Training Camp News and Notes 2023

Fantastic news about Ramsey!

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/miami-dolphins-jalen-ramsey-injury-update-0804-2023/

Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey went under the knife to repair a damaged meniscus last Friday.

This Friday, you could have hardly known by looking at him.

Ramsey was again a de facto coach on the defensive sideline, but this time he walked around without the assistance of crutches. And the bulky brace that had protected his repaired left knee had been replaced by a compression sleeve.

Does that mean that Ramsey is already ahead of schedule? Hard to say. But the optics are fantastic.

And it raises the possibility that Ramsey might beat his estimated four-month recovery period.

Barry Jackson
@flasportsbuzz

[Today] Tua had four TDs in red zone drills in the rain, several chunk plays and has thrown just 1 INT in 11 on 11 drills in 8 training camp practices. (That INT was earlier in camp)

If Tua stays healthy, we are going to make some NOISE this season!!!

Defense sounds pretty dominant. Iggy is having a good camp. I think Fangio is the type of coach that's able to teach players how to be better players and it's showing in practice.

Eichenberg sounds like he's struggling and he's getting beat in almost every repetition he's in on. Tua and Thompson sound like the top 2 QB's on the roster. White is starting to understand the offense.

Holland and Iggy both making int in practice today.

I see Turk didn't last Long at Punter already gone, It would be Nice to see Iggy get meaningful Playing Time this year because he earned it, Fangio is a Straight Shooter which Players Like and can get more out of them and make them better.

Apparently Mike White has now moved to QB2. Some say Tua looks like he regressed from last years camp. Iggy is playing first team and shadowing out Tyreek. Tyreek doesn't look motivated. Eichenberg getting beat every rep. Jackson is doing better. Two RB dinged up. Achane and Wilson.

I'm actually not surprised to see Tua struggle a bit, although I read one practice last week he through a ton of TDs in red zone work, and he's only been picked off twice in 11-11 drills.  

Our defense is already likely light years ahead of last year's unit.  Fangio and his staff are a HUGE upgrade on their own, let alone a full camp of Chubb being here along with the players we are getting back from injury.  

Don't forget we got the Chargers defensive coordinator to join the team as our *I think* passing game coach on defense? Yes, the defense SHOULD be ahead of the offense early in camp.  I have no concerns.  This is truly an "iron vs iron" situation.

sounds like Tua and the offense had a rough (up and down at best) first day against the Falcons defense.

Miami turned it over on downs on one sequence, when a short throw from Tua Tagovailoa to Tyreek Hill wasn’t enough for a first down.

Tua threw an interception to Falcons linebacker Troy Andersen on a poorly thrown 15-yard pass to Freddie Swain, in red zone drills. Then he overthrew Wilson Jr. and Jaylen Waddle in the end zone.

Tua also couldn’t hit a wide open Hill on the sidelines when the ball seemed to slip out of Tua’s hands and then couldn’t connect with Waddle, who was double covered 25 yards downfield on the sideline.

But the drive stalled at the Falcons’ 30. Tua rushed a pass and threw incomplete to Cedrick Wilson Jr. , then short-hopped a pass.

https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article277009463.html

i wouldn't get too concerned over one practice. let's wait an see how they bounce back (or don't). the o-line apparently crumbled a few times and missed blitzers too - but its not clear if that was the starters or backups.

probably the worse news is the loss of Braylen Sanders to an apparently season ending injury.

The Dolphins lost Braylon Sanders to what appeared to be a left knee injury after he stumbled while trying to hold onto a pass near the sideline.

Sanders was on the ground for about 10 minutes and then was carted off, needing assistance to be placed on the cart.

he was most likely a PS candidate at best, but we've all seen how quickly injuries can deplete a unit. wish him well.

there is also a first edition preseason depth chart that was handed out to the media. there were several surprises, but i'm not sure its worth discussing considering how early in camp it is.

the good news is that Sanders (who may not even make the team) didn't suffer any structural damage, but he will be out while recovering. but noting my comment above about how a unit considered a strength can be depleted fast...

Receiver Jaylen Waddle left practice, under his own power, with what appeared to be an injury or discomfort on the right side of his body, near his waist. It could have been in the rib or torso area, but it wasn’t clear what specifically was bothering Waddle.

Waddle was on the ground for about four minutes after making a catch. It was unclear if he injured himself on the fall or when a Falcons defender made contact with him as he fell. He walked into the facility holding his side in his waist area.

https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article277009508.html

hopefully nothing serious, but something to watch - and hope its not a nagging lingering type of injury.

and Tua (and the O as a whole) continued his less than impressive performance against the Falcon's D.

Among Dolphins quarterbacks, Tua Tagovailoa threw the only interception.

Tagovailoa’s accuracy wasn’t as sharp as usual, and he didn’t get a lot of help, with Cedrick Wilson Jr. dropping an easy pass. Tua completed less than half his passing attempts on Wednesday.

Tagovailoa was errant on a screen, threw away two passes under heavy pressure and saw a pass to Robbie Chosen broken up.

But Tagovailoa then overthrew River Cracraft in the end zone. Tagovailoa’s short pass to Ahmed was broken up by a Falcons linebacker and Tagovailoa’s pass to Berrios was broken up by Dee Alford.

Tagovailoa, under some pressure, then made a bad throw, with no Dolphins player near, and it was picked off by Jaylinn Hawkins.

my understanding is that Tua look better in drills, but not great in live game simulation against the Falcons. again, i'm not ready to panic. we've seen what Tua and this offense can do when humming on all cylinders. but the Phins need a healthy QB and WRs - and an adequate o-line. again, i'm too worried, but i can't help keep asking myself the questions... when was the last really impressive performance from Tua? perhaps week 12 against Houston? perhaps he was decent in a loss to the Bills week 15, maybe?

I've been panicking about this season for so long it's become my default state of being. Brace yourselves fellas, this team's only winning 6 games. If they're lucky. I've said all along that if Waddle OR Hill get hurt the offense is more screwed than a porn star. There's simply nobody and nothing else there that can be relied on. Just imagine Skylar/Mike White and no Waddle/Hill for even part of one game, let alone multiple games

The Phins are what the Phins are IMO: A team with some talent at a few spots, but no quality depth anywhere.

Waddle and Hill are the only actual threats on the team. Take away those two and you essentially completely shutdown McD's offense IMO.

Couple this with a bad Oline and a QB who is one good hit away from being out of football and....

I agree, a state of (near)panic should be the Phins Phan's normal state.



But... This was the same thing as last year without the HOPE that the team was going to be good.

We just have to HOPE that all Tua's jujitsu and bulking up can help him avoid injuries, and that the Oline backups are for real, and most of all, that the Fangio Defense WILL BE as much improved as we hope.

My FEAR is that the Phins WILL BE much improved, and STILL not make the playoffs. Can you imagine if the Phins will 10 or 11 games and FAIL to make the playoffs?

Unless the Bills take a dramatic step backward, which I do not see unless the whole Diggs thing turns into a huge festering nightmare (please, please, please) and the Jets with a motivated and believing Rodgers crash and burn, the Phins could be the the THIRD BEST TEAM in the AFC EAST IMO.

Let's talk AFC East from a Fins Fan optimist point of view

- The Bills are still good, no doubt. Cracks are showing. The Diggs tantrum going into camp. A mysterious firing of Leslie Frazier, with McDermott now saying he will "run" the defense. I don't know. I just have a feeling the honeymoon is over, and as good as Allen has been and the team in general, very few concrete accomplishments in Buffalo has them frustrated and searching for answers.

- The Jets had a great defense last year, and a bad offense due to two things - their bad offensive line and terrible play at QB. Rodgers solves one of those problems. He's still good, even though he's way past his prime. No question there. Early reports are they DID NOT address their offensive line trouble. Becton is a bust, and they're moving him around trying to get some contribution from him. My bottom line? All three of the Jets AFC East foes on defense will cause a lot of trouble for Rodgers and the offense. At his age, he's one hit away from a nagging injury that lasts all year, or the possibility of missing multiple games while he recovers.

- New England LOL. Belicheck truly his own worse enemy. Yes, they will always field a very good defense. They will have a good offensive line and run the ball a lot using multiple backs. They do not have a quarterback. Their best receiver is probably DeVante Parker and we know full well his limitations. Adding O'Brien to run an adult offense was a good move. I don't think it makes up for their lack of talent and weapons on that side of the ball.

Phins practiced today and Tua had his worst practice of the pre-Season. Tua threw three interceptions. Noah with another Tua pick jumping the route. As of now Noah is the starter opposite X. Wynn is getting reps first team LG.

Tua was bound to throw some INTs after a mostyly INT-free summer.

I'm not worried about the offensive side of the ball at all. On D, we need DL depth and we have to hope the LBs can continue the strong play they showed against the Falcons.

Sounds like Tua to Hill was unstoppable in today's practice. The chemistry thoe two have developed is insane...and same for Tua with Waddle. Now with Robbie Anderson Chosen (or whatever the hell his name is today) stretching the field, Hill and Waddle are going to be even more deadly. This offense is going to be fun to watch!

JMP wrote:Sounds like Tua to Hill was unstoppable in today's practice.

indeed.

The fourth-year player was sharper in team drills and with multiple pass-catchers sidelined, connected with wide receiver Tyreek Hill throughout the practice. Tagovailoa found the veteran wide receiver multiple times in 11-on-11s. His first was a 10-yard completion on a crossing route with room for yards after the catch. He then found Hill for a gain of about 25 yards, again with space for more. Later on in 11-on-11s, Tagovailoa found Hill for a diving completion on an in-breaking route that gained about 20 yards.

Maybe most importantly, Tagovailoa took care of the ball. He wasn’t perfect. The offense struggled at times when he attempted to target non-Hill pass-catchers, but it was an improved performance from Sunday.

Wideout Robbie Chosen was Tagovailoa’s second-favorite target on Monday. He caught at least two deep passes from the Dolphins’ starting quarterback that gained at least 25 yards.

https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article278218627.html

hopefully once Waddle returns to full health things will really get humming.

Wilkins is not practicing in team drills for now - just doing individual work - as he negotiates a new contract with the Phins. McD doesn't seem concerned at all, so I have a feeling a new deal will be announced soon - I hope.

I saw that re: Wilkins.

We really have to get him signed long term. He's too good to just let him walk over money. We don't find replacements for very good players well at all. Let's maybe avoid that scenario this time?

white1 wrote:I saw that re: Wilkins.

We really have to get him signed long term. He's too good to just let him walk over money.  We don't find replacements for very good players well at all.  Let's maybe avoid that scenario this time?  

Exactly! Just get it done. Wilkins gets better on the field every season, and he's the heart and soul of the team.

Eich is a little banged up and not doing much in practice.  Perfect opportunity for Wynn or Robert Jones to step up and take that starting LG job.  

Jones got outstanding grades in the Falcons game, apparently. I admit I didn't key on him the way I did Austin Jackson when I watched that game.

With Jackson, Jones, Lamm, and the rookie Uluave all playing well this summer, maybe this new OL coach actually knows what he's doing??

EDIT: I guess I should add Leser Cotton to the "looking good" OL list too - he has supposedly had a strong camp.

Armstead carted off with right leg injury at start of today's practice with Texans.

Tua doesn't read a defense after the snap. Tua is a pre snap signal caller. The predetermined target is either there or he's not. There is no progression after the snap. It is a blind throw to a spot.

Armstead latest example of flaws in building around players that are always hurt.

white1 wrote:Armstead latest example of flaws in building around players that are always hurt.

Yep, but LT is also a league-wide issue. LT is the hardest position to find nowadays, other than QB. There are probably less than a handful of really good LTs in the NFL today - and even those guys can't compare to the LTs we used to call "great". So I can't fault the Dolphins for signing Armstead. Everybody's new favorite team, the Jets have 38-year old Duane Brown (who can't stay healthy) and bust Mechi Becton (who can't stay healthy) competing at LT - so this is far from a Dolphins-only issue.

The good news for the Phins is that we have Wynn, who was a quality LT for several years. But we also have Kendall Lamm, who is a journeyman with lots of experience and he has played well all offseason. Of course, both are downgrades to a healthy Armstead - but at least we have in-house answers. And we also have the cap space to add a vet if one becomes available.

Crappy situation no matter how you look at it, but I don't think it is a season-wrecking problem at all.

CarsonChris wrote:Tua doesn't read a defense after the snap. Tua is a pre snap signal caller. The predetermined target is either there or he's not. There is no progression after the snap. It is a blind throw to a spot.

That's the way this offense is designed - same as the offense of the 49ers and Rams. But Tua has absolutely shown that he can go through his progressions when he has time.

(Looks at this and the Wilkins thread. Resumes wringing hands in utter despair.)