Achane then took another carry, this time to the outside, again hitting the line of scrimmage at full speed. Tackle Austin Jackson sealed the edge as Achane glided to the second level of the defense for another explosive run.
The defense would score wins on the ensuing reps but there was a residual effect from those successful early plays. On five occasions, Tagovailoa found Waddle and fellow wide receiver Tyreek Hill for chunk gains on passes that traveled in the intermediate range of 15 to 25 yards.
It’s still early in camp, but those elements were staples of the 2022 and 2023 offenses that averaged a cumulative 26.3 points per game across those two seasons.
The Miami defense, however, would not let that be the story of the day. They relied on two primary energy sources to get things going. Outside linebackers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb have recovered from the injuries that cost them games the past two seasons and are back to their old tricks.
Phillips was dominant against the run. He took on tight ends, fullbacks and tackles with tenacity off the edge. Chubb chipped in against the run and added a pair of sacks.
“It’s been great them back,” outside linebacker Chop Robinson said. “Especially those guys since they helped me so much last year, off the field and on the field. Being out there on the field with them – they’re guys I used to watch when I was in college and everything. It’s a blessing and it’s fun to be out there with them.”
Robinson chipped in with his second sack in as many days. The Dolphins defense also forced a pair of fumbles and got hands on two passes, though they could not secure the interceptions. Cornerback Ethan Bonner and safety Patrick McMorris punched the football free after receptions from the Miami wideouts.
Cornerback Kader Kohou added a pass breakup on an impressive rep in man coverage against Hill.
Source link
