Dolphins ‘responding' to special teams coordinator Danny Crossman? Sure about that? | Habib

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 point-blank 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

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 for a touchdown in 2022 by Devin Duvernay, then nearly matched it this season with a 78-yarder by Justice Hill. When Jason Sanders made five field goals to beat Dallas, it was both impressive and surprising given his struggles from distance under Crossman.

And that’s the part that isn’t adding up. Whether it’s Sanders’ shrinking range, poor kick coverage or a complete blackout when it comes to creating big returns of their own, Crossman’s special teams are getting more than a pass for 2023. Let me take you back to 2020, Crossman’s second season with the Dolphins, and you’ll see why.

The Dolphins were seventh in special teams in 2020.

The next year, they fell to 22nd.

Then 27th.

Then 31st.

Mike McDaniel: Danny Crossman the ‘appropriate guy' to fix special teams

In the process, Miami’s kickoff coverage has gone from first to worst, allowing twice as many yards along the way. And in case you’re wondering, Gosselin’s rankings aren’t arbitrary. He factors in coverage, returns, blocks, penalties, turnovers and more. If only the Dolphins’ special teams were this meticulous. And speaking of meticulous, it stings that much more that the Saints’ special teams have five finishes among the top five over the past six years — all coordinated by Darren Rizzi, who used to hold that job with the Dolphins.

But while speaking about Crossman, McDaniel said, "I determined that he was the appropriate guy to lead us to fix the things that haven’t been up to the standard."

Why?

“So you have a window into the true depth of someone’s coaching ability when you’re working alongside them every single day,” McDaniel said. “And part of the process of factoring those things is how, ultimately, how is a coach able to communicate to a player to get him better? And although the results haven't been there, what I've seen is players responding in the appropriate way to things that Danny has to offer.

More: Miami Dolphins' game plan at NFL Combine should focus on offensive, defensive lines.

“Now, does that mean we're not taking a hard look at everything with regard to scheme to players? Absolutely not. Everything's on the table.”

McDaniel concluded by saying, “I think if players didn’t respond to him, it’d be a different conversation.”

So, there you have it. Crossman is back for 2024 because players are responding, at least in McDaniel’s eyes.

The rest of us just need to squint a little.

Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at hhabib@pbpost.com. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal.

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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins' Mike McDaniel defends special teams coach (but rankings don't)