Miami Dolphins training camp preview: 10 Players to Watch | Schad
There were moments this spring when Tua Tagovailoa made a poor decision or a poor throw and the Dolphins quarterback was immediately hard on himself.
"Hey, it’s going to be OK," coach Mike McDaniel would tell Tua.
There were times this spring when Tagovailoa had a subpar day overall, as he learned yet another new offense while working with many new teammates.
"We’re only in May. We’re only in June," McDaniel would tell Tua.
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McDaniel has led a chorus of supporters now surrounding the Dolphins' third-year quarterback. The messaging has percolated to Tua's teammates.
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McDaniel is patient and supportive and relentlessly positive. But even McDaniel, who stressed all spring that there was time, knows that time is running out.
The Dolphins will open training camp on Wednesday.
And then Miami's first joint practice — at the Tampa Bay Bucs — will take place only 14 days after that. Fourteen days!
Almost all of the focus at Dolphins' training camp will be on a new offense.
In the spring, McDaniel correctly noted that the sturdy defense, with a returning coordinator, along with all of its key players, was already executing algebra.
This summer, it's time for Miami's offense to show a command of more difficult equations. Yes, it's a new zone scheme. Yes, it's a new play-caller in McDaniel.
And yes, new additions such as Hill, Cedrick Wilson, Terron Armstead, Connor Williams, Raheem Mostert and Chase Edmonds will need a bit more time to coalesce. But time is running short.
The intensity of this training camp should be palpable. Who doesn't look forward to Hill vs. Xavien Howard? Who doesn't look forward to Emmanuel Ogbah vs. Armstead?
McDaniel is blessed with a roster as deep and talented as any Miami has had in at least six years (when first-year head coach Adam Gase led the team into the playoffs).
At the end of the spring, McDaniel, the chill, good-natured, self-deprecating first-year head coach, said his team is positioned well to compete to a high standard.
This training camp will reveal so much about just how well-positioned the Dolphins truly are. Here is some insight into 10 players we will be watching very, very closely:
Tua Tagovailoa
McDaniel senses Tagovailoa is "attacking the moment," and that the young quarterback is sharing more of a personality that had been muted in a colder football climate.
It will be great if Tagovailoa shows his teammates, and fans and media in attendance, that he is now relaxed and confident, in a new culture where swagger is not only permitted but encouraged.
Still, Tua must also demonstrate this summer that, yes, his arm is stronger, and yes, he can complete deeper passes. And that yes, he's the man to capitalize on and maximize the staggering number of speedy weapons he's been provided.
Austin Jackson
There's a reason Jackson was the 18th pick in the 2020 NFL draft. It had to do with size, athleticism and upside. Perhaps Jackson will find his home at right tackle.
Jackson wants to play tackle and Miami coaches feel he has the physical attributes to protect Tua's blind side. They also feel he's a fit for outside zone.
Eyes will also be on Liam Eichenberg, who has played tackle and guard, and who coaches feel has a shot to be a solid left guard. Eichenberg feels this offensive system will result in less guessing, which will manifest as less hesitating.
Tyreek Hill
How will Hill's production as a Dolphin compare to his legendary production in Kansas City? It would behoove Tua to lean on Hill early and often, in camp and this season.
The challenge of competing with Xavien Howard should provide some tremendous training camp fodder. It will also be interesting to see how often Hill lines up in the slot in comparison with Jaylen Waddle and Cedrick Wilson, each of whom has flourished there.
The Dolphins desperately need Hill to show that he can connect with Tua on long streaks and posts. But also that Hill can take short slants and screens and out routes for the long yards-after-catch touchdowns the organization has long gone without.
Melvin Ingram
Ingram was one of the great NFL sack artists from 2015-19, reaching the Pro Bowl three times with the Chargers. But Ingram has only three sacks in his last 22 games with Los Angeles, Pittsburgh and Kansas City.
McDaniel believes Ingram is motivated to show that at 33 years old, he's got a bit left in the tank. Miami hopes this works out better than say, Mario Williams, once did.
It will be interesting to see how fellow pass-rushers Channing Tindall (rookie) and Jaelan Phillips (Year 2) take to Ingram. Ideally, Ingram provides leadership and offers a few tips on spin and power moves, too.
Raheem Mostert
Mostert actually played one game with the Dolphins, in 2015. Since then, he's proven to be an excellent back for the 49ers, when healthy.
In the past 50 years, no NFL running back with a minimum of 200 carries has averaged more yards per carry than Mostert, with 5.67. The Dolphins might sign up for 4.67 yards per carry in 2022.
When and how Mostert returns from a 2021 knee surgery will be closely anticipated. McDaniel says Mostert expects to play Week 1. How do Mostert and fellow newcomer Chase Edmonds stack up this summer?
Terron Armstead
Armstead also did not participate in the spring as he recovers from 2021 knee surgery. Armstead can't return quickly enough, providing leadership and stability to a youthful and scarred offensive line.
Can Armstead help Eichenberg, Robert Hunt and Austin Jackson as they all attempt to live up to lofty draft statuses? Will Armstead fit seamlessly into Miami's zone scheme?
Will Armstead be the tone-setter Miami is paying $75 million for?
Mike Gesicki
The Dolphins and Gesicki did not agree to a long-term contract, which makes sense for both sides. Thus, Gesicki will play on the one-year tight-end franchise tag.
Gesicki's blocking is a tired story, but he can really help himself if he can improve just a bit in that area as McDaniel's offense has required it. Will Gesicki's snaps go down? Will Gesicki's catches go down?
Gesicki is an outstanding receiver and McDaniel figures to creatively implement him. But we'll be watching where and how often tight ends Durham Smythe, Hunter Long, Adam Shaheen and Cethan Carter are being utilized, too.
Teddy Bridgewater
Bridgewater is one of the best backup quarterbacks in the NFL. We said that last season about Jacoby Brissett, but Bridgewater is better.
Brissett has a career record of 14-23 and a career passer rating of 83.0.
Bridgewater has a career record of 33-30 and a career passer rating of 90.7.
If Tua struggles or is injured, McDaniel will not hesitate to turn to Bridgewater. This is not a knock on Tua, who should have a higher ceiling. But Bridgewater is highly capable.
Connor Williams
It was largely believed that Williams was signed to play left guard, alongside Armstead. But Miami views Williams as potentially even more valuable at center.
As a Cowboy, Williams was solid in both pass protection and run blocking, though last season he had an uncharacteristically high penalty total.
We'll know how solid Williams is at center when he tries to slow down the likes of Raekwon Davis and Christian Wilkins in practice. as well as Vita Vea (Bucs) and Fletcher Cox (Eagles) in joint practices.
Noah Igbinoghene
Igbinoghene was the 30th overall pick of the 2020 NFL draft.
He has started three games. This is largely because Xavien Howard is an All-Pro and Byron Jones is a Pro Bowler and Nik Needham is very solid.
But Miami needs to know if Noah could capably fill in for any of the three, if necessary.This is a critical summer for the former Auburn standout.
Igbinoghene needs to show he can flat-our shut down Miami's No. 4-No. 6 receivers, which at the moment include Erik Ezukanma, Preston Williams and Lynn Bowden.
Miami hopes Igbinoghene working with new assistants Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain will help.
Joe Schad is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post part of the USA Today Florida Network. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: 10 Miami Dolphins to watch at training camp includes Tua Tagovailoa
