Some of the biggest household names in the NFL stole the show on Day 1 of Dolphins camp, and while Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Jevon Holland and Miami's other stars made their share of plays, Thursday saw a handful of unsung heroes contributing in a big way.
Here are the highlights:
Practice 2, July 25, 2024
Elijah Campbell found a home as a core member of the Dolphins special teams units. He's exceeded 300 snaps in the kicking game each of the last two years with six solo tackles and a fumble recovery.
Thursday, at the Baptist Health Training Complex, Campbell made the splash play from his safety position. He pulled down the most impressive interception through two days of camp. Under-cutting a Gavin Hardison throw to tight end Durham Smythe, Campbell made a leaping catch that required he tap his toes inside the white line.
He nearly secured another interception later in practice, but linebacker Anthony Walker got to it first for the pass breakup. Campbell's efforts and growth have caught the attention of his teammates.
"He's just gotten the reps," safety Jevon Holland said. "He's played a lot of gunner in the past. This new regime, he's gotten the reps, instilled the confidence and really picked it. I love playing with him."
Top Moment
Few, if any, commodities in the game of football are as valuable as pressure. The consistent pestering of a quarterback creates a lack of comfort, and the best way to disrupt the opposing passing game is to heat up the signal-caller.
The day began with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa spreading the rock to some of his favorite targets with impressive throws. Wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle picked up where they left off, and newcomer tight end Jonnu Smith made his presence felt.
After a couple of periods, however, Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver turned up the heat, getting after the offense to the tune of four interceptions and at least as many sacks.
While Kendall Fuller had one glance off his hands, and Jalen Ramsey didn't secure a pick of his own, it's easy to see the vision for two lockdown cornerbacks with alignment versatility, and how that creates utter chaos for the opposing offense.
"The more you play, the more comfortable you get with the game, the more comfortable you get with concepts," Ramsey said. "Knowing what you want to accomplish within the defensive scheme, that comes with it."
While the front was generating pressure through blitzes and simulated looks, the stars of the secondary clamped the immediate options. Each time, so it seemed, the quarterback was forced off his spot or into a hot throw, the Miami defense had an answer for it. Passing off coverage, anticipating throws and rallying to the football on short completions, Ramsey and Fuller made it tough sledding, as they each have done for eight years in the league.
"The style of defense is built off being able to blitz different ways," said defensive tackle Calais Campbell. "A lot of simulated pressures, full out pressures, make it look like you're blitzing but you're only rushing four … this defense is unique in the sense that anybody can do anything at any given time."
And, boy, did they.
Safety Jordan Poyer, cornerbacks Siran Neal, Nik Needham and linebacker Zeke Vandenburgh all secured Day 1 interceptions. Defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah made his return with a sack. He joined defensive tackle Brandon Pili, Jalen Ramsey, and a sack shared by outside linebackers Chop Robinson and Cam Brown by tagging off on the quarterbacks.
Top Quote
Defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah has had quite the week. Signed on Tuesday, sack on Wednesday, orange jersey and the aux cord on Thursday. Entering his fifth year with the Dolphins, Ogbah feels there's more meat on the bone than the 24.5 sacks he's amassed with Miami.
It came down to two teams, and I picked Miami because I feel like unfinished business here, so that’s why I’m excited to be back. Dolphins DE Emmanuel Ogbah
More Top Performers
The linebacker additions from this offseason – Jordyn Brooks and Anthony Walker Jr. – have been among the top performers two days in; and what's more, it looks like they've been playing together for years. Jevon Holland said the new Miami linebackers, and the entire room, make his job easier because of their veteran presence and approach.
Linebacker Quinton Bell is in his second year with the Dolphins, and he's making the most of his opportunities so far. He's set strong edges in the run game and fought his way off blocks to make frequent stops.
Tight end Tanner Conner caught multiple passes for the second straight day. He showed off his long speed by mimicking veteran Jonnu Smith and finishing each run in the end zone, but he put it on display on special teams as well. Conner was consistently the first man on the kickoff team to get downfield.
Rookie linebacker Chop Robinson was a regular in the backfield for the second day of practice. His speed is evident from his first rep of individual drills, and now he's adding the pass rush moves in the team portion of practice.
Defensive tackle Zach Sieler makes the exceptional look ordinary every day. He constantly disrupted the interior pass protection and gaps in the running game.
Social Roundup
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