Mike McDaniel breaks up Dolphins-Bears skirmish in joint apply

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel broke up a skirmish through the staff’s apply with the Chicago Bears, certainly one of three fights that occurred in Friday’s session.

The struggle occurred throughout purple zone drills towards the tip of apply, when Dolphins large receiver Dee Eskridge and Bears security Kevin Byard exchanged shoves after a play. Whereas that dissipated rapidly, Dolphins heart Aaron Brewer and Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson acquired right into a shoving match, which Eskridge reentered — prompting extra teammates from each side to hitch in.

Whereas Eskridge was carried out of the scrum by Tyreek Hill, who didn’t apply Friday, McDaniel bumped into the center of the pack of gamers, yelling at them to cease.

Dolphins security Minkah Fitzpatrick wasn’t conscious of McDaniel’s involvement till his information convention after apply, and instinctively mentioned “oh no,” when instructed.

“I feel that is very harmful — we want our head coach, you understand what I am saying?” Fitzpatrick mentioned. “We do not need him to get damage, so I recognize it. However I feel we might get ’em separated ourselves.”

McDaniel has made clear to gamers his disdain for preventing at apply, and Bears coach Ben Johnson mentioned earlier than apply that his gamers knew the implications in the event that they fought.

Dolphins offensive lineman James Daniels defined their coach’s perspective after apply.

“He thinks fights are a waste of time — we’re right here to apply,” he mentioned. “In case you throw a punch in a recreation, you are going to get ejected. In order that’s how he is taking a look at it, and we’re actually the identical approach. We’re not attempting to struggle, we’re simply attempting to apply, go in opposition to one another, get some beauty after which go house.”

There was one other incident Friday when Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks needed to be separated from an unidentified teammate on the sideline.

Brooks, one of many Dolphins’ leaders within the locker room, is somebody who holds his teammates accountable, Fitzpatrick mentioned, and typically feelings may boil over.

“He is one other dude that is passionate in regards to the recreation. He loves the sport,” Fitzpatrick mentioned. “Even in the present day, he was holding folks to a excessive customary and it turns into confrontational — however I feel that is vital if you do something to a excessive customary.

“He is a man that I recognize taking part in with, and he is one other man whose vitality is infectious and nice for our staff.”

The Dolphins play the Bears at Soldier Area in each groups’ preseason opener Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.