Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
What to expect in preseason opener
First and test: Flores era is about to begin
DAVIE — The preseason is usually a snore-fest, but the next four meaningless games should be quite interesting for the Miami Dolphins.
These exhibitions will be the first test of rookie head coach Brian Flores’ new team, a journey that starts with Thursday night as the Dolphins kick off the preseason with a 7:30 p.m. game against Atlanta Falcons.
Here’s a list of what fans of South Florida’s NFL franchise should be looking for as the Dolphins put the first-, secondand third-team offenses and defenses through the paces, examining what changes need to be made and which units need the most work. Keep in mind: You won’t been looking for these things in Miami-Dade or Broward counties on televisions using U-verse or DirectTV — including NFL Sunday Ticket
— because of the ongoing dispute with CBS.
Can the first-team offense produce a scoring drive?
The Dolphins will likely script the first series or so of plays for Ryan Fitzpatrick and his unit, and the hope is that the firstteam quarterback, offensive line and skill plays will be able to run the ball efficiently, convert first downs, minimize penalties and ultimately score points after getting the team into the red zone. If we see a couple of threeand-outs, there’s reason for concern.
Will the Dolphins be able to pressure the quarterback without blitzing?
Miami’s thin on proven pass rushers because of this offseason’s purge, but someone must step forward and prove they can effectively hunt quarterbacks on obvious passing downs. The Dolphins are tremendously scheme driven, and it appears plenty of Miami’s pressure will be applied through blitzing. But it is critical to find a player — Charles Harris, Nate Orchard, Tank Carradine, Jonathan Woodard or Dewayne Hendrix — who can beat an offensive tackle one-onone, getting to the quarterback.
Which back-of-the-roster cornerback deserves a spot on the 53-man roster?
Because of Bobby McCain’s full-time move to free safety, the Dolphins only have one player at cornerback who has proven he’s a reliable, solid, consistent cornerback: Xavien Howard. Eric Rowe has started 17 games in his four-year career, but hasn’t proven he can be dependable yet. And the often-injured cornerback is again injured. Miami needs to find at least three other cornerbacks who can be relied on when pressed into action. So far Jomal Wiltz, Torry McTyer, Nik Needham, Tyler Patmon and Cornell Armstrong haven’t proven they belong on Miami’s 53-man roster.
Does Miami’s first-team offensive line look respectable?
The Dolphins had a penaltyplagued scrimmage last Saturday, and the offensive line was responsible for 17 of the 18 penalties committed. Miami won’t survive 2019 getting that type of undisciplined play from this important unit. The Dolphins must use the exhibition season to prove this unit, which is led by left tackle Laremy Tunsil and offensive lineman Jesse Davis (a right guard being tried at right tackle), can open up running lanes and effectively protect the quarterback.
Will Josh Rosen’s throws be on schedule?
Rosen, the 2018 first-round pick Miami traded to acquire this offseason, needs to read defenses faster and make throws on time if he’s going to prove he’s worthy of unseating Ryan Fitzpatrick to become the Dolphins’ starter. Rosen delivered a dismal 66.7 passer rating in his 13 starts last season for the Arizona Cardinals, who dumped him after one season. Now, he must prove he’s more than a backup in his second NFL season.
Can Preston Williams continue to impress against another team’s secondary?
Even though he wasn’t drafted, Williams has been the most impressive member of the Dolphins’ 2019 rookie class so far. It’s early, but the former Colorado standout uses his size effectively to win one-on-one battles and his speed to create separation from defensive backs. But is his emergence a true sign of how bad Miami’s backup cornerbacks are? We’ll learn that in the preseason. Williams has chemistry with Rosen, so the hope is that they’ll lean on one another to push for more playing time, if not the starting spot.
Does Charles Harris effectively set the edge?
Everyone who has followed the Dolphins realizes Harris, the Dolphins’ 2017 first-round draft pick, has rare athleticism and a phenomenal work ethic. The problem is he hasn’t proven he’s an NFL starter in the first two years of his career, and part of the issue is his inability to effectively set the edge on running plays. If a tight end can consistently block Harris out of a handful of plays each game, the Dolphins will remain one of the league’s worst defenses against the run.
Closely examine Miami’s new hybrid defensive scheme.
The Dolphins’ defense doesn’t have a 3-4 or a 4-3 base, so it’s generally going to be hard for quarterback to grasp what Miami is doing before the snap. This defense’s foundation is built on how fluid the team’s schemes are, and it carves out specialized role for everyone on the defense. This means there are a lot of moving parts, and it will require a ton of in-game substitutions. It’s important to examine how everyone handles every role. Dolphins must get efficient contribution from the tight end unit.
Tight end has been a troublesome spot for the Dolphins since Charles Clay left as a free agent in 2015, and it doesn’t seem as if Miami has a solution on the roster, due to Mike Gesicki’s struggles with the physical nature of the sport. At this point, Gesicki should only be viewed as a passcatching specialist, which leaves the door wide open for Dwayne Allen, Nick O’Leary, Durham Smythe and Clive Walford to become Miami’s in-line tight end. The Dolphins need someone, anyone, to step up and get the job done.
Will Sam Eguavoen continue to push for a starting linebacker spot?
Eguavoen has spent all training camp as the Dolphins’ starting inside linebacker and the former CFL standout has been practicing as if he has no intention to relinquish the job. Whether he’s keeping the seat warm for Kiko Alonso and Raekwon McMillan, who are both injured, or has out shined them isn’t clear. But the preseason performance will likely indicate if this coverage specialist is ready to become an NFL starter.