Kelly: What we’ve learned about Dolphins from training camp’s first two weeks

A football team is assembled in the offseason when players are signed or drafted.

But squads are forged into a collection of men hunting the same goals in training camp, a daily grind that enables a team to establish roles and create an identity.

The Miami Dolphins have had a productive two weeks of training camp thus far and head into a pair of joint practices with the Atlanta Falcons, which will lead up to Friday night’s exhibition game.

Plenty must still be done before the Sept. 8 regular season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but here’s what we know about the 2024 Dolphins thus far.

Tua Tagovailoa continues to develop his game

Tagovailoa worked on his throwing mechanics with the hope it would put a little more zip on his passes, and he lost roughly 10 pounds by cutting out sugar from his diet with the goal of extending more plays with his legs. At this point it’s too early to tell if either change will help him take his game to the next level. But the commitment to being the best version of himself is evident, and admirable.

Aged veterans are being paced

According to numerous veterans who have history with the Mike Shanahan coaching tree, Mike McDaniel’s mentor was one of the first advocates for not putting unnecessary mileage on mature veteran’s bodies. That approach explains why 30-year-old’s are on what seems to be a work every other day program. The goal is to ensure that Miami’s top players - Calais Campbell, Jordan Poyer, Terron Armstead, Raheem Mostert, etc. - are healthy when the games matter most.

Camp’s Biggest Surprises Shine

Quinton Bell has been one of training camp’s biggest surprises. This former Prairie View A&M receiver, who switched to pass rusher in his final collegiate season, has been impactful just about every day of camp, consistently setting the edge and harassing quarterbacks. If Bell keeps this up the 2023 member of Miami’s practice squad will easily inherit a starting role in September. At the moment, he’s been the most consistent, and reliable edge player.

Leadership is stepping to the forefront

Jalen Ramsey delivered a 10 minute speech at the conclusion of a lackluster practice that he hopes will set the tone for what Miami wants to be, which is a bully in 2024. Tagovailoa talks about holding players accountable, and kicking them out of the huddle. Tyreek Hill has been chastising his young receivers for not making more of an effort to learn from him, Jaylen Waddle and Odell Beckham Jr. It’s important for prominent players to welcome leadership roles, and it appears Miami’s influencers are doing so.

Offensive line remains unsettled

It would be irresponsible to evaluate the offensive line without Terron Armstead and Isaiah Wynn on it, but based on their injury history it’s logical to expect each of those veterans to miss at least a month each this season. That means Kendall Lamm, Patrick Paul and Robert Jones need to step up and become more consistent. At this point Liam Eichenberg seems to have the edge on the starting right guard spot, but has he won the job, or did he gain it because of his status as an early 2021 draft pick?

Patrick Paul is working to refine his game

The length is unrivaled. As if Paul’s 6-foot-7, 332 pound frame wasn’t impressive enough, the fact he has the wingspan that features 36 and a quarter inch arms makes him a difficult player to get around. But Paul needs to master his hand use, and hand placement to get better. Still, it’s clear that Miami’s investing in his upside.

Young receivers need to step up

The Dolphins have a dangerous duo in Hill and Jaylen Waddle, but the rest of the receiver unit hasn’t exactly lived up to the hype they came to camp with. Odell Beckham Jr. is nursing an undisclosed injury and hasn’t participated in a single practice yet. And Erik Ezukanma is once again slowed by an injury. Nobody is seizing the opportunity, stepping forward to claim a prominent role. If there was a time for Braxton Berrios and River Cracraft to carve out a prominent role in this offense it’s now.

Chop Robinson’s first step is dangerous

Robinson has a first step that rivals anyone’s get off in the NFL. His ability to time the snap and shoot the gap can make up a dangerous pass rusher. But he’ll need to master the edge setting aspect of his job to gain a starting role in Miami’s defense. For now, expect Emmanuel Ogbah and Bell to handle the early down edge roles until Jaelan Phillip and Bradley Chubb are cleared to practice and play in games. But expect Robinson on the field for third downs and other obvious passing situations.

D-line remains unsettled

The auditions to determine who becomes Zach Sieler’s running mate on Miami’s defensive line hasn’t been as revealing as Miami’s coaches had hoped. Calais Campbell practices every other day to preserve his 37-year-old body. Teair Tart flashes on occasion, but doesn’t show up every day even though his body is physically present. And Miami’s still waiting for Da’Shawn Hand, Neville Gallimore or Jonathan Harris to produce more impactful plays. Joint practices and the exhibition season will tell us more, but so far Miami’s defensive front seemingly need reinforcements.

Third and short remains a concern

Miami generally shied away from running the ball on third and short situations because they had more trust in the receivers delivering the conversions. The Dolphins need to master being able to convert short yardage situations by running up the gut of defenses. Whether it’s by utilizing fullback Alec Ingold more, or by empowering Jeff Wilson or Chris Brooks to gain those tough, physical yards, the Dolphins need a better plan.