Ollie Gordon II learned to pick up blitzers during his first NFL preseason, stepping up to twice block Jacksonville blitzers and help quarterback Tua Tagovailoa complete passes. Rookies face accelerated speed and increased physicality while continuing to learn routine details and stadium navigation. The recent Dolphins rookie class bonded closely, dressing together behind a concrete pillar and accepting two to a locker. Seventh-round defensive tackle Zeek Biggers said he was 'just happy to be here.' Miami plans to rely heavily on rookies, with as many as four possible starters and seven expected contributors due to summer development and roster needs.
MIAMI GARDENS - One of the many things Ollie Gordon II learned during his first NFL preseason came in the immediate aftermath of Saturday night's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Miami Dolphins rookie had spent weeks digesting what rookies must every year, from the game's accelerated speed to the increased physicality to ... "Picking up blitzers," the sixth-round running back said. He stepped up nicely to twice block Jacksonville blitzers in Miami's final preseason game and allowed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to complete passes. "That's something I focused on," he said.
But the learning never stops for a rookie as he realized coming off the field and walking down the Hard Rock Stadium tunnel with teammates celebrating the night's win. He turned left down a hallway and ... "Hey," a few teammates called. Gordon turned. "We go this way," he was told, the teammates pointing to another hallway. Everything is new for these rookies. That's the annual part. It's also the hopeful part this August for a rookie class being heavily counted on.
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