MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins put on pads for the primary time throughout training camp Monday, giving coaches a greater analysis of the roster as place battles continued and gamers adjusted to a extra bodily apply on the Baptist Health Training Complex.
Special groups coordinator Chris Tabor, tight finish Ben Sims, cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. and EDGE Clelin Ferrell all met with reporters after apply.
Wide receiver Malik Washington continued one of many strongest training camps of his profession, hauling in a number of receptions of greater than 20 yards from quarterback Malik Willis, together with catches after beating cornerbacks Chris Johnson and JuJu Brents in protection.
With Tyreek Hill now not on the roster after being launched, Jaylen Waddle traded to the Denver Broncos and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine additionally launched, Washington is competing for a considerably bigger function in Miami’s offense.
Despite Washington taking part in just like the crew’s prime extensive receiver early in camp, Tabor stated he has no issues about Washington dealing with each receiving and return duties.
“I have no problem with it. I think the more times they can touch the football, the better, and I think everybody would agree with that,” Tabor stated. “Obviously, we got to be real smart with it, but I’ve dealt with some good returners in the past, from (Devin) Hester, to (Josh) Cribbs, to (Cordarrelle) Patterson. Those guys were integral parts, but you want those players to have the ball in their hands, so to me, it’s another opportunity to get the ball in his hands.”
Tabor in contrast Washington’s traits to a number of of the NFL’s prime return specialists.
“They all had something a little different. But they’re true pros, just as Malik (Washington) is,” he stated. “He has a lot of those qualities of game-changing ability. I’m glad he’s on our team. I faced him enough to know the headaches that he brings, I’m glad I’m on his side.”
Tabor additionally dismissed the concept sure offensive or defensive gamers shouldn’t contribute on particular groups.
“Oh yeah, and I think the stereotype – if I’m going to be honest, a guy that usually doesn’t play special teams, I think that’s just a stereotype,” Tabor added. “It’s all three phases, right? We’re going to get into it as you move along the season. It’s going to come down to a kick or covering a kick and those types of things, so those plays are important.”
Sims stated head coach Jeff Hafley’s message has resonated all through the locker room.
“The first team meeting he talked about our three core values – trust, belief and toughness. I think that’s something I’ve always kind of centered myself on,” Sims stated. “I think that’s what I also believe in. So when he preaches that, it’s pretty easy to buy into. There’s a lot of guys on this team that buy into that and love that. In a lot of ways, we’re trying to reinvent our culture here.”
The first padded apply additionally allowed the offense and protection to develop into extra bodily.
“Pads, no pads, it’s practice,” Sims stated. “Pads, they add another element of the game, you have to play lower. It allows you to be more physical, be able to finish more blocks. It really kind of brings the game to life, one step further. Today is obviously the first day of pads. There’s probably a million things (on) offense, defense, special teams (that) we can work on, but I think today was a really good starting point for our team. It’s up from here.”
Marshall, coming into his second NFL season, stated an offseason with out the distractions of the NFL Draft allowed him to focus totally on bettering his sport.
“I didn’t have to worry about anything, so just bettering my game on the offseason,” Marshall stated. “Whether that comes to press man, off man, coming in here, getting stronger, I had so much time to do all of that.”
Marshall that he’s up for enjoying wherever his coaches and teammates want him.
“Honestly, I could be more aggressive, be more physical,” Marshall stated. “In the slot you could be that too, but I’m able to get hands-on, disrupt timing, and like I said, that’s my natural position. So I’m very comfortable.”
Ferrell praised Hafley and defensive coordinator Sean Duggan for establishing a powerful culture early in camp.
“The standard that he sets is something that is really, really good to see from someone who’s a first-time head coach,” Ferrell stated. “He’s someone who holds the standard. He holds himself to that as well. He knows how to be hard, but he also knows when to give a little on the team. It’s been nothing but good and positive so far. We’re just trying to keep building.”
When requested what he needs to enhance coming into his eighth NFL season, Ferrell pointed to consistency.
“Cutting it loose,” Ferrell stated. “It’s not so much believing in myself. I believe in myself, but it’s really just putting it on tape and letting other dudes or teams know what it really means to will yourself to get better. It’s the mental game of competing at a very high level and trying to dominate every single play, so it’s the consistency over time for sure.”
Ferrell additionally stated former Dolphins defensive lineman Christian Wilkins helped affect his resolution to signal with Miami. According to Ferrell, Wilkins spoke extremely of the group and stays motivated to earn one other alternative within the NFL.
The Dolphins return to the apply area at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday on the Baptist Health Training Complex.
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