The Miami Dolphins’ offseason workout program shifts from organized team activities to mandatory minicamp this week, with sessions on Wednesday and Thursday.
New coach Mike McDaniel, in his first several practices run as an NFL head coach, continues to install an offseason model of the work ethic he wants his team to possess before it heads into training camp.
“You’re first trying to identify a standard with which you play and a standard with which you practice,” McDaniel said last week about organized team activities.
“Within that, that’s where your camaraderie and that’s where your relationships are built. There are blood, sweat and tears that are earned over hard work, and you’re trying to get a team to decide what their standard of play is going to be — and then you want to uphold that standard because that’s the way that you operate and function as a football team.”
The Dolphins have already had nearly their entire squad present for voluntary OTAs the previous two weeks, but now all healthy players are expected to come together on the Dolphins’ practice field for what will be the best look at the 2022 team before training camp opens in late July.
Most notably, cornerback Xavien Howard and left tackle Terron Armstead, the team’s prized free-agent upgrade on the offensive line, may join the team for offseason workouts.
Howard missed last year’s mandatory minicamp while he was at odds with the team over his contract. He has since been placated — first, in training camp ahead of the 2021 season and then again with his restructured deal this offseason.
While the Dolphins have not had Howard or No. 2 cornerback Byron Jones to defend their revamped receiving corps during OTAs, it’s unknown if Jones is ready to return for minicamp after undergoing surgery on his lower left leg.
Armstead also had surgery on a knee that pestered him throughout his final season with the New Orleans Saints. He played just eight games last year and missed the Dec. 27 Monday night meeting with the Dolphins.
“I had a procedure in the offseason,” Armstead said during his introductory press conference in March. “Cleaned up some stuff from last year. I feel great. I’ve just been rehabbing, training and getting myself ready to roll for when we start.”
While not participating in Miami’s OTA practices, Armstead was seen doing post-practice work with a pair of Dolphins linemen heading into their second seasons, Liam Eichenberg and Robert Jones, after one of the sessions that was open to the media.
The Dolphins have gotten an early glimpse of what the 2022 team will look like. Offensively, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been able to get a feel for throwing to speedy offseason acquisition Tyreek Hill, who brings six Pro Bowl selections and one Super Bowl to Miami’s receiving corps. Pieces of McDaniel’s run game have been installed, while Raheem Mostert, already familiar with McDaniel from time with the San Francisco 49ers, takes it slow in returning from last season’s knee injury.
The offensive line, the team’s most troublesome unit in 2021, can potentially begin to see what it looks like with Armstead slotted in at left tackle in minicamp. His position is the one that has been solidified on the line, according to McDaniel. Questions remain on how the rest of the group will line up.
While the Dolphins may continue to mix and match throughout the offseason, Connor Williams, a guard for four years with the Dallas Cowboys, is being given a shot at center , and others have positional flexibility between guard and tackle — or guard and center for Michael Deiter.
Defensively, the unit that was kept intact from last season can inch closer to a full return if Howard is present in the secondary and with defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah, a key re-signing this offseason, leading a pass rush that also recently added former Pro Bowl defensive end Melvin Ingram.
Following the two-practice minicamp, the Dolphins wrap up their offseason program with a final week of OTAs that includes one session open to media next Tuesday.
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