MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Dee Alford played school soccer at a tiny school in Tusculum, Tennessee, and spent two several years in the Canadian Football League ahead of signing with the Atlanta Falcons final yr. He did not even know at the time if he’d make the team’s 53-guy roster.
On Friday evening, Alford scored on a 79-yard punt return in Atlanta’s 19-3 preseason get above the Miami Dolphins — a telling assertion that he’s setting up to truly feel like he belongs in the NFL.
“I’ve generally had the frame of mind to not get at ease,” Alford said. “But I do really feel like I belong in this article, and I want to go on to present absolutely everyone that I do belong.”
Experiencing a Dolphins exclusive teams device that was amid the NFL’s worst past period, Alford broke numerous tackles for the landing with 4:36 still left in the video game.
On Miami’s next possession, Skylar Thompson was intercepted by Breon Borders, who returned the decide 26 yards for a landing. Younghoe Koo then skipped his second excess-place attempt of the match.
Atlanta’s Logan Woodside was 14 of 22 with 146 yards.
“I felt like I was seeing the coverage seriously well,” Woodside stated. “Just attempting to get the playmakers the ball in room.”
Desmond Ridder, the Falcons’ projected starter, did not enjoy. Ridder, who as a rookie begun Atlanta’s ultimate 4 video games previous season, has amazed teammates and coaches with his poise and command in his second education camp as he appears to be to conclude the Falcons’ streak of five straight shedding seasons.
Atlanta mentor Arthur Smith stated the team’s starters will see motion against Cincinnati upcoming week.
Rookie running back Bijan Robinson, the No. 8 overall decide on by Atlanta, did not participate in.
Thompson and fellow backup Mike White struggled as Tua Tagovailoa viewed from the sideline.
Tagovailoa and most of Miami’s common starters did not fit up immediately after two competitive practices versus Atlanta, the 1st of which Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel termed “average.”
“Really aggressive. They are an NFL crew. They’ve obtained seriously good men on that facet of the ball,” Tagovailoa stated on Friday’s television broadcast. “They manufactured some plays. We built some performs. So, it’s normally very good to have excellent back again and forth, but there is a good deal of factors that had been to be corrected.”
White led the Dolphins downfield with a 17-garden move to Cedrick Wilson Jr. and a 14-yarder to River Cracraft on their opening push, but was intercepted in the end zone by Falcons rookie safety DeMarcco Hellams on a pass he experimented with to force in traffic to Tyler Kroft.
Hellams, a seventh-spherical choose, experienced a workforce-high 7 tackles and a go separation.
White was 9 of 14 with 85 yards in two quarters. He signed a two-calendar year offer with Miami in March and is vying with Thompson for Miami’s backup role.
The Dolphins ended up for 3 in the purple zone. White observed that there are not distinct redzone packages in the preseason for individuals scenarios.
“Now, which is not an justification by any signifies,” he included, “you’ve still got to be equipped to execute the performs. There is things that we’ve received to do far better.”
Thompson, getting into his 2nd NFL season, began the 2nd half and went 10 for 16. He was intercepted early in the fourth by Lukas Denis on a move that was overthrown to receiver Elijah Higgins.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel mentioned Thompson will be the probably starter when Miami faces Houston future week.
“I believe a lot of people today would be lower out (of) the league if you overreacted to one particular game problem,” McDaniel said.
Godwin Igwebuike took a handoff from Woodside in the next quarter and ran into the close zone untouched many thanks to a pair superior blocks from Atlanta’s offensive line. Igwebuike had 13 carries for 70 yards.
Miami’s next-round rookie cornerback Cam Smith experienced four tackles, a tackle for decline and a pass separation. He experienced a key 3rd-down deal with in the crimson zone in the 3rd quarter, but left with an evident shoulder injuries. McDaniel stated the team does not nonetheless know the extent of the harm.
De’Von Achane, a 3rd-spherical rookie, had 10 carries for 25 yards and acquired reps at kick return.
Thompson led the Dolphins down the area in the fourth for a scoring generate that finished in Jason Sanders’ 49-yard field purpose that created it 6-3.
Injuries
Falcons: Hellams left in the fourth with an clear harm. He was attended to on the industry by trainers after a hit.
Dolphins: McDaniel said WR Jaylen Waddle has a midsection injury, but it is not some thing that the team thinks will lead to him to miss extended time. Waddle experienced the injuries for the duration of Wedensday’s exercise. … WR Robbie Picked out preferred to perform, but was held out mainly because of “nagging” injuries. … WR Braxton Berrios left in the next quarter soon after having a large strike on a punt return.
UP Subsequent
Falcons: Host Cincinnati on Aug. 18.
Dolphins: At Houston on Aug 19.
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