Things we learned in Dolphins’ fourth 7 days of camp, preseason recreation vs. Raiders

The fourth week of instruction camp for the Miami Dolphins provided a return to intrasquad tactics among two months of joint classes towards NFC teams — Tampa Bay Buccaneers the 7 days prior and Philadelphia Eagles this coming week.

But immediately after the Dolphins rested most starters in the preseason gain over the Bucs and presumably will for the final exhibition towards the Eagles, Saturday’s preseason decline to the Las Vegas Raiders introduced what will very likely be the most comprehensive preseason look at this group with its starters on the area.

In this article are 10 points we figured out this previous week and in the 15-13 exhibition reduction to Las Vegas:

Ups and downs for Tua

Tua Tagovailoa went by means of a 7 days wherever he threw 6 interceptions about a few methods. That’s not the stop of the entire world, in particular just after this sort of a solid instruction camp prior to the operate of turnovers. Quite a few had been in simulations of late-match conditions where he had to pressure throws downfield into protection with time managing out, and you prefer him testing his limits in apply ahead of attempting to squeeze people throws in through standard-year video games. Tagovailoa was 6 of 8 for 58 yards in two drives that netted 3 points versus Raiders backups with out his top two large receivers. What was encouraging was viewing Tagovailoa’s planning and motivation to his craft pregame. He was out on the Really hard Rock Stadium area by itself more than four several hours in advance of kickoff Saturday, envisioning unique situations for diverse plays in a individual walkthrough — a sign of his dedication towards improvement.

Gesicki’s considerable preseason actively playing time

Where by does tight close Mike Gesicki stand in this offense? He’s a valued piece deserving of the franchise tag, but forward of a show-it year for him to make a extended-expression extension, he’s nevertheless becoming operate out on to the discipline in preseason game titles far extended than other starters of his caliber. Gesicki played 25 snaps, 44 % of the Dolphins’ offensive snaps, even commencing the next half. He claimed postgame he wants the reps, finding out a new offense and basically learning a new place as a accurate limited conclude right after earlier lining up out extensive much more typically.

Cornerback depth even additional about

It was currently a problem past 7 days, and it is only trending deeper in that way. Nik Needham, Keion Crossen and the recently signed Mackensie Alexander all sustained accidents in Saturday’s match — this soon after the workforce lost promising second-yr cornerback Trill Williams for the time to a knee damage past week. Byron Jones is nevertheless on the bodily-unable-to-complete listing. The Dolphins have to have balanced contributors past All-Professional Xavien Howard. Noah Igbinoghene has experienced his option, but he gave up a pair of the critical catches on the opening collection wherever Miami allowed a landing with most defensive starters in.

Ground recreation still not up and operating

It is quite fundamental operate concepts the Dolphins are displaying and not the patented misdirection in coach Mike McDaniel’s run activity that will open up lanes for the backs, but 4 speeding yards in the 1st fifty percent is “not very substantially,” as McDaniel put it. 4 of the beginning linemen performed early, as did tailback Chase Edmonds. When Miami experienced a second-and-1 in Raiders territory in the 2nd offensive sequence, Sony Michel was stuffed two times on reverse sides of the line and remaining deal with Larnel Coleman, actively playing for standout free of charge-agent addition Terron Armstead, committed a fake get started on fourth-and-1.

Jevon Holland is a Pro Bowler in the producing

The 2nd-calendar year basic safety noticed restricted motion on Saturday, but his exercise week was representative of the type of sport-changer he is as a ball-hawking free of charge protection. Holland had four of the interceptions against Tagovailoa for the duration of the 7 days of observe. He addresses so much ground on the again conclusion and is incredibly instinctive to bounce routes anywhere in his vicinity.

Erik Ezukanma explodes for major outing

Tagovailoa was thrilled to see it was the rookie wide receiver next him up for a podium press conference subsequent Saturday’s exhibition. The fourth-round draft decide on attained the glow with 6 receptions for 114 yards from backup quarterbacks Teddy Bridgewater and Skylar Thompson. He got separation on some, produced contested catches on others and showed the different sides to his match. That’s how Ezukanma has looked for considerably of camp before slowing down in the previous week. It was encouraging to see him respond after a peaceful couple procedures.

Chase Edmonds figures to generate

While the operate sport all round was not explosive, it is very clear Edmonds will however get alternatives in the passing match, becoming the dynamic playmaker that he is. With Raheem Mostert sitting down, Edmonds made two catches for 21 yards throughout Tagovailoa’s two drives. One was a 17-property acquire across the field immediately after Tagovailoa purchased time, and the other was a essential third-and-3 conversion after Tagovailoa went by way of his development to find the tailback in the flat.

A glance at Bridgewater, Thompson

Saturday available a very first look at Teddy Bridgewater in a video game environment as a Dolphin. He built some amazing throws to Ezukanma and undrafted rookie Braylon Sanders, but he was 10 of 20 for 119 yards and took a basic safety on an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone. Thompson was a legitimate shiny location late, heading 9 of 10 for 129 yards, many connections with Ezukanma and the touchdown go to undrafted rookie jogging back again ZaQuandre White. He’s built a scenario for the Dolphins to secure him on the lively roster as a third quarterback to hold other groups from snagging him just before he can be stashed on the observe squad.

Waddle, Armstead overlook time

Dolphins enthusiasts will have to wait to see new star extensive receiver Tyreek Hill in a video game-like environment, but it was not for damage worry that he rested Saturday. Jaylen Waddle skipped all three practices this previous week in a preventative evaluate for what McDaniel regarded as a small undisclosed damage. Armstead, soon after escalating his observe workload coming off offseason knee medical procedures, did not take part in crew drills on Wednesday and skipped Thursday’s apply fully.

Sanders no for a longer time fantastic in preseason

Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders built his to start with six preseason subject plans with a few from beyond 50 yards. Nonetheless, he skipped from 46 yards off the upright with less than two minutes remaining in Saturday’s exhibition. His discipline aim percentage has oscillated up and down in alternating seasons via his very first four a long time. If that trend proceeds, he’s due for an accurate 2022 year immediately after a down 2021.

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