Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Works in progress
QBs Tua and Rosen struggle Friday with veteran Fitzpatrick absent from practice
The Miami Dolphins began their fourth training camp practice with coach Brian Flores announcing quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, the team’s expected starter, will be away from the team for an indefinite period due to personal reasons.
After watching quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Josh Rosen struggle with more repetitions in Friday’s practice, Flores likely is hoping Fitzpatrick won’t be gone for too long.
Simply put, the statistics for both players were underwhelming:
— Tagovailoa, the team’s No. 5 pick, finished 6 of 15 for 99 yards with no touchdowns, two interceptions thrown, one near interceptions and was “sacked” once with defenders pulling up to avoid contact.
— Rosen, the former No. 10 pick heading into his second season with Miami, was 6 of 14 for 104 yards with one touchdown to Jakeem Grant in goal-line work, one interception and three “sacks” as the Dolphins defense dominated.
Together, Tagovailoa and Rosen delivered a rough quarterback rating of 48.5 — far from a perfect 158.3 rating.
Again, let’s remember: this was Tagovailoa’s fourth NFL practice, while he and Rosen are both learning a new offense under offensive coordinator Chan Gailey.
“I think those guys are doing a good job. Rosen’s doing a good job. Tua’s doing a good job,” Flores said of both quarterbacks — before practice.
“I think a lot of guys at a lot of positions are making some progress.”
Tagovailoa’s best passes of the day: A 25-yard completion down the field to Isaiah Ford after stepping up in the pocket and a 20-yard strike to receiver Matt Cole on his second-tolast throw.
Among Tagovailoa’s worst passes:
— His 40-yard completion to Jakeem Grant looked like a pop fly that had Grant waiting under it for a fair catch. It was nearly Tagovailoa’s second interception, but cornerback Breon Borders slipped while in coverage.
— Tagovailoa’s first interception, by Borders, came with no receiver in sight on what may have been a miscommunication during his first 11-on-11 series.
— Another deep throw down the sideline to Grant was picked off by rookie cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, serving as a cruel reminder that Tagovailoa is not throwing to fellow first-rounders like Henry Ruggs Jr. and Jerry Jeudy anymore.
Tua’s touch was slightly off at times today. Longer passes were thrown short. Intermediate throws were thrown long. Other intermediate or slant throws were either on target, late or dropped by his receivers. He had some miscommunication at times.
Rosen’s work during 11-on-11s appeared to get off to a strong start with two passes to receiver Preston Williams for gains of 13 and 25 yards.
Rosen’s best pass of the day was a deep, 38-yard pass to Isaiah Ford with new cornerback Byron Jones in coverage.
But Rosen also struggled against the Dolphins defense as Igbinoghene broke up three of his passes, while outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy and safety Bobby McCain “sacked” him on the same series.
“I’m looking for a lot,” Flores said about his quarterbacks. “We’re looking for leadership, communication and someone making good decisions — consistently making good decisions.”
While their performance wasn’t ideal, both quarterbacks were able to get more opportunities in practice — which they clearly both need – with Fitzpatrick away from the team.
Along with Fitzpatrick, Flores announced safety Kavon Frazier was also absent for personal reasons. Flores did not elaborate further on the status of both players.
“I’m not going to go into Fitz’s situation. It’s personal, and we’ll take things day to day and see where it goes,” Flores said.
Fitzpatrick’s absence could be lengthy as the Dolphins brought former practice squad quarterback Jake Rudock, a former St. Thomas Aquinas standout, in for a visit on Thursday, but the team did not sign him.
Rudock would have to test negative for COVID-19 at least twice before the team could sign him.
Flores, when pressed again to address the potential length of his players’ absences, reiterated the importance of players handling their personal matters outside of football.
“When you’re dealing with personal matters, it’s case by case,” Flores said further. “I think we’ve all dealt with personal things … I’m going to support my players and however much time they need for specific situations, that’s what they’re going to get.
“We all should have an understanding from that standpoint. When you talk about things of that nature, some things take precedent.”