10 thoughts - Colts game

[HairZach]

Can anybody explain to me why they think Mike McDaniel is good? I watch the Dolphins often because I like both Waddle and Achane. their offense is "interesting" lots of pre snap movement, guys in motion etc but basically the entire offense is what we did with Kliff, sideways passes, short passes. He's smart enough to understand how good Achane is but he's basically just dumping the ball to him and saying make a great play. I'm sure SOME of that is because Tua has a noodle arm but I just don't see it

He's been in 2 Superbowls both an assistant to Shanahan, I think it's pretty clear he was not the one that got Shanahan there. He was a run game coordinator but that's actually one of the weaknesses of the Dolphins(their OL is terrible).

His entire career is based on he worked with other guys who were good coaches, Kubiak, Mike Shanahan, Mike's son.

He may be better than Petzing but at least so far he hasn't shown the ability to do on his own what he does when working for other people.

NOw if he brings Achane or Waddle, or both, with him, yeah I'm onboard

The Dolphins have a uniquely terrible roster construction, they let all their important players leave in free agency before the 2024 season and have been bad ever since. Before that happened their run game was dominant and freed up the downfield passing game.

 

[HairZach]

Don’t look at the whiners offense with McCaffery.

It’s the exact same thing. Thank god there are coaches that actually coach to players strengths. Here we just throw to TEs and neglect our number 1 WR and take our dynamic QB and make him a pocket passer.

McDanies is light years ahead of BPB in terms of offensive inventiveness

I'm curious what you think is dynamic about Kyler at this stage in his career. I just don't see any upside to him as a player at this point.

Whenever he escapes the pocket for a 6 yard scramble I notice wide open receivers and think, "man, that would have been a 15 yard gain if Kyler hadn't gotten scared".

 

[Russ Smith]

The Dolphins have a uniquely terrible roster construction, they let all their important players leave in free agency before the 2024 season and have been bad ever since. Before that happened their run game was dominant and freed up the downfield passing game.

That was just Mostert really wasn't it? The first year Achane was remarkable almost 8 YPC. Moster had over 1000 at 4.8 and Wilson was over 4 but really their run numbers were skewed by Achane who sort of took the NFL(but not me) by surprise, 4 runs that year of at least 45 yards. The NFL adjusted but I also think their OL sort of fell apart. Plus Hill had a bunch of off field problems but I think the main issue is tua, they were so concerned about his health

 

[Gandhi]

Can anybody explain to me why they think Mike McDaniel is good? I watch the Dolphins often because I like both Waddle and Achane. their offense is "interesting" lots of pre snap movement, guys in motion etc but basically the entire offense is what we did with Kliff, sideways passes, short passes. He's smart enough to understand how good Achane is but he's basically just dumping the ball to him and saying make a great play. I'm sure SOME of that is because Tua has a noodle arm but I just don't see it

He's been in 2 Superbowls both an assistant to Shanahan, I think it's pretty clear he was not the one that got Shanahan there. He was a run game coordinator but that's actually one of the weaknesses of the Dolphins(their OL is terrible).

His entire career is based on he worked with other guys who were good coaches, Kubiak, Mike Shanahan, Mike's son.

He may be better than Petzing but at least so far he hasn't shown the ability to do on his own what he does when working for other people.

NOw if he brings Achane or Waddle, or both, with him, yeah I'm onboard

Well, there are many articles where Kyle Shanahan talks about how he and McDaniel created gameplans together, and how McDaniel certainly had input on what Shanahan did.

Also, McDaniels offenses in Miami were high-octane for large parts of his first two seasons there, and I attribute most of the later issues to the classic problem – a very skilled OC having trouble being a head coach. That it has simply become too much for him, so instead of doing one thing great (playcalling) he ends up doing everything above average.

 

[Russ Smith]

Well, there are many articles where Kyle Shanahan talks about how he and McDaniel created gameplans together, and how McDaniel certainly had input on what Shanahan did.

Also, McDaniels offenses in Miami were high-octane for large parts of his first two seasons there, and I attribute most of the later issues to the classic problem – a very skilled OC having trouble being a head coach. That it has simply become too much for him, so instead of doing one thing great (playcalling) he ends up doing everything above average.

The too much on his plate argument I do agree with to a point.

And it may be as simple as the GM told him you have to design an offense around Tua because he's our QB but I really think that's the fundamental problem they have. They're afraid to go downfield because his arm is weak and they don't want to expose him to hits.

Ironically they are exposing their 2 best players, Waddle and Achane(with Hill out injured) to a bunch of big hits as a result of all the short passes so they're probably shortening their careers to protect Tua.

 

[Gandhi]

The too much on his plate argument I do agree with to a point.

And it may be as simple as the GM told him you have to design an offense around Tua because he's our QB but I really think that's the fundamental problem they have. They're afraid to go downfield because his arm is weak and they don't want to expose him to hits.

Ironically they are exposing their 2 best players, Waddle and Achane(with Hill out injured) to a bunch of big hits as a result of all the short passes so they're probably shortening their careers to protect Tua.

I am not sure. In 2022 (his first season), Tua was also the quarterback, and the offense was still highly explosive. They had two WR with at least 1300 yards, with Tua as the leader in completed air yards passing in the NFL. In five games they put up 30+ points.

Not completely the same in 2023, but still two 1000+ yards WRs, and Tua with a high number of air passing yards. In one game they scored 70 points. In one game! In another they scored 45, and in five others they scored 30+.

From there, it goes downhill. I am not sure why, but probably a combination of different things. Maybe something happened to Tua's health since he is different now?

 

[kerouac9]

And a new team would owe him no guarantees for next season, so they can theoretically just move on if they want.

This is false. This $19.5MM 2027 base salary will be guaranteed by the team who trades for him.

 

[Card4Life]

8 – The Cardinals are close. They are not a bad team. You are what your records say you are, but still, even at 2-4, the point-differential is +3 through six games.

2-5 says they are a bad team. You said it in your post, "you are what your record says you are". Good teams don't just play close games, they find ways to win them.

 

[kerouac9]

Can anybody explain to me why they think Mike McDaniel is good?

His 29-28 record is a start. Two playoff appearances. Seemed to unlock Tua for a while.

I mean. He’s not Vince Lombardi but he’s not Josh McDaniels, either. He’s probably a little overrated because the podcasters love him — he talks like them.

 

[BirdGangThing]

His 29-28 record is a start. Two playoff appearances. Seemed to unlock Tua for a while.

I mean. He’s not Vince Lombardi but he’s not Josh McDaniels, either. He’s probably a little overrated because the podcasters love him — he talks like them.

pass

 

[DVontel]

His 29-28 record is a start. Two playoff appearances. Seemed to unlock Tua for a while.

I mean. He’s not Vince Lombardi but he’s not Josh McDaniels, either. He’s probably a little overrated because the podcasters love him — he talks like them.

If you came from the Shanahan or McVay tree, podcasters will love you unless you’re Zac Taylor.

 

[kerouac9]

If you came from the Shanahan or McVay tree, podcasters will love you unless you’re Zac Taylor.

Bob Slowik is the exception that proves the rule. Also maybe Mike LaFleur?

 

[DVontel]

Bob Slowik is the exception that proves the rule. Also maybe Mike LaFleur?

Slowik isn’t/wasn’t an HC. They rarely talk about Mike.

 

[daves]

Can anybody explain to me why they think Mike McDaniel is good? I watch the Dolphins often because I like both Waddle and Achane. their offense is "interesting" lots of pre snap movement, guys in motion etc but basically the entire offense is what we did with Kliff, sideways passes, short passes.

I think that's because he has to get the ball out of Tagovailoa's hands ASAP because he can't afford to let him get hit.

Before McDaniel took over, in 2021 the Dolphins had the #22/#25 offense (points/yards) and Tua had 6.8 yards per attempt.

In 2022 they were #11/#6 with Tua having 8.9 Y/A. In 2023 they were #2/#1 with Tua having 8.3 Y/A.

But in 2024, they were back to #22/#18 with 7.2 Y/A, and so far in 2025 they're #18/#16 with Tua having 6.7 Y/A.

Were the improved / great offenses in 2022-2023 a result of his great schemes and coaching, or just having peak Tyreek and Waddle? Does the drop-off in 2024-2025 show that McDaniel isn't all that good, or is it a result of a diminished Tyreek and Waddle and focus on protecting Tua?

Beats me!

 

[Russ Smith]

I think that's because he has to get the ball out of Tagovailoa's hands ASAP because he can't afford to let him get hit.

Before McDaniel took over, in 2021 the Dolphins had the #22/#25 offense (points/yards) and Tua had 6.8 yards per attempt.

In 2022 they were #11/#6 with Tua having 8.9 Y/A. In 2023 they were #2/#1 with Tua having 8.3 Y/A.

But in 2024, they were back to #22/#18 with 7.2 Y/A, and so far in 2025 they're #18/#16 with Tua having 6.7 Y/A.

Were the improved / great offenses in 2022-2023 a result of his great schemes and coaching, or just having peak Tyreek and Waddle? Does the drop-off in 2024-2025 show that McDaniel isn't all that good, or is it a result of a diminished Tyreek and Waddle and focus on protecting Tua?

Beats me!

Agreed I think he's protecting Tua which is why I said in another post if the GM won't let him replace Tua I understand it but I would argue if I were the coach I'd be saying can we not get another QB in here that can throw the ball downfield?

They made the same mistake we did with Kyler they signed Tua to a 4 year 212 million extension in 2024 so it's entirely likely McDaniel isn't allowed to replace him

 

[JohnnyCakes]

Disagree on Will H. He had some bad plays yes rust and not in game shape and played the whole game but he was also going against Buckner. There were games with Adams where I felt there was literally nothing the Cards could do one guy was so bad it was wrecking the whole offense.

Will can and hopefully will play better but I really think he's already a huge upgrade to Adams despite not being 100% back

he isnt in shape

 

[WisconsinCard]

Will was playing the LG spot and he has been playing RG

Big transition for him

I thought he started at RG? Am I wrong here? His ratings say 73 snaps at RG.

 

[Gandhi]

This is false. This $19.5MM 2027 base salary will be guaranteed by the team who trades for him.

I think I have already explained it to you in another thread but let me do it again.

If Murray is traded before the 2025 season ends, the Cardinals will be responsible for paying all guaranteed money that were guaranteed at the trade date. This means all the guaranteed money for next season.

The new team is responsible for all remaining base salaries, roster bonuses, and future guarantees that were not yet vested at the date of the trade.

Murray’s contract doesn’t include any guaranteed money for 2027. His base salary will only become guaranteed if he is on his new teams’ roster in March 2026. This means that they can cut him after the 2026 season with a minimal cap hit, and not owing any actual cash.

Technically, there is something in NFL contracts called offset language. It means that the old team can deduct the salary a player earns with the new team from the money it still owns the player. However, this only comes into play if Murray signs a restructured (or new) contract with a new team, and because of what I explained above, I would think it is very unlikely to happen.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

I thought he started at RG? Am I wrong here? His ratings say 73 snaps at RG.

I read that he was at LG

Checking back it was a pre-game report and you're correct he did play RG

What's worse is I watched every minute of the game and still typed that, yikes

Thanks for pointing that out

Offensive linemen

LT Paris Johnson Jr. (73/100), LG Evan Brown (73/100), C Hjalte Froholdt (73/100), RG Will Hernandez (73/100), RT Jonah Williams (73), RG Will Hernandez (23/34), T Kelvin Beachum (20/27), C/G Jon Gaines II (3/4)

Arizona Cardinals Week 6 offensive snap counts, observations vs. Colts

Check out how the Cardinals split up their 73 offensive snaps against the Colts.

cardswire.usatoday.com

 

[kerouac9]

Murray’s contract doesn’t include any guaranteed money for 2027. His base salary will only become guaranteed if he is on his new teams’ roster in March 2026. This means that they can cut him after the 2026 season with a minimal cap hit, and not owing any actual cash.

Read this sentence you wrote again and put it in context and make another effort here bro

 

[Gandhi]

Read this sentence you wrote again and put it in context and make another effort here bro

I honestly have no idea what you mean. Anyway, I have explained it to you, so unless you want it more detailed, there really is no reason to go on. Thank you.

 

[kerouac9]

I honestly have no idea what you mean. Anyway, I have explained it to you, so unless you want it more detailed, there really is no reason to go on. Thank you.

What does guaranteed mean? Bro you’re being crazy here. If a team cuts him after one year and he’s already booked for $19.5M, he’s not signing a $12M deal somewhere else that will make eating that guarantee palatable. They’re going to be paying him $15M+ to not play for them. Teams hate that.

 

[Garthshort]

I'm curious what you think is dynamic about Kyler at this stage in his career. I just don't see any upside to him as a player at this point.

Whenever he escapes the pocket for a 6 yard scramble I notice wide open receivers and think, "man, that would have been a 15 yard gain if Kyler hadn't gotten scared".

And I think that every time you pass THREE things can happen. TWO of them bad.

 

[Stout]

And I think that every time you pass THREE things can happen. TWO of them bad.

THESMEL, is that you?

 

[Gandhi]

What does guaranteed mean? Bro you’re being crazy here. If a team cuts him after one year and he’s already booked for $19.5M, he’s not signing a $12M deal somewhere else that will make eating that guarantee palatable. They’re going to be paying him $15M+ to not play for them. Teams hate that.

Again, I truly don't know what you are talking about. Nobody is going to cut him right after having guaranteed him a lot, but I am not talking about what teams want to do or not. I only explained you the rules.