Thompson Gets Taste of ‘Wild NFL Football’

When the Miami Dolphins drafted Skylar Thompson within the seventh spherical of the 2022 NFL draft out of Kansas State, they most likely didn’t count on him to play common season snaps this season.

Nonetheless, on account of Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion and Teddy Bridgewater being positioned in concussion protocol after one play, Thompson made his NFL debut in opposition to the New York Jets on Sunday.

THOMPSON HAD A LOT OF OVERCOME IN HIS FIRST NFL APPEARANCE

Thompson accomplished 19 of 33 passes for 166 yards, two turnovers (one fumble, one INT) and 0 touchdowns within the Dolphins’ 40-17 loss. Thompson was victimized by three dropped passes and the interception occurred after his arm was hit by Jets defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers as he was releasing his cross meant for River Cracraft.

Regardless of the result, Thompson was completely happy to see his first NFL motion.

“It was nice to get on the market and get my toes moist,” Thompson mentioned. “The primary actual style of untamed NFL soccer for positive, so far as getting expertise, the environment on the street, stay reps. So it felt good to get on the market and get that going.”

Thompson had his struggles all through the sport Sunday, however that shouldn’t be shocking given what he needed to take care of. Thompson didn’t take first-team reps throughout apply and left sort out Terron Armstead missed many of the recreation with a toe harm, which clearly restricted the offensive line’s cross safety.

Moreover, there’s a cause Thompson was picked within the seventh spherical and never greater — he wanted time to develop.

THOMPSON’S TEAMMATES IMPRESSED 

Broad receiver Tyreek Hill, who left the sport within the fourth quarter with a foot harm, was impressed with the way in which Thompson dealt with getting thrust into the sport.

“He did an incredible job,” Hill mentioned. “For him not with the ability to get all the apply reps (and) simply are available, play-calling and stuff like that, as a result of our play calls, I really feel like, are very robust, particularly for a younger quarterback. For him to simply step in the way in which he did, full passes and stuff like that, it’s nice. And for him shifting ahead, he’s going to have the ability to construct off of that for his confidence. Trying ahead to taking part in with him extra.”

To Thompson’s credit score, there have been some vibrant spots in his efficiency. Throughout Miami’s last drive of the primary half, Thompson accomplished 6 of seven passing makes an attempt, permitting Miami to attain a landing and lower the Jets’ result in 19-14.

Head coach Mike McDaniel mentioned there wasn’t a giant play-calling adjustment with Thompson within the recreation as a substitute of Bridgewater.

“It adjusted somewhat bit,” McDaniel mentioned. “You attempt to do stuff that the quarterback that’s taking part in may be very comfy with. We’re in communication all week and I sort of have an thought, so there’s perhaps a few calls that I’d have achieved a hair totally different with Teddy. However for probably the most half, Skylar has earned the boldness of the workforce. He did have a tough rookie outing, however that’s not likely a explanation for concern shifting ahead figuring out that he’s the kind of individual that he’s. The most important factor is he has to study from it, which I do know he’ll.”

One factor that clearly modified with Thompson at quarterback was the shortage of involvement of Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Hill completed with 47 yards, which is his second-worst yardage output of the season, and Waddle completed the sport with season-lows in targets (3) and yards (23).

The three did mix for 3 defensive cross interference penalties drawn, which gave the Dolphins a mixed 95 yards.

Regardless of his total lack of involvement, Waddle appreciated what he noticed from Thompson.

“I used to be impressed,” Waddle mentioned. “It’s robust to go in there, however I feel he dealt with it rather well. He commanded the offense, obtained the O-line going, and obtained the run recreation going. We simply must have extra of an offense to place every thing collectively.”

THOMPSON LOOKS AHEAD TO MAKE CORRECTIONS

It’s unclear if Tagovailoa or Bridgewater, who McDaniel mentioned did’t have any concussion signs, might be out there to play within the Dolphins’ subsequent recreation in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings at Onerous Rock Stadium on Oct. 16.

No matter whether or not Thompson performs in opposition to Minnesota, he is aware of he could make numerous enhancements this week.

“I simply actually attempt to hone in on my ideas proper now and what issues regarded like on the sphere to me each play,” Thompson mentioned. Then, [I’ll] attempt to return and watch the movie and attempt to correlate with my eyes, ‘Did I see this accurately? What may I’ve achieved in a different way on this play?’ There’s lots to study on the market, I do know that for positive. So, I’m excited to observe the tape and begin bettering on the issues that I have to.”