The Miami Dolphins take their first step in the 2023 Season
Here we go, Phins fans! The Miami Dolphins kicked off the 2023 Season with their first OTA practices. Usually, this portion of the offseason isn’t much more than a glorified workout routine with ho-hum news. This year though, the first day of OTAs actually offered some interesting tidbits to talk about! From the Mike McDaniel pre-practice interview to reports of players finding new roles on the team, there is something to talk about.
OTAs are glorified workouts, but critical nonetheless
Mike McDaniel was his usual ‘Woody Allen’ esc self, but within the humor, he talked about some tangible and interesting things before practice. The most notable among the topics was his seriousness to reign in the pre-snap penalties and for the team to not to be satisfied with last season’s trip to the playoffs. While this is ‘expected talk’, it’s a must to hear it from the head coach especially with what appears to be a brutal schedule. so, it’s a 100% winning bet with the best pay per head that limiting of the pre-snap penalties is a Top 5 key to this season, no ifs, ands, or buts. The fact that McDaniel is so open about this issue demonstrates quality humility and awareness and is a great sign that this issue may actually change.
But the most interesting part of his interview was his retelling of a conversation he had with Teddy Bridgewater and how combined with Tua’s Judo lesson, he has altered his process on prepping quarterbacks for contact. Teddy had spoken McDaniel at some point about QBs not seeing contact from the end of the season to the start of the next and there wasn’t an acclimation period for contact with signal callers. This revelation now has McDaniel using some of the judo falls as part of the workout for quarterback leading up to the season. It sure does make sense. The out of the box thinking is a good sign of quality leadership… and that they are turning every stone to protect Tua.
I’m not sure exactly how much this new tactic will help, but every little bit counts.
Now the on the field news…
Okay, I’ll keep it short and sweet with bullet points of the news notes that perked my attention:
Chosen Anderson was the 3rd receiver on the depth chart. At 6’3” and still lightning fast, Anderson could be a potent factor to the Dolphins season when paired with Waddle and Hill for the faster trio in the NFL. I have my fingers crossed on this one because the trio could be ultra electric.
Andrew Van Ginkel was seeing reps inside as well as outside. He was seeing edge work in base packages and inside in the nickel behind Baker and Long. The kid can play and has a nose for the ball in the run game. I like him have more opportunities to help this team with an expanded role.
FA Isaiah Wynn was lining up in multiple spots with one of them at left guard. While this is interesting, I went back and watched him 25 reps at LG last season against the Colts and I wasn’t impressed. He was better than Liam Eichenberg of the 2022, but nothing to write home about. Eichenberg, Feeney, Wynn, and Jones will battle it out for the spot. Coach MJ has Jones penciled in as the Day 1 starter already… let’s see if it plays out that way.
Austin Jackson had reconstruction surgery on his ankle. Man, that was a devastating injury he had last year. While Jackson is an ace human, I’m not high on him being an exclamation mark at right tackle this season, and the fact his ankle was reconstructed leaves me more doubting of his success. Now I’m rooting for the kid for many reasons, but my ceiling at this stage is just hoping he can at least be average this season.
On a side note, it was awesome not to hear any ‘how was Tua’s passes’ talk… that’s a real good sign that we’ve come a long way on the front.
Well, OTA Day 1 is in the books and it’s a long road from here, but every step counts. This will be a season of the ages for Dolphins fans one way or the other. there’s no way around it, it will take one heck of a team to out due last season in a tough division and conference. If Miami rise to the top of the league this season, then they have legitimately turned the franchise around! Now wouldn’t that be amazing! Go Phins!!!
