Fins Take Quick Break, Then Back To Work For 2nd Preseason Game
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The Miami Dolphins seem loose and relaxed heading into their second of four preseason games. Head Coach Joe Philbin opted for the movies rather than a scheduled walk-thru Thursday evening. Philbin took the team to see the new film "Straight Outta Compton" after a pair of joint practices with the Carolina Panthers – Saturday night's opponent.
Instead of walk-thru Coach Philbin got us in the movie theater for @ComptonMovie! All these open seats and @Kold91 sat right next to me ????
— Rocky Maivia (@AJFrancis410) August 20, 2015
Despite having the night off, their time in South Carolina has been rocky to say the least. A skirmish between defensive end Olivier Vernon and Carolina's offensive lineman Michael Oher disrupted Day 1 of practice. But nothing more disruptive to practice and the roster than the loss of starting Safety Louis Delmas, who tore the ACL in his right knee for the second time in less than a year.
"It was devastating." said linebacker Jelani Jenkins. "Next man up has to step up, whoever that is." Jenkins added. That "whoever" will likely be safeties Michael Thomas or Walt Aikens. It appears Aikens has a leg up on the position – running with the first team defense in Thursday's practice.
In the NFL, one player's misfortune can be an opportunity for another to lock down a job. It's a fact Jenkins knows all too well. He ran away with a starting spot in 2014 after an injury sidelined then-Dolphins linebacker Dannell Ellerbe.
"It kind of reminds me of what I had to go through last year. Having to step up into that position. Once it's there it's there. You gotta run away with it." Said Jenkins.
The spot light will be on Aikens come Saturday night when the Panthers and Dolphins kick things off at 7pm in Charlotte, North Carolina. The game will air on CBS4, your official Miami Dolphins station. #FinsOn4.
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