Hard to imagine a team asking two offensive linemen to transition to center this summer — snapping the football for the first time in their careers — wouldn’t be plagued by issues.
And that’s exactly what the Miami Dolphins are working to overcome in the second week of training camp as Michael Deiter continues to be sidelined by a foot injury.
During Wednesday’s practice the Dolphins experienced some shotgun snap issues from Connor Williams and Adam Pankey, who along with Cole Banwart have been handling the snapping duties.
These weren’t snaps spraying all over the field, bad enough to create a turnover. But they were off the mark enough to throw off a play’s timing.
Williams, who committed two errant snaps, stayed after practice waiting for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to finish speaking with the media, and then sign autograph for fans in attempt to work on their snaps.
The two spent an extra 10 minutes on the field working on their exchanges.
“At the end of the day, snapping is not too bad. It’s second-hand nature once you get used to it,” Williams said earlier this week.
“It’s definitely progressed,” said Williams, who started 51 games at left guard for the Dallas Cowboys before signing a two-year deal worth $14 million with the Dolphins as a free agent this offseason. “It becomes second-hand where you’re not thinking about it and you’re throwing it back there and it hits the money.”
Observations
Tagovailoa, who was the orange jersey player Wednesday, which means he was recognized as the top performer of Tuesday’s practice session, had another steady performance.
The Dolphins 2020 first-round pick connected on a blitz-beating throw to receiver River Cracraft that turned into a 50-yard touchdown. Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene and safety Eric Rowe were the closest defenders on what was clearly a defensive miscommunication. …
Rookie quarterback Skylar Thompson threw a touchdown pass to tailback Gerrid Doaks during the team’s goal-line work. …
Tailback Salvon Ahmed caught an impressive wheel route from backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater that would have produced at least 30 yards before a defender got near him to make the stop. …
Linebacker Melvin Ingram stopped tailback Myles Gaskin in the backfield for a loss. Ingram, an 11-year veteran, has been impactful during the practices he’s participated in. …
Rookie tailback ZaQuandre White fumbled the ball on a left side run and linebacker Brennan Scarlett recovered it. …
Linebacker Sam Eguavoen had a clear, undeniable sack of Bridgewater before he threw the ball for a completion to receiver Lynn Bowden. …
Rookie receiver Erik Ezukanma continued his strong performances as of late, catching a touchdown pass from Thompson, who again evaded pressure before throwing the ball.
Stock up
Tanner Conner, a former Idaho State receiver who is being asked to make the transition to tight end during camp, caught two impressive passes during Wednesday’s session. The first was a 35-yard reception in the middle of the field from Bridgewater. Then in the final 11-on-11 phase of practice he caught a long touchdown pass from Tagovailoa.
Stock down
Hunter Long had two drops during practice, and one of them was a pass where he was wide open downfield on a throw from Tagovailoa. The former Boston College standout, whom the Dolphins selected in the third round of the 2021 draft, hasn’t taken the step forward you’d hope most young players take. But in his defense, tight ends hadn’t been heavily utilized until Wednesday’s practice.
Injury update
Receiver Tyreek Hill and tailback Chase Edmonds sat out practice, being given a veteran load management day. …
Starting left tackle Terron Armstead, who has sparingly practiced since camp start, sat out Wednesday’s session. …
Cornerback Elijah Campbell, who was taken off the PUP list, worked on the side instead of doing position drills during his first practice with the team. …
Fullback John Lovett missed his fourth straight practice because of an undisclosed injury.
