Would and should Miami Dolphins play-caller Mike McDaniel 'Let Tua Cook?' | Schad

MIAMI GARDENS — The last time the Dolphins had an offensive play-caller as head coach, he had to routinely remind himself to call more runs.

What was a problem for Adam Gase should not be a problem for Mike McDaniel.

Gase did eventually feed Jay Ajayi the football and the Dolphins made the playoffs.

If Miami is to return to the party six years later, it likely once again will feature a strong running game.

No, not a tolerable running game. Not a weak running game. An effective running game.

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It's important to McDaniel, a run game expert in San Francisco. It's important to the offensive linemen, who are at a disadvantage when everyone knows it's a pass.

And it's important to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who would benefit most from a play-calling approach that is not overly aggressive through the air.

At some point this season, media and fans and maybe even some players will likely suggest it's time to "Let Tua Cook." That was the refrain, you might remember, in Seattle, where folks called for Pete Carroll to "Let Russ(ell) (Wilson) Cook" up a spicier aerial attack.

But it was always when Seattle had the power run game going that Wilson was at his best. And so it is to Miami's advantage that while most of the rest of the league is thinking pass to set up the run, McDaniel will likely always have the run game at the forefront of his mind.

"I know that I’m aggressive, but I have to take into consideration all things," McDaniel said Thursday. "It’s not about offensive stats, it’s about winning the football game. If winning the football game is 3-0, there’s no asterisk on that ‘W.’”

McDaniel must consider Miami's defense

McDaniel recalled that in 2019, with San Francisco, play-calling was influenced by the presence of a top 10 defense.

"I’m an aggressive guy when it comes to football and like to utilize and make big plays and utilize speed and all that stuff," he said. " When you had that, there were certain games that you realize that being aggressive might be an unnecessary risk. If the defense isn’t going to allow a point, why give them an opportunity?"

Miami's defense should be very good in 2022.

The Dolphins have two of the NFL's leaders in volume receiving in speedsters Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Miami has one of the best pass-receiving tight ends in the league in Mike Gesicki, playing on a franchise tag.

There will be a temptation to boost Tua's passing figures and make sure Hill and Waddle and Gesicki all leave the stadium on Sundays feeling satisfied. And there will surely be a temptation for Tua to prove to analyst Chris Simms that he can complete 55-yard passes.

But as Gase would routinely note, a short completed pass can be an effective substitute for a run. An ideal Dolphins play in 2022 would be a short slant or quick out or screen to Hill or Waddle taken 70 or 80 yards for a touchdown that looks impressive in the box score, on the ESPN scroll and in "SportsCenter" highlights.

And Miami can and will incorporate running backs into the passing game, as well. Chase Edmonds, Raheem Mostert, Sony Michel, Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed can all catch-and-run.

Winning games is what matters most. And so McDaniel, who is said by colleagues to be extremely cerebral and strategic, will do whatever it takes to win.

"So I think it’s important to not pigeonhole yourself," McDaniel said. "I also think that’s a competitive advantage for the Miami Dolphins because if you have just a typecast of how you operate, the other team gets paid, too, and defensive coordinators probably know that pattern."

Dolphins receivers are very excited about what they see in a playbook that McDaniel has adapted from the days of Mike Shanahan at Denver and Kyle Shanahan at San Francisco. They believe there will be open space created.

Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill intrigued

"I really like that we have answers for everything," Waddle said Thursday, after a dominant display in practice. "Answers for everything the defense can do."

“It’s a lot of misdirection," Hill said. " A lot of play-action passes. And for a speed guy like me, being able to run across the field freely and catch the ball and just get up field. It’s a match made in heaven, baby.”

Hill said he thinks McDaniel will be "aggressive" as a play-caller.

But being aggressive does not necessarily mean being among the lead leaders in pass-play percentage or air yards per pass attempt. McDaniel will be aggressive by being creative. And he is planning to be unpredictable.

Yes, there will be "trick" plays. Yes, there will be game-to-game plans with some discrepancies in approach.

But unlike Gase, no, McDaniel will not need to remind himself to mix in runs. The running game — the new outside zone running scheme — should be at the heart of everything Miami accomplishes.

And what about fourth-down aggressiveness?

Last season, the 49ers were near the bottom of the league with only 20 attempts to convert fourth downs. The Dolphins tried only 22, well behind league-leaders Detroit, Chicago, Carolina and the Chargers, all with 34 or more.

The Lions were led by former Dolphins interim coach Dan Campbell, who may be the most aggressive man in America. Chargers coach Brandon Staley isn't far behind.

And the Bears and Panthers were/are led by offensive-minded coaches. It will be so interesting to see how McDaniel approaches being a full-time offensive play-caller for the first time.

Yes, Miami's offense figures to be far more interesting and far more productive than it has in many years. Yes, McDaniel has spent the entire offseason building up the confidence of Tagovailoa.

McDaniel is building a solid personal connection with Tua. In fact, McDaniel was seen calling offensive plays into Tua's headset with the use of a walkie-talkie on Thursday.

"Words can sound alike," said McDaniel, who was transparent and direct about Miami's play-calling process. "X's sound like F's. You have to get used to how people talk."

None of this means the Dolphins should be among the league leaders in passing attempts, passing yards, passing touchdowns and/or pass attempts on fourth down.

McDaniel's personality leans toward aggressive, because, yes, he has trust in the talents of the players on Miami's offense, as well as his play design and selection.

But he also wants to be prudent. At times this season it will make sense, I suppose, to "Let Tua Cook."

But what's more important than being perceived as aggressive will be to put his team in the best position to win the most games. That will likely result in more runs, less risk and what may even be portrayed as a less aggressive approach than many expected.

Joe Schad is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post part of the USA Today Florida Network. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Tua Tagovailoa has weapons. But less-aggressive aerial approach smart.