The Miami Dolphins enter tonight’s preseason contest with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looking to establish some answers to the many questions that linger over their potential starting line-up for the 2019 season. After two practices with the Buccaneers, there is an expectation of who we will see perform well — but as always the game of football is going to come down to execution just as much as anything else.
Who will execute when it matters most tonight at Raymond James Stadium?
Here are six Miami Dolphins to watch closely tonight.
Quarterbacks Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen
Of course! The Dolphins quarterback battle is something that be the focal point of the preseason until the Dolphins announce a victor. And even then — it is no guarantee that the debate between a wily old veteran and a gifted youngster without seasoning will go away.
Rosen got the reps with the first team offense on Wednesday, will he get them again tonight? Or will Ryan Fitzpatrick keep the status quo. Evaluating both players would be easier if they stayed with their respective teams — and playing Josh Rosen with the second stringers would give him the benefit of added reps, too.
But to fully diagnose the situation, Rosen is going to have to take reps with the first team offense in a game situation at some point.
Running back Kalen Ballage
There’s no question which team Ballage is running with tonight — he’s Miami’s lead back with Kenyan Drake out with a foot injury. But can Ballage recreate the explosive runs he’s hit this week at practice? With a downhill running style, Ballage has been quick to explode out the gate and hit the Bucs for several long touchdowns in practice.
Can he do it again? If he does, he may distance himself from Drake as the starter sooner rather than later.
Defensive back Chris Lammons
Will someone finally claim the vacancy as cornerback Eric Rowe’s primary back-up opposite Xavien Howard? The Dolphins tried Nik Needham there last week and it was an unmitigated disaster. Lammons got some notably play this week at practice with the first-team defense — perhaps he can be of service to Miami?
Offensive guard Michael Deiter
There will be no hiding from Ndamukong Suh tonight — the rookie from Wisconsin is going to have his hands full trying to establish himself against such an accomplished opponent. Deiter played poorly in Miami’s preseason debut against the Atlanta Falcons, can he rebound against the Buccaneers?
Miami’s quarterback assessment needs more stable play up front and there’s some notable pressure on Deiter to deliver right away.
Defensive lineman Christian Wilkins
The Dolphins’ 1st-round pick was challenged by Brian Flores on Wednesday to get his pads down in order to improve his penetration on pass rushing reps. Will Wilkins heed that advice tonight against some capable opposition? Don’t sleep on Wilkins’ match-up with Bucs guard Ali Marpet — that is one of the best one on one match-ups this contest can offer.
