The Miami Dolphins’ Ping-Pong desk within the coronary heart of the workforce’s locker room has gone from supplier of a enjoyable, leisurely exercise for gamers to distraction that wanted to be weeded out and now the reason for inconsistent messaging throughout the workforce.
When coach Mike McDaniel first supplied the information that the desk had been faraway from the Dolphins’ locker room at their apply services, he made it sound prefer it was a call introduced forth by the captains, with receiver Tyreek Hill on the forefront, to assist enhance Miami’s give attention to recreation preparation.
When Hill was requested about it on Thursday, he mentioned it was no such factor — that it was all about bringing in a brand new, custom-designed desk to switch the fundamental one which had suffered overuse and was, in accordance with Hill, bent.
Revisiting the subject on Friday, McDaniel had his remaining say. He doesn’t thoughts what the final word narrative is behind the desk’s elimination or potential improve to return, and he’s pleased with what the gamers need.
“It’s the players’ locker room,” McDaniel mentioned. “If they giveth, they’ll taketh away — and so they can re-giveth.
“That is their house. I simply need them to be right here at work so long as potential. If the story adjustments 14 occasions, I may care much less. I’m simply doing my finest to report the information, however on the finish of the day, it’s their house. I’m glad if that’s the reality, which, if it adjustments, I may care simply as a lot much less. If it does change, good for them for upgrading their requirements of Ping-Pong play. Because no one needs to be common, and when you could have a mean, inexperienced desk, what’s that about?
“I like the fact that they have all that stuff going on. It’s hard to keep up, and in two days, who knows? Maybe, for Tyreek, it was punishment, and then he thought his teammates deserved it and he gave it back to them. Or, this whole time, he was just playing a ploy on all of us. All of which, it’s really not that meaningful to me, but I’m glad that they’re getting all worked out down there because it is the captains’ locker room, and he is one of the captains. So, what he says, goes, to a degree.”
McDaniel has gotten to get pleasure from Hill’s persona for the reason that two got here collectively in Miami this offseason — Hill from Kansas City and McDaniel from San Francisco.
“It’s tremendous. I appreciate humor,” McDaniel mentioned. “I appreciate people coming to work every day with energy. The bottom line with Tyreek is, when he’s in here, he’s in his parking spot, he comes inside, everybody on the team, whether it’s a player, coach, football staff member, knows that he’s going to get himself ready to go, perform on the field. He’s really held in high regard.”
A singular paddle was left the place the desk as soon as stood. It had white athletic tape surrounding it, apparently within the form of a query mark but in addition passing as chalk round a physique at against the law scene.
Not so quick on Austin Jackson
After offensive coordinator Frank Smith mentioned he was “extremely” optimistic on a return for proper deal with Austin Jackson off injured reserve for his ankle damage, McDaniel cautioned to pump the brakes on Friday.
“What you guys are learning about Frank Smith is he’s overly optimistic to a fault,” McDaniel quipped. “I think that was a hair aggressive by one of my favorite people on staff. … We’re taking it day by day with [Jackson].”
Sure sufficient, forward of Sunday’s matchup with the Minnesota Vikings, Jackson was not seen on the apply area Friday after taking part in Wednesday and Thursday drills.
Jackson landed on IR following the Dolphins’ Sept. 11 win over the New England Patriots within the opener. The placement on IR put him out a minimal of 4 weeks. He is now eligible to return. His return to apply earlier within the week began his 21-day clock to be activated off IR.
“A.J. has done a great job in his rehabilitation, his preparation, being active and involved,” Smith mentioned Thursday. He is such a hungry learner. I imply, simply coming into the NFL so younger. I imply, he’s simply been actually enjoyable to work with. I do know we’ve all loved his development.”
If Jackson will not be in line to return, reserve swing deal with Greg Little would stay in a beginning position.
“I’m just going out there when I’m needed and getting the job done,” mentioned Little. “Just be prepared for wherever they want me, whether or not it’s proper, left [tackle], teaching, waterboy. Doesn’t matter. It’s my job to be prepared.
Other damage updates
Aside from Jackson, Dolphins beginning left deal with Terron Armstead was not seen at Friday’s apply, marking one other full week the place he has missed drills.
Armstead formally enters Sunday questionable. He has been in a position to play by the dearth of apply the previous 4 video games, however in final Sunday’s loss on the New York Jets, he exited after eight performs resulting from his lingering toe damage.
Armstead stayed within the New York/New Jersey space in a single day Sunday and into Monday to see a foot specialist earlier than returning to South Florida.
Dolphins cornerback Kader Kohou (indirect) is uncertain towards the Vikings, however All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard goes into Sunday with no damage designation, good to go towards Minnesota.
Also questionable are quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (concussion protocol/proper pectoral), working again Raheem Mostert (knee), tight finish Durham Smythe (hamstring) and defensive again Elijah Campbell (foot), who returned to apply Friday after lacking Thursday drills.
Mostert and Smythe have mentioned within the workforce’s locker room they count on to play this week. For Bridgewater, it comes right down to protocol clearance to again up rookie Skylar Thompson, sure to begin after getting the apply reps this week.
Quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Bridgewater, whereas remaining in concussion protocol Friday, each had been upgraded to full individuals from being restricted Thursday. Tagovailoa, as beforehand reported, has been dominated out.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com