Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
WR Williams’ stock on the rise, CB Jones’ stock down
DAVIE — The Miami Dolphins’ first practice without Ryan Fitzpatrick produced a subpar performance for the rest of the offense.
Chemistry between the quarterbacks, tights end and receivers is clearly becoming a problem for the Dolphins, considering how many passes were sprayed all over the field with no receiver in sight. Several errant passes also were nearly intercepted.
There were nearly half a dozen possible interceptions that were dropped by defenders on Friday, the first day Fitzpatrick, last year’s MVP, was away from the team for personal reasons.
Tua Tagovailoa and his unit struggled in the early portion of 11-on-11s.
It is hard to say who was more at fault for the wayward passes thrown by Tagovailoa, including the pick-six interception by Breon Borders.
There was a rare back shoulder throw to Matt Cole and a 25-yard completion to Isaiah Ford, but it is obvious that Tagovailoa doesn’t have a receiver unit as talented as what he had at Alabama.
The drop-off in talent appears to be a major problem, and so is Tagovailoa’s seemingly slow mastery of Chan Gailey’s offense — which has kept the No. 5 pick from impressing onlookers.
Josh Rosen started well, but finished Friday’s practice session poorly in the final 11-on-11 period.
Cornerback Trae Hayes intercepted a pass from Rosen in the middle of the field with no intended target in sight, indicating there was a communication issue — which has been a running theme for the offense in the first week.
Jerome Baker leaves practice
Jerome Baker left practice in the middle of the team’s first 11-on-11 session and didn’t return to the field, which indicates last year’s leading tackler likely suffered an undisclosed injury. How long Baker, one of the team’s two every-down linebackers, will be sidelined will be determined by the severity of the injury.
The Dolphins could replace him as the linebacker paired with Kyle Van Voy with Elandon Roberts or Kamu Grugier-Hill.
Raekwon McMillan and Sam Eguavoen are also viable options, but both have been buried on the depth chart. Earlier this week, the Dolphins lost Vince Biegel, a starter in 2019, because of an Achilles injury he suffered in Tuesday’s practice.
Camp Observations
Dolphins receiver Preston Williams was one of
Miami’s top playmakers on Friday, bringing down nearly a dozen difficult passes. Many of them were defended by Byron Jones, the Dolphins’ biggest freeagent addition this offseason …
Raekwon Davis is the most physical defensive tackle the Dolphins have, but Miami’s 2020 secondround pick appeared to give up on plays during the 11-on-11 period…
Myles Gaskin had another strong practice during camp’s first week, consistently making plays as a runner and pass catcher in the red zone portion of practice.
Stock up
Williams looks like he’s close to 100% as can be from a ACL year he sustained last season. Although Tagovailoa and Rosen completed only six passes each, it appeared Williams caught all four of the passes that were thrown his way, snatching the passes away before defenders could even get a hand on them. If Williams can return to form this season, his presence will be invaluable for the Dolphins offense.
Stock down
The Dolphins and Jones agreed to a five-year, $82.5 million deal this offseason, but he has failed to live up to the hype as the team’s highest paid player during the first week of padded practices.
Tagovailoa threw a 25-yard pass downfield to Ford, who beat Jones badly in coverage on the play. Jones has also seen the back of DeVante Parker’s and Williams’ jerseys several times this week. It’s imperative for Jones to rebound quickly and be a standout defender Miami can depend on to lock down top targets with the Dolphins.
Top three performers
— Noah Igbinoghene had an interception and three other pass breakups looking every bit like a first round cornerback. As long as Jones struggles and
Xavien Howard remains out, Igbinoghene may earn significant playing time early this season.
— Cornerback Breon Borders, a former Duke standout who played in Jacksonville last season, picked off Tagovailoa on the first 11-on-11 series of the day, and nearly intercepted him again on a later series.
— Running back Myles Gaskin flashed his speed and potential to get into the second level on several plays during 11-on-11s, but Kalen Ballage scored the only other touchdown on the day (Jakeem Grant caught a pass from Rosen), on a 10-yard run in goal line work.