Mixed early results

Tannehill solid; 1st-team defense gives up TD

MIAMI GARDENS — When Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill threw low and behind running back Kalen Ballage on third down from the Tampa Bay 35-yard line it highThe lighted an area of the game where Tannehill and this offense must improve — closing the deal.

Sure, Miami’s first-team offense, which was on the field for one series (11 plays total), did well in spots in Thursday’s 26-24 loss to the Buccaneers in the preseason opener.

On the very first play Tannehill, playing his first game at Hard Rock Stadium since sustaining a knee injury in December 2016, threw to wide receiver Kenny Stills for a 15-yard gain. Then it was Tannehill to running back Kenyan Drake over the middle for 7 yards, and Tannehill to Stills for 7 yards to the Tampa Bay 48-yard line.

“Overall, the protection was awesome,” coach Adam Gase said at halftime. “[Tannehill] was back there peeling an orange.”

But then came a holding penalty on right tackle Ja’Wuan James. Miami overcame that, converting a fourth-and-1 at the Buccaneers’ 39 on a 2-yard run by Drake in the process.

drive eventually stalled and rookie kicker Jason Sanders, the 2018 seventh-round pick from New Mexico, missed wide left on a 53-yard field goal attempt.

“The first group, it was fun calling plays,” Gase said. “They were moving well. I felt like we had a shot there on that third down. We had good protection, we just didn’t convert, and then we miss the field goal.”

Defensively, results were also mixed as the starters played two possessions, allowing a touchdown and forcing a punt.

Regardless, on a night in Stills and fellow wide receiver Albert Wilson kneeled during the national anthem, and defensive end Robert Quinn raised his right fist during the anthem, there were players and situations that provided optimism.

Tannehill ended 4-of-6 passing for 32 yards. His left knee, which has sustained two injuries that have kept him out of the last 20 games, wasn’t an issue, which has been the case throughout training camp.

Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, this year’s firstround pick from Alabama, started in place of Reshad Jones, who got a night of rest, and showed a knack for aggression by delivering a couple of hits, one on wide receiver Chris Godwin.

Tight end Mike Gesicki, the 2018 second-round pick who has displayed exciting receiving skills in the red zone, almost came down with what would have been a spectacular touchdown reception on a pass from quarterback David Fales.

Middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan, the 2017 second-round pick, didn’t turn heads but seemed fairly solid in his first extended action. McMillan sustained a season-ending knee injury in last year’s preseason opener.

Rookie running back Kalen Ballage, the fourthround pick from Arizona State, had nine carries for 37 yards and three receptions for 23 yards in the first half. But he also lost a fumble.

The most encouraging aspect of the night, however, was Tannehill.

On that first play from scrimmage he sprinted right, showing no ill effects from the brace on his left knee, which has been the case throughout training camp.

The bottom line though was the first-team offense didn’t score, and didn’t even get into the red zone (the area inside the opponent’s 20-yard line).

JIM RASSOL/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Rookie running back Kalen Ballage had nine carries for 27 yards and three catches for 23 yards on Thursday night for the Dolphins.