Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Stock up, stock down.
Thursday was Day 7 of Miami Dolphins training camp, and this is how it looked:
Stock up
CB Xavien Howard pulled down two clear-cut interceptions, picking off Ryan Tannehill during 11-on-11 drills, and he might have gotten a third interception on an end-zone pass thrown to DeVante Parker. The referees at practice said the ball touched the ground and ruled it an incompletion, but the media saw a catch on replay. Howard has had a strong camp and is establishing a reputation as a cornerback to avoid. RB Kenyan Drake gashed the Dolphins’ firstteam defense on an early run during 11-on-11 drills that would have turned into a long touchdown run because nobody touched him before he turned on the afterburners and ran to the end zone. DT Jordan Phillips, who began practice working with the second-team defense for the first time all camp, dominated backup centers Mike Matthews and Connor Hilland all practice, producing at least three tackles for loss. It was clearly Phillips’ most active day of training camp.
Stock down
QB Ryan Tannehill brought his training camp interception total to four with the two (and a possible third) he threw to Howard, who has made Parker invisible all of training camp. At some point, Tannehill and Parker need to work on their chemistry, which has been a running subplot the past three seasons.
K Greg Joseph continues to struggle with his field goals, connecting on 6-of-8 attempts. The rookie did make a 56-yard attempt, but he missed from 39 and 33 yards.
Observations
Ted Larsen worked as the starting left guard because Josh Sitton remains sidelined as he’s being rested during days the Dolphins practice in full pads.
Sam Young worked as the starting right tackle because Ja’Wuan James is nursing a muscle strain and hasn’t practiced for the past two days. Davon Godchaux was paired with Akeem Spence
as the starting defensive tackle during Thursday’s practice. That was his first day beginning practice with the starters.
Torry McTyer worked as the starting boundary cornerback for his third practice, matching the number of days Cordrea Tankersley has worked with the starters. Tony Lippett has only spent one day as the starting cornerback since training camp opened.
Chase Allen spent his second day working as the starting outside linebacker,
replacing Stephone Anthony.
Kalen Ballage, who got a few snaps with the starting offense, had an up and down day. The rookie running back lost a fumble to CB Taveze Calhoun during 11-on-11 drills, and he caught 40-yard touchdown on a wheel route.
Mike Gesicki had some protection and blocking issues during 11-on-11 drills as the rookie tight end was put on the ground for a handful of plays while trying to block defensive ends like William Hayes. Reshad Jones also got the best of Gesicki during a safety blitz where he prevented Tannehill from throwing the ball.
Injury update
DT William Hayes injured his right leg during 1-on-1 drills and didn’t finish practice.
TE MarQueis Gray was held out of Thursday’s practice because of an undisclosed injury.
WR Isaiah Ford (left shoulder) didn’t practice for the second straight day.
TE A.J. Derby (foot) missed his fourth consecutive practice because of an injury coach Adam Gase listed as day-to-day.
C-G Jake Brendel (calf ) missed his sixth straight practice.