Dolphin Digest – August 2019

As training camps go, this one promises to be very in-

teresting for the Miami Dolphins.

As is always the case when there’s a new head coach

in town, it will be interesting to see what kind of changes

are implemented, both from a scheme and structure stand-

point, with the arrival of Brian Flores.

We got a glimpse at his way of doing things in the

spring during OTAs and the mandatory minicamp, most

notably with the T.N.T. sign painted on one of the walls

at the Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova South-

eastern University, the one that suggests that it “takes no

talent” to do a lot of the little things necessary for a foot-

ball team to have success.

There was talk of “culture” during the spring, though

this is routine for any new head coach, but what we saw

and heard would suggest the Dolphins will be more than

ever all about the team — you know, similar to that team

in the Boston area that wins championships on a regular

basis.

But training camp 2019 should be interesting from an

on-the-field aspect as well, if not more so.

The biggest storyline no doubt will revolve around the

quarterback position because that’s what happens when

there’s no clear-cut starter.

And for the first time since 2012, the Dolphins don’t

have a clear-cut starter heading into camp, particularly

after veteran free agent acquisition Ryan Fitzpatrick out-

played trade pick-up Josh Rosen in the spring practices

open to the media.

Without question, it would benefit the Dolphins for

Rosen to play in the regular season — and a lot — so they

can get a good idea as to whether he can become that elu-

sive franchise quarterback they’ve been seeking and prop-

erly set their course for the 2020 draft, but Flores has said

there will be competition for the job.

As there should be.

Look it at this way, if Rosen is to be the franchise quar-

terback, then logic would suggest he would be able to beat

out Fitzpatrick, who definitely is a capable player but

someone who’s also bounced from team to team.

So maybe Fitzpatrick opens the season as the starter

and Rosen takes over at some point. Or maybe Rosen per-

forms well enough in training camp and the preseason

that he’s the starter from the get-go.

Either way, this battle should be fun to watch.

But it will be just one of many battles on a Dolphins

team without many elite-level players.

And to hear Flores talk, even those “elite” players —

Xavien Howard and Laremy Tunsil quickly come to mind

— have a lot of work to do. Again, it’s about not putting

any player above another.

That said, it’s pretty obvious Howard and Tunsil will

be in the starting lineup if they’re healthy come Sept. 8

when the Baltimore Ravens come to Hard Rock Stadium

for the start of the 2019 regular season.

But beyond those two, there are very few sure things.

That will make for an interesting summer because any

number of players could emerge as key contributors for

this season and beyond.

There’s also intrigue in some of the concepts the Dol-

phins will employ.

After the Dolphins drafted fullback Chandler Cox in

the seventh round of the 2019 draft and doubled up by

signing Patrick Laird as a rookie free agent, Flores ex-

pressed his affection for the position by joking that he did-

n’t particularly care to take on that kind of lead blocker

during his days as a linebacker at Boston College.

So it most definitely appears the Dolphins will be using

a fullback in their offense for the first time since ... it’s

been a while. But exactly how much will a fullback be

used?

There’s even more mystery on defense because the ex-

pectation is that we will see the Dolphins employ a 3-

alignment this season. Again, though, how often will we

see it?

Remember, Flores often talked in the spring about ver-

satility, flexibility and being multiple.

So maybe the Dolphins will line up in a 3-4, 4-3, 5-2,

2-5 at different times. Or maybe they will just stick with

three down linemen at all times.

That’s something we will begin to find out in training

camp, though at this point nobody should expect full an-

AUGUST 6, 2019 Dolphin Digest 3

from the EDITOR Alain Poupart @APoupartFins

A camp full of questions

The quarterback position, the starting battles and the defensive scheme

are just some of the intriguing topics of the summer for the Dolphins

NEXT ISSUE

The next issue of Dolphin Digest will be

printed in mid-August and will include a com-

prehensive preview of the regular season, as

well as full coverage of the training camp and a

breakdown of all the latest developments involv-

ing the Dolphins.

Tackle Laremy

Tunsil is among

the few sure

things — or close

to a sure thing —

the Dolphins have

heading into train-

ing camp.

swers to those questions until the games start counting in

the standings.

As training camp begins, outside expectations continue

to be really low for the 2019 Dolphins, with most

over/under projected win totals for them hovering around

five.

Flores and the Dolphins clearly have other ideas,

though you won’t be hearing any outlandish predictions

from him or any of his players this summer.

By all accounts, the first offseason under Flores went

by smoothly, the only hiccups being the absence of a few

players — mainly Albert Wilson — still rehabbing after

2018 injuries.

The work will start ramping up when veterans report to

Davie on July 24 and training camp practices begin the

following day. We know it will be hot at Dolphins train-

ing camp and we know it will be intense, but there are an

awful lot of unknowns beyond that.

Digest Photo/JOEL AUERBACH