NE Atlanta News

Miami Gardens, Fla. — For the second consecutive year, the Falcons traveled to Miami for joint practices with the Dolphins. The two teams will officially play a preseason game on Friday, but the combined work on the practice fields offers numerous opportunities.

"You get a chance to evaluate your guys as far as what they are going to look like when it comes to toughness versus another team," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. "You want to see what it's going to look like when it comes to the adversity you're going to face. Some of the adjustments you're going to make from the unknown opponent, from the unknown of things, the non-scripted periods. It's a lot of fun."

Against the Dolphins, the Falcons' 90-man roster faces a playoff-caliber team that has high aspirations for this season in the AFC. Star wide receiver Tyreek Hill was recently named the No. 1 player in the NFL’s list of top 100 players heading into the 2024 season – a list that also featured Falcons safety Jessie Bates at No. 74, quarterback Kirk Cousins at No. 81 and offensive lineman Chris Lindstrom at No. 88.

Aside from Hill, the Dolphins boast significant offensive firepower and have impact players in their defensive backfield with cornerback Jalen Ramsey and safeties Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer.

These joint practices present a real test for Falcons players, especially those who have never participated in one.

"The speed is actually a little bit different," rookie defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus said after the first practice. "When you go against your own teammates it's not as physical as you want. (We) have a chance to show the coaches how physical we can be... That's the biggest thing for me is constant improvement."

In their first session against the Dolphins on Tuesday, Atlanta's offense was slightly less crisp than usual during training camp, while their defense – particularly the front seven – had a strong showing.

After weeks of intra-squad practices, these fluctuations in performance are considered essential preparation before the season starts. This goal is shared by Morris and Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, who maintain a friendly relationship after working together at various points in their careers.

McDaniel has been an innovator in modern NFL offense. As Atlanta seeks to install its own offense with Cousins at quarterback and prepare its defensive scheme for new challenges this fall, competing against such an advanced team is beneficial.

"I've got so much respect for what he's been able to accomplish in this league," Morris said about McDaniel. "He redefined some of the offensive style... he was one of the first...to start it."

At this time of year, teams rarely reveal their strategies for upcoming games fully; thus while Atlanta might gain some insights regarding schemes, most tests are physical and occur on-field.

When practice speeds increase, so too can player performance levels rise. Morris noted after Tuesday's session that last year during joint practice he saw Byron Young take significant steps forward in his development as then-Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator observed him closely.

With Atlanta relying on several young pieces defensively this season; Morris hopes similar progressions happen again this year while instilling mental preparedness through joint practices along with physical readiness

"That's our primary objective: sending messages out here,” Dorlus said about setting standards during these sessions under Coach Rah's guidance: “We're not getting punched—we're doing punching ourselves.”

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