Dolphins Camp Day 4: McDaniel Highlights

Checking out the key points of Mike McDaniel's media session before Miami Dolphins practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex
In this story:

Head coach Mike McDaniel addressed the media before the Miami Dolphins headed out to practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Saturday morning.

Here were the highlights from McDaniel's press conference:

-- The first question relates to the team expecting to sell out season tickets next week, and McDaniel calls it a competitive advantage. "It's really something cool that the players know about and it means a lot to." McDaniel says it serves as extra motivation for the players to pay back the fans for their support.

-- McDaniel says he loves having fans at practice. Of course, this bring him back to his days as a child in Greeley, Colorado, where he attended Denver Broncos camp and developed his love for football.

-- Adam Butler and Michel Deiter are both TBD in terms of their injuries. McDaniel said Deiter had a "little foot deal" that happened early in camp. The team hopes to get a better idea of their status early next week.

-- Raheem Mostert showed nice burst at practice Friday, which prompted McDaniel to react to it with, "Attaboy." Mostert clocked the fastest time of any Dolphins player on that day, and it prompted a round of applause from teammates when McDaniel informed the team.

-- McDaniel jokes that he likes having Jevon Holland on his team and he continues to get to another level.

-- McDaniel jokes that, with practice open to fans Saturday, anything the Dolphins run on this day will never be run again. Says seriously there is some adjustment to what plays are run when fans are allowed.

-- McDaniel jokes that the Dolphins showed Mike Gesicki "10 million reasons" why they like him, a reference to the tight end playing on the franchise tag in 2022. Gesicki will play for $10.9 million and will become a UFA next spring barring a new deal. McDaniel then points out, very correctly, that it's a business and Gesicki should strive to make the franchise tag look like a discount with his performance.

-- Again with Gesicki, McDaniel says everybody knows his range and ball skills stand out. Says Gesicki wants to "attack blocking with a different severity that he's ever done before."

-- Asked about the development of 49ers QB Trey Lance, with whom he worked last season, McDaniel punts on the question and said he hasn't really thought about it. McDaniel does say, "I'm expecting him to be a heck of a matchup to try to defend."

-- McDaniel says any pressure that comes with being Dolphins head coach is "trying to do right by people."

-- Asked what he's learned about his team so far in practice, McDaniel talks about trust being earned on both sides. "What I've seen is guys following the words with action. They're approached each and every day with ultimate professionalism."


Published
Alain Poupart
ALAIN POUPART

Alain Poupart is the publisher/editor of All Dolphins and co-host of the All Dolphins Podcast. Alain has covered the Miami Dolphins on a full-time basis since 1989 for various publications and media outlets, including Dolphin Digest, The Associated Press, the Dolphins team website, and the Fan Nation Network (part of Sports Illustrated). In addition to being a credentialed member of the Miami Dolphins press corps, Alain has covered three Super Bowls (for NFL.com, Football News and the Montreal Gazette), the annual NFL draft, the Senior Bowl, and the NFL Scouting Combine. During his almost 40 years in journalism, which began at the now-defunct Miami News, Alain has covered practically every sport at one time or another, from tennis to golf, baseball, basketball and everything in between. The career also included time as a copy editor, including work on several books such as "Still Perfect," an inside look at the Miami Dolphins' 1972 perfect season. A native of Montreal, Canada, whose first language is French, Alain grew up a huge hockey fan but soon developed a love for all sports, including NFL football. He has lived in South Florida since the 1980s.