Despite flurry of trades, Flores moving onto Week 1

The Miami Dolphins are onto Week 1.

That was the overlying message Dolphins coach Brian Flores and several players reiterated Monday, following the trades of franchise left tackle Laremy Tunsil, receiver Kenny Stills and linebacker Kiko Alonso this weekend, and the release of longtime long snapper John Denney.

“We can sit here and talk about those things, and put our energy on what happened [this weekend] and two weeks ago, and I don’t think it’s going to help us against Baltimore,” Flores said. “I really don’t. That’s just my approach.”

The Dolphins practiced Monday — with Hurricane Dorian hovering over the Bahamas, lurking off the Florida coast — as they began preparation for Sunday’s season opener against the Baltimore Ravens at Hard Rock Stadium.

Flores enters the season trying to manage the possible fallout following the departures of several veterans who could have made an impact in Flores’ first season as the Dolphins begin their extensive rebuilding process.

Jerome Baker, the second-year linebacker who will now call plays in Flores’ defense, said Flores did not give players an explanation following the significant roster moves made over the weekend.

And they were in no rush to ask, either, according to Baker.

“I’m sure everybody is tempted to ask, but you don’t want to go ask him,” Baker said with a smile. “You never know when you’re next. It’s a business. At the end of the day, it’s a business. You still have to go out there and perform on Sunday.”

Baker added that Flores told players to turn their focus to the season opener, and be weary of the media’s reaction to the team’s latest moves.

“If we keep, no offense, talking to you guys [the media], we’re going to go against the Ravens and Lamar [Jackson] is going to have a field day,” Baker added as Miami prepares for the dynamic Ravens starting quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner from Boynton Beach.

That might have been the most standoffish comment from the Dolphins locker room on Monday, where many of the players were jovial and upbeat despite the departures of close teammates and friends.

The Dolphins players know they simply have to play with the cards they’ve been dealt — despite the unfortunate timing with less than a week before the start of the season.

The Dolphins receivers who remain will miss Stills.

“We lose a great leader, a guy that looked out for everyone,” receiver DeVante Parker said.

The Dolphins offensive line must move on without its franchise left tackle in Tunsil.

Jesse Davis, who moved from right guard to right tackle this preseason, expects to see playing time at another new position in replacing his old friend.

“You go from writing with your right hand and writing with the left hand, and see how good it looks,” Davis said with a laugh regarding his position move.

Davis said he was surprised to hear about Tunsil and Stills being traded away.

“I think everybody was probably a little shocked,” Davis said. “Obviously there were rumors floating around. What do you believe and what don’t you believe? And then it happens. There’s nothing we can do about it. I guess that’s what they want to put the organization in a good spot.”

SEAN GARDNER/GETTY Dolphins coach Brian Flores, checking his playbook Thursday during the preseason game against the Saints in New Orleans, is ready to put his total focus on preparing for the Ravens in the season opener.