Roberts returns to first-team defense that dominates
MIAMI GARDENS — Within a week of Elandon Roberts being activated off the physically-unable-to-perform list, the 6-foot, 238-pound linebacker got plenty of action with the Miami Dolphins’ first-team defense at Wednesday’s practice.
Roberts was there alongside fellow inside linebacker Jerome Baker, got in a few hits and was his usual loud, energetic self when his presence was felt by Miami’s offense.
“It was amazing,” said Baker of having back the run-stopping specialist who started 11 games in 2020 next to him.
“He always brings the energy. He definitely brought that. I’m just happy for him to be back. It’s definitely great.”
Said cornerback Nik Needham: “He brought a little spark there, as you can see. It was getting a little chippy out there, but he made a play. It was a TFL, something of that nature . ...
“He was turned [up], got the whole sideline getting wild and getting lit.”
As Roberts returned — and free-agent acquisition Benardrick McKinney rotated in with him at that inside linebacker spot — the Dolphins defense dominated, with quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Jacoby
Brissett struggling to throw the ball into a sustained wind of 15 mph and gusts up to 30 on Wednesday.
Baker said it’s noticeable how well-versed Roberts is in coach Brian Flores’ defense, having also played under him with the New England Patriots, whereas McKinney, coming over from the Houston Texans, is new in the system.
“Since it’s his first year in the system, it’s just that communication of what to look for and things like that,” Baker said. “E-Rob, he’s been in the system for a long time, so I guess you can say he’s more of a veteran in this system. … They both are great players. They’re great to be next to.”
Tagovailoa was intercepted twice by All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard, who returned one for a touchdown off a tip from Needham and initial ricochet off the hands of receiver Mack Hollins on a high ball. Brissett was picked off by cornerback Trill Williams. Needham had a key third-down breakup on a Tagovailoa pass, and cornerback Noah Igbinoghene deflected a Brissett pass in coverage on a crossing route.
The defense was vocal pre-snap, calling out keys, and the group was in unison.
“One of the big points of emphasis today was to go out there and communicate,” Needham said. “[Defensive coordinator Josh Boyer] always says, ‘If we communicate, we can be pretty good.’ That kind of showed there today.”
Before suffering a knee injury Dec. 26 in Las Vegas against the Raiders, Roberts had 61 tackles in 2020 — good enough for fourth on the team — adding one sack, a forced fumble and fumble recovery.
Camp observations
Tagovailoa had a rough day going into the wind against the Dolphins’ top defensive unit, a wake-up call after having so much success against the Atlanta Falcons’ second-teamers in Saturday night’s preseason win.
Howard had the two interceptions, and Needham also had a third-down breakup in a situational setting.
Struggling to even pick up a first down against Miami’s top defensive unit, one impressive throw came when Tagovailoa connected with receiver Kirk Merritt on a deep crossing route over cornerback Byron Jones.
Jones also forced a fumble against running back Salvon Ahmed, making a potent move to rip the ball from Ahmed’s grasp. Ahmed had a nice earlier run with tight ends Adam Shaheen and Hunter Long leading the way. Malcolm Brown had an impressive gain running behind second-team right guard Robert Jones.
Defensive tackle Adam Butler was forceful in a one-on-one lineman drill, pushing left guard Solomon Kindley back. Defensive lineman Zach Sieler put a move on Robert Hunt, leaving the Dolphins’ first-team right guard in the dust. Left tackle Austin Jackson had good reps against outside linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel and Jaelan Phillips before Phillips got him back on an ensuing chance. Right tackle Jesse Davis strung together a solid showing in the drill.
The wind affected Dolphins special teams as well. Punter Michael Palardy had one punt completely die in a strong gust of wind and go for maybe 20 or 25 yards. Kicker Jason Sanders had what is believed to be just his second field-goal miss of training camp, a 53-yarder off the post with the wind at his back.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett was intercepted by cornerback Trill Williams on a ball that hung up in the wind. Wide receiver Jakeem Grant, running back Jordan Scarlett and Long all had drops on passes from Brissett.
Stock up
Howard’s stock may already be highest on the team after he had 10 interceptions and was a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in 2020, but Wednesday was his most active practice. Roberts reaching first-team reps so quickly off his activation from the PUP list also has him on the rise, while Needham has consistently impressed working in the slot and on the boundary.
Stock down
Center Matt Skura had his share of snapping issues in Baltimore, which led to him getting benched. On Wednesday, there were two snapping errors with the fifth-year center working with Brissett.
On the first one, there appeared to be a miscommunication on the snap count as Skura’s under-center hike hit the ground with Brissett not expecting it. Another one, in the shotgun, was high. By the end of practice, Cameron Tom was elevated to second-team center ahead of Skura, with Michael Deiter remaining with the top group.
Injury update
Howard returned to practice after missing Tuesday’s walkthrough with a non-COVID illness. ...
Afterwidereceivers Will Fuller, DeVante Parker and Albert Wilson returned in Tuesday’s walk-through, Fuller participated Wednesday — but not in team drills — Parker was in a red, no-contact jersey doing limited work in team portions and Wilson was not seen . ...
Jevon Holland, Vince Biegel, Adam Pankey, Cethan Carter and Javaris Davis did not participate in practice. Holland was seen doing a boxing workout, sparring with a trainer on the sideline. Biegel did conditioning on a stationary bike . ...
Outside linebacker Brennan Scarlett was back Wednesday after missing Tuesday.