A few thoughts on a Dolphins’ scrimmage in which Ndamukong Suh reminded us how good he is (as if any of us needed reminding):
### Though Suh overwhelmed Billy Turner early on --- including stampeding through him for an 11-yard loss on a Lamar Miller run --- Turner held his own on a handful of snaps as the night progressed.
Turner said afterward he’s not discouraged and “I’m getting better every day.”
### Donald Hawkins, who played in one game for Dallas last season, opened as the first team left tackle because of an undisclosed injury to Jason Fox. Joe Philbin declined to say what’s wrong with Fox but there’s optimism it’s not too serious.
Jamil Douglas and Billy Turner were the first-team guards.
### This was a very good night for Miami’s rookie defensive backs. Bobby McCain, who continues to make plays, had two pass break ups (including a third-down red zone pass from Ryan Tannehill) and a terrific interception in the corner of the end zone, on a Tannehill pass to Jarvis Landry.
“He’s a tough guy, competitive,” Joe Philbin said.
Tony Lippett helped break up two passing plays and was around the ball on two other passes that weren't caught. The Dolphins clearly made the right move converting him from receiver to cornerback.
“He’s doing some good things,” Philbin said.
And safety Cedric Thompson forced a Kevin Cone fumble in the red zone.
Bobby McCain obviously will make the team; the Dolphins front office wants to keep Lippett (barring something unforeseen) and Thompson also has a pretty good chance to stick, especially if he proves an asset on special teams during preseason games.
### LaMichael James has been the best of Miami’s backup running backs in camp and that continued tonight.
He had 9 carries for 41 yards and juked a few defenders with nifty moves. He also caught two passes for 22 yards.
Damien Williams finished with 28 yards on 11 carries and fumbled once on a nice play by AJ Francis.
Remember, for all his skills as a receiver out of the backfield, he averaged just 3.4 yards on 36 carries last season.
Jay Ajayi got only one carry and made the most of it, running hard for a 12 yard gain.
Mike Gillislee, a long shot to make the team, had six carries for 27 yards.
Miller lost 11 yards on his two carries, due mostly to Suh.
Overall, the Dolphins ran for 102 yards on 30 carries.
### Ryan Tannehill closed 11 for 17 for 101 yards and two touchdowns – including a beautiful 26 yarder to Jordan Cameron (beating Kelvin Sheppard). He also threw two picks --- to Bobby McCain and Brent Grimes.
### Receiver stats: Jarvis Landry three for 37; Williams 3 for 19; Rishard Matthews 2 for 13; LaRon Byrd 2 for 11; Gillislee 3 for 8; Cobi Hamilton 1 for 35; Damarr Aultman 2 for 21; Cone 1 for 9; Matt Hazel 1 for 13; Jake Stoneburner 1 for 13; Michael Preston 2 for 20; Gerrell Robinson 1 for 2; Tim Semisch 1 for 12; James 2 for 22 and Cameron 2 for 28.
### Arthur Lynch dropped a pass and though he’s a good blocker, he seemingly needs to show something in the passing game to make this team. Still not sure the No. 3 tight end is on the roster.
### Caleb Sturgis and Andrew Franks each went 3 for 3 on field goals. Sturgis hit from 38, 41 and 46. Franks hit from 39, 44 and 51.
“Lot of room for improvement, but I’m trending the right way,” Sturgis said.
### Brice McCain opened as the first-team boundary cornerback, opposite Brent Grimes.
### Terrence Fede had yet another sack, and Derrick Shelby and Jordan Phillips shared one.
### Another promising night for Zach Vigil, who we mentioned yesterday is the undrafted linebacker who has impressed the Dolphins the most among the four of them.
Twitter: @flasportsbuzz
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/spor...n-dolphins-friday-night-scrimmage-at-fiu.html
### Though Suh overwhelmed Billy Turner early on --- including stampeding through him for an 11-yard loss on a Lamar Miller run --- Turner held his own on a handful of snaps as the night progressed.
Turner said afterward he’s not discouraged and “I’m getting better every day.”
### Donald Hawkins, who played in one game for Dallas last season, opened as the first team left tackle because of an undisclosed injury to Jason Fox. Joe Philbin declined to say what’s wrong with Fox but there’s optimism it’s not too serious.
Jamil Douglas and Billy Turner were the first-team guards.
### This was a very good night for Miami’s rookie defensive backs. Bobby McCain, who continues to make plays, had two pass break ups (including a third-down red zone pass from Ryan Tannehill) and a terrific interception in the corner of the end zone, on a Tannehill pass to Jarvis Landry.
“He’s a tough guy, competitive,” Joe Philbin said.
Tony Lippett helped break up two passing plays and was around the ball on two other passes that weren't caught. The Dolphins clearly made the right move converting him from receiver to cornerback.
“He’s doing some good things,” Philbin said.
And safety Cedric Thompson forced a Kevin Cone fumble in the red zone.
Bobby McCain obviously will make the team; the Dolphins front office wants to keep Lippett (barring something unforeseen) and Thompson also has a pretty good chance to stick, especially if he proves an asset on special teams during preseason games.
### LaMichael James has been the best of Miami’s backup running backs in camp and that continued tonight.
He had 9 carries for 41 yards and juked a few defenders with nifty moves. He also caught two passes for 22 yards.
Damien Williams finished with 28 yards on 11 carries and fumbled once on a nice play by AJ Francis.
Remember, for all his skills as a receiver out of the backfield, he averaged just 3.4 yards on 36 carries last season.
Jay Ajayi got only one carry and made the most of it, running hard for a 12 yard gain.
Mike Gillislee, a long shot to make the team, had six carries for 27 yards.
Miller lost 11 yards on his two carries, due mostly to Suh.
Overall, the Dolphins ran for 102 yards on 30 carries.
### Ryan Tannehill closed 11 for 17 for 101 yards and two touchdowns – including a beautiful 26 yarder to Jordan Cameron (beating Kelvin Sheppard). He also threw two picks --- to Bobby McCain and Brent Grimes.
### Receiver stats: Jarvis Landry three for 37; Williams 3 for 19; Rishard Matthews 2 for 13; LaRon Byrd 2 for 11; Gillislee 3 for 8; Cobi Hamilton 1 for 35; Damarr Aultman 2 for 21; Cone 1 for 9; Matt Hazel 1 for 13; Jake Stoneburner 1 for 13; Michael Preston 2 for 20; Gerrell Robinson 1 for 2; Tim Semisch 1 for 12; James 2 for 22 and Cameron 2 for 28.
### Arthur Lynch dropped a pass and though he’s a good blocker, he seemingly needs to show something in the passing game to make this team. Still not sure the No. 3 tight end is on the roster.
### Caleb Sturgis and Andrew Franks each went 3 for 3 on field goals. Sturgis hit from 38, 41 and 46. Franks hit from 39, 44 and 51.
“Lot of room for improvement, but I’m trending the right way,” Sturgis said.
### Brice McCain opened as the first-team boundary cornerback, opposite Brent Grimes.
### Terrence Fede had yet another sack, and Derrick Shelby and Jordan Phillips shared one.
### Another promising night for Zach Vigil, who we mentioned yesterday is the undrafted linebacker who has impressed the Dolphins the most among the four of them.
Twitter: @flasportsbuzz
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/spor...n-dolphins-friday-night-scrimmage-at-fiu.html
