THE EXTRA YARD: WEEK #1 DOLPHINS CAMP REPORT

Week 1 has come and gone, and due to the restrictive nature of the NFL reporting rules this year, I cannot offer detailed analysis, but I can give you an overview of each position group after one week of training camp.

QUARTERBACKS

Exciting isn’t it? Don’t be. it’s been reported elsewhere that Ryan Fitzpatrick should hold on to his starting job, and I don’t see any chance that changes. The loss of preseason games really hurt Tua Tagovailoa’s chances to earn the starting job. In other news, Josh Rosen has looked good so far in camp, which is to say he has looked like a professional capable of running an NFL offense. After steady work, all week, Friday had one of the toughest to watch practices for quarterbacks I have ever seen.

RUNNINGBACKS

Good looking group, and it’s predictable that the two acquisitions from the offseason, head that group. Jordan Howard is big, shifty, and looks to be the early down back everybody predicted. Matt Breida is lightning quick, can catch the ball and has had his moments in space so far in camp. Patrick Laird has been steady, Malcolm Perry makes you think about the possibilities and Kalen Ballage has a long way to go to earn snaps over the guys they acquired this offseason.

WIDE RECEIVERS

I would be lying if I told you the “Opt outs” of Alen Hurns and Albert Wilson didn’t hurt. You gotta feel good about DeVante Parker and Preston Williams, but if they take an injury to either of those two, this goes from an above average unit to sub average. Isaiah Ford seeks to take advantage of this, and is primed to do just that. Jakeem Grant is ALWAYS going to light up training camp, practice, 7v7, 11v11, Indy drills as he is a maximum effort guy. I don;t think I am being unfair to the rest of the guys by saying nobody else has stood out.

TIGHT ENDS
Mike Gesicki has a bigger, more full build. Adam Shaheen has had moments as a blocker and the rest of the guys are wallpaper. It’s been an uneventful camp for the position unit, so far.

OFFENSIVE LINE
This is the surprise of camp so far. I expected Austin Jackson to be a developmental player. He looks like a contributor right way. Jackson has not been shy in the face of physical challenges from the vets, and has the look of a guy that belongs. It’s been no secret, the big surprise has been Solomon Kindley who looks to contribute BIG right away. A giant, mobile, exciting highlight film of a guard is how to describe him. My partner on the 3YPC Podcast mused about “Jamie Nails” as a comparison, and I must say, that the arrow and enthusiasm is up, so far. At the very least, he is fun to watch, and offers an effort player at a position of need. Ereck Flowers has had some standout snaps, and is showing leadership of the unit. Robert Hunt has been steady, but is being overshadowed by his two rookie teammates. Ted Karras has shown some mobility and good anchor in the face of A gap blitzes, so some of the narratives are slowly being dispelled.

DEFENSIVE LINE
Christian Wilkins is slimer and loosk to contribute in many more ways than last year. Emmanuel Ogbah, exhibits all the traits he was signed for. Shaq Lawson is as advertised as an edge setter. Raekwon Davis…well….It’s a snuff film when he is out there. It is fair to say that only Ereck Flowers has slowed Davis down, as he has shown all of that “1st round talent” that everybody hypothesized, he possessed. Zach Sieler offered steady work all week, while Curtis Weaver flashed, while abusing Julien Davenport in a couple of practices. This group is pretty straight forward as far as hierarchy.

LINEBACKERS
Losing Vince Biegel shook up this group and sent it in search of a pass rush specialist. In came Andrew Van Ginkel, Kyle Van Noy, Curtis Weaver, to fill the void. Whiel Jerome Baker works on his back to back training camp DPOY award, its evident that Kyle Van Noy will be an important cog for this unit as he will be asked to do a lot. Raekwon McMillan is having another quiet camp, as Elandon Roberts has made a whole bunch of noise with his physical play.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

With the absence of Xavien Howard, Noah Igbinoghene looks to contribute right away, while all world corner Byron Jones lives up to his sticky reputation. The battles between DeVante Parker and Byron Jones are worth an admission price. Eric Rowe, Bobby McCain return to head the captaincy of the secondary, as new shooter Kavon Frazier makes a very strong first impression as an old school, seek and destroy, thumper as a traditional box safety. Nik Needham has gotten off to a slow start, but also looks to be an important piece. Tae Hayes has flashed ball hawking ability.

SPECIAL TEAMS
People were pretty nervous early this week when reports from the beat writers said that Preston Williams was back returning punts again. I can’t reveal the depth chart at the position, but rest easy that Jakeem Grant and Malcolm Perry have been introduced as options for those duties going forward.

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