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Marcus Benjamin @_benjaminmoney
Miami Gardens, FL – Third year head coach Adam Gase comes into the 2018 season as the second most likely coach to be fired this season according to many of the oddsmakers in Vegas. In his first season, Gase lead the Dolphins to the playoffs for the first time since 2008. A disappointing 2017 season has expectations at its lowest in years. Although Ryan Tannehill returns, most of the pundits are predicting the Dolphins to miss the playoffs for the second straight season. Miami was defeated at home 26-24 Thursday night on a last minute field goal by Chandler Catanzaro. There were minimal indications that gave fans any sense of optimism for the upcoming season. Except for the return of Tannehill.
After a season ending injury, @ryantannehill1 said he had more of an appreciation for this preseason game than any other. @NFL @MiamiDolphins @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/PhVkYC7v2z
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminMoney) August 10, 2018
“I didn’t make to this point last year,” said Tannehill. “Of course the long rehab process and everything it took to get back to this point, I have more appreciation for every second I was out there and I enjoyed it a little bit more.
Last year was one of those seasons Dolphins fans would like to erase from memory as their franchise quarterback Tannehill suffered a season ending knee injury in training camp.
In a scramble to find plan B, Gase brought in former Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler in an attempt to save the season. Cutler did anything but, as the Dolphins managed to just win six games and never were a real threat to make the playoffs. Cutler would not return for the 2018 season and escapes with 10 million dollars after just playing for one year in Miami.
Tannehill started off hot completing his first four passes in his first game back at Hard Rock Stadium. His first pass was a roll out to his right that hit Kenny Stills in stride for for a 12-yard gain for a first down. The drive would stall however with two consecutive incompletions that would lead to a Miami field goal that was eventually missed from 53 yards by Jason Sanders. He connected with wide receiver Kenny Stills twice on the drive and also completed passes to running back Kenyon Drake and former New England Patriot wide receiver Danny Amendola. He passed for 32 yards in his lone series of the game.
“I think we got off to a good start,” said Tannehill. “It wasn’t perfect. Definitely have a lot of room for improvement. Obviously we didn’t end up with points like we really wanted to. It felt good to be back out there. We started off on a good foot, we just have to be able to finish that drive.”
One of the many issues from last year was the Dolphins inability to stop the run. The dolphins gave up 399 yards of total offense but mostly through the air (326). The defense, playing without Cam Wake and Rashad Jones, gave up an easy 57-yard drive lead by starter Ryan Fitzpatrick that was capped with a 4-yard run by third year running back Peyton Barber.
Fifth year pro Senorise Perry scored the first touchdown for the Dolphins with 2:49 in the second quarter. The Georgia native would score from seven yards out ending an eight play drive that was lead by backup quarterback David Fales. Fales had the most impressive stats among all Dolphin quarterbacks as he went 8/11 for 115 yards, including a 45-yard connection down the middle to former Stanford receiver Frances Owusu. Owusu lead the team in receptions with four for 82 yards and should challenge for a roster spot. The offensive line did a nice job protecting the quarterbacks giving up one sack the entire game.
“Protection was awesome,” complimented Tannehill. “Guys up front did an awesome job not only in the passing game but in the running game as well. The offensive line did a great job for us. I don’t think I was touched so it was a good night.”
.@ryantannehill1 comments on the offensive line as he wasn’t touched by opposing defenders. @FootballHotbed @NFL @MiamiDolphins pic.twitter.com/pcGxAOafNY
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminMoney) August 10, 2018
Rookies
First Round pick Minkah Fitzpatrick is on track to become the hard hitting defender Gase and his staff expect. The safety had a jarring hit that dislodged a pass from a Tampa receiver putting his recovery speed and power on display.
The athletic second round pick Mike Gesicki from Penn State almost made an incredible one handed touchdown catch from backup quarterback David Fales on the second series.
Kalen Ballage looked explosive on some runs, but fumbled the ball on the Dolphins third series after hurdling a defender. Ballage saw heavy usage in the passing game as he was targeted seven times and caught three balls for 23 yards.
Wide Receiver Isaiah Ford, although not a rookie caught his first touchdown of his career from Bryce Petty. Ford missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury. They would also convert on a two-point conversion to take the lead with 1:56 to go in the game.
Other news and notes
Linebacker Mike Hull was carted off to the locker room in the first quarter with an apparent knee injury. Former Florida Gator Vernon Hargreaves III left the game in the first quarter with a groin injury and did not return for the Buccaneers. Quarterback Jameis Winston went 11 for 13 for 102 yards but was sacked once by Vincent Taylor. It was the only sack the Dolphins would record in the game as there was not a consistent pass rush all night. Notable players also not dressing for the Dolphins Thursday night were running back Frank Gore, cornerback Tony Lippett, Center Jake Brendel. Three Dolphin players knelt during the national anthem including Kenny Stills.
