The Miami Dolphins are now officially a week into training camp at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens, Florida. The first two days were practices away from the public — all within closed doors with a selected few tuned into the action. However, when training camp became open to spectators on July 28, everything was put on display for the world.
The storylines early out of Miami include a historical franchise contract extension, rookies ahead of the pack, a new defensive scheme fitting right, and struggles in one of the most important position groups on the team. Here is an update on those stories and what it might mean for camp going forward.
Strong Defense, O-Line Miscues a Week Into Dolphins Training Camp
Tua Gets His Deal and Finally Participates in Full
In front of a few hundred people, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa took the mic to shout “show me the money!!!” in front of a delighted crowd. The first-string quarterback finally got his long-term deal with Miami and left all pressure behind. Tagovailoa participated in 11-on-11 work for the first time all offseason once the contract was announced.
The former 2020 top-10 NFL Draft choice performed well throughout the week. In an 11-on-11 red zone drill, Tagovailoa painted the corners and hit receivers in stride for touchdowns. He found every angle possible, including a lofted over-the-shoulder pass to wide receiver Braxton Berrios on the edge of the end zone.
Tagovailoa’s strong connection with wide receiver Jaylen Waddle persisted from last season and into camp. On one occasion, the Polynesian quarterback rolled left to find Waddle in stride for a touchdown Sunday. This ‘extend the play’ moment by Tagovailoa using his feet was a part of his game head coach Mike McDaniels wanted to see this offseason.
Waddle vs. Ramsey, One-On-One
Speaking of Waddle, the Alabama alum early in camp has been a primary competitor for cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Both Pro-Bowl caliber players have sharpened each other’s skillset early. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill wasn’t fully active to start camp, which gave Waddle and Ramsey more opportunities to face each other one-on-one.
Waddle competed against Ramsey in isolation drills 10 yards away from the endzone. The 5-foot-10-inch receiver chopped up Ramsey on a short route to make room for a touchdown catch. Ramsey responded and pressed Waddle at the line of scrimmage the next time around. Both players in team activities have been strong in camp — each with their own highlight.
This is also evident when it comes to 11-on-11 workouts. The two teammates have been lined up against each other in that portion of practice. However, Ramsey has gotten the better of Waddle behind an efficient defense early in camp.
Dolphins Secondary Dominating Early
The strongest part of Miami’s team through a week of training camp has been the secondary. In many cases, Dolphins quarterbacks have struggled throwing the deep ball and fending off the pass rush while scoping the field. The safeties and cornerbacks groups have benefited the most from this created chaos with interceptions and batted balls.
On Monday, Tagovailoa was picked off by cornerback Jevon Holland off a tipped pass by defensive end Zach Sieler. Other players who have gotten an interception in camp include Ramsey and safety Jordan Poyer. The substantial amount of coverage can also be credited by the cornerback trio of Ramsey, Kendall Fuller, and Ethan Bonner.
Bonner so far in camp hasn’t taken for granted his reps against Miami’s top receivers. The 24-year-old defensive back matched up against Hill for the past two days in 11-on-11 work. With a tight competition at his position to fill in the third-string position, Bonner has made good strides toward a roster spot in the cornerback room.
Despite a strong showing by the secondary, cornerback Cam Smith was injured on day three of Dolphins training camp, July 28. The third-year defensive back was present at practice Tuesday with a compression sleeve on his right leg, according to Miami Herald’s Omar Kelly. Smith’s return to play is unknown.
Bell and Robinson Showing off in the Pass Rush
Defensive end Chop Robinson and linebacker Quinton Bell have been able to get to the quarterback a lot in practice. Bell got close enough to pressure quarterback Mike White to block a pass attempt and Robinson broke through the offensive line within two seconds to get to Tagovailoa Tuesday. The Dolphins’ first-round selection from the 2024 NFL Draft has shown early signs of potential, which can foreshadow more involvement in preseason and regular season games.
Bell is an interesting story to watch in training camp. The pass rusher joined Miami in the midst of the 2023 season as an asset for the practice squad. Bell was activated to the active roster on December 11, 2023, and appeared in only once last season against the Tennessee Titans in week 14. The linebacker heads into his fourth year in the league with a real chance to make the 53-man roster.
After practice Monday, linebacker Bradley Chubb was working with Bell on technique. Chubb has been present at camp but isn’t playing due to recovering from an injury. The Pro Bowl linebacker is placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list with fellow pass rusher Jaelan Phillips.
Offensive Line, Brewer Suffering From Miscues Early
The group designated to protect the quarterback and assist in aiding one of the NFL’s best running back rooms from last season had a bad day Tuesday. Offensive lineman Aaron Brewer had moments of miscommunication with quarterbacks in team drills. Some of these moments led to fumbles, poor handoffs, and low center snaps.
The pressure created by the defensive line — who have performed well so far in camp — has not made it easier for the offensive line. Still, it is too early to camp to tell if the offensive line will be an issue going forward. Offensive tackle Terron Armstead understands this, and realizes it will take time for Brewer and Tagovailoa to be able to perfect snaps, he said.
“It’s different,” Armstead said. “I was actually talking to Tua about it yesterday and he was kind of explaining the differences between (Brewer’s) snap point to Connor’s (Williams) or Liam (Eichenberg). It’s all different. So the more they get those reps — which they are — and those will get cleaned up and disappear, but early in camp you see some misshapes like that and some operational issues.”
With only a week into Dolphins training camp, the offensive line and other groups will have Wednesday off from training camp to regroup. Miami will be back in front of fans at the Baptist Health Training Complex at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.
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