Ahead of their preseason opener on Friday, the Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons will spend Tuesday and Wednesday practicing together in the shadow of Hard Rock Stadium.
This is the second time in three years these teams have held joint training camp practices. The Falcons visited Miami Gardens in 2021.
What should you expect (other than heat and humidity)? We go through it all.
Miami Dolphins Host Atlanta Falcons for Two Practices
Schedule, Ticket Information, and Forecast
- Where: Baptist Health Training Complex, 20000 NW 27th Ave, Miami Gardens, FL 33056.
- When: Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m.
Two weeks of work in the books. We keep building. 💪 pic.twitter.com/3kaMyqOxC5
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 7, 2023
- Ticket Information: Sold out.
- Forecast: 90 degrees with 70% humidity and a 24% chance of precipitation on Tuesday. 90 degrees with 68% humidity and a 23% chance of precipitation on Wednesday.
About the Atlanta Falcons
- 2022 Record: 7-10, fourth in NFC South
- Coaches: Head coach Arthur Smith (third season with Atlanta); offensive coordinator Dave Ragone (third season with Atlanta); defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen (first season with Atlanta).
- 2023 Draft Class: RB Bijan Robinson (1-8); OT Matthew Bergeron (2-38); EDGE Zach Harrison (3-75); CB Clark Phillips III (4-113); S DeMarcco Hellams (7-224); G Jovaughn Gwyn (7-225).
- Other Key Additions: S Jessie Bates; DT David Onyemata; CB Jeff Okudah; TE Jonnu Smith; DE Calais Campbell; OLB Kaden Ellis; QB Taylor Heinicke; OLB Bud Dupree.
- Key Losses: QB Marcus Mariota; CB Isaiah Oliver; CB Michael Ford.
What They’re Saying
Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel on the practice format: “Typically, you’re working with another coaching staff, so you have to be mindful of their progression, how they approach things, and how many reps they do, and you just have a working relationship. Coach Smith is a great guy who kind of tailors his practices similar to ours. So besides the back handspring competition, no, there’s nothing different.”
McDaniel on the importance of these practices: “Both sides of the ball will have their wins. Invariably, the Dolphins’ defense vs. Atlanta’s offense and the Dolphins’ offense vs. Atlanta’s defense. One side’s going to feel the first day that they won the day. And generally, the second day, things even out because you watch the tape, and you’re like, ‘Oh, no, not again.’ It’s one of those things.
“So I think all those lessons, I’ll try to pass it along. But the main part is that we’re there to work together, to orchestrate a high-octane football practice. And it’s a great chance for a lot of guys to compete against people that have different skill sets, sizes, and statures. As well as some young guys, you get to play in front of another organization. So, we have 90; we have 53 plus 16.
“There’s math there, and you don’t know who it’s going to be, you don’t know what, but those opportunities are premier really for a guy’s career. I know in my career, I’ll share with them that there’s been several times that we’ve ended up signing players that we’ve gone against in joint practices. Those types of things are invaluable.”