Needham looks good, rough day for Gesicki
The Miami Dolphins showed two new looks on defense during their first rainy practice of training camp on Thursday. Here are some observations from the Dolphins’ seventh day of training camp:
Stock up
Maybe this is an overreaction to just one play. But that one play was enough for the Dolphins coaches to give a rookie an opportunity to work with the first-team defense.
Cornerback Nik Needham, an undrafted rookie who played at UTEP, got his hands on a tipped ball and secured an interception during the first set of 11-on-11s in practice, stealing a pass that was bobbled by receiver Preston Williams from quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
It was the first of two highlight plays during Thursday’s practice that resulted in Needham spending time at the boundary cornerback position the Dolphins are desperately trying to fill opposite Pro Bowl standout Xavien Howard.
Needham’s opportunity also resulted in cornerback Eric Rowe, the former Patriots player who played under Brian Flores, standing on the sidelines for much of practice after the play. Maybe Rowe had an injury that hindered his involvement, but Needham made the most of his standout play to get a thorough look by the Dolphins coaches.
Stock down
The Dolphins could not have made it any easier.
Fitzpatrick lobbed a Hail Mary pass in the air. All of the Dolphins players in the end zone moved away from the football so one player could make the catch.
And Mike Gesicki dropped it.
Gesicki, the second-year tight end and former second-round pick, continues to struggle in training camp.
Outside of warmup drills and a one-handed catch over Bobby McCain during the first week of camp, Gesicki has not won many battles going up against the defense. He lost a battle for a touchdown pass to safety T.J. McDonald on Thursday before dropping the Hail Mary layup the Dolphins tried to give him to end practice.
While Gesicki is lining up as the first-team pass option tight end, he also continues to struggle with the physicality of training camp.
Four-year veteran Nick O’Leary has been Miami’s best tight end, and that may not be so encouraging with Gesicki’s struggles, secondyear tight end Durham Smythe’s pedestrian camp, and injuries that hampered veterans Dwayne Allen and Clive Walford.
Observations
Dolphins receiver DeVante Parker had the highlight play of practice, leaping up to grab a touchdown pass from quarterback Josh Rosen in 11-on-11s. Parker may have got away with a push off on cornerback Torry McTyer. But seeing Parker rise to the occasion was encouraging for him and Rosen on Thursday. …
For the first time in training camp, the Dolphins worked on two new defensive sets. There was a three-man defensive front (edge rushers Nate Orchard, Charles Harris and tackle Christian Wilkins) with linebackers Jerome Baker and rookie Andrew Van Ginkel and five defensive backs.
The other was featured eight defensive backs, taking full advantage of the Dolphins’ depth and experience with Reshad Jones, McDonald, McCain and Minkah Fitzpatrick all on the field. …
For the second consecutive day, the Dolphins starting offensive line has been: LT Laremy Tunsil, LG Michael Dieter, C Daniel Kilgore, RG Shaq Calhoun, RT Jesse Davis. Backup offensive lineman Zach Sterup saw a few plays with the first team at left tackle as the Dolphins continue to build depth at the position. …
Williams, the undrafted receiver from Colorado State who has been relatively quiet during training camp, had his best practice on Wednesday, catching a number of passes from Fitzpatrick and Rosen. The only hiccup was his bobbled pass from Fitzpatrick that was intercepted by Needham, and a pass that was broken up by Howard. …
As for the quarterback battle, Rosen built on a good day Wednesday in Thursday’s practice — an encouraging sign because Rosen’s consistency has been an issue throughout. Fitzpatrick, who still holds the lead in the competition, rebounded from perhaps his worst practice Wednesday. He just needed a few more players to make plays for him to put the bow on the day.
Injuries
Dolphins receiver Albert Wilson (hip) had a scheduled off day Thursday, while linebacker Kiko Alonso and running back Kalen Ballage continue to nurse undisclosed injuries that have kept them out this week.
Wide receiver Jakeem Grant, who came up limping during Wednesday’s practice, and offensive tackle Jordan Mills also missed Thursday’s practice due to undisclosed injuries.