Miami Dolphins play beginning to become alarming

We are two weeks away from the opening of the 2016 NFL season. With the regular season approaching, there are still some concerns when it comes to the Miami Dolphins. Recently the Dolphins faced off against the Dallas Cowboys in their second preseason game and it was a tough game to watch to say the least.

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Yes, there was a lot of bad but there was also some good to note from the game. Ryan Tannehill and the first team offense showed that if Tannehill is given time, he can push the ball down the field. It was very disappointing that tight end Cameron dropped a touchdown pass in the end zone and that wide receiver Jarvis Landry dropped two crucial passes.

That said, I was very impressed with play of wide receiver Kenny Stills. Last year Stills didn’t seem to gel well with Ryan Tannehill and it seems that this year could be different. The most disappointing part of the game against the Cowboys is loss of starting center Mike Pounce who now will miss the final two weeks of the preseason. His status is also up in the air for Miami’s regular-season opener at the Seattle Seahawks.

The Miami Dolphins aren’t certain how long they’ll be without their Pro-Bowl center as of yet. It could be two weeks, months or more. This especially reshapes the offensive line, which lost their best player with Pouncey’s injury.

READ MORE: Ryan Tannehill could be close to a breakthrough

The Miami Dolphins appear to be borrowing a page from the Patriots playbook with the “next man up” approach. Anthony Steen is presumed to now start and establish himself to the team and coaches but has also never played in a regular-season game. Steen was momentarily on the active roster last season as a guard with the Arizona Cardinals.

This week’s third preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night will be tremendous for Steen and the rest of the offensive line to grow in the event he is the starter in week one of the regular season. The Miami Dolphins offensive line has been scrutinized for years.

The group has conceded the most quarterback sacks since 2012. Yes, Pouncey is gone, but that doesn’t mean the season is finished. If you want to be great you have to have players who strive to be great. Now that Anthony Steen has his shot I think he’ll make the best out of it and hopefully, this can be a blessing more than deterrence.

READ MORE: Mike Pouncey out for rest of preseason

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