Points we discovered in Dolphins’ 3rd week of coaching camp and preseason opener

The Miami Dolphins and coach Mike McDaniel now have a activity beneath their belt this preseason.

Although most starters rested in the exhibition at the Buccaneers, the pair of joint tactics by way of the 7 days in Tampa allowed a glimpse into what numerous of people to start with-teamers can search like from a championship contender. The preseason match, a earn, 26-24, provided a glimpse into McDaniel’s activity-day operation and administration as a initial-time head mentor, alongside with opportunities for bench players, these on the edge of the 53-male normal-year roster and roster longshots.

The Dolphins go back again to the intrasquad environment in apply this 7 days with a few classes closed to supporters prior to Saturday’s household debut versus the Las Vegas Raiders.

Here are 10 items we learned from the Dolphins’ third 7 days of instruction camp and the preseason opener:

McDaniel is comfortable with Tua’s development

McDaniel felt inspired with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s exercise performances to the position that he didn’t truly feel he necessary to trot him out for the preseason opener, even for a generate or two. Tagovailoa has pieced with each other a series of powerful, efficient tactics wherever he has also flashed some enhanced throwing strength. Rookie Skylar Thompson managed the offense properly as the exhibition was his show, with backup Teddy Bridgewater only offered if required to get through the game. McDaniel even now feels he will possible give Tagovailoa preseason reps prior to the normal year, most probably on Saturday versus the Raiders.

This protection can even now frustrate a quarterback

It was evidenced in the Dolphins’ Wednesday joint observe session with the Buccaneers, though Tom Brady was however with the group before taking his personalized depart. Brady was visibly flustered, seeking all over for responses to Miami’s pressure, which was not even exhibiting its most unique blitzes from Tampa’s rebuilding offensive line. Emmanuel Ogbah experienced a pair of reps in proximity wherever he had one particular would-be sack and another pass bat-down at the line of scrimmage, a testament to two issues he’s acknowledged to do as he arrives off his rewarding offseason extension.

Terron Armstead is nearing readiness for season

The Dolphins have been slowly doing the job Armstead back into enhanced follow reps to give his surgically repaired knee time to make progress. Then, he noticed his biggest apply workload of training camp in Thursday’s joint session right before getting the weekend off. Armstead participated all over 11-on-11 drills that working day just before finally reaching his limit on the remaining drive. Retaining the prized free of charge-agent acquisition balanced is paramount as tackle depth is a significant issue for Miami. Larnel Coleman and Kion Smith allowed sacks and/or pressures in Saturday’s preseason game, and Greg Small did not even enjoy as a late scratch next the first wave of gamers announced as resting.

What do we make of Mike Gesicki in this offense?

The tight end scarcely sees any targets in observe, and then the first participate in of the preseason is drawn up for him. It felt odd that Gesicki, the team’s franchise-tagged player, was place out there though so numerous other starters rested. McDaniel acknowledged he wished to get him that opening participate in, but he also pointed out the problems on the restricted conclude position in a changeover to his offense. This is specifically genuine for Gesicki, who will be asked to block a lot more than he has been utilised to in four NFL seasons.

Connor Williams’ snaps continue to an challenge

As the totally free-agent acquisition on the offensive line moves to heart from playing guard his four several years with the Dallas Cowboys, Williams has had a number of snaps that, even though not egregiously weak, have been off-goal more than enough to toss off the rhythm of a enjoy. It continued in joint practices with Tampa Bay. He’s been performing on it, and we did not get to see if he could get it mounted in a game location. Backup centre Michael Deiter, who has also performed guard in his profession, returned to observe from his foot harm this past 7 days, providing an option if Williams is wanted to go again to his all-natural situation.

Cornerback depth a problem

The Dolphins could use the return of Byron Jones off the bodily-unable-to-conduct listing before long because they might not want to see what it appears like in the common year if a backup cornerback has to get plugged in with the All-Pro Xavien Howard on the other aspect and dependable Nik Needham in the nickel. Keion Crossen has been audio and Elijah Campbell, who can participate in the two corner and security, experienced a reliable exhibition, coming up with an interception, but now Trill Williams obtained wounded in the preseason match. Noah Igbinoghene was picked on by Brady in the Wednesday joint observe, and he was also 1 of the defenders in the space of the initially-quarter passing touchdown surrendered on Saturday.

Trade dynamics

Lynn Bowden’s video game on Saturday, with 3 receptions for 55 yards and a landing, either reinserts him into the level of competition for a roster spot right after a quiet 3 weeks of camp or increases his trade price. Possibly way, it’s a win-win for the Dolphins in a deep receiver place. Contrarily, Preston Williams, who is shown as a No. 2 huge receiver on the depth chart and reportedly accessible in trade talks after voicing his frustrations with missing options, has remained absent from the offense. Tight conclusion Adam Shaheen, as aspect of a in the same way deep tight stop space, was traded in the past week, but the deal was rescinded dependent on his failed actual physical with the Houston Texans.

Operate activity has not gotten heading

The Dolphins experienced 3 yards speeding in the initial fifty percent Saturday just before a 21-yard scramble from Thompson and 20-lawn scamper from Myles Gaskin in the second half padded the full to 49. That left a great deal to be wanted from a touted McDaniel operate sport, albeit with Armstead and Williams out, along with best functioning backs Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert. It would’ve been preferable to see the functionality of the operate activity in McDaniel’s 1st exhibition, but he attributed it to a Buccaneers dedication to stop the run. The participate in-action even now labored effectively, significantly at the time when Thompson uncovered Bowden open deep to start out the next 50 percent.

Does this workforce however need to have another within linebacker?

Jerome Baker and Elandon Roberts didn’t participate in on Saturday, so we know it’s not the best unit we observed. Duke Riley is a valued rotational piece that can appear in and permit Baker to change outdoors. Sam Eguavoen experienced a tough drive with a important missed deal with, and he later produced up for it in the proper location at the ideal time with a fumble return for a landing. Rookie Channing Tindall is even now learning. Could the Dolphins glimpse into Bears center linebacker Roquan Smith, who is on the trade block? Or expert free brokers Dont’a Hightower, Alec Ogletree, Reuben Foster, to name a handful of?

Jason Sanders back to 2020 kind?

The Dolphins kicker has alternated very good and poor seasons through his four-12 months NFL job. Ninety % or greater on subject targets in 2020 and 2018 when in the 70s past year and in 2019. By that logic, he’s because of for an correct-kicking 2022 marketing campaign. It’s off to a terrific begin as he went 4 for 4 in Saturday’s exhibition with thriving boots from 33, 52, 23 and 53 yards.

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