Category: Dolphins Training Camp

Bucs CB Carlton Davis pays respect to Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle

He said they’re unlike other wideouts in the league.

The Miami Dolphins finished up their first joint practice of the 2022 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wednesday afternoon, and both teams flashed at points.

For Miami, one of the most interesting aspects of the session was seeing whether or not their offense could put the pressure on defenses as they had done for periods against their own defense.

With the addition of Tyreek Hill, the Dolphins’ receivers are expected to be much better this year, and after the first practice, Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis spoke about how hard it is to cover both Hill and his teammate, Jaylen Waddle.

“[Hill’s] a different kind of receiver all-around,” Davis said. “He brings something to the game that no other receiver does, so just to be able to go up against him in practice, especially early on in camp just helps you fine-tune your skills and your technique. He was really good today. I’m excited to go back up against him tomorrow, him and Waddle. They’re just two fast, twitchy guys that you just gotta love and embrace going against them because there’s no other receivers in the league that can do what they do.”

Entering his fourth season in the NFL, Davis has gone up against some of the best that the league has to offer, and in his mind, Hill and Waddle can be found on that list.

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Notes from Day 1 of Dolphins-Buccaneers joint practices

Finally, competition against another team.

The Miami Dolphins are participating in joint practices with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the AdventHealth Training Center this week after heading down on Monday and doing some team bonding.

The two teams will face each other on Saturday for a preseason matchup that will not feature quarterback Tom Brady, so this will be a great opportunity for Miami to see how their team stacks up against some of the top competition in the NFL.

Here’s what we learned from the first day of joint practices with the Buccaneers.

Mike McDaniel: Tom Brady tampering doesn’t impact joint practices

Miami recently lost picks for tampering with the Buccaneers quarterback.

This week, the Miami Dolphins are participating in joint practices with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the AdventHealth Training Center before meeting for a Saturday night preseason matchup.

New head coach Mike McDaniel’s defense will face off against arguably the greatest quarterback of all time in Tom Brady to test the group for the first time without Brian Flores.

Brady has been one of the main topics of discussion in South Florida this offseason due to the NFL’s recent findings that the Dolphins had tampered with the quarterback during his time with the Buccaneers and the New England Patriots.

Despite all of this talk, McDaniel says that Brady being on the field won’t be a distraction to him or his team.

“For me, nothing happened,” McDaniel said. “Everyone else is the one making it awkward. It doesn’t occupy a single iota of space with anybody. It’s hard enough to be good in this league. As the Miami Dolphins, all of our energy is very coordinated and only has to do with us getting better. Everything else would be an opportunity cost that we’re not willing to expend.”

The focus is on seeing what this team can do against another team for the first time. This is the first real test for McDaniel, and he’s not going to let the aura of Brady or the penalties levied against his organization hinder their process.

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Dolphins defense primed for big 2022 as team heads to Tampa Bay

Notes and reminders regarding Josh Boyer’s unit.

The Miami Dolphins will kick off their preseason on Saturday, Aug. 13 in Tampa Bay against the Buccaneers. Miami’s new coach Mike McDaniel and his Dolphins traveled to Tampa early for what will be a series of joint practices leading into Saturday night’s preseason opener.

While this is McDaniel’s first season as a head coach, he has 16 years of NFL coaching experience, and since his first appearance in Miami has stated his version of the Dolphins will be “all about passion and energy.”

McDaniel is known for his offensive wizardry and schemes, as he coached the 2021 San Francisco 49ers offense to be the seventh-ranked unit in the NFL, averaging 375.7 yards per game. When McDaniel was brought on board back in February, he stated to the media, “You should be able to turn on the TV and know who the team is, even if the color is distorted, by the energy that they play with, by how they bond together.”

2022 will mark the 11th season the Dolphins begin with a new head coach. On four occasions, a first-year head coach led the Dolphins to the playoffs – Don Shula in 1970, Dave Wannstedt in 2000, Tony Sparano in 2008 and Adam Gase in 2016.

Helping McDaniel will be a Dolphins’ defense that returns 95% of their 2021 unit, a group that finished fifth in the NFL in sacks with 48. Despite a rough start to the season, the second half showed this defense’s potential, as in the final nine games, Miami ranked second in scoring defense, giving up just 15.6 points per game.

Additionally, during that span, they ranked third in total defense, allowing just 275.9 yards per game, fourth in passing defense, giving up 171.3 passing yards per game and 10th in rushing defense, where they allowed only 104.6 rushing yards per contest.

13 Dolphins defensive players started at least five games for Miami in 2021, and each of those core pieces is back for coordinator Josh Boyer’s crew. Boyer, who was an apprentice to Brian Flores and his defensive scheming and has stayed on with McDaniel. With Flores fired following the 2021 season, the blueprints were left for Boyer, and clearly, his manpower remains virtually unchanged.

To add to this impressive continuity, all 11 defensive players that Miami started during last season’s Week 18 win against the New England Patriots were under the age of 30, and eight of those 11 were drafted by the Dolphins. More so, Boyer will have several defensive coaching lieutenants return. Defensive line coach Austin Clark, linebackers coach Anthony Campanile and safeties coach Steve Gregory all return to Boyer’s and McDaniel’s defensive staff.

A major returning player is, of course, defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah, who has led the Dolphins in sacks the past two seasons. Not only has he gotten to the passer, but he’s also set a mark of excellence in the passes defended category. His 12 batted passes were the highest in the NFL in 2021 and most by a defensive lineman in a single season since 2016. In total since 2016, Ogbah ranks second in the category among defensive linemen, behind only Carlos Dunlap.

Remarkably, Ogbah had a streak of seven straight games with a batted pass, which, according to FOX,  is the longest streak by an NFL defensive lineman in more than 20 seasons.

On the other side of the pass-rush, second-year rising star Jaelan Phillips looks to build off his 8.5 sacks, which was a Dolphins rookie record. Phillips had a stretch in 2021 where he became the first NFL rookie since Julius Peppers in 2002 to record at least six sacks in a three-game span. Phillips ranked behind only Micah Parsons last season in sacks, as the Dallas Cowboy recorded 13.

Andrew Van Ginkel, who finished with four sacks in 2021, actually was among the league leaders in quarterback knockdowns, ranking eighth, and set his teammates up on blitzes, finishing second in the league. Van Ginkel was sent on 115 blitzes last season, behind only Tampa Bay’s Devin White. In an interesting statistical trend, in Van Ginkel’s top seven games in terms of the amount the Dolphins sent him on a blitz, Miami was 7-0.

The Dolphins also add veteran pass-rusher Melvin Ingram, who spent 2021 in Pittsburgh as well as Kansas City. While the best years from his San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers days could be behind him, he’s just a few seasons removed from a Pro Bowl appearance (2019) which capped a three-year run of earning that honor. He brings 51 career sacks to a fearsome Miami front line, which also includes Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler.

Wilkins had a tremendous 2021, leading defensive linemen with 89 tackles, a mark he tied with Steelers’ All-Pro Cameron Heyward. That mark was actually the most by a defensive lineman since 2013, and it was the most tackles by a Dolphin at the position since Jeff Cross recorded 93 in 1993.

Jerome Baker and Elandon Roberts will man the inside of the Dolphins’ linebacking corps, giving Miami a formidable front-seven rotation mixed with young talent and veterans nearing or in their prime.

Speaking of prime, it’s arguable that Xavien Howard is one of, if not the best cover cornerbacks in the NFL. Since being selected by Miami in the second round of the 2016 draft, Howard leads the league with 27 interceptions, despite missing a total of 25 games due to injury in that span.

Opposite Xavien Howard long-term this season is PUP-listed Byron Jones. When healthy, he pairs with Howard to form perhaps the league’s top cornerback duo. Listed as cornerback two on this week’s initial depth chart is Nik Needham, who will return to his natural boundary corner position in Jones’ absence. Needham shifted to slot cornerback last season and adjusted into one of the league’s rising lock-down slot corners. According to PFF, Needham’s 272 slot coverage snaps in 2021, all without allowing a TD, were the most among all cornerbacks.

Rounding out the secondary, and defense as a whole, are the young safety duo of Brandon Jones and Jevon Holland. Miami selected Jones in the third round, 70th overall, of the 2020 draft and Holland in the second round, 36th overall, in 2021’s selection process. They started 11 games together last year, and Jones led all NFL defensive backs with five sacks. Holland was among just five safeties who graded at 75 or better in both passing and running plays last season, according to PFF.

Holland finished 2021 with 68 tackles, ninth among NFL rookies, and his 10 passes defensed were tied for fourth. He was the only AFC player with multiple sacks, interceptions and fumble recoveries last year.

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What we learned from release of Dolphins’ 2022 depth chart

The return roles are certainly interesting.

The Miami Dolphins are set to play their first preseason game of the 2022 NFL season this week, as they travel to Tampa Bay for joint practices and a Saturday matchup with the Buccaneers.

Training camp has gone well for Miami, with some of their more important players showing that they’re making improvements and continuing to grow in their careers. However, there are still some obvious things to be concerned about.

On Monday, the Dolphins released their depth chart for joint practices and their game later in the week. Here are some interesting nuggets that we learned from the depth chart.

Dolphins excite season ticket holders Sunday on Member Day

Some fan reaction to the thrilling practice.

The Miami Dolphins hosted a packed house of season ticket holders on Sunday for an open practice at Baptist Health Training Facility. Not only was the crowd entertained with on-field action, but following practice, there was plenty of interaction and autograph opportunities for the faithful fans.

There has been hype before for the Dolphins heading into a season, but it’s arguable that there’s never been a summer atmosphere like recently displayed in South Florida.

They’re loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, and expectations have never been higher.

The Dolphins prepare for joint practices this week, as they head to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers. The teams will face off on Saturday to kick off their preseason schedules.

However, before we look ahead, let’s look back at what the fans who had an opportunity to witness practice took to Twitter to document, during what seemed to be a great day in Miami fandom.

Dolphins’ Sam Eguavoen says he thrives with his back against the wall

There’s a lot of competition at his position.

This offseason, the Miami Dolphins were set to have nearly all of their linebackers hitting free agency, but they decided to bring most of the group back on one-year deals.

That group includes Sam Eguavoen, who has been with Miami since 2019 after three seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL. Entering his fourth season with the Dolphins and his first under new head coach Mike McDaniel, he’ll have to prove that he’s deserving of not only a spot on the roster but playing time once the season starts.

After Sunday’s training camp session, Eguavoen was asked about dealing with competition, and he explained that it’s something he’s used to.

“Always competition,” Eguavoen said. “That’s just how I grew up. I was competing with my brother, and now I’m competing with my brothers in here. I embrace competition. I hype up the guys in front of me, I hype up the guys behind me, but I’m always comfortable. I’m always comfortable with my back against the wall. I get nervous when it isn’t against the wall. Just like you’re going to a bar, you always get to the back wall so you can see everything. So, I’m comfortable and I embrace competition.”

The former Red Raider said that he’s been working a lot at inside linebacker, a position that currently boasts Elandon Roberts, Duke Riley, Jerome Baker and rookie Channing Tindall. While there may be more results and promise with some of the guys around him, Eguavoen is still going to hit the competition with the same ferocity.

“I mean, it’s always the same thing,” he said. “That’s just the NFL. It’s a mindset thing, whether– even if I’m Tindall and I’m (drafted in the) third round or I got drafted first round. You have to have the mindset of my back is against the wall. I don’t care if I may be favored or anything like that because the goal is to stay in the league for a long time, and if you don’t have that mindset of ‘(competition (means) somebody is coming for your job,’ you’re not going to last. So I don’t look at the draft (and say), ‘Oh dang, they drafted a linebacker.’ At the end of the day, I have to do my best. I have to put my best foot forward and whatever happens, happens, and I’m OK with that.”

With his versatility and experience, Eguavoen has as good of a shot as any to make it through the final cuts.

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Dolphins work out three centers on Sunday

Some potential depth options for Miami.

It’s been widely known that Connor Williams is planning to be the starting center for the Miami Dolphins when the regular season starts, but at this point, there’s not much behind him.

Last year’s starting center, Michael Deiter, is dealing with a foot injury that’s kept him out of practice, leaving Cole Banwart and Adam Pankey as the only players taking reps behind Williams in the middle.

On Sunday, the Dolphins worked out three centers – Cohl Cabral, Jake Lacina and Cole Toner, according to the NFL’s transaction wire. This follows a practice in which Pankey had a few poor snaps and while Williams has been struggling that department as well, they can’t have multiple players failing to get the ball to the quarterback.

Cabral was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 and has bounced around to the Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints since then. He has yet to play in a regular season game.

Lacina spent the spring in the USFL, playing for the New Jersey Generals. He was part of an offensive line that helped gain the most yards on the ground per game (160.6) in the league. In the NFL, Lacina was once on the Vikings, but he’s never played in a game.

Toner may be the most familiar name of the group, considering he was a fifth-round selection back in 2016 out of Harvard. Originally selected by the Arizona Cardinals, Toner spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots during his first two seasons before finding a landing spot with the Los Angeles Chargers for three years. He spent last season with the Houston Texans and has played in 13 NFL games, starting three of them.

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Notes from Day 10 of Dolphins training camp

One more public day before joint practices.

The Miami Dolphins took the field on Sunday for their last public practice at Baptist Health Training Complex for a while, as this upcoming week will consist of private sessions and joint practices with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Sunday’s practice was led off by undrafted rookie linebacker Deandre Johnson hyping up the fans in attendance with Dolphins mascot T.D. Fans were lucky to see another exciting day from Mike McDaniel’s team.

Here’s what we learned from Miami’s tenth day of training camp.

Jaylen Waddle shares what it’s like learning from Wes Welker

The coach has learned a lot from Mike McDaniel.

When the Miami Dolphins hired Mike McDaniel to be their new head coach this offseason, it wasn’t just the former offensive coordinator who made the trip from San Francisco to South Florida.

McDaniel was joined by Jon Embree and Wes Welker, two assistant coaches who could really help Miami’s offense. While Embree has been coaching since the early 1990s, Welker only retired from playing just a few years back and is fairly new to the profession.

It was actually Miami where Welker started to showcase his skills as a receiver and returner from 2004-06 before he was traded to the New England Patriots.

Now, instead of making plays on the field, he’s in charge of a young, talented wide receiver room that boasts the likes of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle as the top two players on the depth chart.

Waddle spoke about learning from Welker after practice on Friday, and it’s clear the former Dolphin has the respect of his guys.

“It’s a different approach because he actually played and he had success in this league,” Waddle said. “You really take into consideration what he’s telling you because he did it before. It just makes it hit home a little better.

“I think he’s just himself. Out here and in meetings, he’s himself. He’s not going to sugarcoat nothing. He’s going to tell you if that was a bad play, that’s a bad play. That’s all you can ask for from a coach, honestly, is to give his true opinion.”

This is Welker’s sixth season as a coach in the NFL and his fourth working with McDaniel. That relationship has blossomed, and the head coach has taught him a few things about how to get the receivers prepared, including how to cut impactful coaching tape.

Waddle says the tape that Welker shows can really help a player, especially if reps aren’t perfect.

“It’s good,” Waddle said. “It makes it full circle, especially if you mess up and he shows you a play that you get the same look from the defense – kind of how it’s supposed to be. So he paints that picture in your mind so the next time you go out there, what to expect and how you’re going to treat it.”

While it’s only been seven seasons since Welker last played in an NFL game, he’s quickly catching on and becoming a respected positional coach in the league. Helping Waddle continue to grow and a guy like Erik Ezukanma, a former Red Raider like Welker, get adjusted to the league can only be beneficial for the young coach in the early stages of this new career.

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