JACKSONVILLE — Florida’s two NFL training camps produced a defensive showcase Thursday, with the Jaguars’ secondary recording six pass breakups and the Dolphins’ defense forcing two fumbles and hauling in three interceptions during Day 2 practices.
At the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, cornerbacks Jarrian Jones and Jourdan Lewis each broke up two passes during a one-hour, 45-minute practice in helmets and no pads. Defensive backs Jabbar Muhammad and Devon Marshall also recorded pass breakups as the unit built on its second season in coordinator Anthony Campanile’s defense.
“Anytime there’s familiarity, you can hit the ground running a little bit more,” Campanile said. “We probably have, I would say a little bit more in than we did at this point last year.”
Safety Eric Murray, entering his 11th NFL season, said the continuity has accelerated the learning curve for newer players. “People like me, [safety Antonio Johnson], and people who’ve been in the system before and got the year under their belt, we are able to relay the information to [everyone] way better,” Murray said. “They’re coming along very quickly.”
Rookie tight end Tanner Koziol delivered the play of the day in Jacksonville, hauling in a deep throw from backup quarterback Nick Mullens after making a leaping adjustment over linebacker Ventrell Miller. Defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro recorded what would have amounted to a sack and a tackle for loss. Second-year cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter caught his first pass in team drills of training camp on a throw from quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
In Miami, Head Coach Jeff Hafley’s second practice featured a physical tone set by both sides of the ball. “I think the only thing you can rely on when things get hard are your fundamentals and your technique,” Hafley said. “Big in teaching part to whole, right? So, you teach the part, you teach the techniques within the scheme and individual…we need to kind of sharpen the axe before we try to cut the tree down.”
Second-year running back Ollie Gordon II broke a 70-yard touchdown run behind a combination block from left tackle Patrick Paul and rookie offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor. Center Aaron Brewer said the offensive line is embracing an aggressive identity. “You want to make practice as hard as it can be, and that’s our goal, like going to practice this whole year, you want to be aggressive,” Brewer said. “You want to be intense. You want the game to be easy.”
The Dolphins’ defense answered with three interceptions — safety Zayne Anderson and cornerback A.J. Green III picked off deflected passes, while inside linebacker Ronnie Harrison Jr. secured a pick matching tight end Greg Dulcich up the sideline. Rookie inside linebacker Jacob Rodriguez forced a fumble from running back De’Von Achane, giving Rodriguez a forced fumble and two pass breakups through two days of camp. Rookie cornerback Chris Johnson also forced a fumble.
Quarterback Malik Willis, the new Dolphins starter, flashed arm talent with a 40-yard pass to wide receiver Tutu Atwell against an all-out blitz and a 25-yard line drive to wide receiver Malik Washington while escaping pressure. “When I look at a player, is Malik going to be where he is in five weeks? No, I thought some periods Malik looked really good,” Hafley said. “The others, he looked rusty. Just like every other player.”
In Jacksonville, linebacker Jack Kiser sustained a right knee injury and is expected to return later in camp. Left tackle Cole Van Lanen and offensive lineman Garrett DiGiorgio remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Both teams continue training camp practices through the week as they prepare for the preseason.