MIAMI DOLPHINS News, notes, observations from Day 2 practice of Dolphins mandatory minicamp - By Barry Jackson , Omar Kelly and C. Isaiah Smalls II Updated June 11, 2025 12:46 PM 00:26 News, notes and observations from Day 2 of the Dolphins’ mandatory minicamp on Wednesday: ▪ The Zach Wilson experience remained quite the rollercoaster. On one hand, he had a nice pass to Tahj Washington and a 20-yard completion to Tarik Black. But he also threw a pass that Willie Gay Jr. intercepted (and returned for a touchdown) and another that Isaiah Johnson nearly intercepted. He was sacked by Gay on another play. On Tuesday, Wilson threw two interceptions (including a pick-six to Dante Trader) and nearly had another pass returned for a touchdown (if Ethan Bonner hadn’t dropped the potential interception). ▪ Tua Tagovailoa threw his first interception of the minicamp; safety Ifeatu Melifonwu had the pick and remains a heavy favorite for a starting job. The defense, which worked on pressure packages, dominated the day. At times, quarterbacks barely had time to look downfield. ▪ Linebacker Jordyn Brooks had a nice tackle at the line of scrimmage on a pass to De’Von Achane. ▪ Second-year edge player Grayson Murphy, who has had at least three sacks over the past week, had a tackle for loss on Alexander Mattison. And edge player Cameron Goode had a sack of Quinn Ewers. Murphy missed all of last season with an injury; Goode missed much of last season after a knee injury in week 18 of the 2023 season. ▪ Rookie receiver Andrew Armstrong had a 25-yard catch on a nifty throw from Ewers. ▪ A day after his pick-six, rookie fifth-round safety Trader had a sack on a day the Dolphins worked on pressure packages. ▪ UCF rookie cornerback BJ Adams had a pass breakup. He will push for a spot on the 53 during training camp. ▪ The Dolphins ended practice with a wet ball drill for the rookies. Center Aaron Brewer was at the controls of a massive hose. ▪ In 7 on 7 work, Achane ran a quick hitch into the end zone for a touchdown. Brooks trailed him the entire play and nobody was close to Achane. Later, Achane had a nice run behind the right side of the offensive line. ▪ Besides the interception and sack, Gay Jr. had good coverage on Achane on an incomplete deep throw from Tagovailoa. ▪ Cornerback Storm Duck broke up a long pass to Dee Eskridge, who had the ball in his hands before Duck knocked it away. Later, Duck broke up a Tagovailoa pass to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. ▪ Defensive tackle Matt Dickerson beat left tackle Patrick Paul for a would-be sack. What’s more, Paul likely would have been flagged for holding if this had been a real game. ▪ Linebacker Quinton Bell had a tackle for loss on a running play. He has made several flash plays during the offseason program. ▪ Linebacker Bradley Chubb wore the orange jersey, which is bestowed on the previous day’s standout practice player. ▪ Right tackle Austin Jackson - who has been cleared after November knee surgery - didn’t practice Wednesday and participated sparingly Tuesday. The Dolphins are being cautious with him. He’s good to go for the regular season. ▪ Receiver Tyreek Hill, working his way back from two wrist procedures, was catching passes on the side and not participating in team drills. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has said he will be ready for training camp and the regular season. ▪ Guard James Daniels, who did some individual work on Tuesday, didn’t work on the field at all on Wednesday. He’s working his way back from a Week 4 Achilles’ injury; his agency has said he’s expected to be ready for the start of the season. ▪ Linebacker Tyrel Dodson and tight end Tanner Conner nearly got into a shoving match. Miami Herald sportswriters Omar Kelly and Isaiah Smalls reported from the Dolphins practice site in Miami Gardens. Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article304353141.html#storylink=cpy
MIAMI DOLPHINS Dolphins’ McDaniel discusses state of team, eyebrow-raising comment, more as minicamp ends By Barry Jackson June 12, 2025 12:38 PM The Dolphins ended their offseason program on Thursday, and Mike McDaniel seemed pleased with how his players so far have responded to an 8-9 season while also working to correct tardiness and other issues that hindered the team last season. “I’m happy with we’re we are at....going into summer break,” he said after the team had a closed walk-through to end a three-day minicamp. “A team bond has occurred where you have a team identity. A standard has been created how we do our business, that is where I want it. “What does that mean moving forward? Now that we’ve identified that, we have systems in place that is a daily application.... “Guys were highly motivated to have a different sense of team. Because they were motivated, all the people in place have worked together to satisfy that. We’ve established what the standard of our team is, and that’s a big deal moving forward.” With regard to the 2024 culture issues that players and coaches have worked to correct, it was eyebrow-raising this week when linebacker Bradley Chubb said players were “lying” last season when they spoke of having the right culture inside the team. Chubb then said the culture is genuinely better this season. Asked about that comment, McDaniel said: “It would have been awesome if he had told me on the front-end when they were lying.” McDaniel addressed other issues, with the team going on break now until training camp begins the week of July 21: ▪ He said receiver Jaylen Waddle, coming off a down season, “has shown his teammates who he really is. The way he worked on his game has transferred into what we need to see from him and every player. Your best players must show a commitment to have growth in their game. “He’s understanding his role as a leader a little more. He has taken more ownership in the totality of practice. When he feels a lulls, he has no problem going over to the defense and starting some competitive vibes... The best players have to strive to be better... Everyone gets juiced when Waddle is juiced. He’s been more juiced lately.” ▪ Did McDaniel feel defenses figured out Miami’s offense last season and that he needs to adjust? “One of the things very clear is defenses spent time trying to... make us perform in all facets,” he said, fully aware that Miami’s number of 20-plus yard plays dropped from top five in the league in 2023 to bottom five last season in 2024. “... They’ve showed us we have to earn our way out of that,” McDaniel added. “You can easily [do that] as a group. If you’re trying to do it just with passing, it’s going to be difficult, close to impossible. It speaks to what we preach every day -- balance, run affecting pass and vice versa. The point was kind of proven last year. It’s up to us to lean into our philosophical beliefs.... You need to threaten people in multiple ways or they will make you pay.” McDaniel made the comments a day after ESPN’s Booger McFarland implored McDaniel to become more “innovative.” ▪ How has McDaniel changed his coaching style? “It’s important for me to evolve,” he said. “I’m asking that of the players. It’s important to lead by example in every way you can. There has been evolution. To be able to tell exactly what this is, it’s hard to defense. It’s something I’m always searching for.” ▪ McDaniel said right tackle Austin Jackson “is doing well” and his absence from Wednesday’s practice is “not related” to last season’s knee injury and surgery. ▪ McDaniel said center Aaron Brewer “has a skill set that’s unique at his position.. He can be a very violent player.” ▪ McDaniel said cornerback Cam Smith is “doing a great job. His key is how is he going to build on it?” He said there have been “gains” in his game. ▪ He said improving tackling has been a priority. Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article307406201.html#storylink=cpy
