Extended stay on trip gives team time to bond
‘Great opportunity for us,’ Suh says of week together.
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The Dolphins love is growing.
For a team that rarely spends more than one night on the road at a time, they’re getting a crash course in each other on this trip to Spartanburg, S.C.
They arrived Tuesday, practiced against the Panthers on Wednesday and Thursday and will remain in Spartanburg until their preseason game in Charlotte on Saturday night.
“It’s a great opportunity for us,” defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh said. “Obviously, it’s not ideal we can’t go back to our own homes, but it’s good for us to come together in the hotel, love each other, hate each other, love each other all the time for 48 hours straight. Really, more than that, knowing we have another day tomorrow and then a game and then we’re back home on Saturday night.”
Coach Joe Philbin sur- prised the players on Thursday by canceling their afternoon walkthrough and bringing them to a screening of “Straight Outta Compton,” the film about N.W.A.’s rise to rap stardom.
But the trip was more than just about team bonding. Players said it was beneficial practicing against another NFL team for two days.
“It was really good, especially getting away from that Miami heat. You could breathe out here more,” linebacker Chris McCain said. “I felt it was very productive for us and we accomplished a lot. We saw a lot. Their offense doesn’t move as much as our offense, so it was kind of a little bit slower, and not too bad to see formations and what to expect.”
Suh called it “a great measuring stick.”
“We have a lot of film to watch, but I think we did a pretty good job for the most, at least the defensive line,” he said. “We were resetting the line of scrimmage in their backfield in a handful of plays. I’m excited about it. We have a lot of growth at the end of the day to continue to come together and jell as a group.”
Guards in flux: The Dolphins still haven’t figured out their guard situation.
While it appears that Dallas Thomas has a strong hold on the left guard spot, right guard is less clear. Second-year lineman Billy Turner was expected to start there, but he has been hot and cold in camp.
On Thursday, rookie Jamil Douglas — who has limited experience on the right side — was with the first-team at right guard.
“I thought probably Dallas had the best day yesterday of the three,” Philbin said. “Again, it’s a fluid situation, so it could change.”
Injury updates: Linebacker Koa Misi continued to miss practice with a calf injury.
Receiver Greg Jennings was out with an elbow injury, but it was likely for rest.
Defensive end Olivier Vernon was limited in practice. Philbin said it was a minor medical issue.