Miami Dolphins football head coach Jeff Hafley said the team’s extra preparation time has made the start of the regular season feel different as the team prepares to play the Raiders on Sunday. The game will be Hafley’s first as a head coach.
Hafley said the additional week allowed the team to practice on Monday, which normally would not happen. A typical Monday would involve reviewing the previous game before beginning preparation for the next opponent, but Miami has more time to prepare for its first game.
Captains expected to set the standard
Miami Dolphins players voted for six team captains, and Hafley said each earned the responsibility through different forms of leadership. He said the captains are expected to set the team’s standard, while leadership also can develop throughout the roster.
Malik was selected as one of the captains. Hafley praised Malik’s quiet leadership, connection with teammates, work ethic and persistence, pointing to his path from a difficult start in his career to becoming a captain.
“They are the standard,” Hafley said of the captains. He also said he will continue talking with them, seek their perspective on the team and make the final decisions as head coach.
Monday practice and first-game preparation
Hafley said Will Kacmarek and Ronnie would practice Monday, with their progress to be monitored. He also said everybody would be on the field for the practice.
Hafley said he will approach his first game as a head coach through the same preparation process he expects from the players. He plans to study and adjust the game plan, rely on his staff, call the defense and make decisive decisions throughout the game.
“I’m excited to go on this journey with them,” Hafley said while discussing the team’s preparation and development. He said players who follow the process can play freely and respond to the ups and downs of the game.
Planning for the Raiders
Hafley said Sean will work from the booth and assist with defensive communication and game planning. Hafley said Sean’s perspective from above will complement his work on the field.
The Dolphins’ preparation includes planning for Raiders tight end Brock Bowers. Hafley called Bowers an elite tight end who can move around the formation and create additional challenges for the defense.
Hafley also identified Maxx Crosby as an elite defender who can affect the game against the run and the pass. “You can’t just go into a game and say, ‘hey, everybody take it nice and easy, Maxx,’ no, you better know where he is,” Hafley said.
Hafley said Miami’s aggressiveness and game planning will vary by opponent. The team will consider each opponent’s strengths and its own weaknesses, along with the matchups that can help maximize Miami’s players and limit the Raiders’ best weapons.
When discussing decisions influenced by analytics, Hafley said preparation and game feel both matter. “I think it’s both. I respect the analytics, but there’s also some things that’s got to come down to the game,” he said.
Source: Original report