Did the Miami Dolphins have to install a speed limit for the league’s fastest player, Tyreek Hill?
Turns out, head coach Mike McDaniel had to convince Hill to be within the confines of the offense, which he described in a production meeting with the NFL Network.
How Mike McDaniel Adjusted to Tyreek Hill’s Speed
Revealed by NFL Network personality Rich Eisen on his Saturday edition of his Sirius XM Show, McDaniel had an idea he presented to Hill on the eve of their first offensive installation.
“He sent Tyreek Hill into the offseason with ideas on how to become better at fundamentals and the fundamentals to become better,” Eisen shared.
Eisen asked what the head coach meant by telling the Super Bowl-winning wide receiver to become fundamentally sound.
“He said he’s talked to Tyreek Hill about how he’s the fastest player on the field — and how everyone really has to adjust to him because of his speed,” Eisen described. “And [McDaniel wanted] to make sure that his routes needed to be run with certain precision and certain concepts defensively that are being played against him.”
The reason? McDaniel saw how Tua Tagovailoa was immensely accurate in hitting the tight window throws, especially against special coverages. The head coach wanted to make sure Hill was right there to snatch up those passes, even if it meant slowing down.
“He needs to expect with certain precision so that Tua can be ready for Tyreek and vice versa,” Eisen shared.
MORE: ‘They Gon’ Get This Work Wherever’ – Miami Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill on Facing Chiefs in Germany
So far in 2023, their chemistry has emerged as one of the more dynamic in the NFL. Hill is the only wide receiver to surpass 1,000 yards this season at 1,014. He’s tied for second in the league with 61 receptions alongside Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams.
And, to include Hill’s 2022 totals, he’s caught 180 total receptions for 15 touchdowns and 2,724 yards playing in McDaniel’s scheme.
Does McDaniel’s Coaching and Scheming Immediately Make Him Invincible?
Eisen further described a production meeting that came with an emotional tone. McDaniel was in tears describing his relationship with Tagovailoa, and Eisen and the rest of the NFL Network representatives were amazed by his approach.
In one description, Eisen shared how he learned McDaniel spends 20 hours on Tuesdays installing the game plan ahead of game day. By Wednesday, the Dolphins players already know the game plan and their specific roles for that week’s game.
Eisen, overall, was blown away by his meeting with McDaniel.
“I just sat to myself, I’m like, ‘This dude’s got it, and they are ready to roll for a long time,'” Eisen shared. “You know, the rest of the AFC East’s best have to bring their Ps and Qs when they play them, and I know the Buffalo Bills did.”
Does this make McDaniel an invincible coach on the field?
“I’m not saying he’s invincible, but he’s got this thing in a great direction,” Eisen said. “And it’s all bottled up and uncorked. And he’s also a funny dude, like he’s keeping things light in this locker room, and just having this curtain peeled back for me today with him was really mind-blowing.”
In the meantime, McDaniel’s Miami offense is averaging an astonishing 453.3 total yards per game this season. The next closest offense? The Detroit Lions (390.6).
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