#miami-dolphins

#miami-dolphins

Last year for the Miami Dolphins proved it can take some time for a secondary to play together when the defensive backs haven't practiced or played much with each other. This season may present an even bigger challenge on that front, especially with the quick turnaround for veteran free agent cornerback Rasul Douglas to get acclimated. He agreed to terms Tuesday, was officially signed Wednesday and has only gone through two practices with the team.

"We don't really talk to players about what we want the locker room to look like," he said. "When Mike and I talk, this is what it's going to be. Obviously when that's laid out, we talk to the leaders of the team and say 'This is how it's going to be' and we do take input from them, but at the end of day it falls on Mike and I for the locker room and how things are handled in there."

We've had years here where it's been all draft-focused for a couple of years and then, at some point, you have to reset. When you go and you make aggressive moves like we had made for a few years, you have to reset again and start it over because it's just not sustainable the way the contracts are with players and what they're making now.

MIAMI GARDENS - I like the Miami Dolphins' initial 53-man roster. I like that it has a good amount of youth and, for the most part, I like the final decisions that were made. Will this roster get them to the playoffs this year? That depends. The defensive front seven and starting offense are strengths, but offensive depth is a clear weakness at almost every position and cornerback remains a major concern.

Entering his second year, the former sixth-round pick Washington has been one of Tagovailoa's top receivers this summer, with Tyreek Hill missing the past three weeks of practice with an oblique injury. After Miami's preseason finale, during which he scored an impressive 25-yard touchdown, Washington said the chemistry he's built with Tagovailoa is the result of a deliberate effort on his part.

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.

MIAMI GARDENS - The Miami Dolphins defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars, 14-6, in the preseason finale at Hard Rock Stadium and looked good in the process. Quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Zach Wilson each led touchdown drives, the defensive front seven produced three sacks (edge rushers Chop Robinson and Derrick McLendon had one apiece and fellow edge rushers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb had a half-sack apiece), and running back Ollie Gordon II (eight carries, 43 yards) had a good night.

MIAMI GARDENS - We know Miami Dolphins starters will appear in Saturday night's preseason finale. However, 50 to 55 minutes of the 60 played in the 7 p.m. exhibition kickoff against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Hard Rock Stadium still will be about fringe roster players. They are making their final impression before the 4 p.m. Tuesday deadline for NFL rosters to be cut down from 90 to the initial 53-man regular season active roster.

The Commanders have decided that Robinson doesn't have a future in Washington. He was once projected as a starting option, but has now fallen out of favor for whatever reason. Those in power don't think he can offer what they require, and general manager Adam Peters is looking to extract something in return for a player who's out of contract next spring.

MIAMI GARDENS - I put Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith on the spot Tuesday, and probably shouldn't have. I wanted an update on the backup quarterback situation between veteran Zach Wilson and rookie Quinn Ewers. As a veteran reporter, I know the backup quarterback issue is a question for the coach, Mike McDaniel. But McDaniel isn't scheduled to speak until Thursday, prior to the joint practice against Jacksonville, and then not again until after Saturday night's preseason finale against the Jaguars. No coaches were scheduled to speak Wednesday. So I sought an answer Tuesday, when Smith spoke.

Austin Jackson, arguably the best run blocker on the offensive line, and Patrick Paul, arguably the best pass blocker, are key to the Dolphins' success. If they stay healthy, the team faces no issues in offensive tackle depth.

Jake Bailey retained his punting job with the Miami Dolphins after a competition against Ryan Stonehouse, showcasing a strong performance in preseason games.

Mike McDaniel believes that identity and culture must be created through diligent work rather than mere talk, which led to the decision to practice and play against the tough Detroit Lions.

Melifonwu broke up a potential touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Jameson Williams during a two-minute drill, showcasing a moment of redemption at practice.

Robinson's quick return to practice following a rib injury demonstrates the Dolphins' commitment to managing player health responsibly while ensuring crucial defensive roles are filled.

"Wasn't no disagreement. That's my dog right here, man. Brothers fight all the time. That's all that was, man - brotherly love, man."

Wide receiver Tyreek Hill was out on the practice field but without pads. Coach Mike McDaniel said he would try to practice through his oblique injury, revealed ahead of the Friday joint session, but Hill did not do anything against the Bears.

Tyreek Hill is dealing with an oblique injury that worsened due to taking every rep available during practice. Coach Mike McDaniel noted Hill's determination to practice despite the injury.

The Dolphins produced a helium-filled 11-6 record against a squishy schedule in 2023, losing to bona fide contenders in their final two games by a combined score of 77-33 before getting laughed out of Arrowhead Stadium in the playoffs.

"I'm bigger on Detroit-style pizza," Borom said. "The Chicago style with the fork and knife, you can keep that. ... You can't even pick it up."

I've had two great seasons the last couple years, and by no means do I want those to be my end point, so I fully plan on hopefully blowing that out of the water this year.