Mike McDaniel smartly gets Dolphins three extra nights of sleep in Germany
FRANKFURT, Germany — After two full days and nights of sleep in Germany, some Dolphins players, coaches and, yes, media members, were still feeling a bit jet-lagged on Thursday.
The Dolphins will have all week to adjust before Sunday's game against the Chiefs, who don't arrive until Friday.
It is a pretty vast strategic difference.
"We trust our head coach," Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said. "Hopefully by the end of the week, we’re adjusted and regardless of the time that we are playing, it won’t change how we’re feeling."
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel may have made a smart call.
Teams arriving in Europe early find success
This year, the Ravens arrived in Europe early for their game against the late-arriving Titans and won.
Also this year, the Jaguars arrived in Europe early for their game against late-arriving Bills and won.
McDaniel said he thought a Tuesday off day in Frankfurt could provide some good team bonding experiences. And, yes, he also thinks the players will feel better on Sunday.
"There’s some science stuff that I won’t bore you with," McDaniel said. "Don’t call me on that because I can’t — it was like back from May or April when we made this decision, so I can’t really remember the science."
Andy Reid explains Chiefs' decision
This week, Chiefs coach Andy Reid said his team is following a plan from their 2015 defeat of the Lions in London.
"It worked, so I've kind of stuck by it," Reid said.
Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips has been to Germany before and enjoyed touring the city on Tuesday.
"Preparation-wise, I think if you handle everything correctly, then you are more energized and adapt quicker," Phillips said. "But that’s also on us to actually prepare accordingly. So it’s when you’re going to bed, types of things you’re doing, the way you’re fueling, different things like that, so it’s important to stay on top of it.”
Safety Jevon Holland is happy to be here all week.
"I think we should do more," Holland said of international play. "I think it’s dope. I mean, the flight wasn’t that long. It was just a hop, skip and a jump over the water. I was enjoying it, honestly, the whole process being in a new country. It’s like a free vacation and we get to play. So I’m always down for that, especially if we leave on Monday.”
Holland was hoping to find a few minutes to search for an antique watch.
Dolphins in Germany: Fans can't get enough of Tua Tagovailoa and Mike McDaniel
Phillps is on the lookout for castles.
"I think just the history to me is the coolest thing," Phillips said. "In the United States, the oldest buildings we have are from maybe the late 1700s, early 1800s. But here in Europe in general, you have buildings from the 1500s."
Tua on the world stage: He's ready for it. | Schad
Phillips said the players found a local woman who acted as a tour guide.
"The people have been super friendly and welcoming," Phillips said. "I would’ve been disappointed if we came out on Friday morning."
Joe Schad is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on social media platforms @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing.
Sunday's game
Dolphins (6-2) at Chiefs (6-2)
Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt, Germany
9:30 a.m., NFL Network, NBC6 (Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties); Fubo and NFL+ by subscription outside South Florida
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Mike McDaniel and Dolphins arrived in Frankfurt, Germany on Tuesday
