Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
McDaniel talks Tua helmet cam in OTAs, Jones money
MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s new camera on his helmet for organized team activities has caught observers’ attention, but coach Mike McDaniel said it’s nothing special.
“That’s a tool that has been around in the league in different avenues, in different organizations,” he said. “For us, it’s multi-faceted.”
McDaniel noted that one of the top benefits of it is its auditory capabilities, allowing coaches to listen to play calls and the huddle in practice. Coaches also now have the obvious advantage of viewing practice from the quarterback’s sightline to see reads and progressions in the passing game.
“Preparation is the best thing that you can do for all players, in regards to executing your job,” McDaniel said.
He said it doesn’t offer much help from a medical standpoint in preventing concussions or anticipating head positioning that could leave Tagovailoa, who had two documented concussions in the 2022 season, vulnerable.
Among other topics McDaniel addressed, the Dolphins are about to run into $13.6 million in salary cap relief due to the release of cornerback Byron Jones, with a post-June 1 designation.
“We typically do everything we can to have the best team possible within the guidelines of the salary cap,” McDaniel said of the added flexibility.
“Not sure where, but I feel confident to say we’ll make good use of that salary cap room when the regular season comes.”
While left tackle Terron Armstead has not been present at OTAs, McDaniel declined to say whether Armstead had surgery on his foot.
“He’s been having a good offseason,” McDaniel offered on Armstead. “I have no reservations about where he’s at.”
He said Armstead has been watching practice and talking with the team.
McDaniel said “there’s a lot of competition” for receiving opportunities vacated by Mike Gesicki — not just from tight ends, but across the board from offensive skill positions.
The Dolphins will have joint practices in Houston with the Texans on Aug. 16 and 17 ahead of their Aug. 19 preseason game, and after they do the same the week before, hosting the Atlanta Falcons.
McDaniel said he’s “pumped” about joint practices with Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, whom he coached alongside of as assistants on the San Francisco 49ers staff.
“That’s a young, hungry team that will afford us the opportunity to get better in training camp,” McDaniel said of the Texans.
On rookies Cam Smith and De’Von Achane, McDaniel said: “I think both of them have done exactly what’s been asked of them to this juncture. … I can tell they’re starting to become one of the guys. They’re swimming at this stage.”
He described the cornerback and running back as “guys that have a deep-down self-confidence that the minor hiccups in the short term aren’t really affecting them.”
Practice observations
Tagovailoa’s highlight throw of the day’s drills was a deep ball over the middle for 50 yards to newly acquired 6-foot-3 wideout Robbie Chosen, who went up to catch the ball over a defender. …
Tagovailoa’s first 11-on-11 snap saw him connect with receiver Jaylen Waddle crossing on an intermediate route over the middle. Waddle had to leap for the pass but came down with it. …
Backup QB Skylar Thompson threw about a 45-yard pass to the sideline in front of the pylon to second-year wideout Braylon Sanders that had perfect placement. …
Thompson also hit the speedy Achane deep on a wheel route where the rookie outran linebacker Jerome Baker, but rookie edge rusher Mitchell Agude could’ve been credited with a sack. Agude had at least one other sack Wednesday. …
Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene intercepted Miami’s fourth quarterback, undrafted rookie James Blackman, toward the end of practice. …
Cornerback Justin Bethel had a sack, edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and defensive tackle Raekwon Davis combined for another one on Tagovailoa. Davis had one on his own where play was stopped. …
Smith had an impressive breakup defending Chosen on a pass thrown by backup QB Mike White. White connected with wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. on a decent intermediate throw to the sideline. …
Second-year cornerback Kader Kohou was on blanket coverage against Sanders one play where Tagovailoa threw incomplete. …
Jeff Wilson Jr. broke through for a sizable gain up the middle on the top running play Wednesday. Shortly thereafter, he caught a pass on the right side after Tagovailoa went through a progression through the left side of the route tree. …
Dolphins fullback Alec Ingold was wearing the orange jersey at Wednesday’s session as the previous practice’s player of the day. Safety Jevon Holland wore orange on Tuesday. …
Dolphins players not seen participating Wednesday included receiver Tyreek Hill, offensive linemen Armstead, Connor Williams and Robert Jones, defensive tackle Zach Sieler, linebackers Cameron Goode and Channing Tindall and defensive backs Jalen Ramsey, Xavien Howard, Trill Williams, Brandon Jones and Nik Needham. Inside linebacker David Long Jr. was also only seen working on the side.