Miami Dolphins TC: teammates scuffle, CB’s struggle on day 4

The Miami Dolphins 2016 training camp is in full swing now after getting back to work this last Friday.

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It’s always fun for fans once the pads come out and they did on Monday.

A big positive from today is a name Dolphins fans know all too well during the months of July and August:  Chris McCain.

I won’t go into too much detail here because Eric Frosbutter did a great job covering McCain’s fast start to training camp here but the guy continues to look like a pro-bowl type player in training camp and the preseason.  He’s done it consistently for three years now.

We need to hope that this new Dolphins coaching staff – more notably defensive coordinator Vance Joseph – can focus in on taking advantage of McCain’s strengths and turning him into a successful pass rusher throughout the regular season.

Perhaps, however, the biggest news from today may have been the teams first scuffle of camp.  1st round pick Laremy Tunsil and McCain got into a shoving match as the offensive line struggled to keep the defensive line off of the quarterbacks

Who shined:

Receivers Jarvis Landry and Devante Parker all had great days.  Who also had a great day?  Rookie Jakeem Grant.  He continually beat veteran Michael Thomas in the slot all day today and surely shined in front of the coaches.

The quarterbacks have yet to throw an interception all camp.  Sure, it’s only been four days but by the sounds of it they’re taking care of the ball and putting it spots only the receivers can catch it.  Rookie Brandon Doughty saw a large increase in snaps today as Matt Moore was sat out of practice to rest as did Zac Dysert who ran with the 2nd team.

You have to take the scuffle as a positive.  After the team started last season with what looked to be no ambition to be on the field you have to love and appreciate this team has some type of fight in them at this point.  It should translate to tougher play once week one rolls around.

Who struggled:

The cornerbacks are dreadful to start but it’s something we all expected.  Sure, Miami has a lethal set of receivers but it’s not excuse; if the Dolphins cornerbacks can’t candle opposing receiver it could be another long season for the defense.  Rookie out of Penn State Jordan Lucas may have had the worst day out of everybody.  McCain did drop an easy interception, however.  That and the play from Byron Maxwell were the only highlights from the cornerbacks all day.  Miami needs rookie CB Xavien Howard back as soon as possible.

Other notes:

• RB Jay Ajayi had the day off as he took care of some swelling from a bone bruise in the knee.  He’s not supposed to miss much time but any injury to the knee is worth noting.
• RB Damien Williams was taken off the PUP (physically unable to perform) list.
• Tunsil got work in on the 2nd and 1st team, mostly at LG.
• Things aren’t looking good for undrafted rookie out of Iowa, K Marshall Koehn.  He went 3/6 today.  He made a 57 yarder earlier this summer but has struggled immensely the first four days of camp.  We might be able to chalk Andrew Franks in as the starter week one against the Seattle Seahawks.
• Joining Moore on the rest day was G Jermon Bushrod.
• Peyton Manning being at Dolphins camp means absolutely nothing.  He spent time in New Orleans just yesterday.