NFL camp openings: Dolphins hell bent on proving doubters wrong
Jul 27, 2017 - 12:00 AM DAVIE, Fla. - The Miami Dolphins will be trying to impress the naysayers when they reported to their team facility for the opening of training camp July 26.Despite being in the playoffs last season for the first time since 2008 after having a 10-6 regular-season record, Las Vegas isn't necessarily buying. Sportsbooks in Sin City have the Dolphins' over/under for wins at 7.5. Keep in mind that books adjust the opening line based on what the public wagers.
If bettors believed in the Dolphins, they would put their money on the over and the number would increase.
Inside the team facility, there is confidence that quarterback Ryan Tannehill is healthy. Tannehill missed the final three regular-season games and the wild-card game last season because of two sprained ligaments in his left knee, but appears to be full speed ahead for the start of training camp.
Tannehill participated in OTAs (Organized Team Activities) and minicamp wearing a brace on his left knee, a practice that will continue for the foreseeable future. But Tannehill came out of offseason workouts strong and is ready to go full speed from Day One of training camp.
Beyond that, players believe head coach Adam Gase's main tenet of accountability transformed Miami into a playoff team last season, and they saw what can happen, are excited about the future and how they could become even better in 2017.
"If it's on the field, off the field, sleeping better, eating better, whatever it is to make yourself even better than we were last year," Pro Bowl defensive end Cam Wake said, "Each man has to do that, and if we do that individually and collectively, I think that's how we make it happen."
The Dolphins did learn prior to reporting day that linebacker Koa Misi won't be available. Misi played just three games last season because of a neck injury and was placed on reserve/injured July 25.
On the other hand, the news was good on center Mike Pouncey, who played just five games last season because of a hip injury. Pouncey was evaluated prior to camp and in an Instagram post Wednesday, he had a picture of himself with the caption, "when you get the news you've been waiting for!!!!"
Safety Reshad Jones opened camp on active/non-football injury. The Miami Herald reported that Jones "tweaked something" working out before camp, but the injury is not considered serious.
Top summer battle
--Middle linebacker is a key spot for the Dolphins' 4-3 scheme, so expect the most closely-watched battle to be at that position. Rookie Raekwon McMillan, the second-round pick from Ohio State, could emerge as the starter. But Lawrence Timmons, the veteran inside linebacker in Pittsburgh's 3-4 scheme, has five consecutive 100-tackle seasons. Ideally, Timmons would be on the strong side, McMillan in the middle, and Kiko Alonso, last year's starter in the middle, on the weak side.
The good thing is among McMillan, Timmons and Alonso, the Dolphins have many options at middle linebacker. But there's probably only one correct solution, and it's probably McMillan or Timmons.
THE FACTS:
TRAINING CAMP: Baptist Hospital Training Facility at Nova Southwestern University; Davie, Fla.
COACH: Adam Gase
2nd season as Dolphins/NFL head coach
10-7 overall; 0-1 postseason
THE BREAKDOWN
2016 finish: 2nd AFC East (10-6)
STATISTICS
TOTAL OFFENSE: 332.8 (24th)
RUSHING: 114.0 (9th)
PASSING: 218.8 (26th)
TOTAL DEFENSE: 382.6 (29th)
RUSHING: 140.4 (30th)
PASSING: 242.2 (15th)
2017 PRESEASON SCHEDULE
All times Eastern
Aug. 10, ATLANTA (Thu), 7:00
Aug. 17, BALTIMORE (Thu), 7:00
Aug. 24, at Philadelphia (Thu), 7:00
Aug. 31, at Minnesota (Thu), 8:00
UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
QUARTERBACKS: Starter - Ryan Tannehill. Backups - Matt Moore, Brandon Doughty, David Fales.
Tannehill (19 TDs, 12 INTs, career-best 93.5 passer rating) must take the step from game manager to top tier QB. He's recovered from the two torn ligaments in his left knee that caused him to miss the final three regular season games as well as the wildcard loss at Pittsburgh. Now, for the umpteenth time in his five-year career, the pressure is on to show he can be a leader instead of a caretaker. Moore showed he's a steady backup by going 2-1 in the regular season in Tannehill's absence and giving a good effort in the wildcard loss. Doughty seems the favorite for the No. 3 job.
RUNNING BACKS: Starter - Jay Ajayi. Backups - Kenyan Drake, Damien Williams, Storm Johnson, Senorise Perry, De'Veon Smith.
Ajayi (1,271 yards, 8 TDs) made the Pro Bowl, and now the question is whether he can repeat that performance. If so, the offense should operate more smoothly. If not, it could be a choppy season. Miami likes the versatility Drake (179 yards rushing, 5.9 yards per carry, 2 TDs) provides, and it likes the third-down effectiveness Williams (3 rushing TDs, 3 receiving TDs) provides. Together, they're a good trio. This position isn't a concern.
TIGHT ENDS: Starter - Julius Thomas. Backups - Anthony Fasano, MarQueis Gray, Thomas Duarte, Chris Pantale.
Thomas is the key. He was a Pro Bowl performer in Denver when coach Adam Gase was his offensive coordinator, and Gase thinks he can get Thomas to that level again. If so, Miami has a quality seam runner as well as a red zone threat. Fasano is a quality blocker with ability to catch the ball. Gray is athletic and showed last season he can be trusted in limited exposure. This seems to be a decent unit, but to make the offense hum this must be a play-making unit.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters - Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills, DeVante Parker. Backups - Leonte Carroo, Jakeem Grant, Isaiah Ford, Rashawn Scott, Drew Morgan, Damore'ea Stringfellow, Francis Owusu, Malcolm Lewis, Mitch Mathews.
Landry (94 reception, 1,136 yards, 4 TDs) and Stills (9 TDs, 17.3 yards per reception) were the stars last season. The hope is Parker (56 receptions, 744 yards, 4 TDs) joins the party. If that happens this becomes one of the NFL's best. If not, they continue to be good but not necessarily dangerous. The backups don't offer the same dazzling skills as the starters so this is a three-man show. If they deliver, this offense could be vastly improved.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters - LT Laremy Tunsil, LG Ted Larsen, C Mike Pouncey, RG Jermon Bushrod, RT Ja'Wuan James. Backups - C/G Kraig Urbik, C Jake Brendel, C/G Anthony Steen, T Avery Young, G Isaac Asiata, T Terry Poole, T Eric Smith, T Jesse Davis, T Sam Young.
There are a couple of keys here - Pouncey's health and the left side of the line. Pouncey (hip) was limited to five games last season, he'll be limited in training camp and limited in regular season practice participation. It's a hugely different OL with and without Pouncey. On the left side, Tunsil takes over at LT for veteran Branden Albert (Jacksonville) and Larsen takes over at LG. Depth seems better than a year ago but the quality can be questioned. Still, among Urbik, Steen and Young the Dolphins have starting experience across the board, and Asiata, the fifth-round pick from Utah, should reinforce the guard position. If Pouncey stays healthy they could be better than last year, when they allowed 30 sacks (10th-best in the NFL). If not, they'll likely struggle.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters - DLE Cam Wake, LDT Ndamukong Suh, RDT Jordan Phillips, DRE Andre Branch. Backups - DT Vincent Taylor, DT Davon Godchaux, DE William Hayes, DE Charles Harris, DE Terrence Fede, DE Joby Saint Fleur, DE Arthur Miley, DE Cameron Malveaux, DE Praise Martin-Oguike, DT Lawrence Okoye, DE Nick Williams.
These guys must show they can stop the run. They can produce a pass rush among Wake (11.5 sacks), Branch (5.5 sacks) and Suh (5.0 sacks). And Harris, the first-round pick from Missouri, should add to that threat. But against the run the defense was 30th in the NFL after finishing 28th in 2015. The addition of Hayes should help as well as drafting Godchaux (fifth round) and Taylor (sixth round). Depth might be the key here. The starters, save for Phillips, who was disappointing last season, seem solid. If the rotation players perform, the run defense should improve. If not, it will be another long season on the ground.
LINEBACKERS: Starters - WLB Kiko Alonso, MLB Raekwon McMillan, SLB Lawrence Timmons. Backups - MLB Mike Hull, OLB Neville Hewitt, MLB Lamin Barrow, OLB Deon Lacey, OLB Trevor Reilly, OLB Brandon Watts, OLB Chase Allen.
The linebackers have been blamed for much of the run defense's woes of the last two seasons so immediate action is needed. Miami might have found it with Timmons, who had five consecutive 100-tackle seasons with Pittsburgh, and McMillan, the second-round pick from Ohio State. Miami would like to have Alonso on the weak side, McMillan in the middle and Timmons on the strong side. That trio, they believe, provides skill, speed, athleticism and toughness. Perhaps Miami goes with a different alignment but the bottom line is this might be the No. 1 area for improvement defensively, and they must show progress.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters - LCB Xavien Howard, RCB Byron Maxwell, FS Nate Allen, SS Reshad Jones. Backups - CB Alterraun Verner, CB/slot Bobby McCain, FS/slot Michael Thomas, FS T.J. McDonald, CB Tony Lippett, CB Jordan Lucas, CB Lafayette Pitts, S A.J. Hendy, S Walt Aikens, CB Maurice Smith, CB Torry McTyer, CB Cordrea Tankersley, CB Larry Hope.
Miami has experience in the secondary, but the question is whether the Dolphins have play-making skills. For example, at cornerback Maxwell, Howard and Lippett each started last season. But none, for a variety of reasons, was close to fulfilling his potential. Tankersley, the third-round pick from Clemson, doesn't seem a starting candidate but figures to be a contributor. That's numbers, but not necessarily a collection of playmakers. McCain returns at nickel/slot, and Allen and Jones will likely form the starting safety tandem, which, such as the cornerbacks, is decent but nothing special. If these guys show improvement they could elevate themselves to playmakers. Otherwise, they'll just have to hold serve such as they did last season.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Andrew Franks, P Matt Darr, P Matt Haack, LS John Denney, LS Winston Chapman, KOR/PR Jakeem Grant, KOR/PR Kenyan Drake, PR Drew Morgan.
The one to watch if Grant, who mishandled five KOs/PRs. He has play-making ability as evidenced by his 76-yard TD against Tennessee, but he can't be trusted. Drake, who had a 96-yard KOR TD against the New York Jets, is being tested at PR and will continue sharing KOR duties with Grant. Franks (16-21 FGs, 41-42 XPs) has no training camp competition, which equates to a vote of confidence. Darr (44.3 yards per punt, 22nd in NFL) figures to retain his job even though he has camp competition. These guys are mostly solid but must become game-changers, which they've threatened to do.
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