Mike McDaniel doesn’t think Tua Tagovailoa’s controversial comments about ex-coach will be a distraction

Tua Tagovailoa sure has stirred the pot. In the two days since he called out former head coach Brian Flores, the NFL world has erupted. Everyone is talking about the comments and what he has gone through. Flores’ response has also triggered a lot of discussions. All of this noise could be a distraction for the player, but Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel isn’t concerned.

The 41-year-old head coach was a guest on Wednesday night’s SportsCenter. When asked by host Sal Paolantonio if all the talk has had an impact on the team’s preparations for the upcoming season, he said, as quoted by NBC Sports:

Absolutely not. In this world or in this league on a football team, you can’t hide. And if your mind’s somewhere else, you may not tell me, but you’ll show me. The supreme details, the little coaching points, all the things, the snap points. Something’s gonna give if your mind is elsewhere. And that’s why my conviction comes from my eyes, my ears, and being where I’m at.

Mike McDaniel said

According to the HC, it is all good at practice. Mike McDaniel is sharp enough to figure out if something is not going fine, especially with his quarterback.

Well, it needs to be, as the Miami Dolphins are looking to fix the wrongs of the past season and focus on their ultimate goal. A Super Bowl is what they should be targeting with the roster they have. Their quarterback has to also stay sharp and pick up all the things his coaches tell him.

Tua Tagovailoa has said what he had to say. On the other hand, Brian Flores responded to the comments in the most diplomatic way possible. The Minnesota Vikings are not playing the Dolphins this season, which could help in shutting down the conversations.

Tua Tagovailoa has RB Raheem Mostert’s backing

Those conversations are likely to continue for a while. But teammate Raheem Mostert, who featured on the same episode of SportsCenter had this to say:

I know from previous conversations, you know, some years back, he was going through a rough time, rough patch. But, honestly, that’s in the wind. And he made those comments, you know, knowing that he just wants to get it out there. You know, that’s his thing. He doesn’t talk that much. So when he does speak, it’s with some volume.

Raheem Mostert per NBC Sports

That is a player who is backing up his quarterback for speaking out, knowing that he usually does not talk much.

It goes to show that the Pro-Bowler was holding on to these feelings for quite some time. Now, when he received the opportunity to talk, he let it all out. With that out in the air, Tua Tagovailoa can focus on the task at hand.

He knows the only way to cement his words is to win a Super Bowl. Mike McDaniel and his Miami Dolphins teammates want him to lead them to that goal. Then the NFL community will never doubt the qualities the Alabama product possesses.

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