The Miami Dolphins were supposed to be hosting a team scrimmage at Hard Rock Stadium yesterday — but the threat of inclement weather forced the Dolphins to call an audible. The team instead hosted a closed practice, staying on familiar territory in Davie in order to facilitate some game situations and get the competitive engines running.
And while the faces here in South Florida are fresh, the sloppy play that plagued the Dolphins under former head coach Adam Gase lingered all the same — a turn of events that undoubtedly had new coach Brian Flores hot under the collar. After all — Flores has installed a “Takes No Talent” wall at the practice facility, hoping it’s presence and the habit of running to it after mistakes will help keep players disciplined.
But that wasn’t the case during yesterday’s game simulation.
An average of one penalty per drive? Somewhere, from a dark corner of his office at the Jets’ facility, Adam Gase is a proud papa right about now. These miscues ranged from false starts to holdings — seemingly each time there was an update from the media in attendance at yesterdays’ practice, it came with a penalty disclaimer. Quarterback Josh Rosen at one point faced a 3rd and 25 before the center snapped the ball over his head.
So the mistakes extended well beyond just penalties, too. Veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said it best.
“It wasn’t good enough. We came out and had a really nice first drive, scored a touchdown and then after that didn’t really do anything all day,” said Fitzpatrick.
