Miami's 3rd Preseason Game To Bring Clarity To Key Position Battles
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ORLANDO (CBSMiami) -- The NFL's preseason heads into its third week as key position battles begin to take shape around the league.
Taking place at Orlando's Camping World Stadium, the Dolphins and Falcons matchup will happen in a city other than Miami or Atlanta for the first time in the teams' history.
Last week, Dolphins fans breathed a sigh of relief, at least for the time being, after Ryan Tannehill looked sharp vs the Cowboys, moving the offense inside the red zone three times and throwing for two scores to receiver Kenny Stills.
Tannehill would have had a third touchdown pass had tight end Jordan Cameron hung onto a very catchable ball in the endzone during a 4th and goal play in the 1st quarter.
The offense is critical, of course, but Thursday night's game should be all about the trenches.
On the offensive line, center Anthony Steen will be making the start for Mike Pouncey, who walked off the field last week with a left hip injury. Pouncey has a history of hip issues, including suffering a right hip problem this offseason and time missed in 2014 for the same side. It's possible he isn't ready for week 1 in Seattle.
However, Steen, an Alabama alum who went undrafted in 2014, has looked good so far in camp and has gotten praise by head coach Adam Gase.
Right guard seems to be a position up for grabs with Jermon Bushrod, Dallas Thomas and Billy Turner all vying for the opportunity. Rookie Laremy Tunsil will play left guard and has All-Pro written all over him.
On the d-line, all eyes will be on Mario Williams, who looked sluggish out there in Dallas, missing tackles and offering up no pressure on rookie QB Dak Prescott.
Cameron Wake will be a game time decision but it would be nice to see how they play opposite each other, and alongside big man, Ndamukong Suh, in the middle.
In the defensive secondary, rookie cornerback Xavien Howard could be an X factor now that he's off the PUP list and practicing. It's clear to everyone that he's already bringing some much-needed swagger to that side of the ball in just the limited reps in practice he's had.
Then there's Byron Maxwell and Kiko Alonso, two veteran players with big question marks that have been asked to step up and be leaders on the team.
Dallas ran all over Miami's first, second and third team defenses in week 2 and most of that came right up the middle. Linebackers Jelani Jenkins and Koa Misi will also be asked to do more this year and they'll have to be in sync with the linemen for this team to maintain control and get off the field.
