Tidbits from the locker room

▪ Linebacker Jordyn Brooks made the most eyebrow-raising comment of the day when he said: “This by far has been the hardest training camp I’ve been a part of – because of how Mike [McDaniel] set it up.”

So what exactly did McDaniel change from last year’s training camp? “Just being more intentional about how we come to practice,” Brooks said. “You guys know the [steamy] weather; we are going to deal with that every time we step out there. “But hey, we got pads on and this is what we expect from you today. Being intentional and knowing we’ve got to take advantage of this day in the heat, with pads on, at 2 o clock. And letting guys know this is what we are doing this year and this is how we are going to attack it. We are not throwing bones. We are not canceling practice early. We are not taking the pads off. That’s been the biggest difference in his approach and I think the team has felt that.”

▪ Right tackle Austin Jackson, who returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since sustaining a lower-body injury in early August, said there’s no doubt he will be ready for the Sept. 7 opener at the Colts.

▪ Tight end Darren Waller, who began camp on the physically unable to perform list while working his way back after a year in retirement, practiced in team drills for the first time on Wednesday and said “it’s looking good for me [to be available] Week 1 and going forward.” Waller said: “I’m happy to be where I’m at. I got to take some competitive reps against the defense.” He appreciates the Dolphins being deliberate with his return to the game. “With getting back into training, you can’t always predict how your body will respond having time away,” he said. “In most instances, my body responded well. In some ways, it didn’t. It was being cautious in that way looking at the bigger picture. I appreciate the care they’ve given me here.” He said he feels good about coming out of retirement: “There are physical, emotional, mental demands you have to get back used to. I respect that…. Helps me get a new perspective.” He said there are a “lot of similarities” to offenses that he played in, in the past, “which make it a little less stressful.” As far as establishing chemistry with Tua Tagovailoa, “it was a great start today,” he said.

▪ Most returning Dolphins players have been assigned new locker stalls. Tagovailoa moved across the room and took Jevon Holland’s spot; Tagovailoa, seated next to Jordan Poyer last season, is now next to Jordyn Brooks, in a row also featuring Jaylen Waddle and Chop Robinson. (Holland is now with the Giants, while Poyer joined the Bills’ practice squad on Wednesday.) Brooks said he didn’t know the reason why he was seated next to Tagovailoa. Each row features a mix of players on offense and defense. Long snapper Joe Cardona took Jalen Ramsey’s old corner spot, with quickest access to the exit.

▪ The locker room now features a basketball hoop with a pop-a-shot in it. There’s also a card table with cards scattered on it. Waller and Brooks mentioned the importance of that in building chemistry. “All the teams I’ve been on, including the four teams in Seattle and last year, this is the closest we’ve ever been and I think it’s because it’s intentional and natural,” Brooks said. Players “are carving out time to grow closer and that’s what allows teams to take the next step,” Waller said.

▪ The Dolphins created a roster spot for veteran tackle Kendall Lamm by placing cornerback Cam Smith on the reserve-non-football illness list, as expected. General manager Chris Grier declined to speculate on a timetable for Smith, out of respect to the privacy of players placed on that list.

▪ The Dolphins added veteran tight end Greg Dulcich to the practice squad, giving Miami a fifth player at the position, joining Hayden Rucci (also on the practice squad) and the three on the 53-man roster: Darren Waller, Julian Hill and Tanner Connor. Drafted by Denver in the third round in 2022, the 6-4, 245-pound Dulcich has played in 21 games (with 10 starts) for the Broncos and Giants and has 41 career receptions for 464 yards (11.3 average) and two touchdowns. Last season, he had five catches for 28 yards in five games and four starts for Denver, then was a healthy scratch for eight games in a row and was waived Thanksgiving week. He signed with the Giants a day later, logged 27 offensive snaps in five games last season; New York released him this week.

Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article311681072.html#storylink=cpy

 

I really liked the points about practice. And in interviews, players keep mentioning that a lot of things are happening organically. Watching the team on the sidelines, people are involved more. Even if its just support and cheering. Maybe the culture thing has actually shifted. Winning will improve that. Losing will tell what the true story is.