Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel had quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, broad receiver Tyreek Hill, left deal with Terron Armstead, cornerback Xavien Howard and several other others amongst 20-plus gamers that didn’t gown for the crew’s preseason-opening win on Saturday evening in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
New Dolphins middle Connor Williams was additionally among the many inactives, which was mildly shocking contemplating he’s making a transfer from guard the previous 4 years with the Dallas Cowboys and has had snapping points throughout camp.
Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, security Jevon Holland, edge defender Melvin Ingram, operating backs Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert, fullback Alec Ingold, linebackers Jerome Baker and Elandon Roberts, defensive linemen Emmanuel Ogbah, Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler and tight finish Adam Shaheen had been the opposite gamers that didn’t play. Shaheen was traded this previous week to the Houston Texans however returned to the Dolphins after a failed bodily with the Texans.
“It’s a balancing act. A lot goes into it. I talked to the players about it. I waited all the way until Thursday evening to finally stamp it,” McDaniel stated postgame.
“I talked to the players on Friday that it wasn’t necessarily a punishment or a reward. It was every individual and where they’re at, who needs it to perform on Week 1. You do your best guess, so it wasn’t the, ‘We’re just sitting guys because they’ve done X, Y or Z.’ It was more protecting people against themselves.”
With the inactive listing largely a who’s who of high Dolphins gamers, tight finish Mike Gesicki surprisingly received a begin, as did second-year edge defender Jaelan Phillips.
“In general, it is not an easy job to play tight end in the offense, so we thought it would benefit him to get him in a little bit,” McDaniel stated of Gesicki, who had the primary offensive play, a 13-yard catch and run, drawn up for him. “Having a scope for the whole preseason, we thought it’d be good. We wanted to get him a touch, get him orchestrated and hearing the offense but also protect him.”
Gesicki is transitioning in McDaniel’s offense, which can name for him to dam extra typically. He hadn’t been receiving many targets in practices main as much as the exhibition opener.
“I am a professional football player,” Gesicki stated. “We had a game [Saturday], and it was time to play. I love football, so I am happy to play.”
Added McDaniel: “Before watching the tape, I was happy with the way that he played and how he approached it because, again, it wasn’t punishment at all.”
Said Phillips of seeing snaps early: “I was actually excited to play, just get back into the swing of things and get that experience. I’m always trying to keep learning, so never getting complacent.”
Armstead sat out the exhibition after seeing his most lively apply day of coaching camp along with his new crew on Thursday. He has been slowly labored again into motion from an offseason knee process after his 2021 marketing campaign with the New Orleans Saints.
Young offensive linemen Austin Jackson and Liam Eichenberg each began as blockers enjoying a special place from final yr, Jackson going from left guard to proper deal with and Eichenberg from left deal with to left guard.
Rookie quarterback Skylar Thompson began with Tagovailoa resting and went 20 of 28 for 218 yards and a landing. The seventh-round draft choose received the nod as backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was accessible if wanted however by no means entered.
McDaniel seemed to be leaning the best way of giving Tagovailoa the sport off in his Thursday feedback forward of the second of two joint practices with the Buccaneers this week in Tampa.
“Based off of the last couple practices, I’m encouraged about the idea of not playing him,” stated McDaniel after watching a string of efficient, environment friendly practices from Tagovailoa in coaching camp. “That has nothing to do with bottom-line results offensively. It’s more how prepared he is at practice. I just want to continue to build on what he’s been building on.”
Neither crew’s beginning quarterback suited up on Saturday, as future Hall of Famer Tom Brady started a private go away from the Buccaneers on Thursday. Tampa Bay rested most of its main contributors, as nicely.
McDaniel famous the necessity to weigh the advantages of in-game preseason reps with the potential damage danger.
“There is value in it, but every time you don’t have a red jersey on, you have the ability to get tackled,” he stated. “That’s risk. There’s a lot of risk in the game of football, but you also have to weigh that upon what’s the best thing for regular-season [Week] 1. It’s a constant battle that you just have to take your time and make the best decision, hoping it’s the right decision.”
McDaniel additionally indicated this week he could be “surprised” if Tagovailoa didn’t get any motion within the exhibition season forward of the Dolphins’ regular-season opener in opposition to the New England Patriots on Sept. 11 at Hard Rock Stadium.
Cornerback Byron Jones continues to be on the physically-unable-to-perform listing, and due to this fact didn’t play.
The Dolphins, minutes earlier than kickoff, added security Sheldrick Redwine, deal with Greg Little, cornerback Kader Kohou and fullback John Lovett to the listing of inactives.
Dolphins-Bally partnership
The Miami Dolphins and Bally Sports Florida/Sun on Friday introduced a brand new partnership to deliver Dolphins and NFL programming to the regional sports activities networks this season.
“We look forward to having the Miami Dolphins on Bally Sports and partnering to create more programming for fans, especially at this exciting time for the franchise,” stated Steve Tello, Bally Sports Florida/Sun basic supervisor and senior vp, in a press release.
If you miss the Dolphins’ first preseason sport in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the Saturday evening CBS4 broadcast, it’s scheduled to replay on Bally Sports Florida on Sunday at 5 p.m. and Wednesday at 8 p.m.
Dolphins programming on Bally will embrace Dolphins Today, a weekly present that may air each Friday starting Sept. 2, the weekly Coach Mike McDaniel Show and re-airings of Miami’s three preseason video games.
Bally Sports Florida/Sun now carries programming for South Florida’s golf equipment within the 4 main skilled crew sports activities, because it already covers Miami Heat, Miami Marlins and Florida Panthers video games.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com