Detroit, MI – The Miami Dolphins arrived in Detroit this week amidst skepticism, preparing for a series of joint practices with the Lions. After the first practice on Wednesday, it seems the doubts were justified. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and his teammates faced a challenging practice, struggling to keep up with the Lions’ intense approach on the field.
Tagovailoa expressed his frustration with the team’s performance but held back from criticizing himself or his teammates too harshly. “For a grade, I wouldn’t give myself a grade,” he remarked, emphasizing that assessing himself after just one practice wouldn’t be fair. He added, “Today offensively was a very frustrating day… we just weren’t able to get things jumpstarted.”
This performance was a stark contrast to his previous outing against the Bears, where he threw three interceptions. While he didn’t make those same critical mistakes, Tagovailoa admitted that the Dolphins lacked energy and did not show the improvement that head coach Mike McDaniel was hoping for. McDaniel stressed the importance of growth in practice sessions against stronger opponents like the Lions, who are known for their tough and gritty play.
He stated, “I want to see growth within practice in all three phases, particularly after a play that we don’t win,” highlighting the need for the team to focus on learning and improving after setbacks.
The Lions, who have made significant strides in recent seasons, showcased their determination and discipline during the practice. McDaniel noted he wanted the Dolphins to practice against a team that takes their preparations seriously, which Detroit has clearly established.
Looking ahead to Thursday’s session, there is hope that Tagovailoa and the Dolphins can find a new sense of energy and focus. “The message to the team is that we have an opportunity to go compete against another opponent,” McDaniel remarked, reinforcing the need for the team to keep their attention on their own performance rather than becoming distracted by external factors.
As the Dolphins prepare for their upcoming practices, the importance of showing improvement and overcoming adversity will be key to their success this season.
