Dolphins Coach Calls Out Offensive Teammates For Not Helping Backup QB in Loss
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel looked defeated in his postgame press conference on Monday night. The Dolphins dropped their third consecutive game of the early season to fall to 1-3.
Tyler Huntley became the third starting quarterback in as many games for Miami. Tua Tagovailoa is on injured reserve due to a concussion he suffered against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2. Skylar Thomson sustained a rib injury in Week 3.
Huntley led the Dolphins offense in Monday night's lopsided 31-12 loss on Monday Night Football. He went 14-of-22 passing for 96 yards. The Utah product added 40 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, McDaniel called out Huntley's teammates after the game for not helping their backup quarterback.
"I didn't think his teammates around him, at times, were doing what we needed them to do," McDaniel said.
McDaniel was specifically frustrated with the numerous flags for illegal shift penalties. (Wide receiver Tyreek Hill was penalized for multiple illegal shifts against the Titans.)
McDaniel has used pre-snap motion to great success in recent seasons, so much so that other teams are copying his concepts. However, the third-year head coach suggested he might have to utilize the technique less if his players cannot perform them at a high level during games.
"Guys aren't getting set fast enough," McDaniel said. "I have to look at the amount. You use motions to try to give players some advantageous situations. You have to pull back from that if you can't execute them. There's no play that works that doesn't even have a chance to get started."
The Dolphins will travel to play the New England Patriots in Week 5. McDaniel will need his talented receiver corps to step up and help whoever will play as Miami's backup quarterback against their 1-3 AFC East rival.
Related: Dolphins Coach Says Team Has 'Important 48 Hours' to Decide Quarterback PlansThis story was originally published October 1, 2024, 12:41 AM.
