Signs of hope
Rosen, Williams team up for some exciting plays for Dolphins’ offense
If the first half of their preseason opener was any indication, the Miami Dolphins are in for a long season.
No consistent pass rush from the defensive line — on the side of the football where new coach Brian Flores takes the most pride.
No consistent protection for new quarterbacks Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen to feel secure why surveying the field hoping to lead and sustain a competent offense.
But there were some glimmers of hope.
Rosen, the Dolphins’ second-team quarterback — as of now, provided them with a few exciting plays where he targeted undrafted rookie receiver Preston Williams Thursday night.
While both players also had their youthful mistakes, like many Dolphins players on this night against the Atlanta Falcons at Hard Rock Stadium, it is something Flores can build on in his first season.
Rosen completed 6-of-12 passes for 93 yards, leading a touchdown drive with an interception and a 41.3 passer rating during the first half before coming back out to start the second half.
Fitzpatrick, who played two series in the first quarter, finished 2 of 5 for 20 yards and a 52.1 passer rating.
“They both managed the huddle pretty well. The communication was OK. Obviously, I don’t like the turnover by Josh,” Flores said at halftime with Atlanta leading, 19-13.
“But overall as a team, we have to do a better job with our fundamentals and technique.”
Rosen made his debut during the second quarter, quickly providing a highlight play, managing to stay upright while nearly being dragged down by a Falcons defensive lineman. He threw a 16-yard pass to Williams on third-and-8 for a first down.
That drive, Rosen’s first with the Dolphins, ended with running back Kalen Ballage diving into the end zone at the 1-yard line. But not without Rosen being hit nearly every time he dropped back for a pass. And Rosen relying on Williams and Ballage to make plays for him. Miami also had help from three penalties netting 28 yards. Nonetheless, Miami took a 10-9 lead.
Rosen’s second drive ended quickly with an interception directly thrown to former Miramar High and University of Miami linebacker Jermaine Grace. Rosen didn’t see him.
Rosen’s third drive ended after three plays and a sack for a loss of nine yards, a similar ending to a number of drives during his rookie season with the Arizona Cardinals last year.
On Rosen’s fourth drive, he had time in the pocket and delivered his best pass of the game: a 36-yard throw down the left sideline that Williams secured with one hand.
Rosen added a 17-yard pass to receiver Brice Butler, who briefly spent last season with him in Arizona, and an 18-yard pass to Williams, who was able to tap his toes inbounds before falling out of bounds.
The Dolphins reached the 5-yard line during this drive, their last of the half, before Rosen was pulled off the field for Jason Sanders to kick his second field goal. An incomplete pass to Mark Walton and a false start by rookie guard Michael Deiter didn’t help Rosen’s cause.
But it was a solid outing in his first half with the Dolphins.
And significantly better than Fitzpatrick’s simply because of playing time.
Fitzpatrick played during the first quarter, but led only two offensive series. He completed passes to tight end Mike Gesicki and receiver DeVante Parker during his first drive.
But on two third down plays in his first series, Fitzpatrick needed to take off for runs to the first-down marker. He was successful on a third-and-2, but not so much on third-and-6.
Fitzpatrick’s second series was a three-and-out, leaving much to be desired for Rosen’s opportunity to play with the first-team offense as the preseason continues before the Sept. 8 regular-season opener.