Talk about newbies luck.
The Miami Dolphins opened the Mike McDaniel period with a nail-biting 26-24 win over to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when a final-second 49-yard subject objective try banked off the uprights, permitting the Dolphins to safe McDaniel’s first win as a head coach.
The sport wasn’t fairly, and didn’t characteristic lots of both crew’s key gamers. But it did present fairly a number of clues in regards to the journey forward for the Dolphins.
Here are 10 takeaways from Miami’s preseason opener:
Skylar Thompson shines in his debut
Thompson, the Kansas State standout the Dolphins chosen within the seventh spherical of the 2022 NFL draft, had put collectively a formidable two weeks of coaching camp coming into Saturday’s sport and people practices carried over. While the quarterback’s efficiency throughout the complete sport wasn’t excellent, he put the Dolphins in place to win by finishing 20-of-28 passes for 218 yards and a landing. He additionally gained 25 yards on three carries.
Is Mike Gesicki in Miami’s long-term plans?
While 20 established and key veterans sat out Saturday’s preseason opener, there was Mike Gesicki enjoying the primary sequence. In equity to Miami’s coaches, the tight ends are studying the best way to play in a brand new scheme, and Gesicki must work on his blocking. But this simply served as one other piece of proof that Gesicki, who the Dolphins used the franchise tag to retain this offseason, is on borrowed time. The Dolphins ought to contemplate buying and selling him and his $10.9 million wage to a crew.
Trill Williams suffers knee damage
Williams, who had been having a great camp, and shifting to the forefront of the cornerback unit, was taken off the sphere on a cart after struggling a left knee damage on one of many remaining defensive performs of the fourth quarter. If Williams’ damage finally ends up being critical it’ll water down the depth of Miami’s cornerback unit, which was already troublesome — particularly with Byron Jones nonetheless sidelined by an offseason ankle process.
Noah Igbinoghene continues to get picked on
The Buccaneers scored the sport’s first landing on a slant the place Igbinoghene was out of place, and reacted slowly. That’s been the storyline of his coaching camps, apply after apply, season after season. The Dolphins must preserve working the 2020 first-round choose for 30 or extra performs throughout preseason to find out if he’s salvageable as a result of at this level there are solely two issues to label Igbinoghene — the primary could be a goal, and the second is a bust.
Cornerback depth is regarding
Even although McDaniel expects Jones to be wholesome sufficient to play within the season opener, the Dolphins must be involved with the crew’s depth at cornerback primarily based on what they’ve seen all camp, and within the preseason opener. One damage, just like the one Williams suffered, and Miami’s secondary could be pressured to maneuver Eric Rowe again to cornerback. That’s why normal supervisor Chris Grier must discover signing a top quality veteran cornerback like Chris Harris, Xavier Rhodes, Joe Haden, AJ. Bouye or Janoris Jenkins.
Jason Sanders is in midseason kind
Sanders, who has had a formidable 4 seasons with the Dolphins, showcased how environment friendly he may be as an NFL kicker within the first preseason sport. Even although he has gotten few makes an attempt throughout practices to date in coaching camp, he made 4 subject targets Saturday, two of which have been for greater than 50-yards, and the ultimate one was the game-winner.
Michael Deiter handles heart snaps
Deiter missed the primary two weeks of coaching camp due to a foot damage he suffered in camp’s first session, however began the Tampa Bay sport at heart as a result of Connor Williams was one of many two projected starters (Terron Armstead was the opposite) who sat out the primary preseason sport. Deiter allowed a few pressures, however his snapping was sound. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see if he can shut floor on Williams, and push for the beginning job.
Inside linebacker stays a difficulty for Miami
Playing the Buccaneers with out Jerome Baker and Elandon Roberts supplied Miami a great gauge of how missing crew’s depth is at inside linebacker. While Duke Riley has confirmed he’s valued, the remainder of the within linebacker crop hasn’t confirmed a factor. Sam Eguavoen has been inconsistent for 3 seasons, and Channing Tindall, the Dolphins’ 2022 third-round choose, has been enjoying a step sluggish. Miami must discover if there are alternate options.
Lynn Bowden showcased in preseason opener
Bowden scored a 22-yard landing within the second quarter after beating a Buccaneers defensive again with a double transfer. He completed the sport with three receptions for 55 yards and the landing. Bowden additionally dealt with the Dolphins kick returns, exhibiting that he has particular groups worth. He was way more productive within the sport than he has been all camp. But Bowden’s ability set ought to make him the chief for that fifth receiver spot on the 53-man regular-season roster.
Sam Eguavoen performs like a Hall-of-Fame expertise in preseason, however has disappeared within the common season.
His first drive was crammed with missed tackles and dangerous reads, however Eguavoen scored when he picked up a fumble following a sack and ran it 32 yards into the tip zone. Eguavoen has a knack for producing large performs within the preseason, like his four-sack efficiency final 12 months. But on the subject of the common season he’s struggled to search out his footing. Miami wants him to point out up this season and show he’s a official NFL inside linebacker.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com