The Not “All Important” Third Preseason Game

This Saturday the Miami Dolphins will play their third preseason game at Sun Life Stadium against the Atlanta Falcons at 7pm. Most sports betting fans consider the third preseason game the most important game of the preseason, because the starters play the entire first half and even some all the way into the third quarter. Even though this is generally true for most teams in regards to the third preseason game, Miami would be wise to hedge their football bets and not play some starters that long.

Jason Fox, Miami’s Left Tackle replacement while Brandon Albert is still getting back to full time playing speed, has suffered a concussion and will not play. This means that there will be a third string player, most likely Aundrey Walker, trying to protect Ryan Tannehill’s blind side against the Falcons first string defensive ends. Tannehill is a tough guy and is not going to back down from a challenge, however the coaching staff needs to keep him on a short leash if it appears that Walker can not hold his own.

The last thing the Miami Dolphins News fans want to see is Tannehill get injured in a meaningless preseason game, regardless if it is the “all important” third preseason game. To me Tannehill has shown a lot in his first two preseason games and there is really not much, besides connecting on a deep ball, that I need to see from him to make me think he is anymore ready for the regular season. If I were coach Philbin, I would put Tannehill in for the first drive, and if he leads the phins on a scoring drive, then I would yank him from the game and call it a night. However, If they do not score on their first drive, I would assess the pressure Tannehill is under from the Falcon pass rush and if it is not an excessive amount, then I would give him one last drive.

The importance doesn’t lay in if the Dolphins win this game, or even if Tannehill throws a few touchdowns, it’s that Tannehill leaves this game healthy and without any unnecessary dings. I know this is a mans game, but there is no reason to put our franchise QB, who has looked much improved, in the line of fire with a third string Left Tackle blocking for him. There are a few starters that are a little banged up and will not see any action in this game, which demonstrates that it is more important to stay healthy than to get a little extra live practice time.

On a side note the starting offense and defense has looked pretty decent in their first two games, so again there is not much I want to see from them besides staying healthy. There are a few guys that are still battling for starting positions or roster spots, so it is much more important for them to individually have a good showing. Which players in particular are the Miami Dolphin News fans going to be keeping a close eye on, to see whether or not they can crack the starting line up or just make the roster?

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