Game week is here and the Falcons pull up to the Baptist Health Training Complex tomorrow. The 10th day of work is in the rear view as attention turns to an opponent.
Here are the day's highlights:
Practice 10, August 5, 2024
Top Moment
Nothing ignites the Miami Dolphins fan base like a long ball from Tua Tagovailoa to Tyreek Hill. On Monday, he had hill again. Or, should we say, "He's got Hill!" Kevin Harlan wasn't here to verbally paint the picture, but he certainly would've loved this one just the same. As Hill hit full speed, Tagovailoa let it fly well before his receiver had cleared the last line of defense. Now, in their third year together, the chemistry between this dynamic duo looks sharper than ever.
The moment Hill clears the defender, the ball arrives on a platter like a 50-yard handoff. That chemistry doesn't just happen – it formulates over tireless work by two of the key leaders on this team.
"What they want their careers to be known for, is through the team," Head Coach Mike McDaniel said of Tagovailoa and Hill. I've seen it even more investment into the team, by all the players that have had new contracts. And I think that goes a long way."
Another Hill stood out for his practice on Monday. While Tyreek brought the sizzle, tight end Julian Hill provided the steak. He produced a sequence in one period where he dug out a blitzing linebacker in the backfield, generating surge on the immovable Zach Sieler, and hit an open field block on Kendall Fuller on the perimeter. That type of versatility from the tight end position can unlock the offense.
"The tight end in any offense is really the guy that really creates the defense to move," Jonnu Smith said. "That's the adjuster. He's usually the strength for the formation and he's usually the guy going across the formation motioning across and shifting, just moving all over the place."
Top Quote
The best part of training camp is unearthing hidden gems. A player like linebacker Quinton Bell, who became known last year on the scout team for constantly providing the starting offense with good looks in practice. Now, 10 days into the 2024 season, he's earned the orange jersey on top of a body of work that's earned the attention of every writer, fan and on-looker at practice.
It’s all my hard work. It’s always a wonderful feeling when feel like you’re coming out here and grinding every day, trying to get better and just leaving it all out there and that work is being noticed and appreciated. It only makes you want to go harder, so I come out here every day. That orange jersey is only the beginning. I want to continue to stack these days, continue to get better, continue to gain trust with these coaches, that’s my main goal. Dolphins OLB Quinton Bell on earning the orange jersey for Monday’s practice
More Top Performers
Braylon Sanders made another impressive catch on a ball off his frame Monday. After playing snaps as a rookie, Sanders missed his second year with an injury, but has returned with a strong performance 10 practices into the new campaign.
Also undrafted in 2022, Kader Kohou picked off Tagovailoa in the end zone during a red zone drill. He made a leaping, spinning catch around the sideline and appeared to get the feet down in bounds.
The strong camp of another former undrafted player continued as Rob Jones provided solid protection and surge off the football on Monday. He's been among the most consistent linemen through all of camp.
Concluding top performers with our final undrafted player – rookie Jason Maitre had perhaps his best play in camp, which is saying something for a player with multiple interceptions. On a deep ball to Tyreek Hill with no safety help, Maitre stayed in the hip pocket and elevated for the pass breakup to prevent a long score.
Social Roundup
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.
