MIAMI — The Miami Dolphins will open the Jeff Hafley era with the youngest roster in the NFL and six rookies listed as starters when they travel to Las Vegas to face the Raiders on Sunday.
Hafley, who has spent seven months building a foundation since taking over as head coach, acknowledged the challenge of early-season preparation against an opponent also breaking in new leadership. “Week 1, 2 and 3, there’s not a lot of tendencies, right?… it’s a big challenge. I think early in the season, it’s got to be about yourself and that’s my message to the team. It’s got to be about using our rules. It’s got to be about the fundamentals and techniques that we’ve talked about all training camp because we don’t know what it’s going to look like,” Hafley said.
Quarterback Malik Willis described his approach to game-week preparation. “Go through a week of practice, and good or bad, make mistakes or successful every time, it doesn’t matter. I think just getting those reps and being able to go through it on the field and in the walkthroughs and all those mental reps, I think that’s what’s important, just having that in your mind to continue to grow. When an opportunity comes and when you face that situation in the game, you have had it, you have a rep on it, you know what to do,” Willis said.
Several of Miami’s rookies will make their NFL debuts Sunday. Cornerback Chris Johnson said pregame nerves are part of the process. “I feel like that’s a part of the game. Like I get butterflies before every game, and I feel like that’s how I know I’m prepared to play. If I’m not nervous, I feel like I either haven’t studied enough or I’m just not confident enough if I don’t feel nervous,” Johnson said. Wide receiver Caleb Douglas kept it simple: “Really just the opportunity. Being able to play as a rookie and being able to contribute as much as I can, it’s going to be a good one out there.” Guard/tackle Kaydn Proctor was more candid about the emotions ahead. “I feel like they’ll be high. First NFL game, I know it, but like I said, just being where my feet are and once we get there, we’ll see how it goes. I’ll probably cry a little bit. We’ll see,” Proctor said.
The Dolphins will not face All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers, who will miss Sunday’s game with a knee injury, but they will contend with defensive end Maxx Crosby, one of the NFL’s most productive pass rushers over the past seven years. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said the game plan starts with No. 98. “The guy’s an unbelievable player. He just plays with his hair on fire. It’s so fun to watch his film. I mean, it really is. He’s everywhere,” Slowik said. “Everybody on the field, it doesn’t matter what position you are, you need to know where 98 is at all times.”
Center Aaron Brewer echoed the respect but urged composure. “You have to acknowledge a great player when he’s a great player. He’s one of the elite rushers in the league, so you got to respect his game but also don’t make it bigger than it is,” Brewer said. “Have confidence in your training and what you know, your technique and your effort. Don’t do nothing more than what you’ve been doing, so I feel like that’s the recipe when you’re going against an elite player.”
Kickoff in Las Vegas is set for Sunday.