MIAMI GARDENS — We all have questions about the 2024 Miami Dolphins. The biggest thing we want to know is whether they’re good enough to win a playoff game.
But that’s starting at the back.
Let’s start with what’s directly in front of us, meaning the Tuesday and Wednesday joint practices against the Atlanta Falcons.
And let’s start with all the talk the Dolphins are doing about being bullies, being tough, calling each other out for missteps.
Let’s see if this chatter about being a different Dolphins team comes to fruition when an opponent is in front of them.
“It’s an opportunity to start defining who you are as a team in concrete,” coach Mike McDaniel said.
I’m excited to see this much-needed turnabout.
All Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey gathered the team after practice last week and, according to guard Robert Jones, told them, “This year, we’re gonna be the bullies.”
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa mentioned the no-nonsense attitude.
“All around we better make sure we all know what we’re doing,” Tagovailoa said Saturday, “because if something slips up, you best know (that) on this team this year, you’re getting called out.”
The Dolphins’ aggressive, no-nonsense change of attitude is the first thing I’ll be looking for in the joint practices against the Falcons, but it’s not the only thing.
This is the time when Dolphins veterans get their most work and their best work. The way McDaniel has structured training camp, Miami’s veterans won’t play much in any of the three preseason games, and they don’t necessarily do a whole lot during regular training camp practices.
Now, considering it’s only the third week of training camp, I’m going to be realistic here.
I don’t expect to see, say, left tackle Terron Armstead at the top of his game. Armstead hasn’t been through an entire training camp practice yet. He hasn’t done any 11 on 11. So I don’t expect him to be at the top of his game, and actually I don’t expect him to do much at all.
Having said that, here’s five things I’m looking for Tuesday and Wednesday:
1. Attitude/aggression
This doesn’t mean the Dolphins should start fights and engage in knucklehead behavior that draws penalty flags.
This means the Dolphins offense, which will face an Atlanta defense that was ranked No. 11 last season (321.1 18.3 yards allowed per game, must convert short-yardage situations with runs, not cute passes.
This means the Dolphins defense should make short-yardage stops against Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (976 yards rushing, 4.6 yards per carry) led by physical play from the front seven.
I’d like to see aggressive play calls on offense and defense, and an aggressive playing style from everyone from defensive backs to wide receivers.
Again, this isn’t about fighting. This is about imposing your will on the opponent with aggression and commitment, a previous un-Dolphins-like trait.
2. Pass rush
The Dolphins’ pass rush has been effective without edge rushers Bradley Chubb (knee) and Jaelan Phillips (Achilles).
Now, let’s see if that holds up against the Falcons and quarterbacks Kirk Cousins, who was 19-of-21 passing in a Friday night public practice, and Michael Penix Jr., the surprising No. 8 pick of the draft.
Edge rushers Emmanuel Ogbah, Chop Robinson, Quinton Bell and Mo Kamara have provided the bulk of the pass rush with Grayson Murphy also flashing.
The Falcons have left tackle Jake Matthews, a 2018 Pro Bowl selection, and right tackle Kaleb McGary, a starter in each of his five NFL seasons.
These should be good matchups and a true test of whether the Dolphins are capable without Chubb and Phillips.
3. Interior offensive line
The Dolphins’ interior offensive line — center Aaron Brewer, right guard Liam Eichenberg and left guard Robert Jones — are being eyed suspiciously for the third consecutive season.
I think they’ll be good enough, but the Falcons are a better gauge than my opinion, so we’ll see.
Atlanta’s Grady Jarrett, the 10-year veteran whose snaps will likely be restricted, will be a good initial test for the Dolphins’ interior offensive line.
4. Offense aside from Tua to Tyreek and Waddle
To this point we haven’t seen much difference from Miami’s offense. We see quarterback Tua Tagovailoa passing to wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and running backs Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane getting the outside-zone run and the occasional inside run.
We haven’t yet seen a change from the previous two seasons from the tight ends or slot receivers in the pass game, and we haven’t yet seen a change from the previous two seasons from the short-yardage offense, goal-line or red-zone offenses.
I have faith such changes/differences are ensuing, however.
Atlanta’s defense features Pro Bowl safety Jessie Bates III, who could test Miami’s tight ends.
5. Defense’s new look
I like the Dolphins’ new defense under coordinator Anthony Weaver, and I think I’ll like how it looks against Atlanta’s offense, which features Cousins, Robinson and tight end Kyle Pitts, whose injury-shortened 2023 season resulted in 53 receptions for 667 yards and three touchdowns.
The Dolphins’ pass rush will lead the way defensively, but I want to see the full defense, meaning run defense, the personnel usage variety, the Jalen Ramsey/chess piece deployment, and some of the blitz package variation.
Miami’s defense has me intrigued. I’m actually more excited to see the Dolphins defense against the Falcons than their offense.
