10 THINGS FROM AN HISTORIC NIGHT AT HARD ROCK STADIUM

Trying Something New …

1 – MIAMI DOLPHINS NUMBER ONE: Longtime Dallas Cowboys radio broadcaster Brad Sham famously said “Preseason games don’t count, but they matter.” You’d be hard-pressed to find any of the announced crowd of 64,860 Saturday night at Hard Rock Stadium who witnessed the Dolphins’ historic 48-10 exhibition beatdown of the Philadelphia Eagles leaving not feeling overly exuberant about the Fins’ chances to contend in the AFC East in 2022. It was historic because Miami’s 48 points were a franchise preseason record, eclipsing the previous mark set in 1974 (45). With a 2-1 exhibition record now behind them, it’ll be a long two week wait before the Dolphins’ Week 1 opener against New England at home on September 11 (1:00 pm ET kickoff).

2 – PLAY IT AGAIN SAM: There were many, many things to watch in Miami’s preseason finale but for me, #1 on the list was the play of linebacker Sam Eguavoen. The 29-year old from Garland, TX is entering his fourth season with the Dolphins after a three-year stint with Saskatchewan of the CFL (2016-2018) where we became close friends. Eguavoen counts a close relationship with former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores as the reason he got an NFL opportunity in the first place, so he needed a strong preseason showing with Flores now gone. Well, the Dolphins got it as Eguavoen led the defensive stat sheet with four defensive tackles, three assisted tackles and a sack. I kept a close eye on #49 and he opened the game on Kickoff Return at the F3 position. Sam would go on to be featured on Kickoff Cover, Punt Return and several defensive snaps all evening long. What more could he have done to keep his spot on the team?

Collectively, the defense set the tone with a Turnover On Downs which ended Philly’s opening possession under Gardner Minshew.

3 – FIREWORKS: The fans had barely settled into their seats before Dolphins starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa launched a 51-yard bomb to prized free agent signing Tyreek Hill on the game’s opening offensive play. It was the first of a lightning quick 4-play drive which ended with Tua finding River Cracraft for an 8-yard touchdown at the 1:59 mark. After that, Hill’s night was done however the explosive replay dominated all NFL highlights on the next-to-final night of the preseason. After the game Tagovailoa admitted the playcall wasn’t necessarily drawn up for Hill but if the Eagles gave them the right look, the deep post would be dialed up. BOOM! Tyreek Hill led all Dolphins in receiving yards on the night with 64 on his two catches, however Cracraft led in receptions with four.

4 – CHEETAH: On the big screen during the game it was noted that Tyreek “Cheetah” Hill was clocked as the fastest Dolphins player, topping out at 21.7 mph in a sprint. Google says an actual cheetah has been clocked at a top speed between 50-80 mph. There’s always room for improvement!

5 – FLY EAGLES FLY: It was an abysmal showing by the Philadelphia defense, giving up 298 yards passing and 203 yards rushing. I don’t care how many starters were left on the sideline; this is the NFL and every player is good. Having said that, a huge cheer went up from the many Eagles fans in attendance when Patrick Johnson sacked Tua midway through the first quarter. Philadelphia figures to contend in the NFC East but have several things to tighten up defensively.

6 – HOLLAND: Canadian football fans always keep an eye on sophomore Dolphins safety Jevon Holland. The Coquitlam, BC product and Oregon grad – a 2nd round, 36th overall pick of Miami in 2021 – played most of the first half at deep safety. Holland didn’t find the stat sheet, but he was a big reason why Miami was pitching a 27-0 shutout at halftime. Holland is considered one of the top Canadian stars in the NFL.

7 – DOH!: The Dolphins’ shutout bid was foiled when Preston Williams muffed a punt 1:51 into the third quarter and Philly recovered. The Eagles promptly cashed in with a 26-yard Jake Elliott field goal. Williams was back out on the next punt return situation however.

8 – KEEPING IT CLEAN: Perhaps it’s not surprising – due to a full training camp and two exhibition games under their belt – that there were no penalties called through the entire first quarter. The first flag didn’t come out until the 2:49 mark of the second quarter; a holding infraction against the Eagles.

9 – BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER: None of the Miami quarterbacks had trouble moving the ball against the Philadelphia defense, and getting first downs. Teddy Bridgewater started the second quarter, going 4/10 for 74 yards. However game ball consideration should go to third-stringer Skylar Thompson, who was an efficient 7/10 for 103 yards in the second half, and three touchdowns. Thompson was skittish early, but settled in and was able to put the game out of reach.

10 – FINS UP: No surprise that the Dolphins defense was stout under veteran coordinator Josh Boyer but the team should be buoyed by the fluent performance of the offense under new coordinator Frank Smith. The quarterbacks were given plenty of time – with only one sack allowed all game – and the offense benefitted from tremendous play at the receiver position (coming back to the ball, drawing flags and making tough catches). With veteran kicker Jason Sanders going 2/2 on field goals – including a long of 55 yards – the Dolphins head into the 2022 campaign with plenty of optimism in all three phases.

(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily at 12 pm ET & 10 pm PT on Game+ TV across Canada and the USA. Call your cable provider to subscribe. You can also watch on YouTube Live and listen 24/7 at RodPedersen.com/ListenLive)