Read the full transcript from Mike McDaniel's press conference on November 7, 2024.
Q: There were a couple of players who were dealt before the trade deadline who could've filled maybe some need-positions, pass rusher etc. From talking to General Manager Chris Grier, was your sense that he just didn't want to give up future draft picks for players who were available at this point?
"There was a couple of conversations we had, both about people reaching out to us and different possibilities inward and outward. I think the action was that there was no action. That in itself, I think we believe in the roster and want to see guys come through a tough time. I think that's really what was executed and nothing more than that."
Q: Where do things stand with S Jevón Holland and CB Kader Kohou?
"They are working. I pretty much think that Jevón (Holland) won't be practicing today, Kader (Kohou) will be involved and we'll see how it goes through the week."
Q: You versus Head Coach Sean McVay. What comes to mind? You had time together in Washington and so many years competing in the NFC West while you were in San Francisco.
"I think what comes to mind is I know Coach McVay and his team are always consistently a straining outfit, that they do a good job in all three phases. I know he's going to make sure his group is very detailed, that they'll compete, they'll be challenging. And they'll be complementary in how they play and they'll be unified in their collective groups. I think it's a good team who's had some resolve themselves and is on a winning streak that you're going to have to beat them for them to lose and they're not going to give you anything."
Q: You guys have a new practice squad quarterback?
"No, we do not. We've been discussing that. We're also pretty hopeful about Snoop's (Tyler Huntley) recovery. But as it stands, it will be Tua (Tagovailoa) and Skylar (Thompson) this week."
Q: Regarding RB Raheem Mostert, I know he's a heart and soul player, Pro Bowler, he's had a couple of fumbles. Is there a question whether he continues and you bring RB Jaylen Wright in? Or he's still the man there?
"That group, we try to give opportunities to each guy because they deserve it each and every game. I think based upon his performance, Raheem (Mostert) got more attempts. It might've been his first touch was on a third-and-11 that he inflicted force on the defense, and you earn more touches that way. That being said, he knows he has to hold on to the ball. We've learned how vital those turnovers can be especially in a one-score game. I think he himself would be the first to tell you that at this time, we've learned two hard lessons. You can't really be in the whole scope of all right, well there's another lesson that needs to be had when there's other guys that aren't turning the ball over. That's the nature of football, and when you have a group that's talented like they are and competitive, you have to give reason and keep that for all of your touches. There's been about 400 touches that he hasn't fumbled on, but that being said what only matters is this next game and is putting full focus on making sure that that ball stays with him."
Q: QB Tua Tagovailoa threw three incompletions last week. What's the message to your quarterback after you lose, but he played very well, enough for you guys to win? What is the focus in terms of improvement for him?
"I'm careful not to have overarching, 'that was good' or 'that was bad.' For me, my job is to coach and to detail each and every snap, so whether or not his handoff, his first step was at three o'clock and not four o'clock. Whether or not your progression was too fast, or you handled inappropriate or appropriate protection, all those things. The first thing Tua (Tagovailoa) did the day after the game was come to my office and say, 'What could I have done to win this game?' And then of those snaps, you go through his plays and what if you put the ball here or you did this. He's trying to be great; he's not trying to relieve himself of burden or stress. As the quarterback, he looks at it like the stat that is next to his name is the win or loss, so when you lose, what could I have done better. As the franchise quarterback, you need him to be that way if you're going to expect others to be that way. I think the message is coaching, just like some of his best games, some of the most valuable coaching moments come up and there's positives when he has an overall statistically poor performance sometimes as well. It's just important that you stay even keel and attack each and every rep so that guys truly get value out of a coach."
Q: With FB Alec Ingold, another heart and soul guy, it seemed to me after the CB Jalen Ramsey interception, he starts limping on that calf. He plays the rest of the game, blocks excellently. What can you say about the effort that he gave and how is his availability this week?
"I think no coincidence that a fullback has a 'C' on his chest. And I think he's earned that through daily investment into the team and his play, and I think it says the world about who he is, and everyone knows that. Every teammate is responsible to protect Alec from himself when it comes to sacrifice for the team, and I think he's an unbelievably valuable player on our team. So we'll always be aggressive with him in terms of our management because he would be – if his leg didn't work, he would be hopping, you know what I mean? So I think that's important to know your personnel and cater to that, and he's in a situation where he will do anything and everything, which is why he's the captain and a leader of this team."
Q: Last year, QB Tua Tagovailoa and WR Tyreek Hill combined for 30 catches of 25 yards or more. This year, so far, it's only been five, obviously Tua missed four games. In addition to the return of Tua and Tua's availability, what are some other reasons for optimism in the second half of the season that we'll see more big gaining plays?
Before the statistical result, from my vantage point, I'm coaching guys on technique and fundamentals and how they're playing the position. I'm not addressing what coverage people are running or what they're trying to take away or anything, I'm watching their game and I can honestly say that the two of them, in terms of route running and timing and connectivity, there's been growth over the entire season and there's been different challenges presented based upon – what is it, three full games that they've had – and I think the biggest thing is that you haven't seen Tyreek Hill wide open and Tua (Tagovailoa) missing him and or missing a throw – their timing and their fundamentals are what will produce the results when the defense is giving us the opportunity. I think it's important in football, defenses have really taken notice of those explosive plays and they've tried to prevent him by basically doubling him. I think as a result, it's forced a lot of the offense to get better, it's forced Tua to get on the same page with a lot of the other eligibles, and it's forced our offensive line to block and our runners to run and Tyreek to run block a little bit. You do that and you have to understand in team football, if you're getting double-teamed, there's a teammate of yours that stands for a lot of reason for success. I think their game, from technique and fundamentals, has seen growth this year. They did execute on two opportunities this past game and that's what I'm most concerned with is that their game is developing within whatever trials and tribulations they're going through. I thought Tyreek had his best game releasing off of press coverage, and little things like that is what I prioritize."
Q: I wanted to ask you, this team is seemingly running out of track in terms of to achieve the ultimate goal for what you guys began the season with or the expectations. What should make Dolphins fans confident that this franchise is headed in the right direction based on what they've seen so far in the early portion of the season?
"I understand the question, it's very valid. I think from my vantage point, I'm responsible for all things. I'm also the guy that the players lean on for football expertise, and in talking to them about their game and staying true to the most vital thing that I know to be true in any season is that there's sometimes there's false hope where you're saying you're close or you're saying things will get better – I live in real hope which is how are people's games getting better? Are we getting better? Does that mean it's up to standard or that losses are acceptable? Absolutely not. But vital to football teams having success in any NFL season, is that they master the art of getting better in the noise, and don't confuse noise with just losing. Noise is also very loud when you're winning, and sometimes you can have that – you could be sitting at 6-2 and if the ball isn't getting better through all the noise, I don't have real hope. My hope is real is because the football that I'm watching and detailing is improving, and I think the team is focused on trying to have a game where they feel like their brand of football was mastered. I think the football team knows that when that occurs, things will take care of themselves in the win column. But more than anything – I've said it before – it's not easy having no control but full investment, and if you're a fan, today is miserable like the day before, like the day before until you have a win, right? Today is the most important day of our season, of our lives because we have work that can dictate the terms of what everybody wants. And as long as I see guys, in whatever noise, continue to embrace and take their individual efforts and their collective efforts to another level to get it right, I think that's what gives me absolute hope and vigor with this team because that is real, too. I think guys are determined, and I think they know that while each individual can't control whether or not it's a win or loss, they can control how they are working individually and collectively. Today will be the first day on the field with that as we progress through the week and hopefully dictate what happens on Monday a little bit on Thursday."
Q: At what point – I understand what you're saying about improving and it needs to happen obviously week to week – but at what point does merely improving not become enough? At what point do you have to get the results in order to get where you want to go and make the playoffs?
"Ultimately the game is about winning, so I'm not saying – that is ultimately how you're judged and I think that's fair. You tirelessly work at not obsessing about the idea or the false sense of 'hey, we're going to win this week.' No, what are you going to do about it? And how are you going to affect the change? We've had a lot of hard conversations that ultimately have been very necessary, and in that process, you ultimately have to win in this league, but you have to take care of your business through the entirety of the preparation – coaches and players included – and then ultimately you do have win football games. That's the whole idea so we're working to improve that."
Q: LB David Long Jr., a team captain, lost his starting job. How tough of a decision was that? What went into it and what kind of message does that send to the rest of the team?
"I have the upmost respect for David Long as a man, as a player; and I think the important piece of it was that it was less about David Long not doing something and more about we felt like 'Walk' (Anthony Walker Jr.) needed and deserved the opportunity and has skills of his own in his own right that were the best man for the job. But that's never easy, especially when you care for a human being and we've gone to battle a lot together. So those are things that in the position it's not necessarily fun, but the whole team and organization are depending on you to try to do what you see as very best. And I think David (Long Jr.) respects that and regards that. I'm sure he disagrees, but it's about understanding intent and I think the whole team loves David. That's why they voted him captain, but also you have to – I think it was the football team was excited for 'Walk's' opportunity which he made the most of, for sure."
Q: Do we have a possibility that LB Bradley Chubb could practice this week or is that window not open yet?
"I wasn't seeing it this week, but I'll be sure to convey it the week that I'm seeing it because I appreciate your guys' patience. He's doing good. We're just trying to be prudent to his body and he's working his way."
Q: And LB Cameron Goode and OL Isaiah Wynn, not close?
"I think both Isaiah (Wynn) and Cam (Goode) are getting closer, for sure. I don't know the timelines the usually use but week-to-week or kind of that issue."
