About time for a test drive
Here’s what we’ve learned about the Dolphins during opening 2 weeks of Flores’ 1st training camp
DAVIE — The Miami Dolphins are a few days away from taking their remodeled roster, new schemes and coaching staff for a spin during the exhibition season. Thursday night’s preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons is important for coach Brian Flores’ team because it will provide a gauge about how much work is left to be done before the regular season begins.
Plenty has been achieved during the first two weeks of training camp, which has featured a ton of experimentation and numerous role changes for former starters.
Here is what we learned about the 2019 Dolphins from watching the past two weeks of practices and last Saturday’s scrimmage:
Quarterbacks need to be better
Ryan Fitzpatrick’s experience and leadership have allowed him to step to the forefront as the leader in his battle with Josh Rosen for Miami’s starting quarterback job, but his knack for committing turnovers will likely make his reign at the top of the depth chart short lived if Fitzpatrick doesn’t cut down on the risky passes and reduce his interceptions.
Rosen has started practicing a little better and has been more consistent of late, but his ability to process what the defense is doing remains slow. His throws are consistently late, and his habit of throwing check-down passes in practice needs to end or the comparisons to former Dolphins starter Chad Henne will take root.
Dolphins should invest in Williams
Preston Williams, a talented undrafted rookie receiver, who has a rare blend of size, speed and athleticism, shined during Saturday’s scrimmage, contributing more than 100 receiving yards.
“He’s got a ton of potential. He’s an unbelievable athlete. He’s got a great attitude. He works really hard, and I think he’s got a really high ceiling,” said Rosen, who has responded admirably since coach Brian Flores acknowledged he’d been getting outperformed by Ryan Fitzpatrick in their battle for the starting quarterback job. “It’s just about how hard he works, and I’m right there in the boat with him.”
Rosen and Williams have history together going back to their days as high school standouts. They were teammates at a Nike camp 7-on-7 tournament, and it was there the two first started developing a bond and building chemistry.
“We work at practice, after practice,” Williams said, explaining his relationship with Rosen. “We’re trying to get a connection.”
Williams, who trained with Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall at Fitspeed in Weston this summer, has his sights set on making it onto the Dolphins’ 53-man regular-season roster.
To do so the Dolphins will either need to keep six receivers, which is possible considering this team’s shortage of overall talent, or he’ll need to outshine both Brice Butler and Allen Hurns, two veterans battling for one of the final receiver spots.
Kenny Stills, DeVante Parker, Albert Wilson and Jakeem Grant are viewed as locks to make the 53-man roster, and Williams has been given opportunity to showcase himself while Wilson and Grant have been brought along slowly after suffering season-ending injuries last season.
Williams’ fate will likely be determined by how he performs during the upcoming exhibition games, which kicks off Thursday night for the Dolphins against the Atlanta Falcons inside Hard Rock Stadium, and how many roles he can manage on special teams.
“I just come work every day,” said Williams, who caught 96 passes for 1,345 yards and scored 14 touchdowns during his junior season at Colorado State. “Today, tomorrow, the next day — I’ve just got to keep grinding.”