Dolphins @ Buccaneers
Final Score: Dolphins 26, Buccaneers 24
Writer: Ben Brown (@BenBrownPL on Twitter)
Tampa Bay shot out to an early 14-3 lead thanks to touchdowns by Jaelon Darden and Ke’Shawn Vaughn, but that lead evaporated in the last few minutes of the 1st half as the Dolphins scored two touchdowns in under a minute after a crazy sequence of plays. Kyle Trask threw an interception on a screen pass with 1:50 to play, then Skylar Thompson hit Lynn Bowden Jr. for a touchdown on the very next play to make it a one point game. Two plays later, Trask fumbled the ball and the Dolphins scooped it for the score. The teams traded field goals in the second half, and the Dolphins ultimately won the game on a missed field goal as time expired.
Miami Dolphins
Quarterback
Skylar Thompson: 20/28, 218 yards, TD, 3 Sacks | 3 carries, 25 yards
Skylar Thompson played the entire game for the Dolphins and looked pretty good. He held onto the ball too long a few times, including on the opening drive when he was sacked on 3rd and goal and the Dolphins had to settle for field goal. He found a wide open Lynn Bowden Jr. for a touchdown late in the 2nd quarter, overthrowing him a bit but Bowden was able to come down with it.
.@skylarjthompson to @LynnBowden_1 for 6️⃣!!
📺: Watch #MIAvsTB on @CBSMiami pic.twitter.com/aSZswsmas0
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 14, 2022
Thompson was firey at times, showing his emotions (both good and bad). He also showed that he could run the ball and had some escapability.
21 yard scramble from Skylar Thompson. pic.twitter.com/WWbS8f21jX
— Jacob Meshel (@JacobMeshel) August 14, 2022
Being third on the depth chart means he likely won’t see the field in 2022, but crazier things have happened.
Running Back
Myles Gaskin: 4 carries, 27 yards
Sony Michel: 2 carries, -2 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 4 yards
Salvon Ahmed: 2 carries, 0 yards | 2 targets, 1 reception, 2 yards
This was a disappointing night on the ground for both sides. Sony Michel started the game but he did nothing with his two carries. Salvon Ahmed also did nothing with his work. In their defense, however, the Miami offensive line struggled all night. Myles Gaskin was the only one who had any semblance of an opening created by his blockers up front, and he crashed through for a 20 yard gain. Otherwise it was a quiet night for him as well.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Lynn Bowden Jr.: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 55 yards, TD
Mike Gesicki: 1 target, 1 reception, 13 yards
Cedrick Wilson Jr.: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 29 yards
Mohamed Sanu: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 39 yards
Erik Ezukanma: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 18 yards
Trent Sherfield: 1 target, 1 reception, 33 yards
Lynn Bowden Jr. found himself wide open downfield twice, catching a touchdown on one of them. He’s a former RB who converted to WR and has really good speed and athleticism. He’s buried on the depth chart but is a solid depth piece for this team.
Mohamad Sanu saw his work in the 2nd half, a bad sign for his chances of making this team.
Erik Ezukanma is getting some hype from head coach Mike McDaniel and wide receivers coach Wes Welker during training camp, but he didn’t show much on the field. I liked him at Texas Tech and he’s got an uphill battle for playing time, but he’s a guy who should stick around and continue to improve. Check out his footwork on this catch, the first of his professional career:
Erik Ezukanma with his first Reception as a Dolphin. #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/TdUqYV3pvR
— Bobby Shouse (@B_Shousejr) August 14, 2022
He’s a tough guy to bring down and he almost broke that tackle. It would take some injuries for him to make an impact in 2022, but he’s a name to watch.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback
Blaine Gabbert: 5/5, 56 yards, TD
Kyle Trask: 25/33, 258 yards, TD, INT, 2 Sacks, Fumble (Lost)
Blaine Gabbert started, never looks comfortable in the pocket. Too shifty and not in a good way.
Kyle Trask came in and made a mess of the end of the half. His numbers overall were good, but he just does not pass the eye test. Bad decisions, uncomfortable in the pocket, forcing throws, oof. The two plays at the end of the half were as bad as it gets.
.@MN_Campbell2 with the INT!!
📺: Watch #MIAvsTB on @CBSMiami pic.twitter.com/HSm28fGQoi
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 14, 2022
.@Slugggaaa LOVES THE PRESEASON!!
📺: Watch #MIAvsTB on @CBSMiami pic.twitter.com/Qg7OVkbpRa
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 14, 2022
Trask in his current form is not a fantasy relevant QB. The Bucs better hope that Tom Brady plays until he’s 50.
Running Back
Rachaad White: 7 carries, 32 yards | 3 targets, 2 receptions, 13 yards
Ke’Shawn Vaughn: 10 carries, 19 yards, TD | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 22 yards
Kenjon Barner: 7 carries, 18 yards | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 13 yards
Giovani Bernard: 7 carries 19 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, -4 yards
Besides one run from Rachaad White, this was an abysmal performance by this backfield. White hit the jets on a run around the tackles and bounced it outside for a 12 yard gain early in the game, the best looking play for a Buccaneers RB all night. There was no running room to be had by any of these guys and it truly showed. I couldn’t get a good read on White as a result of the ineffectiveness of the Bucs’ O-Line, so we’ll have to wait until next week to see a better glimpse of what he’ll bring to the table this season.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Tyler Johnson: 7 targets, 6 receptions, 73 yards
Kaylon Geiger: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 52 yards
Jaelon Darden: 1 target, 1 reception, 23 yards, TD
Deven Thompkins: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 11 yards
Jerreth Sterns: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 51 yards
JJ Howland: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 42 yards
Tyler Johnson looked like a starting caliber receiver in this game. On the Bucs’ second drive, he caught a crosser and made three Miami defenders run into each other before turning on the jets and getting the first down. Later in the drive, he went up to get a ball over a defender for a chunk play. He made another play on a short comebacker where he turned the defender around, ran past him toward the sideline and turned it into a 22 yard gain. It was an impressive showing. Hopefully, for his sake, Tom Brady was watching from wherever he is.
Beats Keion Crossen clean inside before breaking free through contact and quickly bouncing this play into open space on the boundary.
Awesome stuff from WR Tyler Johnson. pic.twitter.com/XqQ2h4fobl
— Aidan Maher (@Aidan_Maher17) August 14, 2022
Love to see former Gopher Tyler Johnson making plays out there, that Bucs WR group has a lot of competition in it #RTB pic.twitter.com/xjJD0Z4pQ9
— Alex Micheletti (@AlexMicheletti) August 14, 2022
Jaelon Darden caught a touchdown pass near the end of the first quarter, a post route down the middle of the field. It was his only target of the night but he made the most of it. Darden is fighting for a roster spot after having a good minicamp.
Deven Thompkins didn’t get much of an opportunity in this game but he’s an interesting name to keep an eye on. He was targeted with under a minute to play and the game on the line, converting a critical third down conversion as he slid to make the catch.
Kyle Trask & Deven Thompkins got 'em bamboozled 🤪pic.twitter.com/A18O7sFUxC
— Buccaneers Nation (@BucsNationCP) August 14, 2022
He flashed on tape in college and is a really good athlete. Check out this catch from practice earlier in the week.
Here’s video of Bucs rookie Deven Thompkins with catch on Dolphins corner Noah Igbinoghene. Flag was for hand to face on Miami. pic.twitter.com/63z9IyAMBl
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 11, 2022
If he makes the team he might make an impact at some point this season.