Miami Dolphins offensive line coach Lemuel Jeanpierre speaks to gamers throughout a follow on the Baptist Well being Miami Dolphins coaching complicated in Miami Gardens, Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021.
A six-pack of notes from the Miami Dolphins on the day the rookies reported to coaching camp:
▪ Tua Tagovailoa has obtained greater than his justifiable share of criticism, and the subsequent 5 months, barring harm, ought to present a definitive reply as as to whether he’s the long-term resolution.
In the meantime, former Patriots Professional Bowl defenseman Willie McGinest referred to as for a ceasefire within the face of criticism of the Dolphins quarterback.
“Lots of quarterbacks get much more string that are not pretty much as good as Tua,” McGinest mentioned on NFL Community. “He can throw the ball down the sphere. I do not assume we have had a good evaluation of what Tua actually is. Give him extra time, like we give all these different quarterbacks. And get off me!
McGinest expects a run-first offense with numerous motion and poor course and simple taking pictures to place Tagovailoa on a roll early in video games.
▪ Two offensive takeaways from the offseason schedule, heading into subsequent week’s camp:
The pace is spectacular (the very best in years right here) and “it is laborious to inform his tendencies,” defensive finish Emmanuel Ogbah mentioned.
However let’s be clear: Line stays the largest query with this staff, notably if Terron Armstead has sturdiness points.
Tagovailoa was beneath fixed stress throughout two of the few offseason practices open to the media.
Remember the fact that Armstead, the centerpiece of the Professional Bowl lineup, was not collaborating as he recovered from a minor knee process; he’s anticipated to be nicely for the season.
However it will be a priority if Larnel Coleman, Greg Little or Kellen Diesch lined up at left sort out in a recreation this season, one thing that is totally potential as a result of Armstead by no means performed a full season and missed 9 video games in 2021.
Connor Williams, a left guard for the Cowboys, must show he can play middle, although he has the talent set to excel there, so long as he would not battle at middle.
“It has been nice,” Williams defensive sort out Raekwon Davis at middle. “It is a truthful match” with those that compete in follow.
By Professional Soccer Focus, Williams allowed the third-lowest quarterback stress price amongst all NFL guards final season at 2.6 p.c, trailing solely Joe Thuney and Kevin Zeitler. He solely allowed one sack.
The Dolphins hope he has comparable success in his transfer to middle.
However a lot is dependent upon whether or not Liam Eichenberg (left guard) and Austin Jackson (proper sort out) make the step from mediocre to no less than respectable, and whether or not Robert Hunt evolves from good to excellent.
Former Dolphins broad receiver OJ McDuffie, co-host of The Fish Tank podcast and the Dolphins postgame radio present, put it to me this manner concerning the offensive line: “I am unable to imagine the fellows we have drafted are so large. unhealthy. All of it comes all the way down to how they’re being skilled. The perfect factor they’ve completed is all of the offensive coaches have offline expertise.”
▪ Hunt, who the Dolphins imagine generally is a nice proper guard, loves the staff’s new wide-zone operating scheme.
“I’ve to run with out the ball,” he mentioned. “I like that. We’re attempting to get all people to defend the entire discipline. Guys simply belief what the coaches are saying and we’re simply operating out of the ball. [the defense] guess and it’s a stunning factor. It is the type of offense I ran in school. I respect him rather a lot. I am lovin ‘it.”
What particularly creates a bonus with the brand new scheme?
“Fast depend,” he mentioned. “The moment depend is a superb benefit. I by no means thought of that till this yr. We all know the moment depend. The protection would not know the play depend. They’re simply sitting there, mouths open, simply respiratory, simply wanting. They do not know what is going on on. We all know, so we lock him up and depart.
New offensive line coach Matt Applebaum has been receiving optimistic critiques, each publicly and privately:
“Matt is a man who actually cares concerning the room,” Hunt mentioned.
Of the brand new offensive teaching employees, Hunt mentioned, “You may inform they wish to educate. We now have excellent academics in our room. [They explain] the ‘why’, why we’re doing every little thing, so it is a ravishing factor.”
He mentioned new coach Mike McDaniel “lights up the room.”
And of recent offensive linemen Armstead and Williams, Hunt mentioned, “You may inform they’re each leaders.”
▪ On the addition of operating backs Raheem Mostert and Chase Edmonds, Hunt mentioned: “I simply mentioned this to Mostert: I mentioned, ‘Rattling, you are in all probability one of many quickest guys I’ve ever seen on a gap.’ I have been watching films, simply because we watch a whole lot of 49ers films proper now, and he is simply “wham.” He will get the ball rolling. Chase Edmonds can be good, actually good.”
▪ Quick stuff: ESPN commentator Mike Tannenbaum, former Dolphins government, mentioned the Dolphins, other than Tagovailoa, have the very best talent place employees within the AFC East … Professional Soccer Focus, counting the highest 50 gamers within the soccer, charges Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard 48, citing 71.3 passer score in his protection space in his profession. Tyreek Hill is prone to be within the high 30, which hasn’t been introduced…
The Dolphins’ two practices earlier than the Week 2 preseason recreation towards the Raiders might be closed to followers, however the two joint practices earlier than the Week 3 preseason recreation towards the Eagles might be open to followers. The primary follow of coaching camp might be July 27, however the first follow open to followers will not be till July 30.
▪ Eichenberg (who has gone from sort out to protect) is not the one participant to alter positions.
Brennan Scarlett mentioned he is working laborious at defensive finish after taking part in linebacker final yr. That added versatility ought to assist his probabilities stick; he’ll compete with Melvin Ingram, amongst others, for snapshots.
This story was initially revealed July 19, 2022 5:16 p.m.
Barry Jackson has written for the Miami Herald since 1986 and has written the Florida Sports activities Buzz column since 2002.