MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — A relaxed Mike McDaniel met with reporters Monday at the Baptist Health Training Complex, less than 24 hours after his Miami Dolphins suffered another heartbreaking loss — this time a 29-27 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers at Hard Rock Stadium — falling to 1-5.
Of course, the main storyline was the Dolphins’ defense failing to protect a lead in the final 39 seconds of the fourth quarter, but it was the comments made by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after the game that sparked concern among former NFL players.
Tagovailoa was asked how he keeps his team from adopting a “woe is me” mentality – in other words, a “this keeps happening to us situation.”
“I think it starts with the leadership in helping articulate that for the guys, and then what we’re expecting out of the guys. We’re expecting this. Are we getting that? Are we not getting that?” he said.
“We have guys showing up to player-only meetings late. Guys not showing up to player-only meetings. There is a lot that goes into that. Do we have to make that mandatory?” Tagovailoa added. “Do we not have to make that mandatory? So it’s a lot of things of that nature that we got to get cleaned up. It starts with the little things like that.”
After taking some time to think, McDaniel said Monday that Tagovailoa should’ve kept those comments in-house.
“Now that I’ve heard of them – you guys caught me before I heard them – I mean, it doesn’t surprise me, whatever reaction. I think regardless of intent and what was on Tua’s mind after a loss as the franchise quarterback, that’s not the forum to displace that," McDaniel said. “I think he knows that now. I do honestly believe there was no ill intention, but you’re talking about I think kind of a misguided representation of player-orchestrated film sessions.”
The coach said his quarterback began talking to his teammates about his comments starting last night, with McDaniel adding that he believes Tagovailoa’s remarks won’t linger long term.
As he does every week, McDaniel spoke to owner Stephen Ross after the loss, discussing preparations for Miami’s Week 7 game against the Cleveland Browns (Sunday at 1 p.m. ET) – also 1-5.
On the injury front, the Dolphins will not open the 21-day practice window for the following players on injured reserve: kicker Jason Sanders, offensive linemen Andrew Meyer, James Daniels and Austin Jackson.
Linebacker Tyrel Dodson, who did not play Sunday due to a concussion, is “doing well through the protocol,” according to McDaniel – with the hopes that he will get cleared in the next couple of days.
Filling in for Dodson was K.J. Britt, who recorded a team-high 13 tackles in 61 snaps on Sunday.
“K.J. Britt, I thought played a phenomenal game. We went into the game with various scenarios of how the game was going to play out by personnel and with his combination with ”JB" (Jordyn Brooks) and he was able to make some plays on some run fits early and let his energy and enthusiasm breathe which is an important part of that position and how connected you are to pass rushing coverage," McDaniel said.
“He was able to take advantage of the opportunity so I was happy for K.J. and I thought there were a lot of good things on tape that we need to build and accumulate so that we can play winning football and not losing football,” he added.
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