As the regular-season opener approaches, it’s changing into extra obvious that Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel could certainly be prepared to make use of a few of his prime, most precious offensive and defensive gamers within the return recreation.
“Special teams plays, they account for yards and points and can change the game as much as any offensive and defensive play,” McDaniel mentioned on Wednesday because it stays mysterious who will really be dealing with these kick and punt returns in Sunday’s opener in opposition to the New England Patriots.
“That being said, the plan is to be very strategic with regard to the flow of the game, how much wind people have, where the ball’s at, the score. But I plan on using — and I know [special teams coach Danny] Crossman feels the same — I plan on using our best players in the best situations for the team.”
The Dolphins at the moment listing star receiver Tyreek Hill because the first-team punt returner and speedy 30-year-old working again Raheem Mostert as the highest kick returner on the depth chart. Standout second-year wideout Jaylen Waddle is second at each spots. Safety Jevon Holland is the third punt returner, and working again Chase Edmonds and cornerback Noah Igbinoghene are additionally listed as kick return choices.
At Wednesday’s apply, Hill and Holland have been amongst these seen fielding punts throughout a quick media viewing portion of apply. Holland muffed one punt that got here his method with reside punt protection coming at him.
“Hey, this just in: Every single play, people are trying to tackle you,” McDaniel replied, forward of Wednesday’s drills, to a query about weighing harm danger for star gamers. “Why are special teams any different from throwing a screen?”
It seems McDaniel could determine to rotate returners primarily based on what shall be required of them elsewhere within the recreation plan.
“You also have to weigh, on both sides, how they’re being used the upcoming series or the series that we just had, and you have to be mindful of all of that,” he mentioned. “But, if I sat and frightened, if I made selections primarily based upon security in soccer, that may be a course of the place I’m going to fail, I really feel like. Every time they’re on the sphere, it’s a danger. If there’s conditions the place now possibly there’s a punt crew that could be very, very, very onerous to dam and makes a ton of performs in punt protection, that’s a unique story.
“Every single play, every single snap, there’s a huge risk for injury. That’s the nature of the beast.”
McDaniel additionally mirrored on the beginning of his NFL assistant teaching profession when former University of Miami standout Devin Hester took the league by storm together with his influence within the return recreation.
“Devin Hester took over the playoffs and then had all that buildup going into the Super Bowl and made a huge impact on a team’s entire journey,” McDaniel mentioned. “And I don’t think there’s an asterisk that it was special teams, so we’ll be very strategic with that. … We’re fortunate to have some highly skilled players that we’ll use when appropriate and accordingly.”
Waddle sleeve-less
Dolphins broad receiver Jaylen Waddle shed the compression sleeve he had been sporting on his proper leg for weeks when seen at Wednesday’s apply.
Miami, which shall be with out beginning cornerback Byron Jones for the primary 4 weeks whereas he’s on the physically-unable-to-perform listing, had excellent attendance from the 53-man lively roster on Wednesday.
“I mean, he is limited, but my confidence hasn’t changed.” McDaniel mentioned of Waddle after beforehand saying “very” thrice forward of “confident” final time he spoke about his availability for the opener.
Fullback Alec Ingold and cornerback Nik Needham have been seen understanding on the aspect through the early portion of drills.
This story shall be up to date.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com