The fourth week of coaching camp for the Miami Dolphins supplied a return to intrasquad practices between two weeks of joint periods in opposition to NFC groups — Tampa Bay Buccaneers the week prior and Philadelphia Eagles this coming week.
However after the Dolphins rested most starters within the preseason win over the Bucs and presumably will for the ultimate exhibition in opposition to the Eagles, Saturday’s preseason loss to the Las Vegas Raiders introduced what is going to seemingly be probably the most in depth preseason have a look at this staff with its starters on the sector.
Whereas there have been a number of accidents in Saturday’s exhibition, particularly within the secondary, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel stated on Sunday he doesn’t count on any gamers to be affected long run as Miami has a Tuesday observe on faucet forward of joint periods with the Eagles on Wednesday and Thursday and a preseason finale on Saturday.
Listed here are 10 issues we discovered this previous week and within the 15-13 exhibition loss to Las Vegas:
Ups and downs for Tua
Tua Tagovailoa went by per week the place he threw six interceptions over three practices. That’s not the top of the world, particularly after such a powerful coaching camp earlier than the run of turnovers. Many have been in simulations of late-game conditions the place he needed to drive throws downfield into protection with time working out, and you favor him testing his limits in observe earlier than attempting to squeeze these throws in throughout regular-season video games. Tagovailoa was 6 of 8 for 58 yards in two drives that netted 3 factors in opposition to Raiders backups with out his prime two extensive receivers. What was encouraging was seeing Tagovailoa’s preparation and dedication to his craft pregame. He was out on the Laborious Rock Stadium subject alone greater than 4 hours earlier than kickoff Saturday, envisioning completely different situations for various performs in a private walkthrough — an indication of his dedication towards enchancment.
Gesicki’s in depth preseason taking part in time
The place does tight finish Mike Gesicki stand on this offense? He’s a valued piece worthy of the franchise tag, however forward of a prove-it season for him to earn a long-term extension, he’s nonetheless being run out onto the sector in preseason video games far longer than different starters of his caliber. Gesicki performed 25 snaps, 44 % of the Dolphins’ offensive snaps, even beginning the second half. He stated postgame he wants the reps, studying a brand new offense and basically studying a brand new place as a real tight finish after beforehand lining up out extensive extra typically.
Cornerback depth much more regarding
It was already a priority final week, and it’s solely trending deeper in that course. Nik Needham, Keion Crossen and the newly signed Mackensie Alexander all sustained accidents in Saturday’s sport — this after the staff misplaced promising second-year cornerback Trill Williams for the season to a knee harm final week. Byron Jones remains to be on the physically-unable-to-perform checklist. The Dolphins want wholesome contributors past All-Professional Xavien Howard. Noah Igbinoghene has had his alternative, however he gave up a few the important thing catches on the opening sequence the place Miami allowed a landing with most defensive starters in. McDaniel stated he doesn’t count on any surprises with participant availability for the opener regarding the accidents.
Floor sport nonetheless not up and working
It’s very primary run ideas the Dolphins are displaying and never the patented misdirection in coach Mike McDaniel’s run sport that can open up lanes for the backs, however 4 speeding yards within the first half is “not very a lot,” as McDaniel put it. 4 of the beginning linemen performed early, as did tailback Chase Edmonds. When Miami had a second-and-1 in Raiders territory within the second offensive sequence, Sony Michel was stuffed twice on reverse sides of the road and left deal with Larnel Coleman, taking part in for standout free-agent addition Terron Armstead, dedicated a false begin on fourth-and-1.
Jevon Holland is a Professional Bowler within the making
The second-year security noticed restricted motion on Saturday, however his observe week was consultant of the kind of game-changer he's as a ball-hawking free security. Holland had 4 of the interceptions in opposition to Tagovailoa in the course of the week of observe. He covers a lot floor on the again finish and is extremely instinctive to leap routes wherever in his neighborhood.
Erik Ezukanma explodes for giant outing
Tagovailoa was excited to see it was the rookie extensive receiver following him up for a podium press convention following Saturday’s exhibition. The fourth-round draft decide earned the shine with six receptions for 114 yards from backup quarterbacks Teddy Bridgewater and Skylar Thompson. He bought separation on some, made contested catches on others and confirmed the completely different aspects to his sport. That’s how Ezukanma has seemed for a lot of camp earlier than slowing down up to now week. It was encouraging to see him reply after a quiet few practices.
Chase Edmonds figures to supply
Whereas the run sport general was not explosive, it’s clear Edmonds will nonetheless get alternatives within the passing sport, being the dynamic playmaker that he's. With Raheem Mostert sitting, Edmonds made two catches for 21 yards throughout Tagovailoa’s two drives. One was a 17-yard achieve throughout the sector after Tagovailoa purchased time, and the opposite was a key third-and-3 conversion after Tagovailoa went by his development to search out the tailback within the flat.
A have a look at Bridgewater, Thompson
Saturday supplied a primary look at Teddy Bridgewater in a sport setting as a Dolphin. He made some spectacular throws to Ezukanma and undrafted rookie Braylon Sanders, however he was 10 of 20 for 119 yards and took a security on an intentional grounding penalty ultimately zone. Thompson was a real vivid spot late, going 9 of 10 for 129 yards, a number of connections with Ezukanma and the landing move to undrafted rookie working again ZaQuandre White. He’s made a case for the Dolphins to safe him on the lively roster as a 3rd quarterback to maintain different groups from snagging him earlier than he could be stashed on the observe squad.
Waddle, Armstead miss time
Dolphins followers should wait to see new star extensive receiver Tyreek Hill in a game-like ambiance, however it wasn’t for harm concern that he rested Saturday. Jaylen Waddle missed all three practices this previous week in a preventative measure for what McDaniel thought of a minor undisclosed harm. McDaniel stated Sunday Waddle has expressed an urgency to return and feels prepared. Armstead, after rising his observe workload coming off offseason knee surgical procedure, didn't take part in staff drills on Wednesday and missed Thursday’s observe totally. McDaniel stated the Dolphins are merely not attempting to overload Armstead.
Sanders now not excellent in preseason
Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders made his first six preseason subject objectives with three from past 50 yards. Nevertheless, he missed from 46 yards off the upright with lower than two minutes remaining in Saturday’s exhibition. His subject objective proportion has oscillated up and down in alternating seasons by his first 4 years. If that development continues, he’s due for an correct 2022 season after a down 2021.
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