Mike McDaniel says Miami Dolphins have 'bigger fish to fry' than Tua Tagovailoa's comments

MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel met with reporters in advance of this weekend's game in Cleveland vs. the Browns, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's postgame comments on players being late to meetings a hot topic.

Highlights:

Did Miami Dolphins make enough effort to upgrade the run D?

The Dolphins have struggled against the run. Have they tried to upgrade the line this season?

McDaniel said you can only judge so much on the first quarter of the season.

"We've probably miss out on a lot of players in this league as you grow as a player" during the season.

McDaniel said one question is how much you can improve, how much you can coach a player to improve.

"Just because you're not active does not mean by any stretch that you're complacent."

McDaniel said the issues on run D aren't exclusive to one position.

Do the Dolphins miss Calais Campbell?

"He's a very good player who provides a lot of things. I have a lot of positive things to say about him."

'Bigger fish to fry' than Tua Tagovailoa's comments?

Tua Tagovailoa's comments:

"The first, last and only thing, if I have anything to say about it, and I did in several meetings today is the Cleveland Browns. Absolutely, he communicated with his teammates, both group and individually and there's much bigger fish to fry, in the team's opinion and my opinion."

McDaniel: Jonah Savaiinaea's best game thus far

McDaniel cited one glaring bad play by guard Jonah Savaiinaea but added the Chargers game may have been his best thus far.

How has Mike McDaniel 'era' gone to date?

How he views the 'Mike McDaniel era' to date (he's 29-28)?

McDaniel said he doesn't sit back and reflect on any "eras."

How will Jaelan Phillips bounced back?

Linebacker Jaelan Phillips nearly had Chargers QB Justin Herbert sacked on a critical play that resulted in a 42-yard gain and set up the last-second winning field goal.

Asked about Phillips bouncing back, McDaniel said, "I think he's hiding in plain sight. I get to see a player who -- sometimes you can be your own worst enemy when things don't go well. And you can make your play worse. What I've seen from his response, I would worry about maybe the first year I was with him, potentially not able to understand both things can be true, he's absolutely capable and wishes he made the play at the end of the game. But understanding that ... he can't look at it like he lost the game."

McDaniel points out that Phillips' pursuit early in the game led to a takeaway and a touchdown.

McDaniel said it would be a "delusion" that the play at the end of the game was the only significant play of the game.

McDaniel drops a hint of what Dolphins' game plan won't be

Asked about the matchup of left tackle Patrick Paul vs. Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett, McDaniel joked that Paul will be "the only player" blocking Garrett.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins have 'bigger fish to fry' than Tua's comments, McDaniel says