McDaniel Points the Finger Following Dolphins’ Loss
There are no two ways about it, the Miami Dolphins suffered an embarrassing loss to the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte on Sunday 27-24. Despite holding a 17-point lead in the second quarter to a substandard team (then again, who are the Dolphins calling substandard?), they still found a way to blow it.
Heed coach Mike McDaniel said it was due to “preparation and execution” after the game, said “we thought we were prepared for this, and clearly we weren’t.”
“If you can’t get it right during the game, they will continue to do the least risky thing,” McDaniel said. “It’s not how you win football games in this league. We have to figure that out immediately. I’ll start on the plane…We need guys playing on the same page. You don’t give up that many line of scrimmage yards unless you’re uncoordinated in certain ways.”
That sounds like a not-so-thinly-veiled shot at defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.
Anthony Weaver’s unit gave up a 200-yard rusher
You never want to give up a 100-yard rusher to an opposing team, even if it’s their starting running back. How about giving up 206 yards and a touchdown to a team’s backup running back?
That’s what happened on Sunday with Panthers‘ tailback Rico Dowdle. With Chuba Hubbard nursing a calf injury, Dowdle went off and the Dolphins had no clue how to stop him.
“There’s no if, ands, or buts about it. I need to make sure that guys don’t fray or try to handle it themselves,” said McDaniel. “We collectively need to build a wall, and if that means play calls need to change for that to occur, then play calls need to change.”
“This can’t continue to go on like this, and it has already gone on too long.”
It’s always been thought that Weaver would be the one to take over as head coach if/when McDaniel gets fired midseason. Maybe McDaniel will relieve Weaver of his duties before McDaniel gets relieved of his.
Carolina averaged insane amount of yards per rush on Anthony Weaver’s defense
Dowdle was the main culprit for the Panthers Sunday in their win, which dropped the Dolphins to 1-4 on the season and officially places their 2025 season on life support. But, the Panthers team as a whole racked up 239 rushing yards total on 32 carries.
That’s 7.5 yards per carry. Seriously, why would you ever even throw the ball at that rate?
And while it’s one thing for McDaniel to point the finger at Weaver and his defense for this loss, he might want to look in the mirror. With 1:10 left in the fourth quarter, McDaniel made quite the head-scratching defense.
Down by three points with all three timeouts and facing fourth down, McDaniel decided to punt and put the game in Weaver’s hands. That’s great that you have so much confidence in your defense, but that makes no sense, especially since the Panthers absolutely had their way with your team in the second half. That decision alone could make owner Stephen Ross question your employment.
Right now, it wouldn’t be advisable for anyone on the Dolphins‘ coaching staff to be buying real estate in South Beach.
Concerns Emerge Over Lack of Snaps for Broncos First Round Pick
However you may have felt about Denver Broncos rookie cornerback and first round pick Jahdae Barron in the preseason, that’s probably changed now.
That’s because Barron has barely seen the field through the first 4 games of the regular season and the No. 20 overall pick is currently the backup nickelback to
However much the Broncos want to say their plan was to bring Barron along slowly to “teach him the defense” or whatever lip service they might dish up, the truth is if he were ready to contribute more, he’d already be on the field.
The NFL doesn’t even bring quarterbacks along slowly anymore. Why would they do it for a cornerback?
Want more proof? Just look at Philadelphia Eagles cornerback and 2024 first round pick (No. 22 overall)
The point is, if the Broncos thought Barron could help their defense, he’d be playing.
“Barron has played just 74 snaps in four games, but he did show signs of improvement in coverage Monday night against Cincinnati,”
Generally doing what is asked of him, in this case, mostly means not being in the starting lineup.
#Broncos DC Vance Joseph with really interesting perspective on first-round rookie Jahdae Barron.
“Sometimes you can play guys too soon, and you can have too many public failures. And they can’t recover from those. So it’s been a luxury to kind of, bring him along slow.”
pic.twitter.com/1ujoxyR3Ua— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) September 11, 2025
Predictions for Barron Were Sky High
No player on the Broncos‘ already-vaunted defense had more hype in the preseason than Barron, who won the Jim Thorpe Award at Texas in 2024.
“Whether it’s on the perimeter opposite Pat Surtain II or inside at nickel, expect to see Barron in the Broncos’ starting lineup,” Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder r wrote on July 9. “While last year’s starters
Barron did have a nice moment in the season opener, with a game-clinching fumble recovery against the Tennessee Titans.
“Like a lot of people I’m disappointed Jahdae Barron is barely able to get on the field,”
Broncos Rookie Class Struggling to Find Roles
The Broncos made the playoffs in 2024 thanks in large part to the contributions of multiple rookies.
While that group was led by quarterback and first round pick
The 2025 draft class has yet to show any signs they might do the same. Rookie wide receiver and third round pick
