Dolphins keeping to routines in prepping for game in London

By foxsports
Published

DAVIE, Fla. -- In a strange week for the Miami Dolphins in more ways than one, the team spent Wednesday undergoing further preparations for Sunday's transatlantic clash against the Oakland Raiders.

Seven years ago, the Dolphins were also in London to participate in the first NFL game outside of North America, where they fell 13-10 to the New York Giants. Beyond the curiosity factor however, Sunday's game represents a solid chance for the Dolphins to reverse their two-game losing skid and stave off public criticism after a blowout home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs exposed their deficiencies on both sides of the football.

With so much at stake and a quarterback situation that they're trying to put behind them, here are a few takeaways from Wednesday's practice session:

ADJUSTING TO AN UNUSUAL SCHEDULE

After consulting with several teams, officials and assistant coaches who have previously traveled abroad for NFL games, head coach Joe Philbin aimed to make this week as normal as possible despite the logistics of playing in another continent.

"We talked about a lot of alternatives, and this is the best for us we thought," Philbin said. "I think our preparation so far has been excellent. It's obviously going to be a test for our maturity level. It's a 4,500-mile trip or however far it is. We're going to have to handle that well and keep our focus on why we're going to London. That's going to be the big thing and we'll find out more at 6 o'clock on Sunday night. So far, I think we've had a very good week."

The players have also tried to continue their usual schedule in the same manner as possible, though it remains to be seen how the time difference will affect them.

"I prepare the same way every week, no matter what game it is, what situations are around," Ryan Tannehill said. "You cover all your bases. You prepare the same every week. You're not going to change anything. You just do everything you can, watch every bit of tape you can and get ready to play."

All that remains for the team in South Florida is what is presumed to be a light practice session Thursday before heading out to England in the early evening. They will hold another practice session Friday at Saracens Allianz Park, a rugby stadium located in north London.

MISI RETURNS TO PRACTICE; STARKS OUT

The defensive unit, which had a poor showing against the Kansas City Chiefs, got a huge boost with starting linebacker Koa Misi able to rejoin the team for Wednesday's practice. Misi injured his ankle in Week 1's victory against the New England Patriots and had been unable to play since, with team co-captain Jason Trusnick filling in.

Elsewhere, defensive tackle Randy Starks was out for the entire session after leaving Tuesday's practice early with a back injury. Starting tight end Charles Clay (knee) and guard Shelley Smith (knee) were also held out of practice.

NOT UNDERESTIMATING THE RAIDERS

Miami will face a winless team for the second week in a row, and though the Raiders may not be as talented on paper as the Chiefs are, it's still a dangerous scenario to take them lightly.

"We're 1-2 so we're not too far off," offensive tackle Branden Albert said. "We lost two games and we won one, they haven't won so we're not too far from them. We've got to win the game too."

With their loss to the shorthanded Chiefs still fresh in his mind, veteran cornerback Cortland Finnegan insisted the Raiders are also a real threat despite their record.

"They're a good football team," he said. "They're coached well, they're disciplined. They have a quarterback and a running game in skilled positions so you can never (underestimate). Any given Sunday, you know how it is, so we have to go in with our A-game."

You can follow Surya Fernandez on Twitter @SuryaHeatNBA or email him at SuryaFoxSports@gmail.com.