Next test ahead
Ten things to watch for against Falcons after another week of joint practices
Who needs four preseason games when your team has two weeks of back-to-back joint practices?
The Miami Dolphins followed up last week’s joint practices and preseason game against the Chicago Bears with a duplicate set against the Atlanta Falcons, who Miami will face at 7 p.m. Saturday inside Hard Rock Stadium.
Here are 10 things we should look for in the Dolphins’ second preseason game.
Can Tua Tagovailoa lead Miami to multiple scoring drives?
Tagovailoa moved the ball efficiently during his limited time in last week’s 20-13 loss, but only led the Dolphins to one field goal in his three series. And it didn’t help that he was picked off in the red zone because of a late throw to tight end Adam Shaheen. It would be ideal to witness Tagovailoa drive his unit the length of the field, and punch it in for a touchdown on at least one drive against the Falcons, and then manage to put Miami in position to score on another in his limited work.
How much will the Dolphins’ top performers play?
The new preseason format creates some mystery about whether the second exhibition game, or the third will be used as a dress rehearsal for an NFL team. Does
Miami play their starters for an extended period on Saturday, and then audition the backups, practice squad options, and roster long shots in next Sunday’s preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals? Or will they play the fringe players for extended period this weekend, and the starters next week? Giving players such as Xavien Howard, Emmanuel Ogbah, Jerome Baker and Byron Jones an extended look on Saturday would provide them 21 days — three weeks — to rest and prepare for the Sept. 12 season
opener against the New England Patriots.
Will the Dolphins be able to run consistently?
Miami’s rushing attack has sputtered for most of Brian Flores’ tenure in South Florida, and until the Dolphins can find, and sustain a reliable rushing attack, those struggles will put unnecessary pressure on the passing game. Rushing for 118 yards on 29 carries against the Bears was a fine, but the Dolphins’ rushing attack can’t continue to sputter at the goal-line. Miami has to find a way to get the top three backs — Myles Gaskin, Salvon Ahmed and Malcolm Brown — greased up and producing.
How does Michael Deiter perform at center?
Deiter, a 2019 third-round pick, is laboring to resurrect his career as an NFL starter by working to secure the starting center spot. He hasn’t spent a single day with the second-team offensive line. But to maintain his lead on Matt Skura and Cameron Tom he needs to put forth some solid game performances, creating a surge at the line of scrimmage, and providing a secure pocket for Tagovailoa. Deiter needs to use these final exhibition games to prove to the coaches that a continued investment in him is a wise choice.
Will Jaelan Phillips make his preseason debut?
A groin injury prevented Phillips from playing in his first NFL exhibition in last week’s 20-13 loss to the Chicago Bears, but he’ll likely be cleared to play on Saturday. Phillips, a former University of Miami standout the Dolphins selected 18th in the 2021 draft, must prove that becoming a day-one rookie starter isn’t too tall a task for this college defensive end, who is making the transition to NFL outside linebacker.
Who handles the Dolphins’ returns?
Last week Jaylen Waddle and Jakeem Grant each delivered a 20-plus-yard punt return, proving that Miami will either feature a dangerous set of returners, or that Grant is being showcased for a possible trade in the coming weeks. Either way this goes, Flores’ background as a special teams coach ensures that the Dolphins won’t make that unit an afterthought, and that Miami’s opponents need to consider playing keep-away from Miami’s returners.
Will Greg Little fortify the O-line’s depth?
It is obvious that depth remains an issue with the Dolphins’ young and developing offensive line. But it’s possible that the trade that brought Little to Miami for a 2022 seventhround pick could add a quality reserve into the mix, strengthening the backup tackle spots. It will be interesting to see if the Dolphins let Little play against the Falcons without having a firm mastery of the playbook. But it would be wise to give him a couple of snaps in the fourth quarter.
What fringe receiver makes the strongest push to earn a roster spot?
Each week, a new down-the-depth-chart receiver has stepped to the forefront, delivering standout plays during practices. During camp’s first week, Albert Wilson was dominant, locking up a roster spot. In the second week Isaiah Ford proved he shouldn’t be an afterthought with a series of strong performances, and this week Kirk Merritt reminded the Dolphins why they kept him on the practice squad all last season. It will be interesting to see if Merritt or Robert Foster delivers a game-changing performance.
Who starts at left guard?
Liam Eichenberg, a former Notre Dame standout for whom the Dolphins selected in the second round in the NFL draft after trading a 2022 third-round pick to move up, and Solomon Kindley, a 13-game starter last season, are having a heated battle to determine who lines up between the center and left tackle. Kindley excels as a pass blocker, but struggles against the run. Eichenberg, who is also being cross-trained to play right tackle, is respected as a technician. But a shoulder injury he suffered during Miami’s joint practices with the Bears might motivate the Dolphins to take it easy with the rookie till the regular season arrives.
Can Miami’s D-line make Matt Ryan uncomfortable?
The Dolphins relied on blitzing to deliver the bulk of the team’s pressures and sacks last season. While Miami’s secondary was good enough to handle the stress that came with playing that style last year, there’s no guarantee they can manage it again in 2021. That means the Dolphins defensive front needs to do a better job of hunting quarterbacks, and last week’s tepid performance against the Bears indicates work needs to be done.