Grier and McDaniel 2024 post-season press conference

[Downunder Dolphan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76ADVLxlYS0

The brains trust facing the media is now up on youtube, it's about 37 min.

[Downunder Dolphan]

My quick takes from the replies by Beavis and Butthead:

Grier said in his exit interview with Tyreek, there wasn't an indication he wanted to leave (yet).

They attempted to get a high-tier backup and were very close with a few prospects (who notably would take less $$$ to work with McDaniel) but ultimately the cost and/or compensation was too much. My guess from this is that Jimmy G must have been very high or top of the list.

There was a culture in place of fining players (sounds like a few repeat offenders) multiple times for issues like not showing up on time, and this clearly hasn't worked.

In regards to physicality (or to the point, lack of) McDaniel pointed out how good it was in some aspects like the defense in zone situations! (WTF? This was when the defense was typically at its worst, conceding TDs in goal-line situations, and particularly early in the season, yardage over the middle to TEs and RB screens)

Grier was happy with the OL last season, and what was left of it going into 2024 with the additions, and admitted clearly this hasn't panned out due to injuries and lack of depth. Jackson and Kion Smith were major losses with injury, Wynn took a lot longer than expected to return. He feels Patrick Paul and Andrew Meyer (the undrafted rookie who was a developmental center) will be good players going forward. He made a point that this off-season, investing in the OL will be a major priority (as it was when they drafted Jackson, Hunt and Kindley). It is sounding like we're going down the draft route again for this.

When asked about possible changes to the offensive system for 2025, McDaniel said it hadn't changed in the last three years - what happened this year was that defenses had adjusted with a deep shell early in the season and we hadn't executed contingencies correctly (a combination of injuries and process) to open it up again until the Raiders game. Jonnu Smith began to open up things when he hit form. For 2025, he's not signalling any major changes - we just have to be healthy and do things better.  

They had discussions with Holland and his agent last summer, which were put on hold when the season started. Grier didn't go much further than that. I'd say he's good as gone.

With the discussion of not playing well in cold weather, Grier said it was a given that they expected to play well since we have Buffalo, New England and New York in our division, but the major reasons we didn't get the wins were self-inflicted errors at the wrong times. They've played well in patches and got close a number of times, but the mistakes and penalties are killing us.

Weaver has already had a couple of HC interviews, Grier wants him to stay but sounds resigned that he will leave and the defense will have to adjust to a new DC again.

McDaniel has considered giving up the playcalling duties before, but is still of the opinion he's the best person to do it. He may change that stance when he thinks he's not the best to do it (by which time it's probably way too late)

Grier said injuries can't be used as an excuse, but then followed that saying the difference between us making the playoffs or not was Tua being injured six and a half games. He's very happy with the core players who are difference makers, and thought it was "bullshit" that Sieler and Achane weren't selected as Pro Bowl players. He has no concern about Tua's injury history and long term health, and thinks he will continue to improve as a player - but he needs to be smarter and not try to be Superman.

If Calais Campbell decides not to retire, Grier and McDaniel have already talked with him, and we're a good chance to have him back again.

[CF DolFan]

The interview was typical BS to end on a positive note for next year. The player culture was definitely a fail as was Grier's assessment of talent including back-up qb. His defense of Skyler was he lost by 3 to Buffalo in the playoffs. A groundbreaking game where Skyler has like 120 yards or something. Anyone who watched the preseason saw he and Mike White struggled mightily as Tua sat out and negotiated a new contract. It also is funny to hear him say good back-up QBs wanted to be here but we couldn't afford them .... considering we gave a  lot of money to guys who already had big contracts.

[Dave Gray]

I am not making excuses for Grier in terms of Skylar Thompson, who was an absolute bum.  But, really, it's what's going on writ large.  It's not like we need him to explain to us that Skylar sucks.  It is what it is, everyone knows it, and it's not really good for anyone or the future for him to be trashing players for sucking.

[masterfins]

I haven't listened to the press conference yet, but going by D2's review, this disturbs me.  No one taking any blame, and worse than that it's "we're gonna keep doing the same thing".  Excuses are the leaning posts of fools, and it seems these two want to continue being fools.  If this is how it's going to be Ross needs to re-evaluate keeping these guys.

[CF DolFan]

I am not making excuses for Grier in terms of Skylar Thompson, who was an absolute bum.  But, really, it's what's going on writ large.  It's not like we need him to explain to us that Skylar sucks.  It is what it is, everyone knows it, and it's not really good for anyone or the future for him to be trashing players for sucking.

I don't think the average fan is concerned with Skyler as much as the people who thought he was the best option. Regardless of how we felt about him they are the decision makers. In hindsight, there were plenty of warning signs.

[Downunder Dolphan]

I don't think the average fan is concerned with Skyler as much as the people who thought he was the best option. Regardless of how we felt about him they are the decision makers. In hindsight, there were plenty of warning signs.

https://www.tcpalm.com/story/sports/nfl/dolphins/2025/01/08/miami-dolphins-exit-interviews-jalen-ramsey-devon-achane-tyreek-hill-jaylen-waddle/77544697007/

Regardless of what we think, what's far more telling is that it's becoming increasingly clear that a number of important players on offense didn't believe in Skyler (or White, or Snoop, or anyone else at backup for that matter). I don't care who the backup QB is in that scenario, because it's pretty clear they are doomed if the guys they are throwing to haven't bought in and are not putting in 100%