The Miami Dolphins on Monday finished installing all their plays. That part of training camp has ended. From here on it will be about fine-tuning and preparing for opponents as players are expected to know what's in the playbooks iPads.
The Dolphins will begin preparing for Thursday's preseason-opener at Chicago against the Bears on Tuesday. (Yeah, there will be some light prep work for this game despite the fact most veterans will play no more than a quarter and probably less than that).
It is unlikely either linebacker Koa Misi (calf), or receiver Kenny Stills (calf) will play against the Bears. Neither has practiced since last week. Rookie running back Jay Ajayi (hamstring) also may be kept out of the game, although that decision is not yet made.
Monday's practice did not have the number of bombs from quarterback Ryan Tannehill that were on display Sunday. Sorry, just didn't happen.
Indeed, Tannehill didn't connect on his lone deep throw of the afternoon -- a close-but-no-cigar attempt to Rishard Matthews down the left sideline.
Matthews continued to nonetheless seize the opportunity given him in the absence of Stills. He took first-team snaps.
The right guard competition between Jacques McClendon and Billy Turner continued, with McClendon seemingly getting most of the first-team snaps early in practice and Turner getting them later in practice.
Me? I focused exclusively on McClendon in one helmet-to-helmet snap against Ndamukong Suh and it was unremarkable in that Suh did not beat the lineman, make him look silly, or make him cry. McClendon stood Suh up to a stalemate. (Hint: That's what you want from the offensive lineman).
So I can understand why the Dolphins are giving McClendon a good look now.
There may be some movement at the cornerback competition opposite Brent Grimes. That competition has been waged between third-year veteran Jamar Taylor and Brice McCain, who was acquired in free agency this offseason.
Although McCain was acquired ostensibly to play the slot cornerback position, his level of performance and professionalism and toughness has caused coaches to give him a chance to win the starting job outside. And he and Taylor have been sharing snaps outside.
But today all the snaps went almost exclusively to Taylor, suggesting he may have an advantage now and would be the starter outside in the first preseason game. McCain played mostly at slot, which was coaches expected him to do when he signed.
We'll see if the trend continues Tuesday. Regardless, the competition is not yet over.
Today was kicker Andrew Franks' best day in camp. He connected on four of five attempts, including from 49 yards and from 56 yards out. The 49-yard kick was so high it crossed along the top of the extended uprights and looked as if it could have been good from 59 yards out.
Both the long kicks were with the wind. The lone Franks kick came from 49 yards out.
Coach Joe Philbin said he left the scrimmage Friday night recognizing both kickers made their three attempts but unsatisfied by how both Franks and incumbent Caleb Sturgis kicked.
***Today's practice included the first scrap of training camp.
***Jordan Kovacs and Brent Grimes had interceptions on Monday.
***Philbin said veteran defensive tackle C.J. Mosley, unimpressive the first week or so of camp, has "come along the last couple of days."
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