Flores, Rosen draw opening spotlight
As training camp begins, focus will be on new coach, new quarterback
The Miami Dolphins have a new coach, two new quarterbacks who will compete for the starting job and a longtime executive now getting his chance to call the shots during an extensive rebuilding process.
Now, it’s time for them to start putting it all together.
The Dolphins will begin their preparation for the 2019 season when training camp starts Thursday, hoping to set the foundation for a successful NFL team for years to come.
Dolphins owner Steve Ross gave general manager Chris Grier final say in football operations, a role he had to collectively share with former members of the franchise in recent years.
Grier’s first move was hiring Brian Flores, hoping the 38-year-old first-time head coach, who worked his way up New England Patriots organization the past 15 years, has the leadership and football acumen to oversee Miami’s rebuild in its beginning stages.
“I have high expectations, so I’m always going to say we’re behind,” Flores said when Miami’s offseason minicamp ended in June.
“I do see some improvement. I see a lot of progress. Practice looks the way I want it to look like just from an operational standpoint and from a tempo standpoint. But yeah, I want to be at a higher level at everything. So no, we’re not where I want to be.”
New quarterbacks Josh Rosen, a 22-year-old second-year prospect who was the No. 10 draft pick in 2018, and Ryan Fitzpatrick, a 36-year-old veteran entering his 15th season, joined the team this offseason after Grier traded away former starter Ryan Tannehill after seven seasons.
The Dolphins’ search for their next franchise quarterback since Dan Marino retired in 2000 continues, but Rosen’s ability to fill that role provides significant intrigue heading into this season.
“The real competition starts in training camp,” Rosen said after his first set of practices with the team during the offseason.
Rosen and Fitzpatrick are among many new additions who could offer low risks and high rewards for this Dolphins team in deep transition.
The Dolphins fired former coach Adam Gase (now head coach of the New York Jets) after just one playoff appearance in three seasons, while moving on from a number of former players: Tannehill, longtime defensive end Cameron Wake, veterans such as running back Frank Gore, wide Danny Amendola and defensive end Robert Quinn and others.
Grier, along with executing a draft-day trade to acquire Rosen from the Arizona Cardinals, also set up the Dolphins to have at least 12 picks in the 2020 NFL draft. They could also have at least $87 million in salary-cap space, which could be upward of $100 million for the 2020 offseason.
Before that phase of the rebuild begins, the Dolphins must first endure their 2019 season, one in which oddsmakers predict Miami to be an underdog in each of its 16 regular-season games and national pundits believe it could finish with one of the worst records in the league.
While Miami has a number of players with considerable talent, the roster as a whole lacks quality depth at a number of positions, where injuries could ultimately hinder the Dolphins.
A positive note heading into training camp is a number of standouts are relatively healthy, especially at the receiver position, where Albert Wilson has recovered from a hip injury and Jakeem Grant has recovered from a left foot injury. Both receivers’ 2018 season ended early.
DeVante Parker remained healthy throughout the offseason after suffering a broken finger, quadriceps strain and shoulder injury last season. Kenny Stills missed a portion of the offseason practices due to an undisclosed injury after he suffered a groin injury during last season.
Third-year linebacker Raekwon McMillan, who returned from a knee injury in 2017 to play all 16 games last season, missed much of offseason workouts with an undisclosed injury, but he could make a significant impact on defense this season.
Charles Harris, Miami’s first-round pick in 2017, also did not participate much during offseason workouts with a hand injury. But he will be expected to make major contributions in a depleted defensive ends group.
Prized rookie defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, Miami’s first-round pick this year, could compete for a starting job while last season’s first-rounder Minkah Fitzpatrick hopes to further solidify his role in the defensive backfield with Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard, and safeties Reshad Jones, T.J. McDonald and Bobby McCain.
Former University of Miami running back Mark Walton and rookie receiver Preston Williams are among a number of newcomers vying for a roster spot too.
The Dolphins will open 10 practices to the public that fans can attend — Thursday-Sunday, July 30-Aug. 2, and Aug. 5 and 6 — at the Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southeastern University.
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During the preseason, the Dolphins will play at home against the Atlanta Falcons on Aug. 8; at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 16; host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Aug. 22, and conclude on the road against the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 29.
The Dolphins will trim their 90-man camp roster to 53 before the season starts with two home games — on Sept. 8 hosting the Baltimore Ravens, and Sept. 15 against the New England Patriots, at Hard Rock Stadium.