Dolphins 7th Practice Prepares Team For Friday's Scrimmage
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DAVIE (CBSMiami) – The Miami Dolphins were in shells and shorts for Thursday's practice at the team facility in Davie as they get ready for Friday's intra-squad scrimmage.
The day appeared to feature a lot of installation packages with attention being paid to technique on both sides of the ball.
There was also plenty of time spent on game situations. Players were challenging each other in 1-on-1 drills, 7-on-7 drills and 11-on-11 drills.
Here is what stood out to me during Dolphins training camp practice number seven. To read player and coach quotes from after practice, click here.
OFFENSE
Wide receiver Kenny Stills and guard Dallas Thomas were held out of practice on Thursday. Still is still nursing a calf injury while Thomas is dealing with a shoulder.
Receiver Greg Jennings also missed practice but he was held back for a day of rest, which is common amongst veteran players during training camp.
One of the best things to come out of camp so far is that quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been hitting deep passes with consistency. This is an issue that has plagued him throughout his career but it appears that he's turned a corner as he's connected on deep balls multiple times each practice.
On Thursday Tannehill connected with Jarvis Landry and Rishard Matthews on a pair of deep passes during team drills.
The day wasn't all roses for Tannehill though. He was intercepted by Reshad Jones, though it wasn't really the quarterbacks fault. The pass went right through the hands of Michael Preston and right to Jones. Tannehill also had a pass batted down at the line of scrimmage by Jones.
Josh Freeman had another up-and-down day. He threw perhaps his best pass so far during camp, connecting with Kevin Cone on a deep ball during 1-on-1 drills, but also had an ugly pass picked off by Bobby McCain during 11-on-11s. Freeman was also intercepted by Sammy Seamster on Thursday during 1-on-1s.
It wasn't the best day for Dolphins receivers as a lot of balls were hitting the ground. Tyler McDonald, Cobi Hamilton, Kevin Cone and LaRon Byrd all had drops on Thursday. None of them are expected to make the final 53-man roster.
Byrd was called for pushing off on a defender twice during practice, one of which negated a touchdown catch.
LaMichael James stood out in the running back group, scoring touchdowns on the ground and through the air during 11-on-11 red zone drills. The coaching staff seems to really like this guy.
Jay Ajayi also made a nice play to score a touchdown during the 11-on-11 red zone drill, making a diving catch across the goal line from Tannehill. He saw more time with the first team offense on Thursday than I can remember on any other day so far this camp.
DEFENSE
Cornerback Will Davis was held out of practice with a knee injury while Koa Misi sat out with a calf injury.
Cameron Wake was on the field but did not participate in any drills as he was given a day to rest.
Third-year cornerback Jamar Taylor had another strong day of practice as he tries to earn the second starting CB spot opposite Pro Bowler Brent Grimes.
Safety Reshad Jones had a solid day as well, batting a ball down at the line and intercepting another.
Corners Bobby McCain and Sammy Seamster also had interceptions on Thursday.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Rookie Andrew Franks took his turn as the kicker of the day. He started the day strong by making several long kicks with ease, but while facing no rush. He tried four field goals during 11-on-11 drills and missed two of them. He was good from 44 and 46 yards but missed from 42 and 44. Accuracy is the issue as each kick had plenty of leg.
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