‘It will NEVER get a smile from me’: Dolphins special teams coach not amused by ‘butt punt’ in win
The mistake made by Miami Dolphins punter Thomas Morstead was a funny accident to most of the world – that is, most of the world outside the Dolphins locker room.
With the team backed into his own end zone, in the dying stages of a tight game against the Bills, leading 21-17, Morstead had very little room to execute a punt to push Buffalo back with a chance for them to win the game.
Instead, Morstead couldn’t find enough clearance between himself and the offensive line and punted the ball into the backside of special teamer Trent Sherfield. The punt went off Sherfield and out of bounds for a safety.
While Miami hung on for the win, 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 on Sunday against Buffalo
Dolphins special teams coach Danny Crossman isn’t laughing after the gaffe from Morstead
‘Absolutely zero amusement and a 100 percent critical mistake that has an opportunity to possibly lose a game. It never will get a smile from me,’ Crossman told the Miami Herald.
While Crossman may be cross, the play seemed to work in the Dolphins favor. Despite giving up a crucial two points – making the score 21-19 and giving the Bills possession – Morstead’s ensuing kick off pinned Buffalo deep and starting on their own 23-yard line.
With 1:25 to go in the game, Buffalo QB Josh Allen drove Buffalo to the Miami 43-yard line. There, the Bills were pushed back to their own 47 to attempt to move up the field and out of bounds.
The Dolphins brought pressure 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 in vain, and the Dolphins won at home to improve to 3-0.
The safety made the game much closer, but an ensuing kickoff pinned the Bills further back
Despite the advantage the yardage got them, Crossman said taking the safety for the kickoff was never considered among the coaching staff.
‘I think the yardage that you’re going to defend would be somewhat similar,’ Crossman said. ‘It’s a momentum play also, which you don’t ever want to give up.’
It’s worth noting Morstead averaged 48.2 yards per punt in the 2021 season. While that’s a good number, if Morstead hit the punt to 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 also would have about eight more seconds to make a play.
So while Crossman may be upset over the gaffe, it may have been the reason the Dolphins were able to improve to 3-0.
While these two may not be happy, the mistake possibly won the Dolphins the game