13 hours Ago By Chris Perkins
MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins (4-6) are tightening up their operation in a number of ways as they embark on the final seven games of the regular season and attempt to make the playoffs. In that regard, I really like what I’m seeing. Key players such as running back Raheem Mostert, tight end Durham Smythe and linebacker David Long Jr.
, have had their playing time greatly reduced or, in Long’s case, been benched and waived. Players tell me these lineup changes don’t represent a new era of accountability under player-friendly coach Mike McDaniel, which was my original thought. Players tell me these lineup changes are the result of the hard work the team has been putting in for the past few weeks as players and coaches.
(By the way, have you noticed that the penalty problem has been cleaned up?) Players tell me the guys who were demoted deserved their demotions, and the players that replaced them earned their increased playing time and revamped roles. I like that. It keeps things simple and about the bottom line.
I’ve told you about the Dolphins having players-only meetings and that McDaniel still has firm control over the locker room . Players say what we’ve seen recently with the Dolphins’ back-to-back wins over the Los Angeles Rams and Las Vegas Raiders is the words and attitude from those players-only meetings being turned into on-field action. I believe them.
I’ve doubted this team’s motivations a couple of times and in a couple of ways. However, I’ve never doubted this team’s fighting spirit, and I doubt that I ever will. These guys haven’t quit, and they won’t quit.
Even in the face of lineup-shaking moves they’re still battling and have good attitudes. The good thing is that these lineup moves represent accountability, maturity and, quite honestly, a commitment to winning. The better thing is the players involved understand the moves, and they’re still working hard to make sure the Dolphins, who have won back-to-back games for the first time in almost a year, continue their winning ways.
I know. I talked to the players involved in the changes. I talked to a few other players, too.
No one is mad. This is good. This is positive.
This is encouraging. Changes are, and were, necessary. The Dolphins’ recent lineup changes have been fully and wholeheartedly accepted.
The credit for this goes to the players, firstly. They’ve handled the recent changes professionally. With Tua facing rookie Drake Maye, Dolphins-Patriots to take on new look But secondly, tip your hat to the man in charge, McDaniel.
McDaniel seems to be drawing lines and taking action if those lines are crossed. I like this no-excuses, businesslike attitude. McDaniel has done this in an artful way.
He still publicly defends his players. He’ll never embarrass or humiliate his guys. But now he makes lineup changes, which shows actions have consequences.
Personal feelings aren’t a factor. Consider this: Voting begins for the NFL’s Top 100 players in about two weeks. Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill won’t finish No.
1 as he did a year ago. Hill has gone from over-used to little-used. No one is crying for him.
The show goes on. The team is more important than the individual. This isn’t always how it’s been for these Miami Dolphins.
In fact, I’m not convinced every single player is on board with the recent changes. Again, no one is crying for those guys. The show goes on.
Change is sometimes necessary. For example, defenses adjusted to the deep passing game involving Hill and fellow wide receiver Jaylen Waddle with the two-high safety concept. So McDaniel decided to change to more of a running and short passing game offense .
Hill and Waddle are still involved, they’re just not the stars, not the focal points. McDaniel made that tough decision despite the fact that the deep passing game is how McDaniel built his reputation, and the reason McDaniel, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa , Waddle and Hill got new contracts. As for others who have had their roles change, it’s a varied list.
Mostert is probably closer to being a friend of McDaniel than any other player, including Tagovailoa. Mostert, however, has lost snaps and carries after losing fumbles in losses at Indianapolis and Buffalo. He’s lost playing time to De’Von Achane.
Smythe, a staple of the offense the previous two years under McDaniel, has lost snaps to fellow tight ends Jonnu Smith, a better receiver , and Julian Hill, a better blocker. Long, voted a team captain by players in August, lost his starting job last month when he started missing assignments. He was replaced by Anthony Walker Jr.
, and eventually waived Nov. 13 (he’s since signed with Detroit and assigned to its practice squad). We’ll see what happens with safety Jordan Poyer, who has struggled all season, including last Sunday when he got caught up in traffic and then missed a tackle on a touchdown reception by rookie Las Vegas tight end Brock Bowers.
Also, we’ll see what happens with the Dolphins in these final seven games. Changes are being made. That’s a positive.
And the players are accepting of the changes. That’s more of a positive. These guys want to win, and they’re willing to do whatever is necessary to achieve that goal.
In that regard, I really like what I’m seeing with the Dolphins..
