Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill complimented his coach Mike McDaniel’s “cojones” after Miami’s 20-7 win against the Patriots on Sunday.
Hill, who is now with the Dolphins after being traded by the Chiefs in March, praised Miami’s first-year head coach when asked about McDaniel’s gutsy play call with seconds to go in the second quarter. McDaniel called for a pass on fourth-and-7 from New England’s 42-yard line, resulting in a touchdown that extended Miami’s lead 17-0 entering halftime.
“McDaniel’s gonna need a wheelbarrow for his nuts to carry them around,” Hill said in the locker room after the game while sporting a pair of reflector sunglasses. “He’s got a lot of cojones.”
McDaniel’s play call was a momentum shift for Miami, as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa connected with Jaylen Waddle for a 42-yard touchdown. Waddle caught four passes for 69 yards.
“I was glad to have him back,” McDaniel said of Waddle, who missed the preseason due to of a quad injury. “I just wish we could have continued that momentum in the second half, but beggars can’t be choosers.”
Meanwhile, Hill led Miami’s receivers with eight receptions for 94 yards in his debut with the Dolphins. The All-Pro wideout signed a four-year, $120 million deal with the Dolphins in March after being traded by the Chiefs.
Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins lines up against the New England Patriots during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Getty Images
Head coach Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins walks the sideline during a timeout in the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Getty ImagesAfter his first win as head coach of the Dolphins, McDaniel was showered with Gatorade by his players while celebrating in the locker room.
“So, I didn’t do sh-t,” McDaniel joked after Dolphins GM Chris Grier congratulated him on behalf of the organization. “If you want to get me emotional, guys it means the world to me… All the buildup. I’m so proud. We could feel it during the game, things weren’t necessarily going the way that we wanted to, but we didn’t crack, we were complimentary.”
McDaniel wasn’t the only first-time head coach to score a win in his debut. Brian Daboll won over his locker room after the Giants’ 21-20 win against the Titans on Sunday.
The Dolphins head to Baltimore to play the Ravens, while the Giants will host the Panthers in Week 2.
