Our observations after Dan Campbell’s debut brings the Dolphins’ best game of the season.
Bobby McCain (pictured) replaced Brice McCain as the nickel cornerback and there was little drop off between Bobby, the rookie fifth-round pick, and Brice, the veteran who sprained his right knee. If Brice McCain needs some time to recover the door will be opened for Bobby to take his spot in the secondary. -- OK
(Lynne Sladky / AP)
Michael Thomas (31) started his third straight game as the Dolphins’ free safety. Thomas, the Dolphins’ special teams captain, began the season taking a backseat to Walt Aikens. But it appears Aikens’ early struggles, and Thomas’ steady play has motivated Miami’s coaches to switch up their roles. Both safeties clearly share the workload, but it appears that Miami’s done favoring the team’s 2014 fourth-round pick. -- OK
(Mark Zaleski / AP)
Albert gave Ryan Tannehill a more secure left side of the offensive line. Albert, who has missed the past two games because of a hamstring strain, and his fellow linemates only allowed Tannehill to get sacked twice during Sunday’s win. -- OK
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Olivier Vernon properly was flagged for going low on Marcus Mariota’s legs in the first half, and he may be fined for the play, but without a doubt, that play dinged Mariota, his knee and his confidence in dropping back to pass. Both Vernon and Cameron Wake logged their first sacks of the season after the penalty. Vernon was also called for a more questionable personal foul later in the game. -- SS
(James Kenney / AP)
Stills got behind the Titans on a fly pattern at a key point in the game, in the fourth quarter with Tennessee having closed to within 24-10 and the Dolphins’ offense sputtering. He earlier looked to have strained a muscle as he skidded on a tarp that looked to be too close to the field of play. -- SS
(Mark Zaleski / AP)
Rizzi was in Campbell’s ear throughout. with seconds left in the first quarter, there was a timeout and then a delay-of-game penalty in an effort to draw Tennessee offside, and then he was the impetus for the huge challenge of the first forced fumble by Cameron Wake, initially ruled an incomplete pass. -- SS
(Mark Zaleski / AP)
Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker continued the procession of tight ends (Redskins’ Jordan Reed, Bills’ Charles Clay) who have had their way with the Miami linebackers, hauling in eight balls for 97 yards. -- SS
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The second overall pick brought a sparkling 99.7 passer rating into the game, but that was deceptive. After a perfect 158.3 in the opener against Tampa Bay, the Dolphins outing marked the fourth straight game where Mariota saw his passer rating be worse than the previous week’s (158.3, 96.3, 84.2, 68.1, 67.6). -- SS
(James Kenney / AP)
