Rex Ryan is not impressed with the Miami Dolphins’ offensive game plan this season, and on Sunday NFL Countdown, he blamed one man for the problem.
Mike McGenius.
Yes, the ESPN analyst stuck that unflattering nickname on Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. Host Mike Greenberg set him up perfectly to introduce the nickname, mentioning the Dolphins game against the Buffalo Bills and McDaniel, before turning to Ryan and saying, “Who I know you have developed your new name for.”
“Mike McGenius,” Ryan said.
“Yes,” Greenberg said.
“Not so much,” Ryan continued. “He’s 1-8 against winning teams over the last two years.”
Just when it seemed Ryan might move on from the nickname, he returned to it again and again when making a point about the Dolphins. And his point is that even with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa back in action, this team’s offense is a mess.
“If you’re going to beat Buffalo, look, their Achilles heel is teams that can run the ball. … Run the football,” Ryan said. “But that’s OK because McGenius is a run-game guru. Except when you watch the tape, I’m like, ‘You’re doing zip. What the hell are you doing?
“Here’s a McGenius play: ‘Let’s just pitch it to the back and see if he can outrun guys.’ No blocking issues, all that stuff.”
Rex Ryan has a new nickname for Mike McDaniel. pic.twitter.com/ikypU2Vd9N
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 3, 2024
McDaniel, a Yale graduate, has carried the “genius” label for several years, first as the San Francisco 49ers run game coach and then offensive coordinator before becoming the Dolphins head coach in 2022. That reputation has suffered this year with the Dolphins 2-5 entering Sunday.
[Sunday NFL Countdown]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.