Miami Dolphins Training Camp Report

By: Brandon Liguori 

Saturday afternoon marked the first time in two years fans were in attendance for a Miami Dolphins training camp practice, with the new complex now directly across from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Saturday afternoon also meant fans were able to take a closer look at quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, selected fifth overall in April 2020.
 
Wide receivers DeVante Parker, Will Fuller V and Preston Williams, along with tight end Mike Gesicki, did not participate, but that did not stop the former Alabama product, who was very, very productive on the offensive side of the football, connecting with first-round selectee Jaylen Waddle and Albert Wilson, back after opting out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous times. Below is a short analysis of things Brandon was able to see throughout the fourth day of training camp:

• Tagovailoa addressed the many fans in attendance before practice officially began. Fans were enjoying every second of Tagovailoa’s speech and there were even some constant “Tua, Tua!” chants, too. 

• Xavien Howard was on the field, warming up with the defensive team. Howard broke up a Tagovailoa pass in the end zone during red zone work, but then jogged to the sidelines to watch the rest of practice pretty much. Howard is clearly unhappy with his contract situation, but it is important to note that after practice, Hal Habib of The Palm Beach Post put out a tweet that said Howard hopes a deal can be mutually agreed between himself and the Dolphins, so we will see how the dominos fall.

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• Get excited for Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins fans. Waddle, in motion for a majority of Miami’s offensive snaps during 7-on-7s and 11-on-11s, looked calm and comfortable. Waddle looked like he belonged out there and his play Saturday afternoon proved just that. Also, I will say this: Waddle is a fast, fast dude, too. Also, keep in mind that for a brief period of time, Waddle was fielding some punts, too. 

 

• With Howard watching most of practice on the sidelines, Nik Needham was working a lot with the starting defensive group at the cornerback spot. Noah Igbinoghene was working with the second team.

 

• Albert Wilson, who switched his jersey from No. 15 to 2, caught a crossing route from Tagovailoa and took it to the house for a touchdown. I did not have the exact yardage amount on Wilson’s TD catch, but the former Georgia State standout has had a great camp thus far and that is great news. However, will this superb play continue when pads come on and play begins to get more physical?

 

• Vince Biegel was working on some specific defensive drills, which was great to see, as the former Wisconsin star missed all of 2020 due to a torn Achilles.

 

• One thing that has not changed in camp so far is Michael Deiter has received the starting center duties over Matt Skura and that is a bit of a surprise. The Dolphins signed Skura to a one-year contract this past March during the free agency period.

 

• The team will not practice Sunday before returning to the field Monday morning at 10:10 AM ET. I will be providing complete coverage throughout camp Monday on my official Twitter handle (@BrandonRLiguori), so please do not hesitate to give me a follow and let’s connect!