Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
DOLPHINS NOTEBOOK:
The Dolphins had four-fifths of their projected starting offensive line in the game Monday night, and that’s as good as they’ll do this year.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With left guard Ted Larsen returning this week and right tackle Ja’Wuan James being placed on injured reserve, the Miami Dolphins missed the chance to have their projected starting offensive line take the field this season.
Regardless, Larsen’s debut on Monday at Carolina gave the Dolphins four of their projected starting five, which is as good as they’ll do all season.
Coming out of training camp the Dolphins figured they’d start left tackle Laremy Tunsil, Larsen, center Mike Pouncey, right guard Jermon Bushrod and James. Larsen was on injured reserve until last week with a biceps injury, but he was inactive for the Oakland game because coaches thought he wasn’t yet ready.
Miami opened the season with Tunsil at left tackle, Anthony Steen at left guard, Pouncey at center, Bushrod at right guard and James at right tackle.
Miami used its third starting five in nine games against the Panthers.
Davis started at left guard for Steen, who went on injured reserve with a foot injury, the past two games.
Monday, Davis shifted to right tackle and Larsen played left guard.
McDonald, Jones together at safety
Safeties Reshad Jones and T.J. McDonald made their debut as a duo and the results were mixed in the first half.
Jones and McDonald alternated safety duties, which was the way the Dolphins discussed using them, and followed what happened in training camp.
They were both active as Jones had six first-half tackles and McDonald had five tackles. McDonald appeared to have an interception deep in Miami territory but it was ruled he trapped the ball. Carolina ended up with a field goal on the drive.
But overall Miami’s pass coverage was spotty in the first half as Carolina quarterback Cam Newton found gaping holes in the defense.
Newton was 14 of 25 for 145 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions for an 86.3 passer rating.
Maualuga lines up at FB
Middle linebacker Rey Maualuga lined up at fullback for one play in the first quarter and one in the second. It was the second game he’s done that this season. … The inactive players were linebacker Stephone Anthony, quarterback David Fales, cornerback Jordan Lucas, cornerback Torry McTyer, guard Isaac Asiata, newlysigned offensive tackle Zach Sterup and wide receiver Rashawn Scott .… Safety Michael Thomas, tight end Julius Thomas and wide receiver Kenny Stills kneeled during the national anthem.
Carolina’s early success
The Panthers rushed for 75 yards in the first half, a remarkable feat considering Miami entered with the NFL’s seventh-ranked rushing defense at 94 yards allowed per game.
Carolina averaged 5.4 yards per carry, which was alarming because the Dolphins entered the game allowing just 3.7 yards per carry, the eighth-best total in the league.
The Panthers’ ground game was led by running back Jonathan Stewart, who had 48 yards on seven carries, an average of 6.9 yards per carry.
Big plays boost Panthers
Carolina had nine plays of 10 or more yards in the first half, a testament to defensive coordinator Matt
Burke’s concern that his defense had surrendered too many big plays recently.
Miami allowed six plays of 10 or more yards in the first half.