Dolphins still searching for consistency
Through two preseason games it’s tough to determine whether the Miami Dolphins are an ascending team or a team headed the other way.
Friday night’s 27-20 loss at Carolina, which introduced Miami’s revamped defense, didn’t do much to push opinions in either direction.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill (14 of 17 for 100 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions, 91.2 passer rating) almost epitomized the Dolphins’ night with his mixed bag of results in a five-possession outing.
He was sharp between the 20-yard lines. But he didn’t get the first-team offense into the end zone. Tannehill and the starting offense were 0-of-2 on redzone opportunities even though cornerback Xavien Howard set them up at the Carolina 9-yard line after an interception.
Miami’s starting offense was 1-of-6 on third downs in the first half and trailed 13-9 — which was the halftime score — when they exited the game late in the second quarter.
Tannehill was to blame on an incomplete pass to wide receiver Jakeem Grant on third-and-12 from the Panthers’ 24-yard line. Tannehill threw deep into the back of the end zone while Grant ended his route somewhere near the goal line.
“Ryan just kind of lost it there for a second,” Gase said of Tannehill’s mental error.
As for good stuff from the game, defensive end Robert Quinn had two sacks.
The defensive line, which featured newly acquired Kendall Langford exclusively at tackle, produced two sacks officially. But defensive tackle Davon Godchaux sacked Panthers quarterback Cam Newton on a two-point conversion attempt, indicating the pass rush might be a threat this season.
Newton ended 9 of 12 for 89 yards with one touchdown and one interception (88.5 passer rating).
As for other good stuff, the first-team offensive line didn’t allow a sack, running back Kenyan Drake (eight carries, 54 yards; three receptions, 4 yards) showed big-play ability on a 34-yard run, and the first-team offense, while executing the no-huddle with relative precision, was key to the unit running 37 plays in the first half and holding a five-minute advantage in time of possession (17:33 to 12:27).
Oh, and rookie kickers Jason Sanders (42- and 29-yard field goals) and Greg Joseph (54-yard were perfect.
As for the bad stuff, there was the 71-yard touchdown run by Carolina running back Christian McCaffrey on their second offensive play. McCaffrey bolted right and outraced safety T.J. McDonald, who appeared to take a bad angle, to the end zone.
The defense, which debuted new personnel in three spots showed it can make big plays and give up big plays.
Offensively, Miami’s redzone woes came with penalties. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil was flagged for holding on a second-down play in the first quarter, giving Miami a second-and-goal from the 16. Two plays later Miami was flagged for delay of game, giving the offense a thirdand-goal from the 14. The possession ended with Sanders’ 29-yard field goal. field goal)