‘I’ll never get a smile out of myself’: Dolphins special teams coach wasn’t amused by ‘rear punt’ in 21-19 win over Bills… and insists he has ‘absolutely zero fun’ about the humiliating mistake despite the victory
- One of the most talked about moments was punter Thomas Morstead’s error.
- Special teams coach Danny Crossman called the moment a “100 percent critical mistake that has a chance to possibly lose a game.”
- Crossman also says taking an intentional safety was never considered.
- The error led to a Dolphins kickoff that covered Buffalo further back and may have been the reason Miami is currently 3-0.
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The mistake made by Miami Dolphins punter Thomas Morstead was a hilarious accident to most of the world — most of the world outside the Dolphins locker room, that is.
With the team falling back to their own end zone, in the latter stages of a close game against the Bills, winning 21-17, Morstead had very little room to execute a punt to push Buffalo back with a chance to win the game.
Instead, Morstead couldn’t find enough clearance between himself and the offensive line and kicked the ball into the back of special teamer Trent Sherfield. The punt came off Sherfield and went out of bounds for a safety.
As Miami held on for victory, the ‘Butt Punt’ was the main talking point stemming from the game. Dolphins special teams coach Danny Crossman isn’t happy about that.
Dolphins punter Thomas Morstead kicked the ball off a teammate Sunday against Buffalo
Dolphins special teams coach Danny Crossman isn’t laughing after Morstead blunder
‘Absolutely zero fun and a 100 percent critical bug that has a chance of losing a game. It will never make me smile,’ Crossman told the Miami Herald.
As angry as Crossman may be, the play seemed to work in the Dolphins’ favor. Despite giving up two crucial points, making the score 21-19 and giving the Bills possession, Morstead’s kickoff covered Buffalo deep and started at their own 23-yard line.
With 1:25 left in the game, Buffalo QB Josh Allen drove Buffalo to the Miami 43-yard line. There, the Bills were pushed to their own 47 to try to move up the field and get out of bounds.
The Dolphins pressured and forced Allen to throw an emergency pass to McKenzie. The ball was caught, but McKenzie couldn’t get out of bounds. A mad scramble to get everyone to the line was to no avail, and the Dolphins won at home to improve to 3-0.
The safety made the game much closer, but a subsequent kickoff put the Bills further behind.
Despite the yardage advantage, Crossman said taking the kickoff safety was never considered among the coaching staff.
“I think the yardage you’re going to defend would be somewhat similar,” Crossman said. “It’s also a momentum play, one you never want to give up.”
It’s worth noting that Morstead averaged 48.2 punt yards in the 2021 season. While that’s a good number, if Morstead hit the punt at that average, it would have put Buffalo about 30 yards closer to the end zone.
While they would have needed a touchdown to win the game, Buffalo would also have about eight more seconds to make a play.
So while Crossman may be upset about the mistake, it may have been the reason the Dolphins were able to improve to 3-0.
While these two may not be happy, the mistake arguably won the Dolphins the game.
