What McDaniel allows Dolphins assistant coaches to do, and why it encourages creativity
There’s a spirit of creativity inside the Dolphins offices, a byproduct of Mike McDaniel cultivating that environment.
And here’s one example of how that manifests itself:
On Friday, tight ends coach Jon Embree explained how McDaniel is receptive to assistant coaches coming to him with plays that they notice in college or high school games or other NFL games.
“If you come up with an idea — because he is like he is — you have a chance to get it in,” said Embree, who worked with McDaniel in San Francisco before joining him in Miami last year.
“Numerous times in San Francisco, I may suggest or see something, in a college or high school [game] and it’s unique, and you try to make it something that might fit our offense, whether it’s a formation, a motion, a play. When the time is appropriate, he will put it in. And you keep your fingers crossed it works if you suggest it.”
Two such plays came to Embree’s mind Friday, ones that he suggested to McDaniel after watching them work in college games:
A successful play to Tyreek Hill in a game at Buffalo last season, and a Raheem Mostert run for the 49ers, against the Rams, that was “a 30-yard gain, but could have been a 90-yard play” if Mostert hadn’t been tripped up.
Assistant coaches appreciate that McDaniel is “very open, not one of those close-minded people. When you see something unique or different or want to try something out of the box, you do have a chance with him.”
Embree will look for new ideas — or old ideas — that could be implemented, with some variations, in the Dolphins offense by perusing old playbooks or watching college games on television, “Iowa vs. Illinois, Tulsa vs. SMU. I love watching college football to see the different wrinkles. You grind at it hard enough and tinker, you can find a way to implement and make it work.”
When he sees something, “I go to Coach McD [and say], ‘you’ve got to check this out. Look at this play.’ He’ll say, ‘let’s try it or give me some other things to try to look at.’ At some point, we get the play [in]. It might take a couple weeks. At some point it will turn into a play we use or try.”
THIS AND THAT
▪ Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was asked how Emmanuel Ogbah, Duke Riley and Brandon Jones handled playing much less than they’re accustomed to earlier in the season, and how they’re playing now with injuries necessitating bigger roles for each.
“Brandon didn’t partake in the offseason and training camp” because of last October’s ACL injury, Fangio said. “He’s done well. Played three games and each game has been better than the one before.
“Duke is a consummate team player. Always ready to go when called upon. Great guy to have on the team. Ogbah handled it OK. He’s disappointed he hasn’t gotten more reps. His reps should go up with Jaelan [Phillips] out.”
▪ Fangio said cornerback Xavien Howard has been “very good. X has had a helluva year. Made a tremendous play this past game.”
▪ Asked about the decision to sign veteran defensive lineman Justin Ellis to the practice squad, Fangio said general manager Chris Grier “wanted another defensive lineman in here to help with practice and have someone on board in case we need him.”
▪ De’Von Achane has played only five full games and Sunday was the second time that he carried the ball several more times than Raheem Mostert. The fact both games were blowouts (70-20 over Denver and 45-15 over Washington) were factors in that.
On Achane getting the most carries last Sunday, offensive coordinator Frank Smith said: “The way the game was going, getting some touches, getting in rhythm, it presented itself. When you get in that rhythm running, and get opportunities, that’s where you normally grow.”
Achane ran 17 times for 73 yards (4.3 average), Mostert 11 times for 43 yards (3.9 yards per carry).
Achane is now dealing with a rib injury but is practicing fully.
▪ With guard Robert Hunt’s status in serious doubt for Monday’s game, Liam Eichenberg and either Robert Jones or Lester Cotton could both end up starting at guard.
And if Terron Armstead (ankle) and Kendall Lamm (back) cannot play, then Kion Smith would start at left tackle.
“Kion did a great job” filling in for Armstead after his injury against Washington, Smith said. “He puts so much time into it.”
This story was originally published December 8, 2023 at 12:19 PM.
