The Miami Dolphins will travel to Cleveland this week to face the Cleveland Browns, with both teams entering the matchup at 1-5. Miami has held a lead or been tied in five of its six games, and the team is focusing on correcting details ahead of the meeting with defensive end Myles Garrett and the Browns.
The source does not provide an exact game date or kickoff time. Miami players and head coach Mike McDaniel discussed the importance of execution, preparation and maintaining composure against a Cleveland team with a group of strong defensive linemen.
Miami Dolphins Emphasize the Details
Defensive tackle Zach Sieler said the Dolphins must avoid beating themselves and remain prepared for the game to move through different stretches. He also emphasized that every NFL team is capable of winning regardless of its record.
“You can’t win till you stop from beating yourself. We got to make sure we hone in on the little things, because guess what, other teams are paid too. Across the NFL, I don’t care what the team’s record is, they are capable of winning games. We see it every year. So we now have got to get good at the little things where if they make that play, we have enough of a leeway or enough of resolve to be able to still win the game and get through those ebbs and flows of the game is how I tell guys. That’s what we’re saying right now is what do we need to do to dial in the little things to make it so we can handle if someone breaks a tackle or whatever, that it’s going to be, all right, we can take it on the chin and keep playing and finish the game with a win,” Sieler said.
Linebacker Bradley Chubb said Miami is increasing its focus in practices and meetings after details have hurt the team in several games. Offensive lineman Aaron Brewer said the Dolphins must maintain a positive mindset while acknowledging that they still have room to correct mistakes.
“The reps and the intentionality, the focus on it. Not saying that we weren’t focused on it in the beginning, but just laser-focused on that at this time and point. Especially when it’s been hurting us in so many games, just finding that way that extra mile to go in practice, in the meeting rooms. Like I said, not saying that we weren’t doing that but just finding that extra gear because at the end of the day, it wasn’t good enough,” Chubb said.
“I’d say just you have to have that positive mindset and be honest with what you’re saying. If we’re saying we’re this close, we’re that close to knocking down the door and winning and succeeding how we’re trying to succeed. If we’re doing everything we need to do and it’s just that one person off, it’s that close – you wouldn’t want to have that negative mindset thinking things are about to go left. It’s a lot of season left, and it’s still room for growth and to correct those little mistakes and be clicking how we need to click and do what needs to be done,” Brewer said.
Myles Garrett Presents a Shared Blocking Challenge
Miami tackle Patrick Paul said Garrett can win even when an offensive tackle appears to be in strong position. Paul said he is looking forward to facing the Cleveland Browns defensive end.
“Definitely, he’s an excellent player and I’m really excited to go against him. You could watch him, a tackle could be in great position and he still wins. He’s a very, very good football player, so this is going to be really fun and I’m very excited,” Paul said.
McDaniel said the Dolphins cannot overcommit to Garrett because doing so could create opportunities for Cleveland’s other defensive linemen. He said containing Garrett could require contributions from receivers, the quarterback and multiple blockers.
“I think that’s part of the challenge of this particular defense and why they’re playing so well, because if you overcommit to one player, you leave yourself extremely vulnerable to the other players not focused on and this group has a plethora of really, really good defensive linemen. So you have to balance it. You have to understand that it’s no single person’s job when you’re talking about one of the best players in the league at any position and it may take a receiver adding an extra bump to his pass rush, or a chip to help Pat (Paul) block him, or it may take the appropriate receiver route and quarterback timing to block him and to beat his pass rush by timing, or it may take a turn, or we may account on one play three guys on him,” McDaniel said.
Tua Tagovailoa Discusses Dillon Gabriel
Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa also discussed Cleveland quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Tagovailoa described Gabriel as a smooth thrower who can run and see the field well, and said he knew of Gabriel while Gabriel was growing up and playing varsity football.
“Smooth thrower. I knew of him as he was growing up, and then I think I might have played one year as he was maybe a freshman or something playing varsity. Knew about him then and as he went into college and did his thing. Smooth thrower, can run, sees the field really well, and he’s a Hawaii boy, so you always got to support the guys from back home,” Tagovailoa said.
Source: Original report