The Miami Dolphins and coach Mike McDaniel now have a recreation underneath their belt this preseason.
Although most starters rested within the exhibition on the Buccaneers, the pair of joint practices by means of the week in Tampa allowed a glimpse into what a number of of these first-teamers can appear like in opposition to a championship contender. The preseason recreation, a win, 26-24, supplied a glance into McDaniel’s game-day operation and administration as a first-time head coach, together with alternatives for bench gamers, these on the sting of the 53-man regular-season roster and roster longshots.
The Dolphins return to the intrasquad setting in follow this week with three periods closed to followers earlier than Saturday’s dwelling debut in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Here are 10 issues we discovered from the Dolphins’ third week of coaching camp and the preseason opener:
McDaniel is snug with Tua’s progress
McDaniel felt inspired with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s follow performances to the purpose that he didn’t really feel he wanted to trot him out for the preseason opener, even for a drive or two. Tagovailoa has pieced collectively a sequence of efficient, environment friendly practices the place he has additionally flashed some improved throwing power. Rookie Skylar Thompson managed the offense properly because the exhibition was his present, with backup Teddy Bridgewater solely obtainable if wanted to get by means of the sport. McDaniel nonetheless feels he’ll doubtless give Tagovailoa preseason reps earlier than the common season, more than likely on Saturday in opposition to the Raiders.
This protection can nonetheless frustrate a quarterback
It was evidenced within the Dolphins’ Wednesday joint follow session with the Buccaneers, whereas Tom Brady was nonetheless with the staff earlier than taking his private go away. Brady was visibly flustered, wanting round for solutions to Miami’s strain, which wasn’t even exhibiting its most unique blitzes in opposition to Tampa’s rebuilding offensive line. Emmanuel Ogbah had a pair of reps in proximity the place he had one would-be sack and one other cross bat-down on the line of scrimmage, a testomony to 2 issues he’s identified to do as he comes off his profitable offseason extension.
Terron Armstead is nearing readiness for season
The Dolphins have been slowly working Armstead again into elevated follow reps to provide his surgically repaired knee time to make progress. Then, he noticed his biggest follow workload of coaching camp in Thursday’s joint session earlier than getting the weekend off. Armstead participated all through 11-on-11 drills that day earlier than lastly reaching his restrict on the ultimate drive. Keeping the prized free-agent acquisition wholesome is paramount as deal with depth is a serious concern for Miami. Larnel Coleman and Kion Smith allowed sacks and/or pressures in Saturday’s preseason recreation, and Greg Little didn’t even play as a late scratch following the preliminary wave of gamers introduced as resting.
What will we make of Mike Gesicki on this offense?
The tight finish barely sees any targets in follow, after which the primary play of the preseason is drawn up for him. It felt odd that Gesicki, the staff’s franchise-tagged participant, was put on the market whereas so many different starters rested. McDaniel acknowledged he wished to get him that opening play, however he additionally famous the difficulties on the tight finish place in a transition to his offense. This is particularly true for Gesicki, who will likely be requested to dam greater than he has been used to in 4 NFL seasons.
Connor Williams’ snaps nonetheless a difficulty
As the free-agent acquisition on the offensive line strikes to heart from enjoying guard his 4 years with the Dallas Cowboys, Williams has had a number of snaps that, whereas not egregiously poor, have been off-target sufficient to throw off the rhythm of a play. It continued in joint practices with Tampa Bay. He’s been engaged on it, and we didn’t get to see if he may get it mounted in a recreation setting. Backup heart Michael Deiter, who has additionally performed guard in his profession, returned to follow from his foot damage this previous week, providing an possibility if Williams is required to maneuver again to his pure place.
Cornerback depth a priority
The Dolphins may use the return of Byron Jones off the physically-unable-to-perform listing quickly as a result of they might not wish to see what it appears to be like like within the common season if a backup cornerback has to get plugged in with the All-Pro Xavien Howard on the opposite aspect and dependable Nik Needham within the nickel. Keion Crossen has been sound and Elijah Campbell, who can play each nook and security, had a strong exhibition, arising with an interception, however now Trill Williams obtained injured within the preseason recreation. Noah Igbinoghene was picked on by Brady within the Wednesday joint follow, and he was additionally one of many defenders within the space of the first-quarter passing landing surrendered on Saturday.
Trade dynamics
Lynn Bowden’s recreation on Saturday, with three receptions for 55 yards and a landing, both reinserts him into the competitors for a roster spot after a quiet three weeks of camp or will increase his commerce worth. Either method, it’s a win-win for the Dolphins in a deep receiver room. Contrarily, Preston Williams, who’s listed as a No. 2 broad receiver on the depth chart and reportedly obtainable in commerce talks after voicing his frustrations with missing alternatives, has remained absent from the offense. Tight finish Adam Shaheen, as a part of a equally deep tight finish room, was traded previously week, however the deal was rescinded based mostly on his failed bodily with the Houston Texans.
Run recreation hasn’t gotten going
The Dolphins had 3 yards speeding within the first half Saturday earlier than a 21-yard scramble from Thompson and 20-yard scamper from Myles Gaskin within the second half padded the overall to 49. That left lots to be desired from a touted McDaniel run recreation, albeit with Armstead and Williams out, together with prime working backs Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert. It would’ve been preferable to see the performance of the run recreation in McDaniel’s first exhibition, however he attributed it to a Buccaneers dedication to cease the run. The play-action nonetheless labored properly, noticeably as soon as when Thompson discovered Bowden open deep to begin the second half.
Does this staff nonetheless want one other inside linebacker?
Jerome Baker and Elandon Roberts didn’t play on Saturday, so we all know it’s not the highest unit we noticed. Duke Riley is a valued rotational piece that may are available and permit Baker to shift outdoors. Sam Eguavoen had a tough drive with a key missed deal with, and he later made up for it in the best place on the proper time with a fumble return for a landing. Rookie Channing Tindall continues to be studying. Could the Dolphins look into Bears center linebacker Roquan Smith, who’s on the commerce block? Or skilled free brokers Dont’a Hightower, Alec Ogletree, Reuben Foster, to call just a few?
Jason Sanders again to 2020 type?
The Dolphins kicker has alternated good and dangerous seasons by means of his four-year NFL profession. Ninety p.c or higher on discipline objectives in 2020 and 2018 whereas within the 70s final season and in 2019. By that logic, he’s due for an accurate-kicking 2022 marketing campaign. It’s off to a terrific begin as he went 4 for 4 in Saturday’s exhibition with profitable boots from 33, 52, 23 and 53 yards.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com