Conventional knowledge would inform you the Miami Dolphins ought to deal with the second exhibition of the three-game preseason slate because the costume rehearsal, particularly after resting most starters within the preseason opener.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, although, isn’t one to adapt to traditional norms.
As McDaniel mentioned final week in Tampa, responding to an unrelated query: “I’m willing to do anything at any moment at any time.”
And McDaniel is as soon as once more mum on whether or not he’ll play his starters and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa forward of the Dolphins’ preseason sport towards the Las Vegas Raiders, a 7 p.m. kickoff Saturday evening at Hard Rock Stadium.
McDaniel sat practically all his starters in final week’s exhibition on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with just a few exceptions, resembling tight finish Mike Gesicki and outdoors linebacker Jaelan Phillips. With the Bucs taking the identical method, Dolphins third-string rookie quarterback Skylar Thompson had his time to shine within the 26-24 win. McDaniel’s technique Saturday will probably stay underneath wraps till 90 minutes earlier than kickoff, when the workforce pronounces which gamers gained’t costume.
“I’m still working through it,” McDaniel mentioned Wednesday, the final time he spoke to reporters and earlier than Wednesday and Thursday’s practices. “I don’t like to shortchange individual practices. I think that deciding everyone’s playing time based upon where they’re at for this team, for our young team, I think that doesn’t do right or justice to the individual practices.”
McDaniel has additionally beforehand mentioned he’d be “surprised” if he didn’t get Tagovailoa any preseason snaps. It would make sense if these got here on Saturday, with followers getting their first style of the 2022 Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Tagovailoa’s coaching camp success main up the Tampa sport performed a job in McDaniel’s consolation in permitting him to relaxation. While producing various stable throws this week, Tagovailoa tossed six interceptions in three practices. It might be nice timing for Tagovailoa to supply just a few sound first-half drives in a game-like setting towards the Raiders.
On Tagovailoa’s finish, he’s a gamer.
“I always want to play,” he mentioned on Wednesday. “I wanted to play last week too, at least a couple of snaps, but Mike decided that then wasn’t the time. Hopefully, he gives the first offense an opportunity to go out there, hopefully get some plays in, understand some situations, knowing how to manage the game and get back into the groove of things.”
If that’s the case, the Dolphins should not run out their entire first-team offense. Second-year extensive receiver Jaylen Waddle didn’t observe all week in what McDaniel known as a preventative measure for a minor undisclosed harm. Veteran, three-time Pro Bowl left deal with Terron Armstead, didn’t take part in Wednesday’s workforce drills and missed Thursday’s observe fully — this after ramping up his observe workload not too long ago as he progresses from offseason knee surgical procedure.
Assuming Armstead doesn’t play, Saturday will provide one other take a look at the Dolphins’ backup deal with scenario. If Austin Jackson is to be saved at proper deal with, 2021 seventh-round choose Larnel Coleman will get prolonged preseason snaps once more, as fellow reserve deal with Greg Little hasn’t returned to observe from undisclosed harm. The Dolphins even have the choice of enjoying second-year lineman Liam Eichenberg again at left deal with, as he did most of his rookie season, whereas inserting Robert Jones at left guard. Or Michael Deiter can are available to play middle whereas sliding Connor Williams to his pure left guard spot. Williams, at middle, wants to point out he can preserve his shotgun snaps underneath management in a preseason sport.
Onlookers will wish to regulate how reserve defensive backs carry out on Saturday. Cornerback Xavien Howard ought to see restricted snaps, if he performs in any respect, however what you’re getting out of the All-Pro. The similar goes for second-year security Jevon Holland, who had 4 of the observe interceptions of Tagovailoa this week.
With cornerback Byron Jones nonetheless on the physically-unable-to-perform listing, it’s necessary at the very least two cornerbacks past Howard and Nik Needham present they’ll fill in — particularly since Trill Williams was misplaced to a season-ending knee harm this week and six-year veteran Mackensie Alexander was signed.
Then, there are a slew of others who can construct off a robust preseason opener in pursuit of a roster spot. Wide receiver Lynn Bowden, defensive again Elijah Campbell, exterior linebacker Darius Hodge and versatile linebacker Sam Eguavoen had been amongst those who made performs towards the Bucs — Eguavoen with a fumble return for a landing, redeeming himself from a troublesome drive earlier that noticed a key missed deal with.
These are the alternatives for gamers on the sting of the roster cutoff line to make their lasting impressions.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com