10 thoughts on 10 Miami Dolphins offensive players from their position coaches this offseason

Here are some thoughts on 10 Miami Dolphins offensive players from their position coaches this offseason:

― Tua Tagovailoa still possesses some of the traits new quarterbacks coach Charlie Frye saw in him during the Nike Elite 11 quarterback camp for top high school QBs in 2016.

“I thought he had a quick release, and he was accurate with the ball. I loved his demeanor. I loved how he interacted with the guys on this team and just how thirsty he was to learn,” Frye said of Tagovailoa.

“Then today, I see a lot of the same things — a more mature quarterback that’s been through and had experiences, but he still has the same quick release and accuracy and the way he interacts with his teammates. Those things I think all add value to playing this position.”

― New backup Jacoby Brissett, entering his sixth season in the NFL, may not be able to offer the wealth of veteran experience to Tagovailoa like 16-year veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick did last year.

But Brissett can still offer Tagovailoa another set of eyes to help figure out what to do against a defense.

“Jacoby has experience. He has in-game success. He’s been successful as a starter. He’s competitive. He’s willing to learn,” Fyre said. “He can give Tua those … things that happen in the game. ‘Where do I put my eyes versus this blitz?’ Those things that are hard to draw up on the chalkboard, and how fast things are going to happen.

“All of those things are great to hear and it’s great perspective that he has on the game.”

― Co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach Eric Studesville praised Myles Gaskin for his growth from a rookie to his second season last year, calling him both dependable and prideful about his craft.

As for Gaskin owning the starting job this season, Studesville says:

“We have to wait until we get out there and compete with everybody else and see who shakes out to be the best guy. But I always believe that Myles is going to put his best foot forward and give you everything he has, and that’s what gives him a chance.”

― On new receiver Will Fuller V, who has been praised for his dynamic speed that can help the Dolphins stretch the field, receivers coach Josh Grizzard says:

“He’s had some success in this league and especially coming off last season, the speed is real. It should apply pressure to defenses and with his ability to do that, it’s just another weapon for Tua and it’s been fun working with him and getting to know him.”

― Grizzard also said third-year receiver Preston Williams, who is making his way back from a season-ending injury, “put himself in a position to really get his part of the new offense and find his role. I’m excited for him as well.”

Grizzard says Williams is “in a good place” with the foot injury that caused him to miss the final eight games last season. Williams coincidentally missed the final eight games of his rookie season due to an ACL tear.

― Although the Dolphins have their set of outside receivers like DeVante Parker, Williams and Fuller, they could benefit from lining up rookie Jaylen Waddle and second-year receiver Lynn Bowden Jr. on the outside at times instead of in the slot.

“Really, on the outside, it’s the ability like if you can run well, you can separate. So, we look at both of those guys as being able to do that,” Grizzard said when asked about the possibility for Waddle and Bowden.

If it happens, Grizzard says both players have the ability to exploit their matchup to the Dolphins’ advantage.

― Left tackle Austin Jackson, who helped save his sister’s life with a bone marrow transplant in 2019, certainly has the admiration from new offensive line coach Lamuel Jeanpierre.

And “Coach Lem” believes Jackson’s experience helps him on the field.

“His character and things that he’s went through on that level is very high to me. That’s why when he was faced with adversity or getting his start, he didn’t flinch I think because it’s deeper than football,” Jeanpierre said of Jackson.

― The Dolphins have not stated where second-year, second-round pick Robert Hunt will play: whether at right tackle, like he did last season, or right guard.

“Rob is a powerful man … you saw him in college be able to move people,” Jeanpierre said. “He can move people at tackle. He can move people at guard. Where he is right now, I can’t tell you, but Week 1 we’ll be able to see where everybody falls.”

― Jeanpierre, who played center in the NFL himself, is excited to help new Dolphins center Matt Skura solve snapping issues that plagued him with the Baltimore Ravens last season.

Jeanpierre loves how Skura has taken a “preventative, not reactive” approach to improving by snapping the football every chance he gets over the course of a practice.

“Sometimes you want to move the ball a little bit to the center of your nose. You might be off. Sometimes you may want the ball more tilted up, which can affect the pendulum swing. There are many things that could have affected him, but this year so far, when he’s been in there at center, he’s been good,” Jeanpierre said of Skura.

“He’s been snapping like crazy because that’s the type of guy he is, where he took that really personal. It’s another chip on his shoulder.”