‘Focus on us.’ Despite Dolphins-49ers connections, Sunday’s game isn’t a litmus test
There’s an argument that the current version of the Miami Dolphins are made in the image of the San Francisco 49ers.
Stephen Ross and the Dolphins top brass, after all, did poach coach Mike McDaniel from the 49ers, a team that has been either in the Super Bowl or NFC Championship Game for four of the past six seasons. The similarities, however, don’t end there: both teams’ coaches are products of Mike Shanahan’s coaching tree; both teams have similar offensive schemes; and both teams have young quarterbacks with a plethora of weapons. Both teams even had rather underwhelming seasons due to multiple injuries.
That said, it’s worth wondering whether the Dolphins see the Niners as a litmus test of sorts considering the similarities and both teams’ all-but-diminished playoff hopes. Spoiler alert: they don’t.
“I do think that you love opportunities to compete against that team we’ve watched play either in the [NFC Championship Game] or the Super Bowl the last two years and a lot of those players that will be on the field in this game were a part of those teams,” said McDaniel who spent five seasons with the Niners, including 2021 as the offensive coordinator, before the Dolphins hired him in 2022. “So as competitors, you’re excited to go against a litany of All-Pros at different positions, but I think the biggest thing is we’re trying to get our football to the standard we feel good about playing.”
Translation: the Dolphins are more so focused on their play than anything else.
“This gives us an opportunity to go and [execute in all three phases] with a team that is not going to give us anything, that will bring a physical style of football to Hard Rock, and I think that it fits perfectly with some of the things that during the course of the season, whatever has occurred, do you make it purposeful or not?” McDaniel said, adding that Sunday could provide the Dolphins an outlet “to take some of our frustrations out in terms of execution and playing team football and knowing that we’re going to get their best shot and seeing how we matchup in that way.”
McDaniel’s message has permeated nearly every corner of the locker room. Sure, the Niners have about a dozen All-Pro players – several of whom won’t suit up – but the Dolphins intend to only look inward. Just ask anyone in the locker room.
“We really prepare for the other team, but we focus on us,” left tackle Terron Armstead said. “Like our execution, our preparation, the way we go about our business. That’s really it. Like there’s no team that we feel like it’s a measuring stick. It’s all about what the Miami Dolphins can go out and execute.”
“I’m a big believer of self,” center Aaron Brewer added. “No matter who you’re going against at the time or whoever it is, it ultimately comes down to you. It’ll help you learn your technique, your fundamentals because when you’re going against somebody great or high caliber, you have to be honed in on your stuff.”
“I hate to go into a game measuring up teams and stuff like that,” rookie receiver Malik Washington said. “We’ve got to bring our best self; we’ve got to bring Miami Dolphin football on Sunday and we’ve got to go out there and win.”
With the Dolphins in need of several teams to lose in order to keep their postseason, this should be their Super Bowl. Few teams can beat the Niners at full strength, let alone a bit banged up. So as much as the Dolphins have very little to play for externally, they should have some level of internal motivation: pride.
“Every time you step on the field matters,” defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. “The second you disrespect the game, or you try to short cut it, it disrespects you. So for us, again I know the margin is slim at this point and things look bleak, but we have things to prove, right? This is our last home game, and our fans deserve our best effort. We’ve got to go out there and defend the rock.”
