Football is fun in the offseason program and the first week of training camp. But most players and coaches will tell you it's a different game when pads go on. And today, despite some threatening inclement weather, the Miami Dolphins put the pads on as they got some valuable work in at the Baptist Health Training Complex.
Here are the day's highlights:
Practice 5, July 29, 2024
Top Moment
When it comes to Zach Sieler, there are two certainties: when he has the aux cord, prepare for country music. The other guarantee is unbridled effort. Earning the orange jersey for his work on Sunday and control of the music, Sieler picked up Monday right where he left off.
The first run play of practice stretched the Miami defense to the perimeter. As early-camp star, linebacker Quinton Bell, fought to hold the edge and allow the cavalry to arrive. Sieler got on his horse to ensure Bell's efforts would pay off. As Bell forced De'von Achane to widen his track, it created the fraction of a second Sieler needed to track it down.
It's uncommon for a defensive tackle to make plays outside the numbers, but Sieler wasn't done. He made another play near the sidelines within the same period, proving his conditioning and production is in mid-season form.
Plenty of defensive linemen joined Sieler in providing pressure and run stuffs. Newcomer Neville Gallimore had a pair of sacks, while Benito Jones did his best impression of a tree stump vs. the run – he was immovable.
Veteran tight end Durham Smythe has seen it all in his seven years in the NFL. But Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver's attack has even the longest-tenured players scanning the proverbial rolodex for solutions.
"It keeps everyone on their toes and it's different looks," Smythe said. "I think it really expands the offense too. When you have different things that you don't see on a regular basis, really from every position, and then the offense expands and players' roles expand."
Top Quote
For the work of the defensive line to pay off, the linebackers must be on-point, and through five days of Dolphins camp, it's difficult to find a more productive position group than the Miami 'backers.
New Linebackers Coach/Run Game Coordinator Joe Barry has his fingerprints all over this unit in the early going.
I can’t say enough good things about Joe (Barry). He makes the environment fun, but also we learn. We learn so much. It’s great to have a coach like him. Joe just shows it a little different, a new style from what I’m used to in a good way. He fits right in with the culture and what we’re trying to establish here. Dolphins LB David Long Jr.
More Top Performers
Ezekiel Vandenburgh missed his rookie season with an injury but is making the most of his opportunities in his second camp. His splash-play streak continued by tipping a pass into the waiting hands of Jalen Ramsey on a throw from Skylar Thompson.
Rookie cornerback Jason Maitre secured his first interception of camp falling back in coverage and stepping in front of a Mike White pass.
Fullback Alec Ingold and tight end Julian Hill don't get a ton of fanfare for their work in the run game, but both players created displacement all day with well-timed blocks and pure physicality.
Rookie linebackers Chop Robinson and Mohamed Kamara continue to flash exceptional get-off and impacted the offensive backfield again on Monday.
Social Roundup
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