Miami, FL
Offensive Line in the Spotlight and in a Fluid State
The Miami Dolphins offensive line remains the most unsettled position on the entire roster, and there’s little happening in training camp to alleviate many of the concerns.
The most notable development at practice Tuesday was the high number of bad snaps or bad center-quarterback exchanges, which actually were worse than the problematic display a day earlier.
Then there’s the overall health of the group, with presumptive starting left guard Isaiah Wynn still on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list and left tackle Terron Armstead practicing for the first time Tuesday, although it didn’t involve any team work.
For a unit that has fans a bit nervous — OK, a lot nervous — this was not a great way to wrap up the first week of practice.
While Armstead missing a lot of practice time really isn’t a big deal because he’s been really good for the Dolphins with limited practice since he got here in 2022, Wynn’s absence may be is a bit more problematic.
Wynn hasn’t practiced at all since he sustained a quad injury in the Week 7 game against the Philadelphia Eagles last season after doing a respectable job to that point. This would be problematic for any player, let alone for one with Wynn’s lengthy injury history.
While Armstead, new center Aaron Brewer and right tackle Austin Jackson will be in starting lineup, there will be competition at the guard spots and there will come a time when Wynn no longer is a slam dunk to start on the left side.
Reading into head coach Mike McDaniel’s words from before practice Tuesday, it doesn’t sound as though Wynn’s return is imminent.
“He’s in the building every day,” McDaniel said. “He’s doing well and his process is diligent. He’s been steadfast, fixture within the building and the team and he’ll keep progressing. I’ll give you an update when it’s a little clearer.”
The competition involves Liam Eichenberg, Robert Jones, Lester Cotton and perhaps newcomer Jack Driscoll, but it may be some time before we have clear answers as to what the final starting five will look like.
“I really don’t think about the competitions, I really don’t,” McDaniel said. “I’m observing with a laser focus on how players are responding to good or bad plays and really it’s almost like I have a spreadsheet in my mind of how many opportunities are in front of them with today – there’s like, 25 opportunities for each guard and in that, I’ll assess that and then with a clear mind, watch how people tell me the story. I’m not going to forecast anything and get ahead of myself and diminish the importance of their daily development.
“What I do like to see is from a team perspective, I see guys making plays at the guard position and then I see guys being in tough situations that they can learn from because our defense is challenging every day. So we as a team, it’s not just watching players do things successfully, especially at the O-line position. You’re going to have your share of stresses and you’re going to have your share of things that maybe negatively cost the entire team on a play or two. How do you respond? We don’t have time for a passive mind-set, so who knows? It’s not just coachspeak. I live it. I’m way far away from truly assessing who’s a leader in the clubhouse, but I will say that the competition is real.”
In the meantime, it would be nice for the offensive line to pick up its play.
Beyond the consistent pressure on the quarterbacks over the past few days, the snapping and exchange issues have been troubling.
Brewer and Tua Tagovailoa have had three muffed exchanges over the past two days. Armstead explained there’s an adjustment period involved with Brewer because his snapping point might be different than what Tua was used to with former starting center Connor Williams.
But the high shotgun snaps — Driscoll and rookie free agent Ireland Brown — each cleared their quarterback’s head at different times need to get fixed.
The good news is we’re still very early in training camp, so there’s plenty of time for progress.
But until that happens and there’s more clarity on the offensive line, the group will continue to be a source for concern.
Miami, FL
Ole Miss S Nick Cull’s targeting call reversed vs Miami in Peach Bowl
Should the CFP committee rethink the playoff schedule format?
Extended breaks and logistical challenges have reopened questions about whether the College Football Playoff committee should adjust the playoff schedule format.
Mississippi football’s Nick Cull avoided an ejection during the College Football Playoff Fiesta Bowl semifinal on Thursday, Jan. 8.
As Malachi Toney reeled in a catch from Carson Beck at the Miami 49 in the first quarter, he was hit by Cull in a helmet-to-helmet collision. Right away, the officials flagged Cull for targeting, with both Toney and Cull staying down on the field with an injury.
After officials reviewed the play, the call on the field was overturned, as the officials determined that Cull did not launch and the collision seemed to be incidental. Replay assistant Matt Austin concurred with the call on the field.
The play had a major impact on the game as well. If the call had been upheld, Miami would have had the ball at the Ole Miss 34-yard line with a chance to expand its 3-0 lead. However, a few plays later, the Hurricanes were forced to punt from the 49-yard line.
On the first play of the second quarter, Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacey scored on a 73-yard run to give the Rebels a 7-3 lead.
Because he was not called for targeting, Cull was not ejected from the game, which means Ole Miss will have him for the remainder of the game, if he can clear the concussion protocol. He was in the tent following the play.
Cull has 15 total tackles and three pass deflections this season for the Rebels.
Meanwhile, Toney went to the medical tent briefly for the Hurricanes, but returned to the game.
Miami, FL
Crash involving unmarked Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office vehicle impacts morning commute
A crash involving an unmarked Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office vehicle was reported in Northwest Miami-Dade on Thursday morning, and the morning commute was impacted as a result.
Few details have been released, but the crash was reported in the area of Northwest 79th street and Interstate 95.
Video from the scene showed that the vehicles had heavy damage.
The sheriff’s office said the crash also involved a civilian vehicle, and no injuries were reported.
No other information was released.
Miami, FL
Miami Heat-Minnesota Timberwolves Final Injury Update: Anthony Edwards’ status divulged
The Minnesota Timberwolves announced that guard Anthony Edwards is now available to play in Tuesday night’s game against the Miami Heat after originally being listed as questionable with right foot injury maintenance.
Here’s the rest of the injury report and game preview:
INJURY REPORT
HEAT
Tyler Herro: Available – Toe
Jaime Jaquez Jr.: Out – Ankle
Nikola Jovic: Available – Groin
Terry Rozier: Out – Not with team
TIMBERWOLVES
Anthony Edwards: Available – Foot
Terrence Shannon Jr.: Out – Foot
Joan Beringer: Out – G League
Game date, time and location: Tuesday, Jan. 6, 8:00 p.m. EST, Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
TV: TV: Peacock,
Radio: 104.3 FM (Miami/Ft. Lauderdale), ESPN 106.3 FM, (West Palm Beach), FOX Sports Radio 105.9 FM (Ft. Myers/Naples), 1450 AM (Suart), 97.7 FM (Florida Keys), WAQI 710 AM (Spanish-language broadcast, South Florida) 100.3 FM (Minnesota)
VITALS: The Miami Heat (20-16) and Minnesota Timberwolves (23-13) meet for the second and final regular season matchup after just facing off three days ago with Minnesota recording a, 125-115, win in Miami on January 3. The teams split the series, 1-1, last season with each squad winning on the road. The Heat are 36-35 all-time versus Minnesota during the regular season,
including 19-16 in home games and 17-19 in road games.
PROJECTED STARTERS
HEAT
G Davion Mitchell
G Tyler Herro
C Bam Adebayo
F Norman Powell
F Andrew Wiggins
TIMBERWOLVES
G Donte DiVincenzo
G Anthony Edwards
C Rudy Gobert
F Jaden McDaniels
F Julius Randle
Spread: Heat +5.5 (-112), Timberwolves -5.5 (-108)
Moneyline: Heat +166, Timberwolves -198
Total points scored: 239.5 (over -106, under -114)
QUOTABLE
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra on the forced turnovers: “That is and has to be our identity. We have to play with a recklessness and activity level that exceeds our opponent, and thats not to put down our talent level or anything like that, it’s more about we look different when we’re flying around and making plays and making it tough for the opponent.”
For more Miami Heat information and conversation, check out Off The Floor.
Alexander Toledo is a contributor to Miami Heat On SI and producer/co-host of the Five on the Floor podcast, covering the Heat and NBA. He can be reached at Twitter: @tropicalblanket
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