Third-string quarterback Skylar Thompson began the Miami Dolphins’ first preseason recreation Saturday evening, that means lots of people betting on second-string Teddy Bridgewater misplaced within the workplace pool.
The precise starter, Tua Tagovailoa, wasn’t even a consideration to play, which is all good and positive in immediately’s NFL the place preseason has been diminished to the purpose it doesn’t really exist for a lot of groups.
That’s why the Dolphins sat 20 gamers to keep away from harm. Tampa Bay sat out 29 gamers. It’s sufficient to get you considering why they play these video games in any respect, however the very last thing you wish to do is assume too exhausting about nights like this.
Otherwise you’d marvel:
* Is the Dolphins’ roster thinner than anticipated? Case-in-point: Backup tackles Larnel Coleman and Greg Little gave up sacks to Tampa bay backups. Also: Third-year cornerback Noah Igbinoghene didn’t present indicators of enchancment in giving up a landing and one other reserve cornerback, Trill Williams, may need suffered a critical knee harm within the ultimate minutes.
* Is kicker Jason Sanders again to 2020 type? Sanders made all 4 subject objectives Saturday, suggesting he’s left final season’s inconsistencies behind him.
* Why didn’t heart Connor Williams play to acquaint himself higher together with his new place?
Actually, you recognize the reply to why Connor Williams didn’t play and it was given above relating to Trill Williams. Come September nobody will consider gamers getting harm in observe. But in August that’s about all each group thinks about.
That’s why Thompson wasn’t simply the beginning quarterback in Tampa however — for those who stayed with all of it the best way — he was the ending one, too. The seventh-round choose performed the entire recreation. He protected Tagovailoa and Bridgewater greater than the revamped offensive line may need this recreation.
Thompson performed nicely, too, finishing 20-of-28 passes for 218 yards and a landing.
“The big thing is we didn’t have any turnovers as an offense,” coach Mike McDaniel stated.
That would possibly begin Thompson’s trek to the observe squad, even when some will see larger issues forward. Happens each August, however not all the time convincingly to those that matter. Remember Reid Sinnett’s 344 yards passing final August? He’s now a Philadelphia Eagle.
McDaniel needed to study one thing about his group Saturday. Namely, he needed to see the way it dealt with adversity, and perhaps he might squint and see if it did after they rallied from an early deficit.
That’s what preseason video games are about — or no less than what they as soon as we about. The managed practices in opposition to Tampa Bay are extra vital. Why? Because they’re managed, that means quarterbacks aren’t hit and medieval strategies like minimize blocking aren’t employed.
“It’s a balancing act,” McDaniel stated of sitting out gamers. “A lot goes into it. I talked to the players about it. I waited until Thursday evening.”
He erred on the aspect of September’s penalties. And how couldn’t he? Look on the huge tales from this primary weekend of preseason video games. None are about successful moments or huge steps ahead.
New York Jets’ quarterback Zach Wilson is out as much as a month with a knee harm. Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson apologized to, “all the woman I have impacted,” involving sexual misconduct allegations. Tom Brady left Tampa Bay for a 10-day hiatus.
That’s it. Those are the massive tales. None contain McDaniel calling time-out on the ultimate second earlier than Tampa kicker Jose Borregales might try to win Sunday’s recreation. Borregales made that inconsequential subject purpose from 49 yards, too.
But after McDaniel iced him Borregales’s kick struck the upright and the Dolphins received. So perhaps McDaniel has the magic contact in his first season as an NFL coach?
Or perhaps that is only a Saturday evening exercise the place the price of the ticket, the 5 hours of tv programming and reside betting are extra consequential than any conclusion of both group. McDaniel stated the one factor he needed to see was how his group dealt with adversity.
His group, the one he’ll depend on, was totally on the sideline. Tampa’s group was, too. It was left for Thompson to exit and have a great evening. Another couple of video games like that and he’ll be on the observe squad and we’ll be in September.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com