We’ve only made it three weeks into the NFL season, so the overreaction game is still incredibly strong in the national media game. Yesterday, I heard the crew at Good Morning Football talking about how hot the Miami Dolphins are right now and how first year head man Mike McDaniel (noted big nuts guy) is the frontrunner for Coach of the Year. I don’t necessarily disagree – truth be told, we’re not even a month into the season yet. The question of who the Coach of the Year is hasn’t even crossed my mind at this point.
But, I do find it fascinating just how quickly this offense has taken to McDaniel. Sure, they had some major personnel upgrades. Adding a guy like Tyreek Hill will give any offense a spark. But, McDaniel seems to be getting the most out of Tua Tagovailoa, who is playing like a *checks notes* MVP candidate through three games. It is as modern a NFL offense as there is, and it’s winning them games. So far, McDaniel has known exactly when and where to strike. The conditions were perfect for them to upset the preseason darling Buffalo Bills on Sunday – heat and humidity in South Florida, injuries on the Bills defense. So, I’m curious to see how the rematch goes in Buffalo on December 28th. They rallied back to beat a really good Baltimore Ravens team, and hung 42 on ’em in the process. And, whether or not the New England Patriots turn out to be good or not, they’re still a playoff team from 2021. The Fins beat them 20-7.
I know it’s not as exciting as the TD’s, but I want to point out one of my favorite Mike McDaniel play calls in Week Two.
— Jordan Woodson (@Jordan_Woodson) September 20, 2022
Miami tips run with 21-Personnel (2 RB/1 TE/2 WR) and Sherfield/Cracraft at WR. Fake toss moves LB to create easy catch & run #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/yCEgD109Fc
It is a stark contrast to last year’s 1-7 start for this team, but it’s also a stark contrast to the team Brian Flores wanted the Dolphins to be. He was known as a bit of a hard-nosed, runs-a-tight-ship kind of guy. The Dolphins, once they got their shit together in 2021, fielded one of the best defenses in the league. But, Flores didn’t really seem to know what to do with Tagovailoa. There were all kinds of rumors swirling about how coaching and ownership clashed over the quarterback. And, I do believe that Flores is a hell of a football coach. But, those who say it’s more important to get a modern offense for your team than to try and play tough, physical defense as a hallmark of your franchise get another example to point to with McDaniel and the Dolphins. “See – look what modern offense is doing in Miami.”
It’s not all about the Xs and Os, personnel groupings, and play-calling though. Another thing that has been fun to watch with McDaniel and the Dolphins getting a little more attention at 3-0 is how the players are lauding his offensive genius. Guys seem to have bought in, and that’s the total package, folks. When you’ve got the offense working, you’re winning guys, and players are buying into the message wholeheartedly, that’s when the magic happens.
Here’s the quote (with video) from Tyreek Hill on Mike McDaniel going for it on 4th and 7: “McDaniel’s gonna need a wheel barrow for his nuts to carry them around.” pic.twitter.com/WcepqVugRn
— Clay Ferraro (@ClayWPLG) September 11, 2022
One of my favorite clips I’ve seen over the past couple of weeks is former Cleveland Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins talking about how McDaniel completely changed the way he looked at the game.
Very interesting, Andrew Hawkins and Rich Eisen talk about Mike McDaniel pic.twitter.com/EjCsmwalHQ
— Brandon (3-0) (@Finsfan141) September 22, 2022
One thing is for damn sure. This team is fun as hell to watch. Maybe they got somethin’ big cookin’ down there in Miami.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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