Dolphins’ McDaniel defends special teams

INDIANAPOLIS — Mike McDaniel was explaining his thinking when it comes to the job status of Danny Crossman, the Dolphins’ special teams coordinator, at the NFL scouting combine on Tuesday.

McDaniel began by saying there are multiple layers when it comes to whether to retain an assistant.

OK so far.

McDaniel acknowledged that in this case, the results haven’t been what anybody wanted.

Nobody’s arguing there, either.

Then McDaniel said, “I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to just pointblank say, ‘OK, the results aren’t there, you shouldn’t be, either.’ ”

Timeout, Mike.

Sometimes, there’s a fine line between explanations and excuses. In the cutthroat business of the NFL, nobody has time for excuses, and often not even for explanations. You either produce or you move on. There is no Option C.

Crossman was given a bye after his special teams endured a substandard 2022 season. The Dolphins endured a slew of injuries that left Crossman high and dry when it came to filling out his special teams. A source said McDaniel assigned most of the unit’s failures to the ever-changing cast of characters.

So Crossman was brought back in 2023, but he had to produce.

But he didn’t produce. And he’s still back for more.

Miami Dolphins were 31st in special teams in 2023 More online

Find Cognizant Classic first-, second-round pairings, and tee times at

In fact, things have gotten worse. How much worse? According to the respected (and exhaustive) special teams rankings compiled annually by Rick Gosselin, the Dolphins were 31st in special teams last season, ahead of only the Los Angeles Rams.

There’s more about Gosselin’s rankings that will depress you from a Dolphins’ standpoint. We’ll get to that in a moment. But let’s be honest: How much more are the statistics going to tell you that your eyes have not? There was the 96-yard punt return by Buffalo’s Deonte Harty with the AFC East championship on the line. The Ravens victimized the Dolphins for a 103-yard kickoff return

GOLF