MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa set the NFL national media world ablaze when he called out teammates following last Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
It was the hot topic leading a lot of sports talk programs through Sunday night and Monday, but as the Dolphins begin the week of practice in preparation for a trip to Cleveland to face the Browns, coach Mike McDaniel is trying to make sure the story doesn’t continue past Wednesday.
“The first, last and only thing — if I have anything to say about it, and I did in several meetings (Wednesday) — is the Cleveland Browns and our focus within that regard,” McDaniel said Wednesday.
The Dolphins coach said Tagovailoa continued to address players on the team through Wednesday morning.
“Absolutely, he communicated within his teammates both in group and individually, and there’s much bigger fish to fry in our team’s opinion, in my opinion,” McDaniel said.
“There was Monday, and I know he’s talked to some of the guys he didn’t catch on Monday (on Wednesday), but I think we have plenty to occupy our minds with our football play versus what will be a motivated Cleveland Browns team on the road.”
Tagovailoa is scheduled to speak with reporters at Dolphins facilities later Wednesday afternoon, following the team’s practice.
After the 29-27 defeat to the Chargers, Tagovailoa made a point to reveal in his postgame press conference that players were reporting late to player-led meetings he had tried to organize.
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McDaniel, after originally backing his quarterback’s frustration speaking after Tagovailoa following the Chargers game, reversed course Monday in saying Tagovailoa should’ve never relayed that message to the public.
“Regardless of intent and what was on Tua’s mind after a loss, as the franchise quarterback, that’s not the forum to displace that,” McDaniel said Monday. “I think he knows that now.”
The Dolphins are 1-5 and losers of two straight entering Sunday’s matchup with the Browns (1-5).
This story will be updated.
