Miami Dolphins get first day off since camp started who rose and who fell?

The Miami Dolphins are not practicing today as they get their first break since camp started a week ago. It’s been longer for the rookies.

The Miami Dolphins rookies reported on July 18th and the veterans followed on the 25th. Now with five full practices in the can the players can take a breath and get out of the hot Florida sun.

Over the past five days there has been some pretty good highlights and some lowlights. Here is a look at the players that are showing up ready to play and the ones who are not making a case for a roster spot or at the very least not impressing.

Overall: The Dolphins are generating positives on both sides of the ball and almost all of the media members have said that this team this year looks a lot different from years past. In a positive way. That’s good because typically they are a sounding board for everything that is going wrong. Not so much this year. Granted it’s still early.

Offense on the rise

Isaiah Ford – the 2nd year receiver showed up to camp ready go and he has impressed everyone from the media to his coaches to his quarterback. Ford is making a strong case for the final 53 but what he does in pre-season games will decide his future.

Ryan Tannehill – Tannehill is impressing everyone with his attitude, his passing motion, footwork, throws, and reads. His knee is also, thus far, been a non-issue. Oh, and he is showing a lot of leadership.

Danny Amendola – There is a definite rapport building between Amendola and Tannehill and this could be a big year for the receiver. His work ethic is starting to bleed over on other players.

Mike Gesicki – After a quite start, Gesicki is making big plays and catches and his blocking is improving. He is generating a lot of positive buzz.

Albert Wilson – His speed has been impressive and the fact that he is now considered an “outside” guy means we will see more of him in the weeks to come.

Offense on the fall

DeVante Parker – Parker is not having a bad camp he just isn’t having a great camp and for the Dolphins and their fans, they want more. Parker needs to turn it up.

Leonte Carroo – There is nothing special here because he has not practiced much. He had a clean-out procedure done in the off-season but he is clearly on the proverbial bubble this year and is losing opportunity.

Defense on the rise

Torry McTyer – He has earned time with the number one unit at corner and is impressing everyone with his speed and athleticism. He has turned a two-man competition between Cordrea Tankersley and Tony Lippett into a three-man competition.

Tony Lippett – Lippett is returning from his Achilles injury of year ago and he looks better than he did before he got hurt. Lippett is bringing a lot to the three-man competition.

Xavien Howard – Howard has basically taken DeVante Parker out of the offense. He looks like a shut down corner which is what safety T.J. McDonald called him.

Raekwon McMillan – There hasn’t been much about McMillan outside of his leadership role but there has been nothing negative about him either.

Minkah Fitzpatrick – The kid is a football player and so far he is impressing his fellow defensive players and the guys on offense. There is a learning curve and he seems to be finding his way through it. 

Chase Allen – Allen has intercepted two or three passes already and seems to be around the ball all of the time and in position to make plays. The coaches are watching him closely and solid pre=season performances could land him a starting job on the outside linebacker unit.

Defense on the fall

No one – There has not been a lot of negatives through the first week of practice. Not enough to say someone is practicing their way out of a roster spot. There are good competitions going on and the players are getting better each day.

Special Teams

Jason Sanders – Sanders has a “leg” up on his competition. He has been very good through camp so far and while I am sure he has missed a field goal or two there hasn’t been any mention of it. He did make all of his kicks the first day of practice including from over 50 yards.

Greg Joseph – Joseph has not had a comparable camp to Sanders and it appears that it is Sanders’ job to lose unless the Dolphins bring in a veteran to compete.