Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel had quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, large receiver Tyreek Hill, left sort out Terron Armstead, cornerback Xavien Howard and a number of other others amongst 20-plus gamers that didn’t costume for the workforce’s preseason-opening win on Saturday night time in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
New Dolphins middle Connor Williams was additionally among the many inactives, which was mildly stunning contemplating he’s making a transfer from guard the previous 4 years with the Dallas Cowboys and has had snapping points throughout camp.
Vast receiver Jaylen Waddle, security Jevon Holland, edge defender Melvin Ingram, operating backs Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert, fullback Alec Ingold, linebackers Jerome Baker and Elandon Roberts, defensive linemen Emmanuel Ogbah, Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler and tight finish Adam Shaheen have been the opposite gamers that didn’t play. Shaheen was traded this previous week to the Houston Texans however returned to the Dolphins after a failed bodily with the Texans.
“It’s a balancing act. Rather a lot goes into it. I talked to the gamers about it. I waited all the way in which till Thursday night to lastly stamp it,” McDaniel mentioned postgame.
“I talked to the gamers on Friday that it wasn’t essentially a punishment or a reward. It was each particular person and the place they’re at, who wants it to carry out on Week 1. You do your finest guess, so it wasn’t the, ‘We’re simply sitting guys as a result of they’ve achieved X, Y or Z.’ It was extra defending folks in opposition to themselves.”
With the inactive checklist principally a who’s who of high Dolphins gamers, tight finish Mike Gesicki surprisingly received a begin, as did second-year edge defender Jaelan Phillips.
“Generally, it's not a simple job to play tight finish within the offense, so we thought it could profit him to get him in a bit of bit,” McDaniel mentioned of Gesicki, who had the primary offensive play, a 13-yard catch and run, drawn up for him. “Having a scope for the entire preseason, we thought it’d be good. We needed to get him a contact, get him orchestrated and listening to the offense but additionally shield him.”
Gesicki is transitioning in McDaniel’s offense, which can name for him to dam extra typically. He hadn’t been receiving many targets in practices main as much as the exhibition opener.
“I'm an expert soccer participant,” Gesicki mentioned. “We had a recreation [Saturday], and it was time to play. I really like soccer, so I'm glad to play.”
Added McDaniel: “Earlier than watching the tape, I used to be pleased with the way in which that he performed and the way he approached it as a result of, once more, it wasn’t punishment in any respect.”
Stated Phillips of seeing snaps early: “I used to be truly excited to play, simply get again into the swing of issues and get that have. I’m at all times making an attempt to continue to learn, so by no means getting complacent.”
Armstead sat out the exhibition after seeing his most energetic follow day of coaching camp along with his new workforce on Thursday. He has been slowly labored again into motion from an offseason knee process after his 2021 marketing campaign with the New Orleans Saints.
Younger offensive linemen Austin Jackson and Liam Eichenberg each began as blockers enjoying a distinct place from final 12 months, Jackson going from left guard to proper sort out and Eichenberg from left sort out to left guard.
Rookie quarterback Skylar Thompson began with Tagovailoa resting and went 20 of 28 for 218 yards and a landing. The seventh-round draft decide received the nod as backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was obtainable if wanted however by no means entered.
McDaniel gave the impression to be leaning the way in which of giving Tagovailoa the sport off in his Thursday feedback forward of the second of two joint practices with the Buccaneers this week in Tampa.
“Primarily based off of the final couple practices, I’m inspired in regards to the thought of not enjoying him,” mentioned McDaniel after watching a string of efficient, environment friendly practices from Tagovailoa in coaching camp. “That has nothing to do with bottom-line outcomes offensively. It’s extra how ready he's at follow. I simply need to proceed to construct on what he’s been constructing on.”
Neither workforce’s beginning quarterback suited up on Saturday, as future Corridor of Famer Tom Brady started a private go away from the Buccaneers on Thursday. Tampa Bay rested most of its main contributors, as properly.
McDaniel famous the necessity to weigh the advantages of in-game preseason reps with the potential harm danger.
“There may be worth in it, however each time you don’t have a purple jersey on, you will have the power to get tackled,” he mentioned. “That’s danger. There’s a whole lot of danger within the recreation of soccer, however you additionally should weigh that upon what’s one of the best factor for regular-season [Week] 1. It’s a continuing battle that you simply simply should take your time and make one of the best resolution, hoping it’s the precise resolution.”
McDaniel additionally indicated this week he could be “shocked” if Tagovailoa didn’t get any motion within the exhibition season forward of the Dolphins’ regular-season opener in opposition to the New England Patriots on Sept. 11 at Exhausting Rock Stadium.
Cornerback Byron Jones continues to be on the physically-unable-to-perform checklist, and due to this fact didn't play.
The Dolphins, minutes earlier than kickoff, added security Sheldrick Redwine, sort out Greg Little, cornerback Kader Kohou and fullback John Lovett to the checklist of inactives.
Dolphins-Bally partnership
The Miami Dolphins and Bally Sports activities Florida/Solar on Friday introduced a brand new partnership to convey Dolphins and NFL programming to the regional sports activities networks this season.
“We look ahead to having the Miami Dolphins on Bally Sports activities and partnering to create extra programming for followers, particularly at this thrilling time for the franchise,” mentioned Steve Tello, Bally Sports activities Florida/Solar common supervisor and senior vp, in an announcement.
In case you miss the Dolphins’ first preseason recreation in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the Saturday night time CBS4 broadcast, it's scheduled to replay on Bally Sports activities Florida on Sunday at 5 p.m. and Wednesday at 8 p.m.
Dolphins programming on Bally will embody Dolphins Right this moment, a weekly present that can air each Friday starting Sept. 2, the weekly Coach Mike McDaniel Present and re-airings of Miami’s three preseason video games.
Bally Sports activities Florida/Solar now carries programming for South Florida’s golf equipment within the 4 main skilled workforce sports activities, because it already covers Miami Warmth, Miami Marlins and Florida Panthers video games.
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