Six days of Dolphins football has provided plenty of highlights and reasons for fans to cheer. Veteran and rookie additions alike, the Dolphins are a different team than they were in 2023, and the newcomers are contributing early.
Here are the day's highlights:
Practice 6, July 30, 2024
Top Moment
Jordan Poyer spent the last 11 years making plays against the Dolphins. The 12-year pro arrives in Miami with a wealth of experience, 24 career interceptions and a first-team All-Pro selection as a member of the Buffalo Bills in 2021. He made his first pick of training camp during Tuesday's team session by stepping in front of a pass targeted for Braxton Berrios over the middle.
Poyer's production stands out through the first week of practice, but like the other veteran safeties, the impact he's having goes beyond the July box score.
"We've just got so many vets who have done it and know what the standard is, so I just commend them," safety Elijah Campbell said. "'Old Man Po,' he's got a lot of knowledge in the game. He's helped me tremendously."
The combination of Poyer, Campbell, Jevon Holland and Marcus Maye has been as productive as any unit so far. In addition to the interceptions, this group has helped limit the deep passing game of Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle – the triumvirate that produced the NFL's best deep passing game in 2023.
Top Quote
Poyer, like so many of the Dolphins' offseason additions, was a captain for years in Buffalo. The Dolphins carefully curated this roster, not just for what they can do on the field, but for their presence and voice in the locker room. One of those vocal leaders who goes out and does it by example every day is new linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who discussed his leadership style on Tuesday.
You’ve got to sit down and eat lunch with people. Maybe even go to lunch with somebody outside of the building. You’ve got to do little things like that. I really pride myself on doing that, just really getting to know people on a personal level. Anybody you know on a personal level, you can play that much harder for them. Dolphins LB Jordyn Brooks
More Top Performers
The offensive line had one if its better days, particularly in the one-on-one portion of practice. Liam Eichenberg and Aaron Brewer took successful pass sets from that drill and carried it over to 11-on-11, including a strong surge in the run game. The Dolphins first team offense was able to convert three of four red zone plays for touchdowns and two of three plays on third-and-1 into first downs.
Tua Tagovailoa produced the majority of the big plays in those periods, including two plays throwing on the move. The fifth-year quarterback looks nimbler than ever.
"When you're admiring his nimbleness, that's something that he has been very disciplined on each and every day, which means the goals of his aren't in the background," Head Coach Mike McDaniel said. "They're right in front of him and he's working towards that every day."
Jaylen Waddle's hot start to camp continued with a handful of receptions including yet another diving grab. He's up to at least five full extension catches over the past week.
Kader Kohou prevented one Waddle reception, however. It was the second rep of the day where Kohou was in perfect position, but an even better throw from Tagovailoa found the target. On both plays, Kohou fought through the echo of the whistle and raked the ball free for a pair of pass breakups.
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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.
