Miami Dolphins camp Quickie Notes: Day 9

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Day 9

– NO Scrimmage. Regular Practice scheduled. Oh Well.
– Coach Flores arrives 5 minutes early.
– I know I said Ryan Fitzpatrick was leading the competition, but there is still plenty of competition left – Coach Flores
– The Practice schedule for today is unclear. When asked when the “Live” periods of practice will occur, coach Flores says, “Maybe an hour from now.”
– “We are in an evaluation process.” (when asked about the Depth Chart)- Coach Flores
– “DeVante Parker has had a strong camp” (glowing praise ensued) – Coach Flores
– Woodard, Jones, McMillan, Grant, Allen, plus 2 PUP guys…OUT.
– Practice begins, once again, with Special Teams.
– Stretch portion of practice.
– Indy drills for all. Uneventful start to practice.
– QB warmup time. Josh Rosen is cleaner with his mechanics. None of these QB’s wow anybody, ever, during any of these warmups.
– Team meeting at the 50 yard line. What’s this about?
– 11v11 now
– Drive #1. Fitzy to Stills for 6 on quick out left. Fitzy finds Parker beating the zone for 15. Drake busts a lead right for a big gain down to the 3. Charles Harris with a nice play to stop a run. Play Action Boot Pass to Drake for a TD.
– Josh Rosen leading the 2nd team.
– Rosen to Preston Williams for 15 on deep out.
– 2nd team offense has committed two penalties.
– Rosen with a good looking RPO?
– Rosen quick out to Preston Williams for 8
NICE!
– 2nd team needs to punt having failed to get a 1st down.
– Fitzy to Stills…tipped. Xavien Howard INT.
– Josh Rosen back in. Penalty to start.
– Inside Zone runs, quick out to Brice Butler. Penalty. 3rd and 15. Inside zone run gains 6. Hmm. We have seen that before.
– Penalties, inside zone runs, and a quick out…with MORE penalties sets up 3rd and 25.
– Josh Rosen does well to gain a chunk by escaping pocket, finding Preston Williams. Sets up FG. Good.
– Fitzy has an uneventful series.
– Rudock in to take some snaps.
– Fitzy back in.
– Charles Harris with a sack on Fitzy. Beats Tunsil.
– Charles Harris is a menace. In on Fitzy again. On a twist.
– Van Ginkel got sucked in by the play call. Screen behind him. Drake with a big gain.
– Wow. Fitzy flag pattern for a big one to Stills. Off his finger tips. GREAT THROW
– Fitzy tries a go to Parker on right side. Overthrown. FG try.good.
– Halftime.
– Josh Rosen in. 2nd teamers.
– Rosen, incomplete in cut. Rosen complete out to Brice Butler. Sack by Adolphus Washington ends series.
– Fitzy starts series. Jerome Baker sack.
– Series goes quickly.
– Starting at their own 1. Josh Rosen leads the 2nd team. Dive play gains nothing.
– Rosen moves the chains on 3rd and 5. Rosen starts with a quick out on 1st down. Rosen hits Preston Williams on a beauty. 45 yard gain.
– Preston Williams is today’s clear cut star.
– Sets up a FG try. Good.
– Fitzy 1st teamers. Start at 25 going in.
– Gesicki beats Minkah bad on a back shoulder throw. He pushed off. Offensive P.I.
– ITS REVIEWED. REVERSED. GESICKI SETS UP 1st and Goal from the 5.
– 3rd and goal. Fitzy has nothing. FG try. Good.
– Rudock leads a TD drive on a series of runs on a short field.
– Fitzy starts from his own 1. Ballage moves it 6 yards out.
– Ballage sweep. Penalty. Count is somewhere between 12-15 penalties.
– Dieter consistently 1st team LG. Assortment at RG. Latest is Kyle Fuller.
– Here comes a Josh Rosen 2 minute drill.
– Rosen to Gesicki for 10. Fitzy comes in now. Ford for 10 on Howard.
– Fitzy pick on deep post. Xavien Howard with the pick to kill the drive.
– Rosen in now. Strike to Stills for 18 on curl. Holding. Bring it back.
– Rosen DEEP to stills…Howard with the pick. NO. Stills makes a play off of him. Huge gain. 50+ yards
– Rosen with a DISASTER throw in red zone. Xavien Howard pick. Off his hands. Caught by Ford for a TD.
– Goal line portion of practice.
– Ballage stuffed lead right. Godchaux on play.
– O’Leary TD on play action pass.
– Ballage TD on Dive play.
– Practice over.
– Stephen Ross and Josh Rosen have a long 12-15 minute conversation. Then Ross, Grier and Fitzy have a talk of their own.

Practice MVP: Xavien Howard, Preston Williams, Charles Harris.
Struggled: Kyle Fuller, Laremy Tunsil, Chris Reed

Miami Hurricanes: Thomas, Osborn Lead Dynamic WRs

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The Miami Hurricanes continue their first full week of Fall camp and competition across the roster is heating up.

That competition is exactly what Manny Diaz is looking for if pictures tell a thousand words.

 

In the sweltering South Florida sun the smile on Diaz says a lot.

The pads came on Tuesday and the competitive tone has been set.

Among those competitors are the wide receiver corps, a group with a mix of established performers and exciting prospects.

Thomas Brings All-Purpose Productivity

Jeff Thomas comes off a sophomore season where he began to put it together.

And then it all fell apart.

Thomas was dismissed from the team at the end of 2018, but Diaz brought him back for a reason.

His next-level speed separates him in the open field, whether on receptions or returns.

 

Consistency at quarterback hurt his productivity in terms of touchdowns late in the season.

After making house calls in two of his first three games, he only found the end zone once via reception the rest of the season.

Despite that, Thomas was still second on the team with a healthy 16.1 YPC average and led them with 563 receiving yards.

If someone can get him the ball in space and on time, he is poised for a breakout junior season.

Another Exciting Transfer

Tate Martell isn’t the only high profile transfer making his way to Coral Gables.

Redshirt senior KJ Osborn joins the Hurricanes after four seasons at Buffalo, where he was one of the top receivers in the MAC.

He and his fellow transfer Martell seem to be starting off well.

 

 

His experience will help a young receiving corps and his productivity hit career marks in receptions (53), yards (892) and touchdowns (7) last season.

Who Will Break From the Pack?

Beyond Thomas and Osborn is a group of exciting playmakers fighting for an opportunity. Junior Mike Harley was tied for third on the team with 21 receptions last year, while Dee Wiggins showed promise as a freshman in limited action on offense.

Sophomores Brian Hightower and Mark Pope will also be fighting for reps and touches during the season. The wide receiver group is one of the deepest on the team, it will be interesting to see who steps up among the second tier.

Make sure to follow us on Twitter @SportsWaveDave and @5ReasonsSports.

For more exclusive Miami Hurricanes content subscribe to the 5 Rings Canes Podcast.

Related:

Miami Hurricanes: Jordan and Mallory Heirs to “TE U”?

 

Quickie Miami Dolphins training camp notes — Day 8

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Day 8

– “My High School coach is here.”- Coach Flores
– Tomorrow’s Scrimmage will have a game day simulation “feel”- Coach Flores
– We are all in this thing together (on coaches running to T.N.T Wall)- Coach Flores
– “Defensive issue” yesterday cause Coach Flores to run to wall.
– Some praise for the Michael Dieter/ Shaq Calhoun starting guard duo- Coach Flores
– BUBBLE TIME
– Its a walk through, so we are not allowed to tweet/write what “exactly” they are doing.
– Mostly Special Teams work to start practice. Guys in new spots as compared go last year.
– Hard to do reporting on what they are doing, but you are seeing many personnel sets, heavy subs on defense, and the use of 9 different skill guys in a set of play calls. Last year, you could go 3 quarters with just 7 skill guys seeing action. That seems to be a thing of the past. Maximum use of the roster and the talent on hand is the new norm. Good to see.
– There must be an NFL requirement for Special Teams Coordinators to be boisterous and use colorful language. Danny Crossman is cut from that same Darren Rizzi mold, in that regard.
– Walk through is complete, plenty of special teams work, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd teams run through their basic sets.
– Reggie McKenzie, Chris Grier, attended the walk through, and seemed to be engaged in conversation/evaluation.

Practice MVP: NONE
Struggled: NONE

Quickie Camp Notes, Day 7

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DAY 7
– No Coach Flores availability today.
– Dreary, cloudy. Menace of rain.
– Practicing outside. No bubble time.
– Loose warmup going on…might miss 9:40 prompt practice start for first time?
– RAIN!
– Practice starts with Special Teams. We also have a crew of Officials.
– Near Field work today.
– Michael Dieter, Shaq Calhoun start practice as the two guards, once again.
– The two PUP guys, plus Ballage, Allen, Kiko, Grant, Mills OUT. Albert Wilson, scheduled day off.
– Stretch
– QB warmup ….clean. WR, OL as well. Professional warmup here today.
– Josh Rosen is on 2nd team for 2nd straight practice….so there’s that.
– Ominous weather threatening to escalate from a lite drizzle, to biblical downpour.
– Uneventful start to this practice, but Charles Harris….let’s just say he is not great at any drill.
– QB’s warming up DB’s with what can only be called the INT. Drill. Near perfect in that regard.
– 7v7
– Fitzpatrick with two very nice deliveries. Stills on the comeback route. O’Leary on a cross.
– Josh Rosen grabs two essentially worthless reps. A quick out, and a check down.
– OL drilling assignments. Jesse Davis delivers Aces. Picks up Tyrone Holmes, picks up Terril Hanks. Looks natural on his kick slide.
– 11v11
– 11v11 now….Fitzy with some sharp work…then…defense sends a disguised blitz, he sees it….go route to Preston Williams…just out of reach….he tips it….Nik Needham picks it off. Bad luck, but great stuff from Fitzy.
– Some special teams work here. Going to be interesting who has spots on “teams” for preseason game 1. They are cross training a bunch of guys in different spots.
– Watching a walk thru of some offensive play calls in the install portion of practice. Interesting stuff.
– 11v11
– Fitzy, play action pass miss on the deep flag route to Parker, coverage was there, Bobby McCain looked to be at a considerable disadvantage against DeVante Parker.
– Josh Rosen might complete 400 passes to backs if he starts this year. His reps are becoming boring. Too many check downs.
– Myles Gaskin might be emerging as the 3rd team back? Maybe? Who cares? I think some game action will help the guys behind Ballage and Drake, distinguish themselves.
– Special Teams work. Trenton Irwin and Kenyan Drake get some work as Punt Returners.
– Fitzy tries Gesicki on TJ in the end zone from the 5 yard line. Pass break up by TJ.
– Jerome Baker beats Sterup badly …sack.
– Josh Rosen to DeVante Parker jump ball in end zone. TD…on McTyer.
– 14 second drill from the 44, trying to gain yardage for a FG. 1st team goes 0-2. Stills completion runs out clock, incomplete on 2nd try.
– This coaching staff really likes to drill game situations.
– Now from the opposite 45 yard line. 2 for 2. Big gains to set up under 47 yard field goals.
– Practice is over.
– Defensive Assistants hold court.

Practice MVP: DeVante Parker, Jerome Baker, Jesse Davis
Struggled: Charles Harris, Zach Sterup, Josh Rosen

 

Alfredo Arteaga (@UptownReport) is one-third of the trio that does the Three Yards Per Carry (@3YardsPerCarry) podcast.

Nick Buoniconti

Dolphins Hall of Fame LB Nick Buoniconti dies at 78

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Former Miami Dolphins legend and Hall of Fame linebacker Nick Buoniconti, who was the leader of the “No-Name Defense” of Miami’s 1970s Super Bowl teams and co-founded The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, has tragically passed away at age 78. The announcement came from his family, with his son giving a statement shortly after it was reported by Hal Habib of the Palm Beach Post. He died on Tuesday in Bridgehampton, New York, per family spokesperson Bruce Bobbins.

“Today, with a heavy heart and profound sorrow, my family and the entire Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and Buoniconti Fund community mourn the loss of a man who was truly larger than life, my father, NFL Hall of Famer Nick Buoniconti,” Marc Buoniconti said in a statement. “My dad has been my hero and represents what I have always aspired to be: a leader, a mentor and a champion.”

Buoniconti went on to have a 15-year career in the NFL. After his retirement, he and his son Marc raised over a half-billion dollars for paralysis research. Marc was paralyzed from the shoulders down attempting to make a tackle for The Citadel, so the research is very personal for the whole family.

Struggles with CTE

Though no cause of death has been specified, it’s well-documented that Buoniconti was diagnosed with CTE. This degenerative brain disease associated with repeated blows to the head has been the cause of much – and continuing – reform within the game of football at all levels. Buoniconti struggled with the disease and knew something was wrong with him.

It was a long, hard road for the undersized linebacker. He would forget where he was, he had deteriorating recollection of past events. He required assistance just to live everyday life. That’s a far cry from the triumphant moments spent on the football field. In his last days, Buoniconti was placed in hospice and battled pneumonia. That was on top of his other ailments. At last his suffering is over.

Beyond the paralysis foundation, Buoniconti requested that his brain be donated for scientific research. This will hopefully further the advancement to finding an eventual cure.

Buoniconti’s Legacy

Buoniconti started his football career going in the 13th round to the Boston Patriots of the upstart AFL. He played with them from 1962 to 1968. Then he went to Miami, and played with them from 1969 to 1974, as well as 1976. During his 15-year career, Buoniconti was an eight-time Pro Bowler, five-time first-team All-Pro and racked up 32 interceptions. His number of total tackles aren’t available, but watching him play, it was clear he was a tackling machine. He even set a team record in 1973 with 162 tackles.

After he retired, Buoniconti spent time as an attorney, a broadcaster, the president of U.S. Tobacco, and even an agent to the likes of Andre Dawson. Finally, he was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2001.

Now, his family will carry on Buoniconti’s legacy, and all of Dolphins nation mourns the loss of a legend.

Quickie Camp Notes, Day 6

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DAY 6

– Rainy, miserably morning. Could we have our first indoor practice of the new regime?
– We will be outside today. No bubble time today.
– Run of the mill stuff from Coach Flores today.
– Want to impress me? Do it in the kicking game.- Coach Flores
– Coach Flores confirms he is not a “bubble guy”. Team has to get acclimated to this weather. Camp is supposed to be hard.- Coach Flores
– Kiko Alonso to be back in a day or 2- Coach Flores
– Kiko Alonso, Kalen Ballage, Clive Walford OUT for practice today. Nothing serious on Ballage.
– Tankersley, Hull remain on PUP list.
– Dwayne Allen returns.
– We have a crew of officials today, for the first time in Training Camp
– Michael Dieter at LG, Shaq Calhoun at RG on 1st team OL.
– Far field work today.
– Appears early on that Josh Rosen is working 2nd team.
– Team stretch.
– QB warmup ongoing. Sharp. No complaints today.
– Jake Rudock doesn’t have a terrible arm, but it’s not good either.
– The WR group is probably the most athletically gifted unit on the team. Their warmups tend to always be sharp, impressive. There are a lot of pros in that group.
– Shaq Calhoun in OK drills. Displays short choppy steps hitting his mark on a reach drill. Good stuff.
– QB warmup going off without a hitch.
– Yep. Rudock back to scout team work. Rosen to the 2nd team.
– Michael Dieter obliterates Godchaux on a play action look. Well executed.
– Nate Orchard looks best in pass rush drills. He has been bad this camp against the run.
– TJ McDonald being called for Defensive holding on 1v1. Expected. Man to Man in space to him is foreign. The worst of his skill sets.
– 7v7 now.
– Josh Rosen having a sharp segment to practice here. Good to see. Fitzpatrick however….been better. Both are sharp, so that’s good to see.
– I don’t usually talk like this, but this Defense with better personnel, namely on the edge, and in secondary, is going to be a problem. Tricky, smart, versatile. Multiple looks, movement. Baiting coverages….very happy with this.
– Eric Rowe….near pick six on Fitzy. Intended for Stills.
– Xavien Howard, picks off Fitzy. Intended for Preston William’s. Under cut the deep in cut.
– Rudock deep out to Grant. Hartage in coverage.
– There was a Rep deficiency for Josh Rosen in that last 11v11 segment.
– Special Teams Work. Jakeem Grant leaves practice with a leg issue.
– Some 7v7 here.
– Durham Smythe quietly having a good camp.
– Josh Rosen still not trusting what he sees. Too many check downs for a Camp practice in July.
– Michael Dieter T.N.T. wall……false start. Can we do that in games too?
– Josh Rosen sails an out route to his comfortable side (right).
– Josh Rosen with a sharp out route completion to Preston Williams.
– Andrew Van Ginkel sure does blast off that edge. Him and Orchard, most noticeable of the edge guys. Harris is being asked to do many other things.
– Fitzpatrick seems to be experimenting with things. Picks ensue once again.
– Fitzpatrick executing a 2 minute drill. Coach Flores steps in to call Timeout after gaining 12 yards. FG try with no football. Seemed to be an alignment, time drill.
– Josh Rosen, does the same. Completes a bubble screen. That’s a wrap. That’s practice.
– After practice, we in the media met with NFL officials so they can explain the new rule changes. More on that on another date.

Practice MVP: DeVante Parker, Durham Smythe, Vincent Taylor
Struggled: Chris Reed, Charles Harris

 

Alfredo Arteaga (@UptownReport) is one-third of the trio that does the Three Yards Per Carry (@3YardsPerCarry) podcast.

And the Dolphins QB battle continues…

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Miami Dolphins rookie head coach Brian Flores has continued to echo the importance of competition since the team met for mini camp in June.

 

Fast forward about a month and after the first week of training camp, as the Dolphins prepare for the 2019 season, there are a few major position battles brewing in Davie.

 

Each day it seems that a new report is released surrounding a handful of different positions including running back, offensive line and linebacker. However, no competition is under the spotlight as often as the quarterback battle between Josh Rosen and Ryan Fitzpatrick.

 

Fitzpatrick hit the ground running at the first day of training camp and impressed with his accuracy.

 

 

 

The 36-year-old Highland High School alum has also displayed his leadership ability.

 

 

With Fitzpatrick showcasing why has found success as a 14-year NFL veteran, it should come to no surprise that Flores mentioned on Tuesday morning that Fitzpatrick is the current front runner for the quarterback job in front of Rosen, the second-year pro out of UCLA.

 

“It’s pretty clear to me that Ryan Fitzpatrick is leading the way,” Flores said. “He’s done that in a lot of areas, from leadership to production on the field to the meeting rooms to the walk-throughs. This is an ongoing competition, but right now he’s leading the way.”

 

It is important to keep in mind that we are just a week into training camp and while Fitzpatrick has looked the part at times, he doesn’t have the most consistent track record and that part of his game has started to show on the practice field.

 

Miami Dolphins rookie head coach Brian Flores has continued to echo the importance of competition since the team met for mini camp in June.

 

Fast forward about a month and after the first week of training camp, as the Dolphins prepare for the 2019 season, there are a few major position battles brewing in Davie.

 

Each day it seems that a new report is released surrounding a handful of different positions including running back, offensive line and linebacker. However, no competition is under the spotlight as often as the quarterback battle between Josh Rosen and Ryan Fitzpatrick.

 

Fitzpatrick hit the ground running at the first day of training camp and impressed with his accuracy.

 

 

 

The 36-year-old Highland High School alum has also displayed his leadership ability.

 

 

With Fitzpatrick showcasing why has found success as a 14-year NFL veteran, it should come to no surprise that Flores mentioned on Tuesday morning that Fitzpatrick is the current front runner for the quarterback job in front of Rosen, the second-year pro out of UCLA.

 

“It’s pretty clear to me that Ryan Fitzpatrick is leading the way,” Flores said. “He’s done that in a lot of areas, from leadership to production on the field to the meeting rooms to the walk-throughs. This is an ongoing competition, but right now he’s leading the way.”

 

It is important to keep in mind that we are just a week into training camp and while Fitzpatrick has looked the part at times, he doesn’t have the most consistent track record and that part of his game has started to show on the practice field.

 

The Dolphins have more than a month before they hit the turf at Hard Rock Stadium, which is why the quarterback battle is far from over.

 

 

Both quarterbacks continue to push each other and it is important to not get hung up on who is “leading” the quarterback competition. It is far too early to think that Rosen is a bust, but also too early to say that Fitzpatrick will lead the Dolphins to a 4-12 record.

 

Rosen and Fitzpatrick will continue to push each other, which is what exactly what Flores wants each player on the 53-man roster to do.

 

“I guess the thought process behind that is, maybe we want to keep that guy hungry,” Flores said of depth chart shakeups on Sunday. “Maybe we want to make sure that guy knows that you could have a great day, and we’re always competing. There’s a lot of levels here, a lot of things that go into it.”

 

As of right now, it is tough to determine who will be under center come week one, but both Rosen and Fitzpatrick will continue to grow as Miami’s quarterback battle continues to unfold.

 

Jake Mendel also writes for our sister site, Dolphin Maven. 

 

 

The Dolphins have more than a month before they hit the turf at Hard Rock Stadium, which is why the quarterback battle is far from over.

 

 

Both quarterbacks continue to push each other and it is important to not get hung up on who is “leading” the quarterback competition. It is far too early to think that Rosen is a bust, but also too early to say that Fitzpatrick will lead the Dolphins to a 4-12 record.

 

Rosen and Fitzpatrick will continue to push each other, which is what exactly what Flores wants each player on the 53-man roster to do.

 

“I guess the thought process behind that is, maybe we want to keep that guy hungry,” Flores said of depth chart shakeups on Sunday. “Maybe we want to make sure that guy knows that you could have a great day, and we’re always competing. There’s a lot of levels here, a lot of things that go into it.”

 

As of right now, it is tough to determine who will be under center come week one, but both Rosen and Fitzpatrick will continue to grow as Miami’s quarterback battle continues to unfold.

 

Jake Mendel also writes for our sister site, Dolphin Maven.