Many of the prime gamers for each groups sat out the preseason opener between the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which allowed lower-on-the-depth-chart gamers a chance within the Dolphins’ 26-24 exhibition win on Saturday evening at Raymond James Stadium.
Quarterback Skylar Thompson, the rookie seventh-round decide who bought the beginning with Tua Tagovailoa amongst 20-plus Dolphins resting, went 20 for 28 for 218 yards, a landing and narrowly averted an interception.
With backups within the secondary permitting the Buccaneers to drive late, former Miami Hurricanes Lou Groza Award-winning kicker Jose Borregales had a game-winning subject purpose try doink off the proper upright no good, preserving the preseason win for Miami.
Thompson’s second-quarter landing lifted Miami from a principally lackluster first half, hitting Lynn Bowden open ultimately zone on a double transfer for the 22-yard rating.
“The entire goal of the preseason was to have some adversity and battle by means of it,” first-year Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel advised the CBS4 broadcast at halftime. “Clearly, we didn’t come out the precise manner we needed. Guys are getting used to tackling, however what I did like is nobody panicked after which individuals made some performs after which we had been opportunistic.”
Thompson and Bowden linked once more to start out the second half for a 29-yard achieve excessive of the Buccaneers protection on a drive that finally resulted in a subject purpose. Bowden, who spent the 2021 season on injured reserve, led Miami receivers with 55 yards on three catches on Saturday.
“It’s an [opportunity],” Bowden stated. “I missed a complete 12 months final 12 months — simply must put it on movie and simply hold stacking the times, simply hold going.”
The Thompson-to-Bowden rating got here on the next play after cornerback Elijah Campbell intercepted a brief cross to the flat, ripping the ball away from a receiver.
Linebacker Sam Eguaoven, who was having a tough evening with missed tackles early, scored a defensive landing on a 33-yard fumble return. Outdoors linebacker Darius Hodge hit Buccaneers quarterback Kyle Trask’s arm earlier than it went ahead on a cross to drive the fumble.
“You simply bought to get it earlier than he will get it off,” Hodge stated. “You don’t get that chance loads, so whenever you do, you positively bought to benefit from it.”
The Buccaneers scored a first-quarter landing from quarterback Blaine Gabbert to receiver Jaelon Darden the place it appeared Dolphins sturdy security Brandon Jones was not in the proper spot in zone protection as Darden ended up open between Noah Igbinoghene and Nik Needham, the cornerback who was enjoying free security excessive.
Tampa Bay, with former Florida standout Trask changing Gabbert to start out the second quarter, went for a 15-play, 86-yard drive to comply with the place backup Dolphins defenders had a number of missed tackles, together with a noticeable one from Eguavoen. Ke’Shawn Vaughn capped the drive with a 1-yard landing run.
The Buccaneers scored a third-quarter landing from Trask to Jerreth Sterns the place cornerback D’Angelo Ross was with Sterns 1-on-1 ultimately zone however couldn’t get circled to defend the cross. The Dolphins’ cornerback depth stays a priority as Buccaneers passers mixed to go 30 of 38 for 314 yards, two touchdowns and the Campbell interception.
“I believe we confirmed loads of resilience [Saturday], and on the finish of the day, we bought it executed,” stated outdoors linebacker Jaelan Phillips who was one in all few starters to play.
Cornerback Trill Williams had two damage scares in second-half play, coming back from one, however the second appeared extra critical with McDaniel strolling out to the sector to test on him earlier than he was finally carted off. He was later seen exiting Raymond James Stadium on crutches.
“There was some concern, positively for his decrease extremity, however we’ll discover out extra [Sunday] precisely what it's,” stated McDaniel of Williams, who was emotional after taking place. “He’s a competitor. He didn't wish to be damage, and I believe that’s what you noticed from him, was emotion, that he felt like he was making performs and this was a setback.”
Cornerback depth may very well be a priority going ahead for Miami after the Bucs had the passing effectivity they did on Saturday and Williams went down, together with fellow cornerback Tino Ellis. McDaniel hinted postgame that normal supervisor Chris Grier could also be wanting into obtainable cornerbacks this week.
“You get some dings, it's a must to type of reassess. You must work out precisely the timeline,” McDaniel stated. “However I do know Chris and his employees — I noticed he had his backpack on — so he’s in all probability already began to take a look at guys simply in case we get unexpected or, actually, any dangerous information [Sunday] on some prolonged accidents. We’ll simply be ready for no matter is dealt.”
Whereas tight finish Mike Gesicki, enjoying 2022 on the franchise tag, has seldom seen targets in coaching camp practices in McDaniel’s new offense, Gesicki bought the Dolphins’ first offensive play to come back his manner, a brief pitch and catch with room to run for 13 yards.
With free agent offensive line additions Terron Armstead and Connor Williams out, Larnel Coleman began at left deal with and Michael Deiter at heart. Deiter had solely returned to follow on Wednesday from a foot damage. He didn’t have any poor snaps, which have been an issue for Williams in follow.
Coleman gave up the third-down sack of Thompson on Miami’s opening drive that compelled the Dolphins to accept a 33-yard subject purpose after Thompson began 4 of 4 for 31 yards on the opening collection. On a 3rd down for an ensuing collection, the Buccaneers ran a stunt in entrance of Deiter and proper guard Robert Hunt, which bought Thompson hit on the unfinished cross.
The Dolphins had one other drive stall deep into the primary half the place proper deal with Kion Smith, changing Austin Jackson at that time, allowed a sack, inflicting Miami to accept a 52-yard Jason Sanders subject purpose.
With a number of starters out, Miami trotted out a defensive unit to start out that concerned defensive linemen Raekwon Davis, John Jenkins and Porter Gustin, outdoors linebackers Phillips and Andrew Van Ginkel, inside linebackers Eguavoen and Duke Riley, cornerbacks Igbinoghene and Keion Crossen and safeties Jones and Needham, who could be the workforce’s nickel when Xavien Howard and Byron Jones can be found at cornerback and Jevon Holland is in at free security. Crossen had a bodily cross breakup on a deep 1-on-1 alternative.
Along with Thompson’s outing, fellow Dolphins rookies in third-round linebacker Channing Tindall and fourth-round extensive receiver Erik Ezukanma bought their first preseason motion within the NFL. Tindall made his first two tackles, and Ezukanma made his first reception, a 14-yard catch and run. Deandre Johnson, the undrafted rookie out of the College of Miami and Miami Southridge Excessive, break up a late sack with Miami Central Excessive product Owen Carney.
“It was an thrilling expertise, truthfully, simply going on the market, stepping out on the sector,” Tindall stated. “I bought somewhat little bit of goosebumps on the market, dreaming as a child rising up. It’s simply wonderful.”
Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders went 4 for 4 with transformed subject objectives of 33, 52, 23 and 53 yards.
Preston Williams took within the Dolphins’ first punt return, and Bowden was again deep on the preliminary kick return, a touchback.
Each beginning working backs Saturday, the Dolphins’ Sony Michel (American Heritage) and Buccaneers’ Giovani Bernard (St. Thomas Aquinas) had been South Florida highschool soccer stars.
The debut of McDaniel’s run sport within the exhibition didn’t present a lot early, though key offensive linemen Armstead and Williams sat, as did tailbacks Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert. McDaniel additionally famous the Buccaneers had been dedicated to stopping the run.
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