Third-string quarterback Skylar Thompson began the Miami Dolphins’ first preseason sport Saturday night time, which means lots of people betting on second-string Teddy Bridgewater misplaced within the workplace pool.
The precise starter, Tua Tagovailoa, wasn’t even a consideration to play, which is all good and positive in at present’s NFL the place preseason has been diminished to the purpose it doesn’t really exist for a lot of groups.
That’s why the Dolphins sat 20 gamers to keep away from damage. Tampa Bay sat out 29 gamers. It’s sufficient to get you pondering why they play these video games in any respect, however the very last thing you need to do is suppose too arduous about nights like this.
In any other case you’d marvel:
* Is the Dolphins’ roster thinner than anticipated? Case-in-point: Backup tackles Larnel Coleman and Kion Smith gave up sacks to Tampa bay backups. Additionally: Third-year cornerback Noah Igbinoghene didn’t present indicators of enchancment in giving up a landing and one other reserve cornerback, Trill Williams, may need suffered a severe knee damage within the closing minutes.
* Is kicker Jason Sanders again to 2020 kind? Sanders made all 4 subject objectives Saturday, suggesting he’s left final season’s inconsistencies behind him.
* Why didn’t middle Connor Williams play to acquaint himself higher along with his new place?
Truly, you realize the reply to why Connor Williams didn’t play and it was given above concerning Trill Williams. Come September nobody will consider gamers getting damage in apply. However in August that’s about all each staff thinks about.
That’s why Thompson wasn’t simply the beginning quarterback in Tampa however — in the event you stayed with all of it the best way — he was the ending one, too. The seventh-round decide performed the entire sport. He protected Tagovailoa and Bridgewater greater than the revamped offensive line may need this sport.
Thompson performed properly, too, finishing 20-of-28 passes for 218 yards and a landing.
“The large factor is we didn’t have any turnovers as an offense,” coach Mike McDaniel mentioned.
Which may begin Thompson’s trek to the apply squad, even when some will see greater issues forward. Occurs each August, however not at all times convincingly to those that matter. Keep in mind Reid Sinnett’s 344 yards passing final August? He’s now a Philadelphia Eagle.
McDaniel needed to be taught one thing about his staff Saturday. Particularly, he needed to see the way it dealt with adversity, and perhaps he might squint and see if it did after they rallied from an early deficit.
That’s what preseason video games are about — or at the very least what they as soon as we about. The managed practices in opposition to Tampa Bay are extra necessary. Why? As a result of they’re managed, which means quarterbacks aren’t hit and medieval strategies like minimize blocking aren’t employed.
“It’s a balancing act,” McDaniel mentioned of sitting out gamers. “Lots goes into it. I talked to the gamers about it. I waited till Thursday night.”
He erred on the facet of September’s penalties. And the way couldn’t he? Have a look at the large tales from this primary weekend of preseason video games. None are about profitable moments or huge steps ahead.
New York Jets’ quarterback Zach Wilson is out as much as a month with a knee damage. Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson apologized to, “all the lady I've impacted,” involving sexual misconduct allegations. Tom Brady left Tampa Bay for a 10-day hiatus.
That’s it. These are the large tales. None contain McDaniel calling time-out on the closing second earlier than Tampa kicker Jose Borregales might try and win Sunday’s sport. Borregales made that inconsequential subject objective from 49 yards, too.
However after McDaniel iced him Borregales’s kick struck the upright and the Dolphins gained. So perhaps McDaniel has the magic contact in his first season as an NFL coach?
Or perhaps that is only a Saturday night time exercise the place the price of the ticket, the 5 hours of tv programming and dwell betting are extra consequential than any conclusion of both staff. McDaniel mentioned the one factor he needed to see was how his staff dealt with adversity.
His staff, the one he’ll rely on, was totally on the sideline. Tampa’s staff was, too. It was left for Thompson to exit and have a very good night time. One other couple of video games like that and he’ll be on the apply squad and we’ll be in September.
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