What did we learn about the Dolphins Vs. Panthers Game

Peter Holland Jr./ Contributing Writer

Despite a 31-30 loss against the Carolina Panthers that gives the Miami Dolphins a 0-2 start in the pre-season, the starters look like they are in sync and capable of competing against any team in the NFL. With that being said, here’s what we learned after the Dolphins-Panthers game.

Ryan Tannehill’s is making a statement

One of Tannehill’s biggest concerns prior to this season is his pocket awareness. Not only does he look solid on the pocket, he’s making smarter decisions with the ball and his release has been better than it ever was. He finished the game 12-15  for 101 yards and one TD.  His best play was a short pass to Lamar Miller that resulted to a 36 yard gain, which then set up an 11 yard touchdown pass to Damien Williams. Despite  giving up a fumble earlier in his first drive, Tannehill has been keeping his mistakes to a minimum. In the last two games, Tannehill is 17-21, completing 81 percent of his passes. Not bad for a former wide receiver back in college.

Damien Williams and LaMichael James fighting for the backup role

Damien Williams and LaMichael James had a productive game in the first half. Williams finished the game with four carries for 14 yards and a touchdown. He was also effective in the passing game when he caught an 11 yard catch the resulted in a touchdown. He could’ve had his third total touchdown until the referee called it a touchback when he fumbled out of bounds in the end zone. LaMichael James got the most carries and led the team in rushing with 45 yards in six carries. This could come down to the wire in who will be Lamar Miller’s backup.

Next Man Up at Free Safety

The Dolphin’s suffered a huge blow during one of their joint practices with the Panthers when starting free safety Louis Delmas retore his ACL. The same ACL injury that kept him out all of last season. This was the opportunity for both Walt Aikens and Michael Thomas to compete for the starting role at free safety. Both of them finished the game with four tackles against the Panthers. Expect these two to fight for the starting job as it is still up for grabs. Most likely we won’t find out who wins it until their fourth pre-season game.

Dolphins’ defense won’t be easy to score on

I don’t know which impressed me the most, Jamar Taylor’s 27 yard interception on Cam Newton, or the Panthers failing to score in all four downs in the goal line. Either or, it showed that the Dolphins’ starting defense is an unstoppable force and good luck trying to make it to the end zone with this defense. The Panthers only scored nine points in the first half (all field goals). This potentially could be the strongest defense the Dolphins have had in 10 years.

The final two games are at home against the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This coming Saturday will be the first home game in their new and improved Sun Life Stadium against the Atlanta Falcons at 7:00 p.m. Their opening game is on Sunday, September 13 against the Washington Redskins at 1:00 p.m.