Head Coach Brian Flores addressed the media Monday. Here were some comments that stood out, along with some perspective:
"I thought he played hard. He handled his assignments, did OK job with his assignments. I think he's off to a pretty good start."
— Defensive end Taco Charlton made his Dolphins debut Sunday, three days after being claimed off waivers from the Cowboys. Charlton ended up playing 32 snaps and recorded the Dolphins' only sack. Flores said Charlton failed to hold the edge on one particular play, but overall did a solid job given how little practice time he had.
"I think these guys want to win. They want to do well. They play hard."
— Flores does not buy into the notion that Dolphins players are pressing because of the early-season struggles. He believes the Dolphins have progressively done a better job of putting themselves in position to make plays and now just need to start capitalizing on those opportunities.
"He's a good running back. In that instance, he's just got to secure the ball better. No one is asking him to change his style, but we're always asking him to secure the football."
— Kenyan Drake's fumble inside the Dallas 10-yard line came as the result of his spin to try to elude a Cowboys defender, a move that has served him well in the past. Flores, however, says it's Drake's responsibility in that kind of situation to make sure he hangs on to the ball regardless of what contact he'll have to absorb.
"It was pretty admirable to go out there with limited practice reps at that position and I thought he performed well."
— Rookie left guard Michael Deiter slid over to left tackle after starter Jesse Davis left the game with an arm injury and turned in a pretty solid performance against a Dallas defensive line that features two good pass-rushing defensive ends, DeMarcus Lawrence and Robert Quinn. Deiter showed off his versatility and poise during those snaps at left tackle.
