Following the Miami Dolphins‘ brutal 33-8 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, there was a lot of finger pointing to go around. As one could imagine, many in the media have not been all that nice to them.
Specifically, ESPN analyst and former New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan doesn’t think much of head coach Mike McDaniel.
“What the hell’s he talking about? You know, maybe he’s on a different level, McGenius Guy, whatever the hell he is. Nerd boy,” Ryan said on ESPN’s “Get Up” on Monday, via the New York Post. “But anyway, their team has no respect for their coach. They play like that. They’re soft, I’m with you on that. Every part of their football team. They have tons of talent on this team. They don’t play with any passion.”
Most anyone who watched the game would agree. The Dolphins looked absolutely lifeless against the Colts.
Ryan isn’t the only one saying the players don’t respect Mike McDaniel
Part of the offseason tumult that led the Dolphins down this path (and oh, they are indeed on a path), was the handling of cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Both the team and the player agreed that he had to go, but what he said after the trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers should raise eyebrows.
“I do appreciate the Dolphins and them working with me,” Ramsey said. “Not just, ‘hey, this team called and, you know, we’re going to send you here.’ … Let’s go to a team that’s going to be able to compete. Let’s go to a team where there’s a lot of respect for the head coach.”
It’s not shocking that Ramsey would think or say that, but you are fooling yourself if you think he’s the only one in that locker room that thinks that. Are there plenty of players that respect McDaniel? Of course there are. But, it only takes the right few to poison the well. While I don’t know the temperature of the locker room for sure, the Dolphins looked like a poisoned well against the Colts.
Mike McDaniel answering questions about job security
Considering the 8-9 finish to 2024 and the offseason chaos, the questions about job security are surely going to come up. Especially after the way the Dolphins played on Sunday. McDaniel acknowledged the whispers and rumors and he can probably get used to hearing these things following losses.
“I don’t see this job void of pressure,” McDaniel said. “I don’t see entitlement in this job, but I think the most important thing is that I worry about doing my job. I think that’s what the team will get from me, for sure.”
Anyone else get the feeling that there is a part of McDaniel that’s just like, ‘fire me, go ahead. Do me a favor. Make this stop?’
“I think one of 17 is one of 17,” McDaniel said. “And if that type of game doesn’t show up ever again, that’s the only way you make it worth it. Because otherwise it’s just miserable for miserable sake.”
Mike McDaniel named names after the loss
For those familiar with McDaniel interviews (and you should be, they are hilarious), you know he’s not one to throw his players under the bus. That’s an admirable quality, but he deviated from that rule yesterday.
“I’ll give an example…just so you guys know, I don’t make a habit of putting family business out at the podium,” McDaniel said. “But, for example’s sake, there was one play that ultimately led to being an explosive that the utmost dependable player, Zach Sieler — in an attempt to get a sack at the final stages of pass rush, kind of voids his pass rush lane.
“Well intentioned, trying to make a play, but the dropping of rush lanes allows for an explosive that you have to learn with new teammates, play with them, and lean on them, and trust them.”
McDaniel is trying to make a point and he’s doing so using a star player who just got paid. His strategy is a decent one with no real downside. Will it work? Doubt it.
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