MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins (4-6) are tightening up their operation in a lot of methods as they embark on the ultimate seven video games of the common season and try and make the playoffs.
In that regard, I actually like what I’m seeing.
Key gamers similar to working again Raheem Mostert, tight finish Durham Smythe and linebacker David Lengthy Jr., have had their enjoying time significantly lowered or, in Lengthy’s case, been benched and waived.
Gamers inform me these lineup adjustments don’t signify a brand new period of accountability below player-friendly coach Mike McDaniel, which was my unique thought.
Gamers inform me these lineup adjustments are the results of the laborious work the group has been placing in for the previous few weeks as gamers and coaches.
(By the best way, have you ever observed that the penalty downside has been cleaned up?)
Gamers inform me the blokes who had been demoted deserved their demotions, and the gamers that changed them earned their elevated enjoying time and revamped roles.
I like that. It retains issues easy and in regards to the backside line.
I’ve advised you in regards to the Dolphins having players-only conferences and that McDaniel nonetheless has agency management over the locker room.
Gamers say what we’ve seen lately with the Dolphins’ back-to-back wins over the Los Angeles Rams and Las Vegas Raiders is the phrases and angle from these players-only conferences being become on-field motion.
I imagine them.
I’ve doubted this group’s motivations a few occasions and in a few methods.
Nonetheless, I’ve by no means doubted this group’s combating spirit, and I doubt that I ever will.
These guys haven’t give up, and so they gained’t give up.
Even within the face of lineup-shaking strikes they’re nonetheless battling and have good attitudes.
The great factor is that these lineup strikes signify accountability, maturity and, fairly truthfully, a dedication to successful.
The higher factor is the gamers concerned perceive the strikes, and so they’re nonetheless working laborious to ensure the Dolphins, who’ve gained back-to-back video games for the primary time in nearly a yr, proceed their successful methods.
I do know. I talked to the gamers concerned within the adjustments. I talked to some different gamers, too. Nobody is mad.
That is good. That is optimistic. That is encouraging.
Adjustments are, and had been, obligatory.
The Dolphins’ current lineup adjustments have been totally and wholeheartedly accepted.
The credit score for this goes to the gamers, firstly. They’ve dealt with the current adjustments professionally.
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However secondly, tip your hat to the person in cost, McDaniel.
McDaniel appears to be drawing traces and taking motion if these traces are crossed.
I like this no-excuses, businesslike angle.
McDaniel has completed this in an clever approach.
He nonetheless publicly defends his gamers.
He’ll by no means embarrass or humiliate his guys.
However now he makes lineup adjustments, which reveals actions have penalties.
Private emotions aren’t an element.
Think about this: Voting begins for the NFL’s Prime 100 gamers in about two weeks. Dolphins vast receiver Tyreek Hill gained’t end No. 1 as he did a yr in the past.
Hill has gone from over-used to little-used.
Nobody is crying for him.
The present goes on.
The group is extra vital than the person.
This isn’t all the time the way it’s been for these Miami Dolphins.
Actually, I’m not satisfied each single participant is on board with the current adjustments.
Once more, nobody is crying for these guys.
The present goes on.
Change is typically obligatory.
For instance, defenses adjusted to the deep passing recreation involving Hill and fellow vast receiver Jaylen Waddle with the two-high security idea. So McDaniel determined to alter to extra of a working and brief passing recreation offense.
Hill and Waddle are nonetheless concerned, they’re simply not the celebrities, not the focal factors.
McDaniel made that robust determination even supposing the deep passing recreation is how McDaniel constructed his repute, and the rationale McDaniel, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Waddle and Hill received new contracts.
As for others who’ve had their roles change, it’s a various record.
Mostert might be nearer to being a pal of McDaniel than another participant, together with Tagovailoa.
Mostert, nonetheless, has misplaced snaps and carries after shedding fumbles in losses at Indianapolis and Buffalo. He’s misplaced enjoying time to De’Von Achane.
Smythe, a staple of the offense the earlier two years below McDaniel, has misplaced snaps to fellow tight ends Jonnu Smith, a greater receiver, and Julian Hill, a greater blocker.
Lengthy, voted a group captain by gamers in August, misplaced his beginning job final month when he began lacking assignments. He was changed by Anthony Walker Jr., and finally waived Nov. 13 (he’s since signed with Detroit and assigned to its follow squad).
We’ll see what occurs with security Jordan Poyer, who has struggled all season, together with final Sunday when he received caught up in site visitors after which missed a deal with on a landing reception by rookie Las Vegas tight finish Brock Bowers.
Additionally, we’ll see what occurs with the Dolphins in these closing seven video games.
Adjustments are being made.
That’s a optimistic.
And the gamers are accepting of the adjustments.
That’s extra of a optimistic.
These guys wish to win, and so they’re prepared to do no matter is critical to attain that purpose.
In that regard, I actually like what I’m seeing with the Dolphins.
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