Highlights from final Dolphins offseason practice open to media. And notes on Tua, rookies
A Miami Dolphins six-pack after the final offseason practice open to the media on Tuesday:
▪ The rookies have flashed, but don’t necessarily expect big immediate contributions from a class that didn’t have a first- or second-round pick.
On Tuesday, third-rounder Channing Tindall made a nice play deflecting a pass from Skylar Thompson.
But he was beaten by Salvon Ahmed on a wheel route, on a perfect throw from Tua Tagovailoa. That might have gone for a long touchdown in a real game.
Tindall has a ways to go to beat out Duke Riley for the No. 3 inside linebacker job; Riley has looked very good. Perhaps defensive coordinator Josh Boyer can carve out a package for both players.
Seventh-round edge player Cameron Goode got pressure on the quarterback on at least one play last week, but expectations are modest for seventh-round picks.
Seventh-rounder Thompson shows the skills to be a practice-squad developmental QB but holds onto the ball too long at times.
Fourth-round receiver Erik Ezukamna caught two passes, including a 20-yarder, on Tuesday.
ZaQuandre White has displayed a burst that made it easy to understand why he averaged 6.2 yards per carry (on 102 attempts) for South Carolina in America’s toughest conference (the SEC).
On Tuesday, White nearly fell, kept his balance by placing his hand on the turf and kept running. It’s iffy if any undrafted rookie makes the 53-man roster.
▪ Overall, Tagovailoa has impressed teammates, who see real improvement in arm strength and leadership.
He made one big mistake on Tuesday — an interception that Riley returned 62 yards for a touchdown. That pass — intended for tight end Hunter Long — was his only pick thrown in the five practices open to the media this offseason.
He also displayed perfect touch on that wheel route to Ahmed.
“i just want people to understand I went for 150 with Matt Moore as my QB,” Tyreek Hill told NFL Network this week. “If you don’t remember that game (against Minnesota) 150 and 1 touchdown with Matt More as my QB… And Tua is 10 [times better than] Matt Moore.”
Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater both completed deep passes to veteran receiver Cody Core, but neither play counted because of a penalty on one play and a Sam Eguaoven would-be sack on another.
▪ Core has looked very good, but the numbers are very much against him. Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Cedrick Wilson Jr. and Ezukanma will be on the team, and Lynn Bowden Jr., Preston Williams and Trent Sherfield are the front-runners for two remaining jobs if the Dolphins keep six receivers.
Core has 33 catches for 388 yards in 51 games and seven starts for the Bengals and Giants. River Cracraft — who didn’t catch a pass in six games for the 49ers last season — also has flashed.
▪ The Dolphins’ offense, while obviously improved, remains a work in progress, understandable considering a new system is being installed. The speed is impressive, and “it’s hard to tell their tendencies,” Emmanuel Ogbah said.
But the line remains a question, particularly if Terron Armstead has durability issues.
Tagovailoa was under constant pressure one day last week and under some pressure the following day. He was forced to throw early a couple of times in a short, light session on Tuesday.
Keep in mind that Armstead — the Pro Bowl centerpiece of the line — wasn’t participating as he heals from a minor knee procedure. But it would be a concern if Larnel Coleman, Greg Little or Kellen Diesch lines up at the position in a game next season, something that’s quite possible because Armstead has never played a full season and missed nine games in 2021.
Connor Williams, a left guard for the Cowboys, needs to prove he can play center, though he has the skill set to excel there provided he doesn’t have issues with snapping.
“He’s been great,” defensive tackle Raekwon Davis of Williams at center. “It’s a fair match” with those competing in practice.
But much depends on whether Liam Eichenberg (I expect him to play left guard) and Austin Jackson (I expect him to play right tackle) take the step from poor to at least decent, and whether Hunt evolves from good to very good.
“Terron has helped our young guys,” Hunt said. “He’s been everything we ant to be in life.”
▪ Quick stuff Part 1: Ogbah said the Dolphins’ speed “is kind of similar to Kansas City, but he have way more speed now.”... Everybody loves Mike McDaniel, who is a good combination of likable, approachable but demanding.“We all get Mike,” guard Hunt said. “You can tell he has our back. He’s younger. We can relate to him.”...
Safety Jevon Holland cited this as one area where has improved: “overall development as a professional, conducting myself in a more mature manner.”
▪ Quick stuff Part 2: Edge player Darius Hodge, who played in four games for Cincinnati last season, beat Adam Pankey on a pass rush. Hodge, who faces an uphill climb to make the team, has has had a good offseason...
Edge player Brennan Scarlett batted down a pass from Teddy Bridgewater after producing a sack in an OTA session last week... Receiver DeVonta Dedmon, who had five return TDs in 15 games in the CFL, dropped a punt... Jaylen Waddle dove for a 25-yard reception from Tagovailoa.
Here’s my Tuesday piece with what McDaniel had to say in his final news conference before late July.
