Latest news with #Dolphins'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Miami Dolphins training camp preview: 7 players under most pressure
MIAMI GARDENS ― The Miami Dolphins report to training camp on Tuesday, July 22, with the first practice scheduled for Wednesday, July 23. The first Dolphins training camp practice scheduled to be open to the public, with tickets, is Saturday, July 26. Among the top newcomers to the Dolphins' 2025 roster are: QB Zach Wilson, RB Ollie Gordon, WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, TE Darren Waller, G James Daniels, G Jonah Savaiinaea, DT Kenneth Grant, CB Jason Marshall and S Minkah Fitzpatrick. When do Miami Dolphins start training camp? When the Dolphins open training camp practices on Wednesday, July, 23, at Baptist Health Training Complex, media will be present. Fans can attend later practices with tickets. Expectations entering Miami Dolphins training camp? National expectations have lowered for the Dolphins' 2025 season, in part because of the departure of talented players such as OT Terron Armstead, DL Calais Campbell, CB Jalen Ramsey, S Jevon Holland, RB Raheem Mostert and CB Kendall Fuller. ESPN Bet has the Dolphins tied for 21st in Super Bowl win odds, at 75-1. Miami is tied with the Patriots for 9th choice in the AFC, which is problematic for a franchise trying to make the playoffs after a miss in 2024. Only seven teams in each conference qualify. Top 7 Miami Dolphins under pressure entering training camp The Dolphins have some key questions entering training camp. There is plenty of pressure on head coach Mike McDaniel. But for purposes of this story, let's focus on players feeling the heat. A player entering his sixth season - quarterback Tua Tagovailoa - leads our list of players under pressure entering camp. Why? Well... Tua Tagovailoa, QB Why pressure? Tua has led the NFL in passing yards and passer rating and completion percentage. But he's yet to lead the Dolphins to a playoff victory. If Tua does not accomplish that in 2025, the franchise could look to move on from him. There's a Catch-22 here. Tua wants to make big plays like AFC stars Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson. But his top priority must actually be to limit injury risk. Tyreek Hill, WR Why Miami Dolphins pressure? Tyreek Hill had his worst season as a Dolphin last year. He is fully aware this could be his last season with the franchise. Hill played through injury last season, but was scrutinized and criticized for pulling himself from Miami's final game and then implying he would ask for a trade. Hill has tried to make amends with teammates. And he appears to be in excellent condition. He needs to play a higher percentage of snaps in 2025. And yes, there is also pressure on fellow receiver Jaylen Waddle to be more consistent and make more big plays in 2025. Patrick Paul, LT Why Miami Dolphins pressure? Patrick Paul is a gentle giant. And in no way am I exaggerating when I say he is a giant. Paul has ideal height and wingspan and can move well for a gargantuan individual. But he's not Terron Armstead. At least not yet. Paul must grow and grow (not literally, of course) into the player GM Chris Grier and OL coach Butch Barry imagine in their dreams. There will be mishaps and slip-ups. There will be positives in the run game. But Paul must avoid the catastrophic pass pro Sundays. Jaelan Phillips, Edge Why Miami Dolphins pressure? Jaelan Phillips is in the fifth and final year of his rookie contract. When healthy, Phillips delivers speed and power and motor. But he knows to earn the big bucks, he has to demonstrate he can stay on the field for all or almost all games in 2025. Phillips is a great teammate and leader and, again, when on the field, a great player. Kenneth Grant, DT Why Miami Dolphins pressure? The Dolphins have made no mistake about it: they need and want Kenneth Grant to make an immediate and massive impact. After Calais Campbell left for Arizona, Zach Sieler needs a new running mate. Grant is tough against the run. But the Dolphins believe he also has pass-rush upside. Miami must be more physical and harder to play against and tough guy Grant could be Miami's most important off-season addition. He must produce ― as a rookie. Cam Smith, CB Why Miami Dolphins pressure? At the moment, Storm Duck ― an undrafted rookie last season ― is Miami's top outside cornerback. I know that sounds improbable. But it is what it is. Logic suggests the cornerback with the most pressure is Cam Smith. Miami is not fully committed to former second rounder as a starter, but it would be nice. Smith has yet to reach his potential. Coaches and management have publicly suggested the time for hand-holding is over. Smith must stay healthy and be a true professional off the field. Minkah Fitzpatrick, S Why Miami Dolphins pressure? The Dolphins re-acquired Minkah Fitzpatrick in the Jalen Ramsey deal with the Steelers. They hope he can be the play-maker he's been when at his best. Pittsburgh did not believe he played his best in the past few years. Can Fitzpatrick help cover potential inexperience and/or deficiencies at cornerback? Well, yeah, that's the plan. Minkah must prove to be a great teammate, great leader, great communicator, great player and quarterback of the secondary. No biggie. Tyreek Hill vows to bounce back: Miami Dolphins Top 10 players countdown Time is running out for Tua Tagovailoa: Miami Dolphins Top 10 players countdown Jaelan Phillips works for new contract: Miami Dolphins Top 10 players countdown This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins training camp 2025: Pressure on Tua, these teammates
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Where the Dolphins' offensive line stands, with insight from several. And an early problem
The Dolphins' shuffling along the offensive line can be viewed through two different prisms. The glass half full perspective: They have a skilled pass-blocking left tackle (Patrick Paul) who's mammoth (6-7, 326 pounds), had Pro Football Focus' highest pass-blocking grade among all FBS tackles in 2023 and permitted just two sacks in 1,053 pass-block snaps over his final two years at the University of Houston. They have a right tackle, Austin Jackson, who blossomed in 2023 before a knee injury torpedoed his 2024 season after eight games. They have center Aaron Brewer, who was PFF's seventh highest-rated at his position last season and much improved in pass protection. They have a supreme left guard in James Daniels, who permitted just two sacks in three years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, covering 39 games and 1,367 pass-blocking snaps. And they have rookie guard Jonah Savaiinaea who 'looked like an All-Pro in the Alamo Bowl,' according to ESPN's Louis Riddick. There's also the glass half empty perspective: Jackson is coming off knee surgery last November and Daniels is back from a Week 4 torn Achilles. (Both are healthy.) Paul, replacing former Pro Bowler Terron Armstead, has been beaten some early in camp, and PFF ranked him 79th of 81 tackles last season. Savaiinaea permitted four sacks at Arizona last season and 'can be knocked off balance at times,' according to Mel Kiper Jr. Brewer wasn't as effective in the running game late in the 2024 season as he was earlier in the year. The Dolphins must hope that 2025 reflects more of the former than the latter. Jackson, the longest-tenured member of the line, cites reasons for optimism, including the athleticism of Daniels and Savaiinaea, who are good fits for this system, and Paul's skill set. 'We are young in the interior and really athletic,' Jackson said of Daniels (27) and Savaiinaea (21). 'You can expect a lot of speed, strength. We have the stamina to be fast the entire game. 'Mike McDaniel was talking today; we want to finish our games faster, with more intensity, more urgency to finish the games. You can expect the same kind of thing from our interior linemen.' Defensive lineman Zach Sieler said Thursday that Savaiinaea 'has all the talent in the world. His frame is great. He has good feet. I'm excited to see him grow as a player.' Last year's guard combo, Robert Jones and Liam Eichenberg, wasn't good enough, particularly with runs up the gut. Eichenberg, who is out indefinitely with an undisclosed injury, was PFF's 69th-ranked guard out of 77 and allowed 29 pressures, while Jones (who signed with Dallas in March) had the line's worst run-blocking grade (per PFF) and permitted five sacks and 28 pressures. Daniels participated in multiple sets of team drills on Thursday and seems fully recovered from the Achilles. He was PFF's second-rated guard last season before his Achilles tear. One overriding objective: Improve a running game that had the highest percentage of runs stuffed for no gain in short-yardage situations (44%, tied with New England) and ranked 28th in the league in yards per carry (4.0). 'You are going to see all types of blocking,' Jackson said. 'I'm excited for our run game as well as our pass game, but mostly our run game because that's what we hang our hat on this system.' Paul's play will be critical in how the Dolphins' season plays out. Filling in for Armstead last season, Paul permitted three sacks and 15 pressures in 229 pass blocking chances, and PFF rated him 81st (worst) among tackles as a run blocker. 'In college you can just body people [and get away with] lack of technique,' Paul said late last season. 'When I went back and watched my college tape in the predraft process, it was like I was beating people on sheer size. In the NFL, they're technicians. These people are paid to rush the passer. They're not going to stop once you get your hands on them. They're going to counter a second time and get there whatever way is possible. It's a big change.' On Thursday, Paul said he studied every one of his 337 offensive snaps last season 'to see where I can improve. I also studied other tackles throughout the league to pick games from them and see how they can be successful in different situations. I watched everyone, watched every single tackle for 31 teams. I'm a real film junkie, so that's what I do. I really like watching [the 49ers'] Trent Williams.' He values the mentorship offered by Armstead in the past year: 'He's getting into his media aspect of life. When I see him, I see him.' He also appreciates the blossoming relationship with Savaiinaea: 'Me and Jonah, we hang out all the time. Through the offseason, me and him were here in this building every single day working. So naturally, when you spend that much time together, you're gelled like one.' Dolphins linemen committed far too many presnap penalties during the first two days of camp, and they're self-imposing a penalty: running post-practice laps. Jackson said it was players — not coaches — who came up with the idea to run laps after practice. 'We have presnap penalties, we are going to punish ourselves for that,' he said. 'Things we can control, if we make a mistake in practice, we're going to self-correct ourselves with a little disciplinary action.'
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former first-round Steelers CB suffers season-ending ACL tear at Dolphins training camp
An MRI confirmed an ACL tear for Dolphins CB Artie Burns, who now is expected to miss the 2025 season, per source. The Dolphins' cornerback room suffered an unfortunate blow at training camp — as former Steelers first-rounder and veteran presence in Miami, CB Artie Burns, will miss the 2025 season with a torn ACL. On Wednesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Burns injured his knee at training camp and was initially believed to be an ACL tear — which was confirmed on Thursday by an MRI. Drafted by Pittsburgh with the 25th overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Burns played in 58 games for the Steelers over four seasons. He spent one year with the Bears in 2021, then played for the Seahawks from 2022 to 2024 in a backup role. Another former Steeler was also injured at training camp — Jets QB Justin Fields — who was carted off the field with what many believe to be a right toe injury. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Miami Herald
6 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Burns feared to have torn ACL. And insight on Cam Smith, Sheffield, Dolphins' young corners
The Dolphins' began training camp Wednesday in something of an odd predicament: without a proven No. 1 or No. 2 cornerback on the roster. It's a risky place to be in a league where the best teams all have dangerous passing games. Replacing Jalen Ramsey (who was traded) and Kendall Fuller (who was released and remains unsigned) remains a work in progress. And the situation only worsened on Wednesday when Artie Burns, the only 30-year-old corner on the roster, was lost to what is feared to be a torn ACL injury. Burns became entangled with a teammate during back–pedal drills early in practice, threw his helmet down in disgust and walked out on crutches. Per ESPN, Burns is awaiting an MRI to confirm the suspicion that he has a torn ACL. Though Burns was on the bubble to make the roster, his injury only heightens the need to add a veteran cornerback to complement Kader Kohou, journeyman Kendall Sheffield and eight young players who have a fairly limited NFL body of work, or none at all. The Dolphins have spoken to multiple veteran cornerbacks who remain unsigned and have made offers to Rasul Douglas, who started 15 games for the Bills last season. But even with the shortcomings at the position, Miami is not simply handling a starting job to Smith. Though the Dolphins prohibit media from reporting on depth charts until they are announced by the team, it was clear during Wednesday's session that the cornerback spot will be an open competition. Smith, Sheffield and Storm Duck all have a chance for one or two of the top three cornerback jobs. Rookies Jason Marshall Jr. (a fifth-round pick), BJ Adams and Ethan Robinson, third-year corner Ethan Bonner and second-year corners Isaiah Johnson and Ryan Cooper Jr. also will get a long look. All of this means Smith, 24, will have every opportunity to earn significant playing time. But far more is needed. He began last season on injured reserve with a hamstring injury and ended the season on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. In between, he struggled, permitting a 122.4 passer rating in his coverage area, with 16 completions in 19 targets. Kohou, the only Dolphins' cornerback who would be considered a likely starter, said he sees a difference in Smith, who recovered a fumble by tight end Tanner Conner during Wednesday's practice. 'He's way more focused,' Kohou said. 'If we are all being real, he hasn't played up to his standards and he knows that. So he's working every day hard, he's here a little bit earlier. He's more into his playbook. His body looks better. He's taking care of himself more. Being close to him, he has that mentality: this is the year for him.' Strengthening his body was one of his missives this offseason. Late last season, secondary coach Brian Duker said: 'The biggest thing I've talked to Cam about is we would like to see him put on the body armor to play a full shape. He needs to be in shape to do that. Your body has to be in shape to do that.' So is he out of shape? Duker said to ask the team trainer, who's unavailable to reporters. Then, in April, general manager Chris Grier said: 'Cam Smith needs to come through at the end of the day. He's got to stay healthy and be on the field. He has shown some flashes, but this is a very big year. He knows what's expected because we can't hold his hand and wait for him anymore.' The Dolphins also are eager to see what they have in Sheffield, who has played for seven teams but hasn't played a lot of defensive snaps since starting 20 games for the Atlanta Falcons during his first two seasons. Drafted in the fourth round out of Ohio State, Sheffield started 11 games as a rookie, nine in his second season and none in his third season with Atlanta. His defensive snaps for Atlanta dropped from 700 as a rookie, to 525 last season to just 52 in 2021. The Falcons released him the following offseason. Since then, he has suited up for Houston, Dallas, San Francisco, Tennessee and the Jets but has played defensive snaps for only two of those teams: 23 for the 49ers in 2023 and 92 for the Jets last season. The 5-11 Sheffield, who has 423 career special teams snaps, has no interceptions, six passes defended, two forced fumbles and 114 tackles in 49 NFL games. 'He has good feet,' Kohou said of his cornerback skills. 'He doesn't talk much.' Adams, the undrafted rookie from UCF, was 'one of the better undrafted players,' East/West Shrine Bowl director Eric Galko said in an interview in May. Adams, 6-2, had two interceptions and returned one for a touchdown last season; he missed three games with a back injury but finished with a strong 80.9 passer rating in his coverage area: 18 completions in 35 attempts for 262 yards, three TDs allowed and the two interceptions. Timed at 4.53 in the 40-yard dash, Adams had the two picks, 11 pass breakups and 88 tackles (including five for loss) in four seasons at UCF. He has a real chance to make the roster. Kohou said undrafted rookies Adams and Robinson (who played last season at Minnesota) are 'aggressive as hell. BJ is 6-3, can run, has that mentality that you're not going to catch the ball on him or embarrass him on the field. As a DB, that's one thing you've got to kind of have aside from your skill set. He has already as a young guy. I'm excited to see what he can do.' Kohou, who said he's fine playing either in the slot or on the boundary, said the team's young corners are 'confident in themselves. The coaches are too. The vets are too. What they've shown so far from the day they got here, I have no worries that if they have to go in a game, they [will perform].' Coach Mike McDaniel, asked Wednesday if the team wants to add a veteran cornerback, said: 'If you have youth at a position, you have confidence in it [before others do]. We're not closing the door on anything. There are multiple players we talk about every day. Also very excited with some guys who have a lot to prove and are excited about the opportunity.'
Miami Herald
6 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill's still working on relationship after wideout's ‘I'm out' comment
The vast majority of the NFL world saw Tyreek Hill's infamous tirade at the end of the 2024 season. It produced a myriad of reactions — most of which tended to scold Hill — from pundits and fans alike. What was more so unclear, however, was how the star receiver's purported trade request affected the team as a whole. And while Hill has since recanted his statement — in addition to even publicly apologizing to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa — it appears that the duo's relationship still needs work. 'We're still continuing' to rebuild it, Tagovailoa said Wednesday morning. 'But it's not just with me — it's with a lot of the guys. I'm not the only one who heard that. You guys aren't the only people that heard that.' Added Tagovailoa: 'When you say something like that, you don't just come back from that with 'Hey my bad.' You got to work that relationship up. You got to build everything up again. It's still a work in process.' Following a disappointing 32-20 less to the New York Jets in the Dolphins' 2024 season finale, Hill didn't hold back his feelings. 'There are a lot of things I need to reassess about my career,' Hill said Jan. 5. 'Just see what I need to do to continue to get better as a player so I can continue to reach that 1,000-yard mark. It [stinks] missing QB 1 [Tagovailoa].... I've got to do what's best for me and my family, whether that's here or wherever the case may be. I'm opening the door. I'm out, bro. 'It was great playing here, but at the end of the day, I've got to do what's best for my career. I'm too much of a competitor to be just out there.' Granted, Hill played a full 17-game season with a fractured wrist and had just missed the playoffs for the first time in his career. Tagovailoa, conversely, had missed a total of six games, four due to a concussion and a final two with a hip injury. It was also arguably the worst season of Hill's career since his rookie year in 2016. Hill was admittedly frustrated to say the least. 'It was tough,' Hill said of the incident in late May, adding that he's gone to therapy to help gain a better control of his mental health. 'Obviously, emotions were high then, but at the end of the day I'm just looking to move forward from that.' The eight-time Pro Bowler further explained himself during the first day of training camp. 'I know how to lose but in those moments, I need to be better as a leader and I realized that throughout this whole entire offseason,' Hill said Tuesday, praising the fans and Miami community as a whole for embracing him. 'I feel like I really haven't been giving the best version of Tyreek my whole entire career.' The offseason seemingly gave Hill a bit of perspective. Not only did the nine-year veteran go on an apology tour during Super Bowl week, he made a point to go above and beyond in his training . Hill also had surgery in an effort to be ready in time for training camp. 'As a leader of this team and also a leader of this community, I just need to be better in that sense and just know that there's a ton of little kids who look up to me as a player and as a role model,' Hill said Tuesday, adding that he 'matured a lot.' 'I just got to remind myself of that.' Even Tagovailoa has noticed the changes, praising his star wideout for the introspection. 'He's working on himself,' Tagovailoa said, explaining that he has shown 'a lot more vulnerability,' something that the franchise quarterback believed to be 'the first step to him building true relationships.' 'He's working on the things that he says he wants to get better with and be better on. So that's the first step to me and so I commend him for doing that.'
