But don't discount the storyline of McDaniel being concerned about facing the 49ers defense—specifically, Nick Bosa. On Monday, the Dolphins coach was asked about his concern about game planning for the 49ers' talented pass rusher without left tackle Terron Armstead, who has been ruled out due to a pectoral injury.
"If Nick Bosa has a pulse, you're concerned," McDaniel responded (h/t Taylor Wirth of NBC Sports). "If he walks past you in the parking lot, you're concerned. He's one of the better players in the entire NFL. You could easily argue—many people have, and I think a lot of teams that have played him have—that he's the best pass rusher in the NFL."
That shows you the respect Bosa has earned throughout the league. The 49ers defensive end ranks third in the NFL with 11.5 sacks (Matt Judon - 13, Micah Parsons - 12).
"I think from an offensive staff perspective, you have to do your due diligence to try to minimize him as best you can, knowing that you're never going to stop him, and he lives and breathes pass rushing," McDaniel added. "When I was around him in San Francisco, he would do pass-rush moves on a sanitizer pod. If he sees an object, like this podium, he would do a pass rush move on it. That's just who he is.
"There's always going to be challenges, and I'm excited to go ahead and have our team go against really quality players and give our best shot and see what we've got."
McDaniel was also asked about facing Shanahan for the first time. The two first crossed paths in 2006 with the Houston Texans, and aside from two years (2009-10), had worked together until McDaniel was named the Dolphins head coach this year.
"I don't really look across the sidelines that much at opposing coaches," McDaniel said (h/t Tom Dierberger of NBC Sports). "So I don't think, on the field, I will feel anything different than any other game in regard to [Shanahan]. I owe a lot to him in general. I will be forever grateful, and I think he's always been one of the best, if not the best, offensive coaches and head coaches that I've ever had experience being around."
The 49ers and Dolphins sit atop their respective divisions. The Niners are coming off their fourth consecutive victory, while the Dolphins have won five straight.
"I think that's what is exciting is that you have two teams that have won several games in a row," McDaniel said. "They get to play each other, and something's got to give. And that's fun football for everybody."
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