Top 3 Miami Dolphins training camp performers – Day 5

Now that the pads have come on and players are getting much more physical, the time has come to really start evaluating players in training camp. Naturally, things changed on the offensive line as head coach Brian Flores fired Pat Flaherty, the OL coach. Now it’s up to Dave DeGuglielmo – in his third stint with the Dolphins – to make things work on the line.

Immediately, things began to change in the OL’s approach. And it showed as other players were able to shine as a result.

Michael Deiter, G

Deiter didn’t wow the crowd with his blocking prowess. However, given that all it took was Flaherty being fired for the rookie out of Wisconsin to get time with the starters, one has to wonder what was going on behind the scenes. Either way, Deiter was decent playing left guard between Laremy Tunsil and Daniel Kilgore. “Decent” is admittedly not high praise, but it’s quite a jump from Flaherty’s comments where he said Deiter had a long way to go.

DeGuglielmo is not shy about playing rookies and younger players. They take their lumps and learn like they’re expected to start. Given the state of Miami’s offensive line, Deiter may actually have to do so. Thus, it’s an excellent sign Deiter didn’t sink upon being thrust into the starting lineup.

Jerome Baker, LB

Welcome to the new NFL, where speed is key and big, bruising linebackers are a thing of the past. Baker is thriving with this setup, and that continued on Tuesday. Baker broke up a pass, was excellent in pass rushing, and put a hit on fullback Chandler Cox that knocked him to the ground. That’s no easy feat, especially with how Cox is built. Baker is proving to be the best linebacker on the Dolphins roster by far, and with the defensive scheme emphasizing versatility, he’ll be all over the place.

Baker, along with Sam Eguavoen, could be a good tandem for Miami’s defense in 2019. It’s something to monitor for the future.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB

Aside from one embarrassing slip-up where Fitzpatrick reeled back to throw and the ball fell out of his hand before he could, Fitzpatrick was once again sharp. There’s no question at this point that between him and Rosen, Fitzpatrick is the better quarterback in training camp. This may not always be the case, but for now it’s obvious. Fitzpatrick was aggressive, he was accurate, and Rosen was…well, not.

Head coach Brian Flores even said as much during his press conference. Fitzpatrick has performed much more than Rosen so far, and this puts Flores in an interesting position. He’s repeatedly said there are “no sacred cows” on this team. Everyone has to earn their job, including Rosen. The fanbase wants to see Rosen start because they feel starting Fitzpatrick would be a waste of time. There’s no need to evaluate Fitzpatrick, everyone knows who he is and what to expect from him.

Rosen, however, is still young. If he doesn’t work out, then Miami almost assuredly will draft a quarterback in the first round of the 2020 draft. But if Flores is true to his word, Fitzpatrick must start the season if this continues.