Miami Dolphins defense dominates in final OTA week
The Miami Dolphins offense took a massive step forward during last week’s mandatory minicamp, but were seemingly given a reality check during Tuesday’s OTA practice, which features two situational periods for each unit.
During the 11-on-11 work done for most of Tuesday’s practice the first team offense struggled massively.
Chop Robinson opened the first drive by beating Kion Smith for a sack of Malik Willis, putting Willis’ unit behind in down-and-distance situation.
Robinson has owned Smith all training camp, indicating the 2024 first-round pick has improved, over the Dolphins need to find a better backup offensive tackle.
Rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez punched out a possible catch to Terrace Marshall Jr. that was recovered by linebacker Ronnie Harrison Jr..
Jalen Tolbert pulled in a low pass from Willis, preventing it from hitting the ground, but safety Dante Trader Jr. forced a would-be fumble, or an incompletion by punching out the ball.
And during the situational period, which put the Dolphins on the 37-yard line with 1:10 left on the clock, Willis’ second pass was picked off by safety Lonnie Johnson, who stepped in front of a throw intended for tight end Ben Sims and returned it for a pick-six.
Willis’ second and final situational period wasn’t much better, especially after an incompletion was followed by linebacker Jordyn Brooks delivered a sack that resulted in a 5-yard loss.
On third-and-15 from the 29-yard line Willis completed a 9-yard pass to rookie receiver Kevin Coleman Jr., but the play left Miami 6-yards shy of the first down, which meant the Dolphins would have attempted a field goal if it were a real game.
But the offense didn’t struggle the entire practice. Quinn Ewers remained sharp, making quick decisions on aggressive throws.
Ewers completed a 30 yard pass to rookie tailback Donovan Edwards that had the possibility of producing a score with better blocking.
Willis also completed a 27-yard reception to Washington, which featured a tight window throw. A number of Willis’ throws under pressure were thrown with a sidearm angle, which seems to be the norm for free agent addition the Dolphins signed this spring.
Ewers was sacked by rookie edge rusher Mason Reiger on his final play of a situational period, but on that drive he threw an impressive out to Tutu Atwell, who tip toed the sideline to bring in the catch with cornerback Marco Wilson in tight coverage.
Overall, the defense, which is typically ahead of the offense at this point in the offseason work, won the day because of the pressure they created, and the turnovers they recovered.
