A grueling month of sweat and strain concluded ahead of a trip to Tampa tomorrow for a joint practice. The next time the Dolphins practice at home, roster cuts will be around the corner, and the structure will reflect a regular season feel.
Before any of that, we have the final camp notebook from Miami Gardens. Here are the highlights from the day's work:
Practice 17, August 20, 2024
Top Moment
The opening period of practice saw QB1 doing QB1 things by making plays. Tua Tagovailoa strung four plays together that showcased the full complement of his skill set.
First, when the deep options were covered up by safeties Jordan Poyer and Elijah Campbell, Tagovailoa moved the defense with a pump fake, then immediately got the ball to his checkdown. Running back De'Von Achane paid it off with a 15-plus yard run.
Then, with pressure arriving, Tagovailoa extended the play and ripped a shot to tight end Durham Smythe for a 20-yard touchdown.
Finally, the primary skill that led to his 4,624 passing yards last season was on display when Tagovailoa stepped up in the pocket and fired to the far side of the field for wide receiver Braxton Berrios. Cornerback Kader Kohou appeared to have a beat on an interception, but the ball was located high and away from the defender where only Berrios could catch it. And that he did, before turning it up for a big play.
Top Quote
The Dolphins went to work on the defensive backfield this offseason adding veterans and rookies to an already star-studded group. The depth has created an intriguing rotation throughout camp, but will continuity be a concern? Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver thinks the vast experience in that group provides the answer.
They’ve played so much football that the collective football IQ is so high. I don’t think it will take us long to get on the same page and gel together. Even though they’re not always out there taking full speed reps in practice, they get a ton of jog-through reps. They’re always talking, and I think you steal reps that way. Dolphins Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver
More Top Performers
Outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips returned to practice two weeks ago and every day progresses a little more. "He looks like the Jaelan Phillips we all expected to see," Weaver said about Phillips. During individual drills, No. 15 is first in line to run through every rep. Then, in 11-on-11, he set a hard edge to shut down a Raheem Mostert run before chasing down Tagovailoa on a scramble from the opposite side of the field.
Running back Jaylen Wright was back at practice. He had a nifty touchdown run in the red zone period then caught a pass for a big gain during the full-field period.
However, linebacker Curtis Bolton punched the ball out on that catch-and-run. It was picked up by cornerback Jason Maitre who took it in for six. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who was also back at practice, sprinted down the field to join Maitre in celebration.
For more analysis on Dolphins training camp, download the Drive Time Podcast with Travis Wingfield – available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
