Monday Afternoon Miami Dolphins Practice Report

Monday was the second of two practices in training camp that had been moved up to the afternoon. It was yet another practice marked by the defense dominating. It also marked the finishing of the team installing all their plays according to head coach Joe Phiblin. The coaches will now expect all the players to know all the plays are in their playbooks. The team will be more focused on perfecting the various plays and preparing for any upcoming opponents from this point forward.

The battle for the corner-back position opposite Brent Grimes is still said to be undecided but today might point in the direction that the coaches are looking. The battle was believed to be between Jamar Taylor and Brice McCain despite the belief that McCain had been acquired as a free agent to play the slot CB position. McCain had been given a chance to play with the first team quite a bit up until today given his overall level of play but today the vast majority of the snaps went to Taylor. This may just be the coaches tinkering a bit or it may be a sign of the direction they are planning to go in as they prepare for this weeks preseason contest.

The right guard position competition continues in earnest between Billy Turner and Jacques McCleandon. McCleandon began the practice with the first team with Turner working with the first squad in the second half of the practice.

The one position that many fans are still seriously concerned about is place kicker. Caleb Sturgis of course struggled more than most faithful are willing to stomach, last season. Today challenger Andrew Franks hit four of his five kicks including one of 56 and another from 49 yards away with both in to the wind. Despite Franks solid day both kickers have been inconsistent throughout camp and this battle looks to continue for a while.

After blowing up Twitter on Sunday with his multiple connections on long throw Tannehill only attempted one on Monday afternoon, a deep pass to Rishard Matthews that was just slightly off target. Speaking of Matthews, he continues to take snaps along with the first team while Kenny Stills nurses his injured calf.

Following practice HC Joe Philbin asked former Dolphin great Zach Thomas to address the team. You can read about his  address HERE.

*Today's practice was in shorts and helmet and light pads only.