The Baltimore Ravens kick off their 2019 season on the road against the Miami Dolphins. To help get a feel for how the Dolphins are actually looking this season, I got with Dolphins Wire managing editor Kyle Crabbs to get some inside info ahead of this game.
Before you tune into the Week 1 action, take a look at what Miami has going for them really and what to expect out of a Dolphins team many are saying are tanking this year.
1) Who steps into the recently traded Laremy Tunsil’s shoes at LT?
The Dolphins hope to onboard newly acquired left tackle Julien Davenport quickly enough for him to step into the role against Baltimore. Should the team deem Davenport as not ready for Week 1, expect to see the Dolphins shift Jesse Davis over from the right side of the line to play left tackle. Davis was initially scheduled to play right guard for Miami after the team signed veteran Jordan Mills this offseason, but Mills lost his starting job after the team fired offensive line coach Pat Flaherty just days into training camp. Davis has been working as the starting right tackle ever since.
2) Ryan Fitzpatrick is in at quarterback. What can we expect, and is there a chance Josh Rosen plays at any point?
Don’t expect to see Rosen in Week 1. The Dolphins will find an excuse to work him into the lineup before the end of the season, but upon acquiring Rosen from Arizona this spring, it was apparent that the former UCLA passer was much more of a developmental project than anyone anticipated. Rosen has spent the summer learning how to identify fronts and call protections — an added layer to control at the line of scrimmage that has slowed down Rosen’s processing this summer. The only way we’ll see Rosen on the field against Baltimore is if Fitzpatrick suffers an injury.
3) There’s an overwhelming feeling the Dolphins are tanking this year outside of Miami. Is that the feeling as well in town?
The Dolphins — primarily head coach Brian Flores — did a nice job this spring selling Dolphins fans on the idea that although they were ready to take a step back in order to shift their roster-building philosophies, they weren’t throwing away the season. But the trade of OT Laremy Tunsil and WR Kenny Stills to Houston serves as the declaration of Miami’s true intentions: This team is not planning to compete this season. A recent report from Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald indicated that one coach who spoke with the Dolphins’ leadership last winter during their coaching staff [hirings] was told the Dolphins did not plan on contending in 2019 and hoped to draft their franchise QB in 2020.
4) Which players should the Ravens not sleep on entering this game?
Don’t sleep on LB Jerome Baker on defense. The second-year pro is widely considered a budding star inside circles close to the Dolphins organization. He’ll sport the “green dot” on defense for Miami and serve as the unit’s primary play caller. Baker will be used by Flores as a chess piece — a player who will move around the set and be tasked with making plays as a blitzer, in coverage and as a sideline-to-sideline defender. Offensively, don’t overlook receiver Albert Wilson. Wilson led the NFL in yards after the catch last season at the midway point before succumbing to a hip injury. He’s been slowly phased back into live action and had a successful first appearance in Miami’s final preseason contest.
5) What’s your final score prediction, and which Dolphins player makes the biggest impact — positive or negative?
The Dolphins defense has the speed on the second level to play scrappy against all of Baltimore’s added speed, but Miami’s offensive issues will handcuff their ability to sustain long drives and Miami’s defense will wear down as the game edges closer to the end. Look for rookie UDFA guard Shaq Calhoun to have his hands full upfront with Baltimore’s defensive line — he’s been working as a starter but Miami traded for guards Evan Boehm and Danny Isidora over the weekend, indicating they’re looking for more competition before the end of the season. Ravens 20, Dolphins 14
