Gase blames himself for first-half calls
DAVIE — Miami coach
is still blaming himself for what he considered faulty play-calling in the first half of Sunday’s 19-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Gase, the second-year coach who also calls plays, said after the Dolphins managed a field goal on their opening possession he got “too cute” and relied on too much schematic “crap.”
“I wasn’t giving our guys a good chance,” Gase said of the first-half possessions after the opening field goal.
“I was just doing things in the first half that didn’t let them just go play and win one-on-one matchups.”
The Dolphins trailed 10-3 at halftime. He sounded as though he was looking for a chess match with Chargers coach Anthony Lynn that never materialized.
“Really, I should have just believed what I was seeing and just got to the things that we could attack, coverages they were playing,” Gase said.
Gase said once he decided to let his playmakers make plays, things got better.
Gase said he still hasn’t decided whether linebacker
who has been suspended indefinitely, will return to the team this season. Gase also said Dolphins executive
has taken over the Timmons matter, for the most part.
“I haven’t made any decisions,” Gase said Thursday.
“I’m going one day at a time right now. And I know there’s steps that are being made with what’s going on with him. Mike’s really kind of taken the lead on that and so I’m getting updates as we go.”
Gase said his focus is getting guys ready for the New York Jets. Running back (knee), wide receiver (ankle), middle linebacker (hamstring) and defensive tackle (ankle) sat out practice Thursday. Parker was downgraded, as he was limited Wednesday. Wide receiver (knee) was limited, an upgrade from Wednesday when he didn’t practice. Running back (ribs) was also upgraded. He had full participation after being limited Wednesday. Center (rest) also missed practice. Gase didn’t classify either the Landry or Ajayi knee ailments as serious concerns.
“I wouldn’t say ‘serious,’ ” Gase said. “But they both got banged up a little bit in that last game. I know Jay …w as off his feet one time where he got spun around in the air there and took a pretty vicious hit.
“Jarvis had a couple where he took some shots. It’s probably a little more preventative than anything.”
The Dolphins were 0-3 in red-zone touchdown opportunities against the Chargers last week. Gase said the Dolphins don’t have a specific red-zone target and he doesn’t sound as though he wants one.
“I’ve never really had a goto guy in the red zone,” he said. “Just spread the ball out, make it tough. You want them to have to cover everybody — run, pass, whatever we decide to do, different formation. You want everybody to be effective down there.”
Gase took the blame for the inside-the-20 outcomes.