Quarterbacks each have a positive play
Rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa showed his decisiveness as a passer and speed outside the pocket during the third day of padded practices for the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday.
Tagovailoa really showed some zip on a throw that may have been his best pass during 11-on-11 drills this week: A bullet to receiver Kirk Merritt that was on time before two defenders converged midfield.
The highlight came on the final play of his first series of the day, rebounding from a poor start with essentially a “sack” on his very first play by an outside linebacker who entered the backfield as the pocket collapsed.
As that play persisted before a whistle, Tagovailoa quickly escaped the pocket toward the left side and attempted to slide near the sideline. He took a knee instead.
Tagovailoa needs to continue working on his escapes when pockets collapse, but he was decisive, quick and appeared to have no hitch in his movement as a runner — all encouraging signs as he continues to recover from last year’s hip injury.
On the next play, Tagovailoa threw a completion to receiver Ricardo Louis on an out toward the right side.
During Tagovailoa’s second series, he threw two completions to Patrick Laird, including one on a nice underneath route ran by the second-year running back.
Fitz has some magic
Ryan Fitzpatrick, the 16-year veteran and expected starting quarterback, didn’t have a spectacular day but did have two highlight throws.
One was to tight end Mike Gesicki, who caught a nice pass over safety/linebacker Clayton
Fejedem. Gesicki may have pushed off, but created separation needed to make the play.
Fitzpatrick also threw a nice pass in a tight window to receiver Preston Williams, who beat rookie cornerback Noah Igbinoghene in coverage with safety Bobby McCain converging on the play.
Rosen rebounds
As for Josh Rosen, the Dolphins’ third-year quarterback did find himself in a similar situation he has throughout his career.
Rosen held onto the football too long on two straight plays during the first batch of 11-on-11 plays. He tried to force a deep pass to Laird, while he was unable to find any open targets on the second play.
Rosen fared better with a quick out than dropping back and having time on his side.
Rosen did improve in his second series, taking a poor snap from second-year offensive lineman Michael Deiter and throwing completion
Chester Rogers.
After Rosen’s time on the field, Tagovailoa and Rosen shared conversations on what they saw on the field.
ato receiver
A friendly throwing contest
All three Dolphins quarterbacks seemed to play a little game together after Wednesday’s practice, trying their best to throw a 40-yard pass into a throwing net near the corner of the end zone.
The results: Rosen lifted his arms up in the air, perhaps indicating a victory. Rosen was able to throw three footballs through the net, while Tagovailoa threw one football through and Fitzpatrick was on target but unable to get it through. Tagovailoa also had one throw that hit the outside rim of the net and dropped short.
All of the quarterbacks were able to throw close and within the general direction of the throwing net in what appeared as a friendly competition between teammates.
Dolphins getting their fins wet
The Dolphins experimented with some lineup changes that allowed three rookies to get some significant repetitions during practice.
Defensive tackle Raekwon Davis (second-round pick), offensive lineman Robert Hunt (second round) and safety Brandon Jones (third round) were rotated into the mix at their respective positions. The Dolphins also appeared to have 2019 first-round defensive tackle Christian Wilkins in a specific defensive packages that may best suit his skill set.
A pause in play
Coach Brian Flores appeared to have paused practice for a short period to address his team after a series of special teams plays.
It’s unclear what Flores may have implored to his players, but his strong feelings about special teams plays have been conveyed many times before during his tenure as Dolphins coach.
The Dolphins proceeded to begin walkthrough offense/defense plays after the talk with Flores, then ended the practice.
Other notes
— Wilkins and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, two potential team leaders for the Dolphins this season, had a talk/ practice breakdown huddle with fellow players on the defensive line that was separate from the team’s breakdown after practice.
— After two fumbles between them Tuesday, Tagovailoa and Deiter worked on their quarterback-center exchanges early during practice.
Deiter, a 2019 third-round pick, is still getting acclimated to his new role after starting 15 games at left guard as a rookie last season.
— Williams, who Flores says is having his practice load managed, returned to practice Wednesday. He was held out on Tuesday. Williams, who tore his ACL on a punt return against the Jets last season, also did not appear to handle punt returns on Wednesday. He did, however, on Monday.
— Linebacker Sam Eguaoven, who had 22 tackles and 3.5 sacks in all 16 games last season, did not practice. After practice, he was placed on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list.
Stock Up
Gesicki delivered an amazing catch over Fejedelem, who was draped all over the tight end. Fitzpatrick threaded the needle on the pass and Gesicki went in the air to bring down the 20-yard catch. Gesicki typically struggles getting off the line of scrimmage quickly but that wasn’t an issue on this play, which was clearly designed for him.
Stock down
Nik Needham, an undrafted rookie who started 11 games last season, appears to be an afterthought in the Dolphins defense. He’s seemingly behind Igbinoghene and Jamal Perry in the pecking order of cornerbacks vying for prominent roles. At this point its too early to say Igbinoghene has locked up anything, but Needham’s coverage needs to improve if he’s going to give the Dolphins’ 2020 firstround pick and Perry, who handled Miami’s nickel role last season, a legitimate battle.