The Miami Dolphins may have left their visit with the Washington Commanders officially carrying a loss from their preseason meeting and unofficially from their joint practice, but an early preseason meeting isn’t all about the overall stats. The Dolphins, the youngest team in the NFL, including 13 drafted rookies this year, are trying to establish a new identity under first-year head coach Jeff Hafley. After years of focusing on speed, finesse, and mismatches, Miami is now trying to bring back physicality.
According to the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s David Furones, they showed it against the Commanders. When providing a review of the team’s weekend in Maryland and Virginia, Furones highlighted Miami’s improved physical play:
Blocking and physicality
The Dolphins’ first-team offensive line kept a clean pocket for Willis. That unit also got a push up front in the run game.The two young guards, Kadyn Proctor and Jonah Savaiinaea, looked good in their first in-game action this season, so that’s a plus. New reserve lineman Caedan Wallace had a nice day in his Dolphins debut after being picked up in a trade with the New England Patriots.
Physicality is one of the keys Hafley is trying to instill early on, and it’s working.
You can check out the rest of that story here, and the rest of the day’s round-up below.
What we learned in week of Dolphins-Commanders joint practice, preseason opener– David Furones, South Florida Sun Sentinel
The Miami Dolphins got their first taste of facing an opponent in the era of new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley. If we’re keeping a win-loss record in the preseason, the Dolphins lost the joint practice against the Washington Commanders on Wednesday and then lost on the scoreboard, 20-7, in Friday’s exhibition opener. But much like Miami’s upcoming regular season largely won’t be judged by wins and losses, neither should the week in the greater Washington, D.C. area.
Dolphins physicality on display
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Dolphins show impressive physicality in Washington loss, fulfilling a major goal – Chris Perkins, South Florida Sun Sentinel
The Dolphins passed their first test under coach Jeff Hafley last week at Washington — they were physical in Wednesday’s joint practice against the Commanders and they stayed that way in Friday’s preseason opener, especially in the trenches.
Two Miami Dolphins Players Stand Out Among Those Who Brought the Physicality Jeff Hafley Loved – Jake Gibson, Miami Dolphins on SI
One positive takeaway from Miami’s preseason opener against Washington was the physicality the team brought, including from some unlikely players.
Dolphins vs. Commanders review
Dolphins preseason opener thoughts, postscripts: What data reveals on defense – Barry Jackson, Miami Herald
Notes, thoughts, metrics and postscripts on the Dolphins’ defense, by position, in the wake of Friday’s 20-7 preseason opening loss at Washington:
Preseason Week 1: Offensive Line Review – Chris Early, Aqua and Orange Review
Welcome back to Aqua And Orange Review. Yesterday, we looked at some quick hits from the game Friday night. Today, we are going to look at how the offensive line played.
Dolphins Injuries
Breaking Down Dolphins Sunday Roster Moves: O-Line Depth Takes a Big Hit– Alain Poupart, Miami Dolphins on SI
The Miami Dolphins’ already shaky offensive line depth got some bad news it really didn’t need to get Sunday in a series of roster moves. Among the four transactions the Dolphins made two days after their preseason opener, the team placed veteran guard/tackle Jamaree Salyer on injured reserve.
Dolphins lose veteran lineman for season, sign a QB, make 4 moves. Ewers hurt – Barry Jackson, Miami Herald
The Dolphins have lost veteran offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer for the season and backup quarterback Quinn Ewers for at least a week, it was learned Sunday.
New injury for Dolphins’ Quinn Ewers prompts QB pickup; OL Salyer out for season – David Furones, South Florida Sun Sentinel
Miami Dolphins backup quarterback Quinn Ewers suffered a new groin injury early in his action in Friday’s preseason opener against the Washington Commanders, according to a league source. The source said Ewers will be week to week.
Former Dolphins
Raiders release DT Benito Jones – Adam Schefter, ESPN
In a corresponding move, the Raiders released DT Benito Jones.
ICYMI – The Phinsider News and Updates
Dolphins bring back QB Mark Gronowski in Sunday roster moves – Kevin Nogle, The Phinsider
The Miami Dolphins announced a series of roster moves on Sunday, including the return of quarterback Mark Gronowski.
Quinn Ewers suffers groin injury in Dolphins loss to Commanders – Kevin Nogle, The Phinsider
Miami Dolphins second-string quarterback Quinn Ewers may miss some time after injury versus Commanders.
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