Dolphins’ training
Omar Kelly: What we’ve learned from camp.
NFL teams create bonds, and forge their identity during training camp.
Ninety players and coaches are sequestered together for a month, building the foundation of the team they will be during the regular season.
So far the Miami Dolphins have gotten off to a good start. This training camp has been one of the franchise’s most competitive in years. Not much has been decided as far as who will start and who will be key contributors. With the Dolphins set to open the preseason Thursday night at Hard Rock Stadium against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, here’s what we’ve learned from the first two weeks of camp: Howard seems ready to become a star cornerback
Receiver DeVante Parker’s been invisible for the past two weeks, and his talent level isn’t the issue. The fact he’s usually defended by Howard in practice is the reason Parker’s had a quiet camp. Howard’s locking down his receiver with tight coverage just like Brent Grimes did a few years ago as a Dolphin, and it convinced quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who threw three interceptions to Howard in one practice last week, to look elsewhere. At some point, Miami needs to get Howard accustomed to working on both sides if they plan to have him shadow the opponent’s top receiver during games. Tannehill is more comfortable
There is a quiet confidence to Tannehill that’s new, and refreshing. He has become a more vocal leader, and is executing coach Adam Gase’s offense at a higher level, producing cleaner practices, completing a higher percentage of his passes, and making more aggressive throws. We’ll need to see Tannehill carry this over to the exhibition games to gauge whether it’s an indicator of growth.
Gore still has the skills to start
Consider Frank Gore vintage because what he brings to an NFL team — toughness and phenomenal vision — never goes out of style. The Dolphins are pacing the 35 year old, limiting his practice participation to a few 11-on-11 snaps per day, but Gore has contributed several jawdropping plays per week that reminds everyone why he’s fifth on the NFL’s alltime rushing list. Gore plans to prove that he’s not a washed up back this season, and it appears his early showing in training camp might motivate Miami’s coaches to make him a co-starter at tailback with Kenyan Drake.
Dolphins are loaded at WR
Gase opened training camp saying receiver was Miami’s deepest position and the performances we’ve seen from Danny Amendola, Albert Wilson, Jakeem Grant, Isaiah Ford and Rashawn Scott back up his praise. Grant, who couldn’t catch a cold his rookie season, has gotten so good his big plays have led to cornerbacks being demoted. The Dolphins have more receivers than they have roster spots for, which is a good problem to have in today’s pass-happy NFL.
Middle of defense still a concern
The Dolphins have been vulnerable to teams committed to running the football for the past five seasons, and little has been done to improve that this offseason based on the first two weeks of practice, which have featured plenty of long runs from Miami’s tailbacks, and scores for the tight ends. And having William Hayes sidelined for a couple weeks with a hamstring injury he suffered last week could only make the problem worse considering Hayes is Miami’s best run-stuffing defensive linemen. The Dolphins need at least one linebacker, and one defensive tackle to take their game to the next level to plug the gaps.
Fitzpatrick off to a slow start
Anyone expecting Miami’s first-round pick to break into the starting lineup might need to develop some patience. Minkah Fitzpatrick spent the past two weeks serving as Reshad Jones and T.J. McDonald’s understudy at both safety spots, being groomed to play nickel cornerback, and serving as a gunner on special teams. Don’t be surprised if those are his roles for the first half of the season unless he starts producing turnovers, or someone ahead of him on the depth chart gets injured. Over the past decade, the only Dolphins first-round pick that wasn’t an offensive linemen to become a rookie starter in the season opener was Tannehill, so Fitzpatrick’s slow start is typical.
Gesicki has talent and limitations
Mike Gesicki has showcased rare athleticism and range that justified the Dolphins decision to make him the second tight end drafted in 2018. However, he’s also shown that his limitations as a blocker make him a liability on the field at times. It’s early, but at this point Gesicki should only be viewed as a thirddown and red-zone weapon until he stops being a turnstile for defenders.
Chemistry is lacking on O-line
The defensive line annually abuses Miami’s offensive line during practices because the work in the trenches usually favors defensive players since running the football usually isn’t on the menu. But Miami has kept its projected starting five — Laremy Tunsil, Josh Sitton, Daniel Kilgore, Jesse Davis and Ja’Wuan James — together since April’s offseason workouts hoping the continuity will create chemistry. So far that hasn’t been apparent, and Miami needs its starters to clean up the pre-snap penalties.
Another CB needs to step up
The battle between Cordrea Tankersley, Torry McTyer and Tony Lippett to determine who starts opposite Xavien Howard on the boundary has been the most competitive camp battle so far. Each player is missing a key ingredient they need to be viewed as a reliable NFL starter. McTyer struggles with bigger receivers. Lippett struggles with speed, and Tankersley must improve his ball skills. The first to address their shortcomings will likely earn the starting spot, but must perform to keep it.
Kickers are not hitting the mark
The only time most football fans notice kickers is when they miss a field goal, and plenty of that has been taking place during practice. Jason Sanders, Miami’s seventh-round pick, and Greg Joseph, an undrafted rookie, have both been erratic. Their inconsistency could become troubling if it extends to the preseason, and might motivate special teams coach Darren Rizzi to comb the waiver wire for another released gem like Cody Parkey, who was claimed a week before the season opener last year.