
“Yeah, I’ve seen I’ve seen a ton of guys with energy that the best way I could describe it is towards the football team. So, I think leaders, particularly the competitors that we have like, Tua and JB, and, the I think out of new guys, Willie Gay is really provided a spark plug for us. Nick has as well but ultimately I feel the energy is more focused on good football. So like it’s not celebrating the result of a play. It’s celebrating how people are attacking their jobs and how they’re utilizing their technique 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 kind of a combination of all of those things. But I’m seeing an energy that’s more it’s less about offense verse defense and it’s more about the Dolphins having the most competitive practice where you better be on your stuff or the opposite side is about to smoke you..”
McBreviated: Yes — Tua, Jordyn Brooks of the veterans and Willie Gay amongst the newcomers. He thinks the energy is about the team and making the team better.
Q: Mike, Jaylen Wright 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 a lot of times if you fixate on the desired result you end up not giving the best version of yourself in your moment because in the times that you’re not getting the opportunity, if you’re thinking about not getting the opportunity, you’re probably not going to be prepared for your opportunity. So what you have to do is focus on the correct things which are the things that you can control and make sure your game is right for your opp. So while what I see him every day we have a lot of talented players on the field 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 your technique and fundamentals and your intensity and whatever that very focused piece of information is then your opportunity comes and you’re more you’re more in a flow state-ish. 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.”
McBreviated: He is concerned that Wright is focused on playing time and touches as opposed to using the time he isn’t in the game to focus on what he can control — technique, fundamentals, intensity — and being more prepared for his opportunity.
Q: What was your reaction to seeing Artie (Burns) go down in what had to be a tough moment so early in his Dolphins tenure?
“Yeah, it’s hard the when you see someone go down for me, the journey hits me square in the eyes. So I for him yeah it was those are true tests for me as a coach just like it is for the team because your heart goes out and then you have a lot of time 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. It’s very very difficult, and I know a lot of a lot of teammates have reached out and, just he’s a he’s a very tough-minded person that has been through stuff before. So, I I’m confident that he’ll get through this, and it’s just going to take time.”
McBreviated: Long-winded way of saying he feels bad for him and he thinks that Burns will get better, but state it will take time, which could indicate injury severity
Q: 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?
“That’s a really cool question to me because I think that from an integrity standpoint I think it’s super important that I don’t 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, I think the biggest I don’t know, it’s a very quick test, but 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 bodies are at. So, you find that out live speed. And then you feel the energy of the team. and you can kind of set your direction for that team. What I what I found out with this team from coming back this summer is it’s the most in shape they’ve been. They were ready to practice. So now I can go 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 it’s not about doing the perfect thing. It’s about having the right intent and shooting your shot. And I think players and teams respond to that.”
Aqua & Coral Report 