Hyde5: Tua’s strong opening drive, Thompson looks like backup — five thoughts on Dolphins’ preseason game

Five thoughts on the Miami Dolphins’ preseason night against the Washington Commanders:

1. You couldn’t ask for a better opening drive for the Dolphins’ starting offense behind quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. There was no Tyreek Hill or Jaylen Waddle. But this offense still checked plenty of boxes:

A. The first play was a signature quick strike from Tagovailoa to River Cracraft on the left side for 13 yards. Timing? Anticipation? Accuracy? All what you’d expect after watching this offense work last year;

B. The second play went 5 yards to tight end Jonnu Smith, a sampling of what was to come at the position with the most chance for improvement on this offense. Smith then took basically an end-around — officially a pass — for 9 yards. Then Julian Hill for 8 yards on second-and-10. No big plays. But you see signs of an expanding offense to involve the tight end;

C. Some short-yardage work. Raheem Mostert couldn’t get a third-and-1 up the middle on the first try. He got 2 yards and the first down on fourth down. A few plays later, on third-an-2, Mostert gained 1 up the middle. The short-yardage offense was a problem last season. You saw some good, some bad this night. But it got work;

D. After Mostert was held on third-and-2, Tua lofted a perfect, pretty-as-you-please touchdown pass to Cracraft, who had made a nice move for a 13-yard touchdown;

So, in an 11-play, 61-yard drive that took six minutes and 31 seconds, the Dolphins got some good work and good production. That was enough, too, as Tua and the first team left the night. He completed all five passes for 51 yards on the drive.

2. Skylar Thompson came on the second drive and led the second team on a nine-play, 46-yard drive for a field goal. It’s clear for all the talk of an even competition with Mike White that Thompson has the edge here. You don’t waste these reps. Thompson started the first preseason game. He played into the third quarter on Saturday, 8-of-15 passes for 61 yards this second game with a 63.5 rating. White, meanwhile, threw a perfect pass to Erik Ezukanma late in the third quarter for a nice 35-yard again. He later hit Ezukanma for a 24-yard gain. Not sure how White can win with this group, but but it’s Thompson’s job behind Tua now.

3. The education of first-round pick Chop Robinson continued with some good, some bad on the night. The threat of his edge-rushing speed drew a false start from Washington tackle Andrew Wylie. He made good tackle on a Washington rush behind the line of scrimmage. But he also missed a tackle for a 11-yard Washington run followed by quarterback Jayden Daniels running by Robinson on an unset edge for 13 yards. No surprise here. Robinson has speed. He also has to learn the importance of the stopping the run. The education continues.

4. Quick hits:

* Linebacker David Long Jr., Cracraft, running back Chris Brooks, offensive lineman Chris Harlow and cornerback Cam Smith suffered injuries serious enough to be pulled from the game;

* There were some ups and downs for Cam Smith before he went off early in the fourth quarter holding a hamstring after being involved in punt coverage. The 2023 second-round pick is trying to establish a role in the secondary. Terry McLaurin beat him for an 8-yard catch, followed by McLaurin gaining 20 yards after eluding Smith on a catch. Hey, McLaurin is one of the league’s top receivers. Later, against veteran Olamide Zaccheaus, Smith played it perfectly to bat away a pass in the end zone. But now he appears to have a hamstring issue so we’ll see.

* Fifth-round pick Mo Kamara made a strong upfield move and sack of Washington backup QB Jeff Driskel;

*  Yes, that was former Dolphins first-round pick Noah Igbinoghene making a nice tackle for Washington in the third quarter;

* Let’s slow the fascination on rookie tackle Patrick Paul. You see the talent. You also see the inconsistency at this level. He looks like a scholarship pick. Work hard. Learn more. And, if all goes well, check back next season.

5. Washington rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels had a nice night against the Dolphins defense. Read another way: The Dolphins secondary held out three starters, so let’s not blow a fuse here. Still, Daniels looked good in completing 10-of-12 passes for 78 yards. He led two field-goal drives where the field goals were missed. Caleb Williams, the top pick in the draft by Chicago, showed his talent earlier Saturday against Buffalo. Daniel did as well. Both should have impact. After that — who knows?