Minicamp in Miami is underway, and Mike McDaniel seems to be closer to training camp mode than most rookie head coaches.
In an informative and enjoyable press conference Wednesday afternoon with South Florida media, McDaniel spoke on player progress, health and where the Dolphins are overall in the process.
When initially asked about the bridge from OTAs to minicamp, McDaniel explained, “From an operational standpoint, we adjusted a little bit to kind of coincide with training camp.” As McDaniel put it, the players are getting, “a taste of what the training camp day is like minus the pads obviously, so it’s a little different.”
Specifically, McDaniel detailed one new aspect of minicamp.
“They had their first non-scripted period today.” McDaniel said. “That was different, which was typical of something you work into Week 3 of training camp, or Week 2.”
McDaniel moved on to specifics about his players, and he mentioned tight end Mike Gesicki and the tight end’s progress in McDaniel’s blocking schemes.
“As far as Mike Gesicki, he’s been as impressive as any player on the team in terms of going after a challenge,” McDaniel said confidently in support of his franchise-tagged player.
The coach went into chalk talk about the positional aspect of where Gesicki can lineup.
“Three-point (stance) wasn’t his primary position and he’s been working diligently in the run and pass game to do things that this offense can feature without taking away the stuff that has made him who he is, and there is a piece of that in the offense,” he said.
The Gesicki section closed when McDaniel was asked about the inevitable contract question, and the likelihood of him staying in Miami long-term. McDaniel was judicious in his response, which was genuine and vague at the same time.
“That’s something that, right now, there are always conversations between agents and general managers,” he said. “The whole building is careful to make sure that I stay in my lane and coach some football.”
Staying on the blocking subject, McDaniel was asked about his new coaching staff and how they can assist Austin Jackson in his development and adjustment to right tackle. The 2020 first-round pick has a proven and successful coach in offensive coordinator Frank Smith, who helped turn around the Los Angeles Chargers line basically overnight.
“When Austin Jackson is playing right tackle, I’ve been very pleased because he’s approaching it the only way he can get better as a player, and that is complete commitment to it,” McDaniel said.
Although it’s early in the camp season, McDaniel was asked about veteran players who didn’t participate Wednesday, such as cornerback Byron Jones, newly acquired left tackle Terron Armstead and running back Raheem Mostert.
“We are trying to be very deliberate and intentional with how we handle all of those guys,” he said. “It’s been very good. We haven’t had a setback really across the board. We are being fairly conservative but that’s on an individual basis.”
The last subject of importance was the center position with Michael Deiter and new offensive lineman Connor Williams being candidates to start. Coach left the door slightly open for added competition.
“I think you have to be careful to pigeonhole who is doing what and when,” McDaniel said. “I think that isn’t fair to the process.”
To be fair, immediately after, he did say, “I will say that if no other player is added, that I am going to be very confident in our starting center next year.”
The process seems to be trusted so far in South Florida, as excitement and positivity seem to be surrounding the 2022 version of the Miami Dolphins.
