Raheem Mostert had some harsh words for his former coach
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Raheem Mostert had some harsh words for his former coach
For many years, Mike McDaniel was thought to be one of the most influential head coaches in football. With his offensive mindset and innovative play calling, the Miami Dolphins became one of the NFL’s more entertaining teams. However, after tensions arose within the team that McDaniel was not able to control, the Dolphins fired him as a result.
While many Dolphins fans may know the reasons as to why McDaniel was fired, they have not necessarily heard firsthand accounts of what players believe went wrong for him. That is, until now. Former Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert appeared yesterday on “The Herd” with Colin Cowherd, and when asked about the Dolphins, did not hold back.
Mostert was actually one of McDaniel’s first ever signings, as he worked under McDaniel when he was still a running game coordinator in San Francisco. Still, Mostert’s main qualm about McDaniel was that the NFL is not a league where coaches can play nice.
“It’s pure: This is how we’re gonna coach it, I’m essentially the ruler. I’m the one that’s making these gains and also the failures. I have to accept that. But when you’re dealing with a coach that’s so nonchalant, laid back, wants to be the catalyst behind being a player’s coach, it kind of shifts that organization in the pivot within that system. So while it can work for other smaller league teams possibly, when you’re dealing with something like that, as a player you’re like, no, I need somebody tough that’s gonna lay the hammer down when it needs to be down and tell other players to get in line”, Mostert said of the situation.
Questions About Leadership and Locker Room Control
A lot of what Mostert did say however, is somewhat true as the Dolphins lacked toughness all season long and throughout the McDaniel era in Miami. While McDaniel ended up having a winning record, he was 0-2 in the postseason. More disappointingly, his offense rapidly declined every single year he was with the team, going from 1st in total offense in 2023 to 26th last season.
Another reason that supports Mostert’s claims are that McDaniel could not impart toughness and physicality on his teams. The best evidence is his record in cold weather games. He went an appalling 0-8 in games played that were under a 40 degree threshold. Most embarrassingly, Tua was 0-6 in those games.
A Potential Reunion Under a New Regime
Perhaps Mostert’s comments may be too harsh to some, but interestingly enough, now that a new regime is in place, Mostert wouldn’t rule out a move back to Miami.
I would love to go to Miami,” Mostert said. “I know Hafley, and, Slowik the offensive coordinator. I know them very well. They were with me at the Niners. I remember when Haf was the DB coach and, man, I had nothing but respect for him because he had his DBs playing good. And the same thing with Slowik. I know Slowik”.
Perhaps for Mostert, it’s all about out with the old and in with the new.