DAVIE, FLA. (WSVN) - The Miami Dolphins’ training camp kicked off with the team’s first padded practice.
The players have been working out for weeks, but training camp officially started on Monday.
7News cameras were there as players donned full-padded gear for the first time this season.
Head coach Brian Flores is entering his second season leading the Dolphins.
“They’re excited, but you know, I think when you put the pads on, the one thing I try to stress to them is to focus on the technique and the fundamentals because once you put pads on, the adrenaline gets going,” Flores said.
“It’s definitely time to get the pads on, because especially with just 27 days until we’re kicking off, we know we need the work,” Dolphins center Ted Karras said.
Meanwhile, coming into the season, all eyes are on the quarterback situation between veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick and rookie Tua Tagovailoa.
It is believed by many that Tagovailoa may be the starter sooner rather than later.
Coming off of a hip surgery nine months ago, the rookie didn’t do too much on the first day, but he passed the first test in the eyes of his head coach.
“He’s looked healthy, and we’re taking this one day at a time with Tua, as we do with every player, you know, hoping that he improves on a daily basis, but like any rookie, he needs the snaps and he needs the reps to improve and get better and give himself a chance,” said Flores.
“I think he always handles himself well, he’s a very impressive young man. I don’t have too many nuggets for him, but I’ll help him out when he needs it,” Karras said.
With all of the hype going into the Fins’ season being Tua Tua Tua, Miami has no plans to put added pressure on their 22-year-old quarterback.
That was made clear by veteran linebacker Kyle Van Noy.
“The advice that I passed on to him is, ‘It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. You want to inhale as much information as you can, you want to work on your craft each and every day, you want to get better each and every day and don’t make the same mistake, and I think you’ll be alright,'” he said.
There will be no preseason games due to the pandemic.
The Miami Dolphins will open the season on Sept. 22 against the New England Patriots.
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