Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel opened a few of his playbook within the third preseason recreation, evidently to offer the New England Patriots one thing to consider for the regular-season opener on Sept. 11.
Should you might draw up a script for the offense to have in its closing gown rehearsal, Saturday evening’s efficiency in opposition to Philadelphia’s second-team protection checked all of the containers:
A. Good evening for Tua Tagovailoa. Good? He accomplished 6-of-7 passes for 121 yards and a landing;
B. The offensive line, which had been a degree of concern, opened sufficient holes for 71 yards on 9 carries. Good safety for Tua, too, because the lone sack got here after he had pumped the ball within the pocket earlier than beginning to scramble, displaying he knew his time was up;
C. Tyreek Hill caught a 51-yard cross on the primary play and two passes for 64 yards on the opening drive earlier than sitting down.
2. The context of Saturday is the Dolphins starters performed in opposition to Philadelphia’s second-teamers so, sure, make of all of it what you'll. That goes for all of preseason. Saturday confirmed completely different philosophies from the 2 coaches after the second joint apply was canceled this previous week resulting from non-COVID diseases among the many Dolphins. Philadelphia sat its starters. McDaniel needed his starters to get some closing game-conditions work earlier than the season.
3. Don’t hearken to the foolish patter of preseason that Skylar Thompson ought to be the backup quarterback over Teddy Bridgewater. If Tagovailoa misses a recreation, or three, you need expertise within the recreation and Bridgewater brings that in a great package deal. He was 4-for-10 for 74 yards Saturday, although he had a few balls dropped together with a possible TD cross. Thompson is that this preseason’s Reid Sinnett. He’s a rookie you’d like to develop in your program identical to the Dolphins needed to with Sinnett after final preseason. Sinnett went to the Dolphins apply squad, was minimize in October and he’s the Eagles backup quarterback now (accomplished 11-of-18 passes for 95 yards Saturday).
4. It’s time to begin wanting on the opener in opposition to the Patriots. Mac Jones this preseason in a brand new offense with new coordinators? As analyst Warren Sharp tallied, he accomplished 13-of-21 passes for a 6.3-yard common with one interception, three sacks and 5 hits. That’s not the sort of numbers that say the Patriots are comfy with their offense to begin the season.
5. I solely wrote in regards to the recreation as a result of that was on show. However the information of Saturday was terrible contained in the Dolphins and the bigger neighborhood with the passing of Jason Jenkins, the Dolphins vp of communications and neighborhood affairs.
The Dolphins gained the NFL award final yr for public service, and that’s no shock should you see the work they do locally. Jason was the spine of that. I adopted him and his crew one afternoon as they hand-delivered Thanksgiving meals to particular person houses. That was every day work for them.
Say a prayer for Jason’s spouse, Elizabeth, and their three kids.
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