MIAMI GARDENS — The three-game preseason is over.
Excluding the pandemic season, it tied for the fewest preseason games in Miami Dolphins history, even if it didn’t feel that way.
The Dolphins closed out the exhibitions by losing to Tua Tagovailoa and the Atlanta Falcons 17-12, finishing the preseason 0-3.
The only other years in which the Dolphins were winless in preseason were their inaugural season of 1966, 1989 and 2012. They did not have a winning season in any of those years.
Come Sept. 13, Miami’s games will count for real, starting with a game at the Las Vegas Raiders.
Here are takeaways not just from this game, but the preseason in general:
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Bottom line: It’s looking like a long season, Dolfans
We knew at the start of camp this would be a rebuilding year.
Now we have evidence of what that entails.
The Dolphins opened the preseason with a 14-play, 93-yard touchdown drive. Excellent.
What followed for the remainder of the preseason games? Not excellent.
By halftime of the Falcons game, the Dolphins trailed 17-6 and had been outclassed through those 2 1/2 preseason affairs.
Outgained in yards, 945 to 412.
Outgained in first downs, 58-16.
Outscored 63-16.
The good news is we know the preseason is not really a preview of the season. In 1972, the Dolphins went 3-3 in the preseason (yes, they really did play six preseason games). And we all know how that year turned out.
But this 0-3 preseason is the most evidence we have today. Unfortunately.
Three young receivers show promise
Might want to hold off on hitting the panic button on the receiving corps.
They were the subject of major concern this offseason now that Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are gone. Doubly so if Malik Willis didn’t have anyone to throw to in the brief window the Dolphins have to kick the tires on whether he’s the long-term answer.
General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan knew the score, so he spent two third-round picks and a fifth on Caleb Douglas, Chris Belland Kevin Coleman. Injuries have conspired to limit their collective snaps in practice and preseason, but the early signs (often in practice) are encouraging. Is there a future WR1 in the group? Nobody can answer that today. But it’s reasonable to expect at least a solid WR2 and/or slot receiver to emerge, with Douglas the most likely to do so.
Douglas has had his shot in preseason. The game against the Falcons put Bell in the spotlight. He responded on an early third-and-11 play by running a crisp pattern through the heart of Atlanta’s defense, then cutting inside as Cam Miller hit him in stride. The gain: 18 yards.
Offensive line depth is a concern
The ideal five of Patrick Paul, Jonah Savaiinaea, Aaron Brewer, Kadyn Proctor and Austin Jackson should be serviceable at worst, maybe surprise a few at best. With Jeff Hafley determined to run the ball — and why wouldn’t he with De’Von Achane? — the line owes a representative performance to this team.
The concern, though, is what happens if one of the five goes down? There’s zero depth on this line. If anyone had any doubt about that, it was clear when the Dolphins traded for Caedan Wallace, a guard-tackle whom New England gave up on even though he was a starter. Wallace conceded a sack to Cameron Thomas in the first quarter.
Special teams not so special this preseason
A week after penalties were an issue on special teams, Willie Gay was flagged for an illegal formation on the opening kickoff. Some of these penalties are to be expected with all substitutions on special teams, but still.
Following a field goal, Riley Patterson drove his kickoff out of bounds.
Patterson later attempted a 56-yard field goal that was blocked by Chris Williams. Bradley Pinion, the holder, had issues handling the snap.
Jalen Reagor sparked the unit in the second quarter with a 46-yard kickoff return, setting up a 45-yard field goal by Patterson, one of four on the night.
This and that …
Robert Beal, a fourth-year edge rusher out of Georgia, had a tackle for loss and forced Tua Tagovailoa into an incompletion on the first defensive series. … Miller never wants to give up on a play. It’s admirable. But sometimes it gets Miller into trouble, either leading to a sack or a risky throw into traffic. … Dante Trader Jr. had a tackle for a 1-yard loss on a third-and-2 run by the Falcons. … Zach Sieler, interviewed by Miami’s CBS-Channel 4 during the telecast, was asked if he’ll be healthy for the opener vs. the Raiders. “I can’t wait,” Sieler said. “I’m ready.” ... Timeouts featured a healthy dose of Dolly Parton songs over the P.A. in tribute to the late entertainer.
Hal Habib covers the Miami Dolphins for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at HHabib@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Takeaways as Miami Dolphins fall to Falcons, finish preseason 0-3
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