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TAMPA — The Miami Dolphins’ preseason finale Friday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was expected to answer questions on interior offensive line competition.

For Liam Eichenberg, it wasn’t what he did on the field in the final exhibition for Miami, but what he didn’t have to do.

Eichenberg being held out of the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium was a byproduct of him already earning a starting spot on the offensive line.

“That was an earned opportunity to be in a jersey and not pads by Liam,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. “It was more of a reaction to what he’s been doing day in, day out.

“He’s probably had as good of a camp as anybody and really put together some good practices.”

Eichenberg had been slotted as the Dolphins starting right guard until center Aaron Brewer went out with a hand injury more than two weeks ago in a joint practice against the Atlanta Falcons. That development saw Eichenberg moved to center.

With Brewer, who had his right hand wrapped, out and Eichenberg earning the night off, Miami started Jack Driscoll at center, with Robert Jones at left guard and Lester Cotton at right guard. Driscoll later kicked out to right tackle after an injury to Ryan Hayes.

McDaniel did not have an update on the status of Brewer with the regular season set to open in nearly two weeks, but he did express optimism.

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“Nothing’s really changed with that,” he said. “I feel pretty good about it, but don’t know concrete. I think that’s why it was important (Friday night) for us to feel good about where Rob Jones and Lester Cotton had been at. Just tried to get them some game experience.”

Some wonder if Miami will make a move to add experienced depth on the interior of the offensive line.

“I’m very happy with this group,” McDaniel said, but added that he and general manager Chris Grier will have conversations about all the position groups.

Nose tackle Benito Jones has missed recent weeks of drills in training camp. McDaniel indicated he’s in a good spot to be ready for the season.

“It’s hard to forecast Week 1 for a lot of the guys,” the Dolphins coach said. “As of right now, I’m not nervous about it at all, but I think there’s also the need to sit down and wrap my head around some of those guys.”

In Friday’s preseason finale, fellow nose tackle Brandon Pili exited early. He was seen on the sideline with a helmet in the second half but did not return to game action.

“Just talking to him on the field, he felt like it wasn’t serious. He’s not a doctor, and we have to get imaging and stuff,” McDaniel said.

Dolphins Deep Dive: David Furones breaks down backup QB battle, Miami’s preseason finale vs. Bucs | VIDEO

“There was just no reason to go ahead and stress a guy that just got a ding. We’ll be evaluating that here shortly.”

With safety Jevon Holland not practicing of late, McDaniel had a positive update on the fourth-year standout.

“He had a really good workout (Friday) that he was excited about,” he said. “I would say he would be day to day at this point now.”

McDaniel also said cornerback Jalen Ramsey is in a good spot after missing time in practice in recent weeks, returning for Tuesday drills in Miami before he was held out of Wednesday’s joint practice.

Wide receiver Erik Ezukanma and safety Patrick McMorris were seen sidelined and wearing walking boots at Friday’s game — Ezukanma on his left foot and McMorris on his right.

“At this point, what I do know is it’s not longer than week to week,” McDaniel said of McMorris and Ezukanma.

McDaniel said he’s hopeful about wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. getting to practice

“You hope, but you have to listen to people’s bodies and be very communicative,” McDaniel said. “He’s feeling very optimistic about the way things are developing.”

Hayes, who exited the game Friday, was in a walking boot coming out of the locker room postgame.

Dolphins wide receiver Anthony Schwartz also suffered an injury against the Buccaneers.

Starters out

Virtually every projected starter for the Dolphins was not dressed Friday.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw passes to wide receivers in street clothes, but Skylar Thompson and Mike White were the only passers dressed as they compete for the backup quarterback job.

Among offensive linemen, tackles Terron Armstead, Austin Jackson and Kendall Lamm and interior linemen Brewer and Eichenberg were not dressed. Brewer, who had his right snapping hand wrapped, has Eichenberg as his backup center if he can’t play the Sept. 8 regular-season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Eichenberg is otherwise slotted to play right guard.

Other offensive players not dressed were running backs Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane and Chris Brooks, wide receivers Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, River Cracraft, Ezukanma and Braylon Sanders, fullback Alec Ingold, tight ends Durham Smythe, Jonnu Smith, Julian Hill and Tanner Conner. Brooks was in concussion protocol this week.

Other defensive players not dressed ahead of the exhibition were defensive linemen Zach Sieler, Calais Campbell, Jones, Da’Shawn Hand, linebackers Jaelan Phillips, Emmanuel Ogbah, David Long, Jordyn Brooks, Anthony Walker and Duke Riley, cornerbacks Ramey, Kendall Fuller, Kader Kohou and Cam Smith, safeties Holland, Jordan Poyer, Marcus Maye and McMorris.

The Buccaneers were expected to play several starters, since they haven’t seen action in the preseason.

Embree coaches second half

What would happen if Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, for whatever reason, can’t be present for a game or has to miss time within a game?

Well, Friday night’s preseason exhibition against the Buccaneers served as a trial run for that precise scenario.

The Dolphins had have tight ends coach Jon Embree, who doubles as assistant head coach, lead the team for the second half of the preseason finale, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. from Raymond James Stadium. An initial report made by CBS-4, which had the game broadcast Friday night, was confirmed by the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

Embree has been with Miami in his current role since McDaniel took over in 2022. Now entering his third season with the Dolphins, he goes back with McDaniel to their time together on the San Francisco 49ers’ coaching staff from 2017 through 2021.

As tight ends coach, Embree has done fine work at the position with Smythe, who has started 29 games over the past two seasons and earned a contract extension under his tutelage. Smythe, a proficient blocker, has excelled in an area that’s vital for the Dolphins in the outside-zone run-blocking scheme.

But the Dolphins, last year, were also the only NFL team to go without a touchdown from a tight end in 2023. So Miami brought in Jonnu Smith in free agency as a pass-catching tight end, and Embree will now get him incorporated into the offense. The experienced position coach who played tight end with the Los Angeles Rams from 1987 to 1989, enters 2024 with 15 years of coaching in the NFL and several more in the college ranks.

General Daily Insight for August 24, 2024

Thinking and taking action are totally compatible right now. Around the sextile between incisive Mercury in Leo and busy Mars in Gemini at 12:31 am EDT, having an eye on the big picture can help us keep track of multiple simultaneous projects. Mars then harmonizes with meaningful Chiron, letting what matters most rise to the top of our to-do lists. Reflecting on emotionally evocative backstories could rattle us a little, but it’s okay — we’ll know when our achievements make a positive difference.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Airing a critical perspective can serve you well at this time. Perhaps some frustrations have been weighing on you lately. You’re likely to have a receptive audience if you’re able to deliver this message without descending into blame. Keep the focus on how you feel and what you’ve experienced. Others may then see that it makes sense to change a few things. When you give them an opportunity to hear their own feelings, they might realize that the status quo isn’t quite serving them either!

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Making more money could be a high priority for you at the moment. You’re potentially motivated by deep anxieties about security. With calculating Mercury in your 4th House of Nourishment supporting energetic Mars in your finance zone, you’re prepped to pin down an amount that would make you feel like you had enough. You can always adjust this number as your situation unfolds, but starting somewhere specific is probably necessary to keep you from getting overwhelmed. Celebrate small wins along the way!

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Dealing with a tricky social situation could currently be necessary. While forthright Mars in your sign aligns with touchy Chiron in your 11th House of Community, you might feel like you must speak up about something that upsets you because others can’t or won’t. You have the right to present your take on things, and simultaneously, you should acknowledge where your stake in the matter begins and ends. You don’t need to claim that everyone else agrees with you — just say your piece.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

You’re likely to achieve progress toward your goals today, but it might not be obvious to the outside world. Sometimes working behind the scenes is just how it goes! That said, as determined Mars in your hidden 12th house complements observant Mercury in your 2nd House of Resources, you can’t afford to lose sight of the material facts of the situation at hand. Delayed gratification can be worth it in the end, but make sure that no one is taking advantage of you.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Meeting new people can go well for you now. As confident Mars in your social 11th house reaches out to complicated Chiron in your 9th House of Beliefs, you probably aren’t connecting over light and shallow matters. Instead, you could be hashing out cultural differences — or turning the lens inward on the troubles of a shared cultural background. You’re likely to be articulate about how the dynamic has affected you, but don’t forget that you’re only qualified to speak for yourself.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Your ambitions could get a boost today. While attentive Mercury in your 12th House of Secrets bolsters brash Mars in your prominent 10th house, you’re likely to know which bold moves have a chance of paying off. You may not be able to tell anyone where you acquired this information, though, which invites the potential to cause drama with a close confidant who thinks they have the right to know. Don’t get drawn into conversations — just do what you need to do.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Advocating for your beliefs on a controversial issue could impact your relationships today. As detail-oriented Mercury in your community sector encourages dynamic Mars in your philosophical 9th house, you probably have a few facts and figures proving your preferred policy would cure whatever ails society. Still, you might have a loved one who sees things differently. Changing your view to match theirs isn’t necessarily what’s best for your connection — give them a chance to develop a new respect for your ideas.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Getting to the bottom of a frustrating bureaucratic issue is possible now. While ferocious Mars in your 8th House of Shared Resources conspires with cranky Chiron in your dutiful 6th house, you might resent the need to waste your time on this. Those uncomfortable emotions can motivate you to push through any obstacles you face. Better yet, anticipate how proud of yourself you’ll feel once you succeed — that could be an even more satisfying payoff than having the original problem solved!

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Taking the initiative in a current relationship may be rewarding. Momentous Mars in your partnership zone is enabling awkward Chiron in your 5th House of Self-Expression, potentially sparking some anxieties. It’s possible that you’ll even be haunted by past efforts to connect that went badly. Keep in mind that many people have fearful memories of this sort, so whoever you’re hoping to chat up could be just as worried as you are. With that focus, try to see the positive side of such adventures.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Working together might be necessary at this time. As logical Mercury in your 8th House of Shared Responsibilities complements powerful Mars in your productive 6th house, you’re likely willing to pull your fair share of the weight. That being said, the way you learned to do things growing up may not be the right fit at present. Don’t rigidly insist on using a particular technique to accomplish a task — hear your collaborators out, then decide on the best strategy as a group.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Competition can energize you today. Of course, you shouldn’t force this approach on people who aren’t in the mood for it, but it could be a lot of fun with a companion who’s up for the challenge. You might be reminded of what it was like to be a kid battling against siblings or classmates, and maybe you’ll feel the same existential urgency to prove yourself. Whether or not you win this time, you may as well enjoy the grand theater of it all!

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Having control over your home environment may seem crucial now. With pushy Mars in your domestic 4th house nudging intense Chiron in your self-worth sector, you might want to ask yourself why an issue you’re fixated on seems so important. You’re likely equipped to handle any tasks involved skillfully given the opportunity. Letting it become a battle of egos isn’t ideal. Once you fully understand your motivations, you’ll be able to make a more convincing case to others who have a stake in the situation.

In this Dolphins Deep Dive video, the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s David Furones discusses who stood out and who struggled during Miami’s final preseason game in Tampa Bay against the Buccaneers, the backup quarterback battle, Miami’s upcoming roster cuts and other observations from the game.

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MIAMI  — Pete Crow-Armstrong hit an inside-the-park home run and the Chicago Cubs beat the Miami Marlins 6-3 on Friday night.

Ian Happ and Miguel Amaya also homered for the Cubs (64-65), who began a nine-game road trip.

Crow-Armstrong’s 14.08 seconds home to home is the fastest in the major leagues since Byron Buxton’s 13.85 on Aug. 18, 2017 as a member of the Minnesota Twins.

Isaac Paredes’ run-scoring double against Marlins reliever Brett de Geus (0-2) in the eighth snapped a 3-all tie. Amaya then connected with a two-run drive off Kent Emanuel in the ninth.

Porter Hodge (2-1) worked 1 1/3 innings of relief for the win before Jorge López pitched the ninth for his fourth save.

The Marlins dropped to an NL-worst 46-82 and will end with their 24th losing season in the franchise’s 32-year history.

Miami chased Chicago starter Kyle Hendricks after Kyle Stowers walked with the bases loaded to tie it 3-3 in the fifth.

Happ’s two-run blast capped a three-run third that put the Cubs ahead 3-1. He drove a slider from Marlins starter Max Meyer for his 23rd homer.

Earlier in the third, Crow-Armstrong tied it with his sprint around the bases. His drive to the warning track got past right fielder Jesús Sánchez and caromed toward right-center, where centerfielder Derek Hill retrieved it and threw it to second baseman Otto López. Crow-Armstrong beat López’s relay throw with a head-first slide at the plate.

Jonah Bride’s RBI single in the third narrowed the deficit to 3-2 for Miami.

Meyer completed six innings, allowing three runs and six hits. The right-hander walked two and struck out two.

Hendricks gave up three runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Miami shortstop Xavier Edwards exited the game after the second because of lower back discomfort. Edwards singled in his at-bat to lead off the first and stole second. He then took his position in the second inning but was pinch hit for by Vidal Brujan when his turn came up again in the third.

Trainer’s room

Cubs: LHP Jordan Wicks (oblique) threw a bullpen session on Friday.

Marlins: LHP Braxton Garrett (left forearm flexor strain) and LHP Ryan Weathers (left index finger strain) threw their second bullpen sessions on Friday. . LHP Josh Simpson (left elbow ulnar neuritis) will have his second rehab outing with Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday.

Up next

LHP Shota Imanaga (9-3, 3.11) gets the start for the Cubs in the second game of the series on Saturday, while RHP Valente Bellozo (2-1, 2.45) starts for the Marlins.

Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said he wanted to put the backup quarterbacks Mike White and Skylar Thompson in “adverse situations” to judge them. I’m not sure how that factors into Thompson looking like the better quarterback Friday night in the preseason finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and seemingly to finish grabbing the job.

Thompson’s stats Friday through three quarters: 15 of 18 for 149 yards and a touchdown. That’s the best preseason performance for either quarterback this summer.

The only way it could not be Thompson’s job is how this “adverse situation” factors in. White went into the second halves of the first couple preseason games with minimal help other than receiver Erik Ezukanma against Washington (who he smartly threw to most every play).

On Friday, the situation was even tougher for White: He led the Dolphins backups against the Tampa Bay starters. It went pretty much as you’d expect, meaning the offense went nowhere on the opening, three-and-out series. (Tampa Bay’s starting offense dominated the Dolphins defensive backups on its opening drive, too, going 70 yards for a touchdown).

The problem is against the Tampa Bay reserves on the next drive, White wasn’t much better: On the first play, he threw a couple of Malik Washington steps late over the middle and the rookie receiver didn’t go down quickly, resulting in him staying down on the field and visiting the injury tent for a possible concussion (it was negative and Washington had a night, see below).

From there it was three-and-out. White’s four drives ended punt, punt, punt and punt. He completed 5-of-9 passes for 37 yards.

Thompson then entered midway through the second quarter and took the Dolphins 70 yards on seven plays, ending with a 20-yard touchdown to tight end Hayden Rucci. His second drive ended with a dropped, third-down pass by tight end Jody Fortston. His opening drive of the second half had him roll out and throw a nice pass to Rucci who didn’t come down with it.

Later, under Thompson, his offense had four penalties in five snaps (two holds, a delay of game and illegal procedure). So it wasn’t all pretty – not did it end pretty. Down 10 points with three minutes left, Thompson tried to force a pass and was intercepted. That doesn’t take away from his night, though.

Related Articles

• Miami Dolphins | Dolphins’ Liam Eichenberg appears to have secured starting spot; injury updates on Aaron Brewer, Benito Jones, Brandon Pili
• Miami Dolphins | Dolphins Deep Dive: David Furones breaks down backup QB battle, Miami’s preseason finale vs. Bucs | VIDEO
• Miami Dolphins | Chris Perkins: Observations from Dolphins-Bucs preseason finale; Thompson, Washington are impressive, White is shaky
• Miami Dolphins | Dolphins’ Malik Washington has eventful preseason game vs. Bucs; Thompson ignites offense as backup QB in loss
• Miami Dolphins | In Dolphins’ preseason finale, fringe players get last chance to make impression before cuts

McDaniel’s way of choosing the back-up quarterback is a bit of a head scratcher. Neither of these guys played last season. So wouldn’t they just need good on-field opportunity as much as “adverse situations?” These preseason snaps are valuable for any backup quarterback considering it might be the only time he plays for any length before the season could fall to him in October or November.

Thompson started the first two games and looked better Friday. So, it appears he’s the choice. But, as I’ve written, is Ryan Tannehill not answering the phone?

2. Malik Washington was the man of the game for the Dolphins. The rookie sixth-round pick hasn’t done much to notice this summer. But after he returned from that hit over the middle, he had a preseason night. An end-around pitch for 40 yards. A punt return for 28 yards. A kickoff return for 45 yards. Most rookies make the these days because of their minimal salaries but Washington showed you some roster versatility. The only hope would be his receiving skills were polished because …

3. The banged-up receivers got more banged up. Ezukanma showed up in walking boot after being injured in Wednesday’s joint practice. That injury mattered more because Odell Beckham Jr. is coming back from injury and River Cracraft was hurt against Washington. Braylon Sanders, too.

After returning from injury to make a few catches Friday, Anthony Schwartz had to be helped off the field with an apparent knee injury.

Understand: All of these players have injury history. But the Dolphins had to hope someone would be ready for the first game. As it is, who’s the third receiver for the opener? Braxton Berrios, it seems. He’s healthy.

4. Quick hits:

* Yes, the opening drives were Dolphins reserves against Tampa Bay starters, and so it played out as you’d expect. But wouldn’t you hope some Dolphin reserve would have made a play. Just one?;

* Defensive tackle Brandon Pili, fighting for a roster spot, left with an apparent knee injury;

* Undrafted cornerback Storm Duck, fighting for a roster spot after a good camp, got beat by receiver Ryan Miller for a Tampa Bay touchdown;

* Safety Elijah Campbell hits as hard as anyone on this defense;

* Jack Driscoll has looked good at guard this summer. But backup center? Tampa Bay star nose tackle Vita Vea pushed him backward four or five steps on a third-and-short play;

* Linebacker Channing Tindall, a third-round pick in 2022, had double-digit tackles and a quarterback hit on a good night after two seasons of nothing. He had a nice, open-field tackle and another for a 2-yard loss. The only question is how to keep him on the roster? And do they want to?

5. Remember when four preseason games were too many? We’ve reached that point with three preseason games.

DELRAY BEACH  — Atlantic senior quarterback Lincoln Graf accounted for three touchdowns as the host Eagles cruised past Palm Beach Gardens 42-3 in their season opener on Friday night.

Atlantic jumped out to a 16-0 advantage at the end of the first quarter and had a 29-3 lead at halftime.

“I feel really good about all phases,” Atlantic coach Jamelle Murray said. “The offense played well and Lincoln led us. The defense made the stops, and we had a good emphasis on creating turnovers. We made some plays on special teams. It was a good start.”

Graf rushed for two touchdowns in the first quarter and added a scoring pass in the third quarter.

“We had envisioned that start to the game,” Graf said. “We got the ball first and scored and were able to get up by a couple of scores quickly. Our defense played stellar, and our special teams also gave us a lot of momentum.”

Atlantic started at its own 30-yard line on the opening possession. On fourth-and-15 at the Gators 25, Graf connected with senior wide receiver Teddy Hoffmann for a 23-yard reception. Graf rushed for a 2-yard touchdown to open the scoring with 7:44 left in the first quarter. Junior Kemari Walcott tossed a pass to senior Jabari Henry for the two-point conversion.

The Eagles’ defense created a turnover with a fumble recovery at the Gators’ 13 later in the first.

Graf bounced out to his left and had a 13-yard touchdown run to extend the lead. Walcott connected with senior David Calixte for the two-point conversion with 3:40 remaining in the first.

Palm Beach Gardens sophomore quarterback Jordan Johnson stepped up during the next series as the Gators marched downfield deep into Eagles territory. Sophomore kicker Ryan Hammond converted a 23-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 16-3 with 9:50 left in the second quarter.

Dylan Elie (12) of Atlantic celebrates returning a fumble 50-yards for a touchdown against Palm Beach Gardens in the first half. Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 (Jim Rassol/Contributor).

Atlantic senior running back Deandre Desinor, a West Virginia commit, had a 32-yard catch-and-run to the Gators’ 23 late in the first half. Desinor capped off the scoring drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 22-3.

On the ensuing kickoff, Atlantic senior Dylan Elie recovered a fumble and raced to the end zone for a score to make it 29-3 with 1:04 left in the first half.

Atlantic senior Derrick Daughrity recorded an interception late in the second quarter.

Graf fired a 13-yard scoring pass to senior wide receiver Legend Felican to make it 36-3 with 5:35 left in the third quarter.

Elie rushed for a 5-yard score in the fourth to increase the lead to 42-3.

Jamar Dean (22) of Atlantic knocks the ball out of the arms of Alonzo Reese (3) causing a fumble during the first half. Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 (Jim Rassol/Contributor).

The Miami Dolphins concluded the preseason with Friday’s finale against Tampa Bay, which saw the Dolphins lose, 24-14. The next time Miami takes the field it’ll be for the Sept. 8 regular-season opener at home against Jacksonville.

But before then there’s Tuesday’s cut-down day when rosters must be reduced to 53 players from 90 by the 4 p.m. deadline.

Friday’s game helped make a few of those decisions final.

Perhaps the Dolphins’ highest profile battle was at No. 2 quarterback between Skylar Thompson and Mike White. It appears Thompson might have won the battle with Friday’s performance.

But there’s also backup cornerback spots up for grabs, backup safety, backup running back, edge rusher, and offensive and defensive lines.

And rookie wide receiver Malik Washington showed off some big moves and amazing toughness.

Here are some observations from Friday’s game: 

White not overly impressive

The Dolphins’ first possession, led by White, who started the game, was a three-and-out after they were stopped on third-and-1.

On the Dolphins’ second possession White threw a pass over the middle that got rookie Washington absolutely rocked. The ball hit Washington perfectly, but so did Buccaneers safety Marcus Banks. Washington, who had a 28-yard punt return one play earlier, was tended to by team trainers before walking off the field. Washington returned to the game quickly. 

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• Miami Dolphins | Hyde5: Skylar Thompson, rookie Washington have good nights; Dolphins receivers get even more banged up vs. Bucs
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White’s first two possessions were ragged. 

Jeff Wilson Jr. was dropped by an unblocked defender on third-and-1 on the first possession.

On the second possession, White put the pass in a rough spot to Washington. There was a false start. A holding. And a sack by a practically unblocked defender on third-and-13.

On the third possession White’s fourth-and-4 pass to Wilson was broken up.

White ended the night 5 of 9 for 37 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions and a 65.5 passer rating.

White ends preseason 15 of 34 for 142 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions and a 56.3 passer rating.

One of White’s missives in training camp was maintaining the upbeat attitude in the huddle and on the field among third teamers and other fringe players. He did that job reasonably well, but not especially well throughout camp.

Still, White has strong game experience from his days with the New York Jets, when he showed he can move a team and gain the trust and enthusiasm of his teammates.

Thompson might have sealed No. 2 spot

Thompson had a better training camp than White. Let’s state that right away.

Thompson entered the game in the second quarter Friday and at halftime he was 6 of 8 for 64 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions and a 137.5 passer rating.

Thompson ended 19 of 27 for 190 yards, two touchdowns, one interception and a 99.3 passer rating.

Thompson’s 20-yard touchdown pass to rookie tight end Hayden Rucci was a beauty as it was on target and gave Rucci room to split two defenders and barge his way into the end zone.

Thompson, through halftime, was 16 of 34 for 166 yards and a 58.8 passer rating in preseason.

Thompson had a fourth-down interception but it didn’t really matter.

Thompson was sharper throwing the ball through training camp, especially in preseason games but also in joint practices.

About the only way White could win the job would be based on his previous game experience and perhaps if he’s been better in the classroom.

On the practice field and in games, Thompson has clearly been better than White.

Dolphins Deep Dive: David Furones breaks down backup QB battle, Miami’s preseason finale vs. Bucs | VIDEO

Washington does good work

Washington got absolutely rocked on a play, but he showed toughness by quickly returning to the game. It was an extension of an impressive training camp for the rookie sixth-round pick from Virginia.

In the first half alone, Washington had a sweet 40-yard run on reverse, a 45-yard kickoff return, a 28-yard punt return and a seven-yard reception for a total of 120 all purpose yards.

Washington should be a a shoo-in for the 53-man roster as the starting punt returner. But he’s also valuable as a kickoff returner and reserve wide receiver.

Paul is learning the hard way

Rookie left tackle Patrick Paul, the second-round pick, has been OK overall, but he’s had some notable plays recently. On Friday, he allowed his man to grab White’s arm on a fourth-and-8 pass attempt.

Last week, Paul allowed a defender a strip sack against White that resulted in White falling into guard Sean Harlow’s knee and injuring him.

Paul was better in joint practices than against Washington and Tampa Bay than the games.

Bell, Robinson and the edge rushers are quiet again

Rookie first-round pick Chop Robinson (one tackle) and third-year player Quinton Bell (one tackle) started as edge rushers for the Dolphins and neither had a big impact. Neither was bad, but neither was especially noticeable. That was the trend for the Dolphins’ edge rushers as training camp progressed.

Among other edge rushers, Mohamed Kamara (one tackle), the fifth-round pick, and Wyatt Ray (two tackles, one tackle for loss), the former St. Thomas Aquinas High standout, were OK, but nothing special.

The Dolphins’ edge rushers were hot at the start of training camp but they cooled noticeably since joint practices with Atlanta and in games.

Veteran Emmanuel Ogbah and Jaelan Phillips might be the opening-day starters at edge rusher but it stands to reason Phillips, who is still fighting back from last season’s Achilles injury, might play reduced snaps the first few games.

OL performance a bit shaky

Miami’s offensive line, which was composed entirely of backups, had some shaky moments Friday.

Paul allowed White’s arm to be hit on a fourth-down pass attempt.

Additionally, there were snapshots of guys getting beaten on 1 on 1 blocks — center Jack Driscoll, center Andrew Meyer, left guard Chasen Hines — even though they didn’t cost the Dolphins negative yardage.

Collectively, there were a few communication errors.

Wilson was stopped on his third-down run by an unblocked linebacker.

It should be mentioned Driscoll shifted to right tackle from center after right tackle Ryan Hayes was injured, and Driscoll, who has never played center in a game, looked better immediately.

Wilson, and the running backs

Wilson, the veteran who goes back with coach Mike McDaniel to their days with San Francisco, might be fighting for a roster spot.

Wilson, who sustained a broken nose recently and had surgery, started Friday and ended with four carries for minus-one yard rushing and two receptions for 21 yards.

Washington fueled the run game with his 40-yard carry on a reverse.

Jaylen Wright, the fourth-round pick, had seven carries for 36 yards.

Big-boy calls

We’ve been watching the Dolphins offensive calls to see if it reflects a tough, aggressive tone, something the players said is a focal point.

Miami ran on third-and-1 on its first possession but it was dominated. Wilson was thrown for a one-yard loss.

Miami ran on third-and-6, and Wilson gained two yards up the middle.

White passed to Wilson on fourth-and-4 but the pass was broken up.

In the third quarter the Dolphins went for it on fourth-and-2. They converted on a pass from Thompson to Rucci.

In the fourth quarter the Dolphins went for it on fourth-and-6, which was more of a dice roll than a big boy call because of the distance, and Thompson threw incomplete for wide receiver Kyric McGowan.

TAMPA — Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Malik Washington shined in Friday night’s preseason finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Washington had an eventful early portion of the game as he had a long rushing play, a reception, big return on special teams and a trip to and from the team’s sideline medical tent — all in the opening period.

He was the early story for Miami as it wrapped up the exhibition season in Tampa, in a 24-14 loss where backup quarterback Skylar Thompson seemed to ignite the offense after he entered for Mike White.

“It was awesome,” Washington said of his performance in multiple aspects of the game. “I think just being a football player, going out there and trying to show your value as much as you can, especially in this preseason when it matters most for guys like me that are new and just getting in.”

What coach Mike McDaniel highlighted from Washington’s game: “Aggressiveness. He played as though the game was slow to him. It slowed down. He was able to get in some space.”

McDaniel said Washington exhibited balance, ability to break tackles and get around edges against defenders.

“It was a big spark for us. It was good to see him really own the moment,” the coach said.

It started for Washington with the Dolphins’ first offensive play going to him, a reception for 7 yards.

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After the Miami defense got a stop on the unit’s second series Friday, Washington was the man deep on the punt return. He fielded the punt and immediately took advantage of the space in front of him down the right side, bursting for a 28-yard return.

On the very next play, White targeted Washington open over the middle, and the sixth-round draft pick got leveled by Buccaneers safety Marcus Banks.

Washington was down on the field momentarily as trainers attended to him. He was checked out further in the team’s sideline medical tent, with Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead and star wide receiver Tyreek Hill monitoring his status closely.

Washington returned to action after quick tests and was back in the lineup later that drive.

“Those are plays that are part of football. It happens,” Washington said. “Just, kind of in the moment, you know guys are trusting and depending on you. Sometimes, you got to pop back up. You got to get back in the game and contribute however you can.”

On the ensuing possession, Washington again got the first touch for the Miami offense, this time taking a sweep in the run game and going 40 yards up the right side.

Dolphins Deep Dive: David Furones breaks down backup QB battle, Miami’s preseason finale vs. Bucs | VIDEO

He wasn’t done after the first quarter. Washington then returned an early second-quarter kickoff 45 yards.

The agile 5-foot-8, 191-pound playmaker out of Virginia has made himself a training camp standout who is likely to make the Dolphins active roster in a wide receiving corps depleted by injury.

“It was really, really impressive, just in how decisive he was,” McDaniel told CBS-4 at halftime. “You could tell the speed of an NFL game doesn’t rattle him so it was encouraging. We’re looking forward to more to come in the future.”

As Miami needs to settle its backup quarterback job, White got the start over Thompson in the preseason finale with Tua Tagovailoa sitting.

White was replaced by Thompson with just more than six minutes remaining in the second quarter after going 5 of 9 for 37 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. He nearly lost a fumble, but his arm was deemed to be going forward as he was hit on a pressure allowed by rookie left tackle Patrick Paul.

After a stagnant first four drives that White led, Thompson immediately injected energy into the offense. He led a seven-play, 65-yard drive that resulted in his touchdown strike of 20 yards to undrafted rookie tight end Hayden Rucci on third-and-3.

In the third quarter, Thompson led another touchdown drive, finding wide receiver Kyric McGowan for a toe-tap along the side of the end zone as Thompson threw while rolling right.

Thompson had another impressive throw in the fourth quarter, faking a pitch left, rolling right and throwing on the run complete for a 25-yard gain.

Thompson was 19 of 27 for 190 yards and two touchdowns. A night that was nearly without a blemish saw him throw an interception with 2:47 remaining.

“I’m not in any position to name 53-man rosters or backup quarterbacks or anything,” McDaniel said. “I thought that (Thompson) was competitive and made some plays and kind of got us going tonight.”

Said Thompson: “I feel like I left everything on the table, and I have no regrets.”

While White did not impress as much as Thompson, McDaniel said he’ll still have to watch the tape on each.

“(White) faced some challenging situations. He did a good job getting the team in and out of the huddle and played clean in that way,” McDaniel said. “He was in there against their starters and competed and did some things that I was happy with that we’ve been emphasizing.”

Rookie running back Jaylen Wright went for 36 rushing yards and 41 receiving yards. Rucci had five receptions for 44 yards and his touchdown.

The Buccaneers played their starters for a series on each side of the ball. The Tampa Bay offense easily moved down the field for an opening-drive touchdown capped by a 4-yard score from running back Rachaad White. Quarterback Baker Mayfield was 3 for 3 for 54 yards on his lone series.

Miami’s first set of downs resulted in running back Jeff Wilson Jr. getting stuffed on a third-and-1 run where Bucs defensive tackle Vita Vea had an initial win at the line of scrimmage to open up the tackle for loss for his teammates.

With Tampa Bay then reverting to backups, they scored another touchdown in the second quarter. Ryan Miller beat Miami undrafted cornerback Storm Duck in the end zone.

In the fourth quarter, fellow undrafted rookie cornerback Isaiah Johnson gave up a 1-on-1 touchdown to Tampa’s Tanner Knue on a fourth-and-goal play. Johnson, though, did break up a pass to the end zone on third down.

Dolphins third-year linebacker Channing Tindall reached double digits in tackles to lead Miami’s defense.

Aside from the brief Washington injury, Dolphins seen injured in the first half were nose tackle Brandon Pili, offensive tackle Ryan Hayes and wide receiver Anthony Schwartz. Among them, Pili was seen back on the sideline early in the second half with his helmet on, although he did not return to the game.

Nearly two years after a little boy was severely injured and his mother was killed in a car crash in Miramar, the boy’s father died after crashing an ATV in South Florida earlier this week.

On Dec. 19, 2022, Cristina Hernandez, 30, picked up her then-7-year-old son, Jacob Estrada, from school in Miramar just before a teenaged driver violently crashed into the back of their car. The teenaged driver was speeding over 100 mph just before the crash, a probable cause affidavit said.

Hernandez was killed. Jacob was in a coma for weeks at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital after the crash, Anthony Estrada, Hernandez’s fiance and Jacob’s father, said at a news conference in Miramar early last year.

On Wednesday, Estrada, 38, was visiting family in Hialeah and rode a relative’s ATV around the 5000 block of West Fifth Avenue about 8:30 p.m., said Officer Scarlett Hernandez, a spokesperson for Hialeah Police. He lost control while making a left turn and crashed into a home along West Fifth Avenue and was severely injured. He was flown by helicopter to Ryder Trauma Center, where he died.

“He was truly a beautiful light in this world that was dimmed far too soon,” his family wrote in a GoFundMe online fundraiser Friday evening. “There are stories in life that seem so unfair, and this is one you will remember.”

Teen and his father arrested in Miramar crash that killed expectant mother, severely injured 7-year-old boy

Estrada’s family said in the post on GoFundMe that Estrada died the night before Jacob’s ninth birthday.

“There are no words to describe the pain this family has endured, and the difficult road that lies ahead,” Estrada’s family wrote. “Life can change in the blink of an eye, but love is eternal.”

Hernandez was pregnant when she died, Estrada said at the news conference in Miramar last year. She planned to surprise her fiance and Jacob with the news on Christmas morning.

After Hernandez’s funeral, Estrada shared a video tribute on his Facebook account with photos of them — at the beach with Jacob, smiling with their arms around each other or sitting next to each other on a boat out on the water.

“I have made a promise to Cristina that I will do everything in my power to make sure our little boy comes home stronger than ever and I will never break that promise!” Estrada wrote in the Facebook post.

Trauma Survivor Jacob Anthony Estrada is greeted by Miramar Fire and Rescue Lt. Walter Perez Gell during a ceremony at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Tuesday, May 16, 2023. The ceremony honored survivors of trauma and Perez Gell was part of the rescue crew that removed Estrada from a vehicle accident which killed his mother. (Joe Cavaretta / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

After the 2022 crash, doctors believed Jacob’s long-term prognosis was poor, if he survived at all, according to a February 2023 press release from Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Estrada and other family members prayed and “remained by his bedside ever since.” He was discharged and walking on his own.

Jacob regained consciousness in early 2023 and was in speech and physical therapy, his father previously said at the Miramar news conference. His liver, kidneys, lungs, intestines, heart and head were all damaged in the crash with his mother.

“He was in a coma, a traumatic coma and we didn’t know if he would ever wake up,” Dr. Allan Greissman said in a prepared statement the hospital shared on Facebook in May 2023.

Family photos of Cristina Hernandez and her hospitalized son, Jacob Estrada, 7, along with photos of the car that crashed into theirs, are on display during a news conference at the Miramar Police Department on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. (South Florida Sun Sentinel file photo)

Cristhian Andres Bravo Gonzalez, who was 16 years old at the time of the crash and did not have a license, was arrested and charged as an adult. He remains in jail, and his case is pending in Broward County court. He has pleaded not guilty to all 10 charges he faces, court records show.

Bravo Gonzalez’s father, Jose Miguel Bravo De La Torre, was also arrested on a charge of permitting an unauthorized operator to drive.  Court records in that case were not accessible Friday night.

Today is Friday, Aug. 23, the 236th day of 2024. There are 130 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Aug 23, 1970, the Salad Bowl strike began, organized by farm labor leader Cesar Chavez; between 5,000-10,000 laborers walked off the job, leading to the largest farm worker strike in U.S. history.

Also on this date:

In 1305, Scottish rebel leader Sir William Wallace was executed by the English for treason.

In 1775, Britain’s King George III proclaimed the American colonies to be in a state of “open and avowed rebellion.”

In 1914, Japan declared war against Germany in World War I.

In 1927, amid worldwide protests, Italian-born anarchists Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were executed in Boston for the murders of two men during a 1920 robbery. (On the 50th anniversary of their executions, then-Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis issued a proclamation that Sacco and Vanzetti had been unfairly tried and convicted.)

In 1939, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union agreed to a non-aggression treaty, the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, in Moscow.

In 2000, A Gulf Air Airbus crashed into the Persian Gulf near Bahrain, killing all 143 people aboard.

In 2003, former priest John Geoghan (GAY’-gun), the convicted child molester whose prosecution sparked the sex abuse scandal that shook the Roman Catholic Church nationwide, died after another inmate attacked him in a Massachusetts prison.

In 2011, a magnitude-5.8 earthquake centered near Mineral, Virginia, the strongest on the East Coast since 1944, caused cracks in the Washington Monument and damaged Washington National Cathedral.

In 2013, a military jury convicted Maj. Nidal Hasan in the deadly 2009 shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas, that claimed 13 lives; the Army psychiatrist was later sentenced to death.

In 2020, a white police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin, shot a Black man, Jacob Blake, seven times as officers tried to arrest Blake on an outstanding warrant; the shooting left Blake partially paralyzed and triggered several nights of violent protests.

In 2022, a jury convicted two men of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020, a victory for prosecutors in a plot that was broken up by the FBI and described as a rallying cry for a U.S. civil war by anti-government extremists.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Actor Vera Miles is 95.
• Actor Barbara Eden is 93.
• Football Hall of Famer Sonny Jurgensen is 90.
• Ballerina Patricia McBride is 82.
• Author Nelson DeMille is 81.
• Former Surgeon General Antonia Novello is 80.
• Singer-songwriter Linda Thompson is 77.
• Author and motivational speaker Rudy Ruettiger is 76.
• Actor Shelley Long is 75.
• Actor-singer Rick Springfield is 75.
• Noor al-Hussein (Queen Noor of Jordan) is 73.
• Film composer Alexandre Desplat is 63.
• Actor Jay Mohr is 54.
• Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is 53.
• Actor Ray Park is 50.
• Actor Scott Caan is 48.
• Rock singer Julian Casablancas (The Strokes) is 46.
• Actor Joanne Froggatt is 44.
• Olympic gold medal swimmer Natalie Coughlin Hall is 42.
• Musician Lil Yachty is 27.

General Daily Insight for August 23, 2024

Healing insights are within reach at the moment. Creative Mercury trines wise Chiron at 8:21 am EDT, helping us work traumatic incidents into a meaningful narrative. That said, even this productive step toward resolution can awaken unpleasant feelings. As people-pleasing Venus finds Chiron’s presence uncomfortable, we’ll have to weigh temporary pain against long-term gains. The vulnerable Moon slides into nurturing Taurus and squares controlling Pluto, turning the spotlight on issues of nourishment and emotional manipulation. Once we see the truth, we can’t unsee it.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Getting at the root of an old wound might be possible today. As articulate Mercury in your expressive 5th house aligns with tender Chiron in your sign, you may be able to identify the specific feelings that a situation provoked in you. However, having this insight isn’t the same as knowing exactly what to do about it. No matter how much of a hurry you’re in, rushing is not what this process calls for. Make a point of patiently working with yourself as emotions arise.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

You’re currently capable of constructing the safe space of your dreams. While detail-oriented Mercury in your nurturing 4th house harmonizes with healing Chiron in your 12th House of Seclusion, you can pin down what would make you feel like you’d succeeded in getting away from it all. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to use this escape as a creative retreat that will result in a tangible product — learn to just be, and then embrace whatever does or doesn’t happen.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

A good chat with a friend can clear some things up for you right now. Perhaps you’re aware of awkward vibes in your larger social group. Finding out that you’re probably not the cause could be a relief. Still, you might feel like resolution of the problem is necessary for your emotional comfort. As harmony-craving Venus in your security sector misreads angsty Chiron in your 11th House of Community, it’s not all about you. Let others work through their stuff at their natural pace.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

A financial triumph could be especially rewarding for you now. As clever Mercury in your money zone complements touchy Chiron in your authority sector, whatever has gone right for you lately isn’t about the present moment alone — it might combat a sense of inadequacy you’ve been wrestling with for ages. You’re better off not sharing this news with others, though. No matter what they say, they may trigger any residual angst you have. Enjoy your achievement on your terms and no one else’s.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

A lesson you’ve learned the hard way could become a key component of your present belief system. While thoughtful Mercury in your sign comforts spiritual Chiron in your philosophical 9th house, you’re in a position to understand the universal meaning in a difficult personal experience. This knowledge probably isn’t enough to erase any material losses you suffered from whatever happened, and it’s understandable if you’re still struggling with that. Wisdom is invaluable, but you might as well name the price you paid.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Finding out someone else’s secret could be transformative. This imminent disclosure will potentially help you understand the reason behind a confusing relationship dynamic. Unfortunately, you may not be able to tell others what you know. As pleasant Venus in your sign agrees to disagree with sensitive Chiron in your intimacy zone, you’ll have to make an effort to act naturally. The rest of the world probably isn’t as aware of the whole drama as you are, so you’ve at least got that on your side.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

You may currently be too close to an intense dynamic to see it accurately. While brilliant Mercury in your social sector reins in confusing Chiron in your partnership zone, asking a friend for advice might give you the perspective you need. Be aware that you’ll potentially be told a few things you don’t want to hear — it’s not likely that all the problems are coming from the other person. Learning to get out of your own way may improve your end of the equation.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Developing a clear goal can restore your energy. Perhaps you sometimes feel resentful about the tedious routines of life. As insightful Mercury in your 10th House of Purpose brings perspective to moody Chiron in your overburdened 6th house, you might better perceive how the work you put in on a daily basis is bringing you closer and closer to a meaningful achievement. Although you may worry that your peers aren’t impressed yet, they’re probably not judging you either — just focus on your business.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

A research binge can bring you insights regarding a troubling personal matter today. Maybe it’ll be a relief to find out you’re not the only person who has struggled with this issue — you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Still, you might resent the amount of time you’ve spent dealing with the problem, especially if it’s put you behind on your path to a more desirable goal. You’re always learning, no matter what’s going on, so consider that certain experiences could benefit you later.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Your current belief system could be pushing you to put a positive spin on a difficult formative experience. On the other hand, spiritual bypassing isn’t your only option at this moment. While verbal Mercury in your intense 8th house trines wounded Chiron in your 4th House of Roots, you may receive a unique opportunity to talk through your feelings with a willing listener. Total resolution of the issue might not come in one conversation, and that’s okay — you have to start somewhere!

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

An opportunity to address tension in a relationship could arise at any moment. You might be reluctant to rock the boat of an arrangement where you share money or resources with someone else — perhaps you’d rather keep something imperfect than risk losing it. The other party may crave adjustments just as much as you do, though, so don’t go into the conversation with a chip on your shoulder. Assume that they share your desire for a functional outcome until they demonstrate otherwise.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Throwing yourself into productive work can bolster your sense of self-worth at this time. While aspirational Venus in your relationship zone misreads anxious Chiron in your calculating 2nd house, this effort might serve to distract you from unresolved conflict in a close connection. Maybe that’s ultimately wiser than confronting the interpersonal issue directly. For the time being, focus your energy on doing whatever makes you feel stronger. That way, it’ll be easier to tell the difference between your insecurities and the other person’s contribution.

Rumors of a surprise performance from a top tier pop star swirled in the days leading up to the Democratic National Convention and reached a fever pitch in the hours before Vice President Kamala Harris’ ceremonial nomination. The rumors turned out to be just that.

Some said Taylor Swift. Even more said Beyoncé, including the celebrity website TMZ, which cited “multiple” unnamed sources, on Thursday afternoon in stating unequivocally that she was performing. Other signs appeared to back up the rumors.

Those wandering in the United Center in the afternoon heard a sound check (albeit from another singer) using her song “Cuff It.” Plus, Harris had been cleared to use Beyoncé’s 2016 song, “Freedom,” in campaign videos on social media (who rarely licenses her music).

A friend of Barack and Michelle Obama, the singer’s 2022 album “Renaissance” also featured an allusion to her disdain for former President Donald Trump: “Votin’ out 45, don’t get outta line.” Trump was the nation’s 45th president.

Taken together, hopes were high. Some delegates were spotted earlier in the day wearing rhinestone or mirrored cowboy hats, a popular accessory on the singer’s Renaissance tour. But shortly before Harris took the convention stage, both the Associated Press and the Hollywood Reporter cited DNC planners and Beyoncé’s camp separately saying the performance was never scheduled.

There was no shortage of performances from talented musicians during the convention: Stevie Wonder, Patti LaBelle, Jason Isbell and Maren Morris performed. Thursday featured acapella performances from country band The Chicks and Pink.

It’s the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago where Vice President Kamala Harris will accept her party’s presidential nomination before the campaign versus former President Donald Trump begins in earnest.

Democratic delegates are excited about Harris’ nomination at the United Center Thursday, but there’s as much buzz about who will be performing before she comes on stage.

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A full schedule released around 5 p.m. didn’t have all the details of the night but pop singer Pink is expected to perform. She was seen practicing during a sound check earlier Thursday. The country group The Chicks are scheduled to perform the national anthem. But there’s also been increased speculation that megastar singer Beyoncé will make a surprise appearance.

On social media earlier Thursday, White House political director Emmy Ruiz posted an emoji of a bee, which is a mascot for the “Beyhive.” Ruiz later wrote, “Sorry guys my 6 year old took my phone.”

Harris secured the rights to use Beyoncé’s 2016 song “Freedom” as a campaign theme song. Her music label issued a cease and desist letter to Trump’s campaign for using the song in a social media post.

Also earlier Thursday, the band inside the United Center appeared to be teasing listeners by performing a Beyoncé song, and others could hear music from Taylor Swift, who also has been the subject of speculation she would appear before Harris accepts the presidential nomination.

On Wednesday, country folk singer Maren Morris performed as well as legend Stevie Wonder. Before Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz accepted the party’s vice presidential nomination, John Legend and Sheila E. performed Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy.”

The theme of the final night at the DNC is “For Our Future.”

Watch her speech here:

By MEG KINNARD, Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) — If you think you’re seeing a lot of women wearing white during the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, you don’t need to adjust your television set.

There appeared to be a coordinated effort among female delegates and Democratic supporters as they arrived at the United Center on Thursday afternoon, with security lines and convention floor seats filling up with women clad in white suits, dresses and other attire.

So when Vice President Kamala Harris takes the stage for to accept the Democratic presidential nomination — becoming the first Black woman, and only the second woman overall, to do so — she will be looking out across a sea filled with the color of women’s suffrage, the movement that culminated with American women securing the right to vote in 1920.

The homage is a couture callback to other momentous political events in which women wearing white has played a role, particularly for other glass ceiling moments.

Hillary Clinton donned a white suit when she accepted the Democratic Party’s 2016 presidential nomination. And Geraldine Ferraro — the first female candidate for vice president — wore white when she accepted that nomination at Democrats’ 1984 convention.

There have been other moments, too. In 2019, the women of the U.S. House put on a visual display of solidarity during the State of the Union, joined by some of their male colleagues clad in white jackets or ribbons in support. A year later, on the 100-year anniversary of women’s suffrage, congressional women yet again donned white, as a commitment to defending women’s rights overall.

And again, earlier this year, the Democratic Women’s Caucus announced that many of its members would wear white to the State of the Union, intended as a message in support of reproductive rights.

The Gators’ season-opening visit from Miami will begin to answer the questions swirling around coach Billy Napier and his program. Besides Napier, what players and assistants are on the spot? Is Miami the biggest game of a pivotal season? What has Napier done to impress and what does he have to do to survive? During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark provide some answers.

• Biggest non-conference game (:00)
• Biggest conference game (10:00)
• Offensive player (12:56)
• Offensive assistant/analyst (18:18)
• Encouraged by Billy Napier’s… (24:12)
• Want to see out of Napier (25:40)
• Final record prediction (32:09)
• Men’s basketball (35:59)
• Join Billy Napier’s Army (38:41)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (40:55)

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Florida’s main environmental agency announced a plan Monday to “expand public access, increase outdoor activities and provide new lodging options” across various state parks — but this could mean replacing natural land with golf courses and pickleball courts.

In South Florida, three state parks could be affected by the Department of Environmental Protection’s project: Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Dania Beach, Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound and Oleta River State Park in North Miami Beach.

“In addition to increasing the number of campsites, cabins and lodges on park property, the initiative will increase the number of outdoor recreation opportunities available at Florida’s state parks, including pickleball, disc golf, golf and paddling,” DEP wrote in a statement.

The agency did not respond to questions about the plan on Thursday afternoon.

According to the Florida DEP website, the mission of the Florida Park Service “is to provide resource-based recreation while preserving, interpreting and restoring natural and cultural resources.” Critics of the plan, thousands of whom voiced their indignation on social media, say the initiative does not fall within this mission.

In DEP documents further detailing plans to overhaul parts of the parks, specific amenities are proposed for the three potentially impacted South Florida parks.

At Jonathan Dickinson State Park, more than 1,000 acres, which is about a tenth of the park’s total 10,500 acres, are suggested for use in constructing three entirely separate golf courses, two with 18 holes and the third with nine holes.

The park contains some of the region’s last-remaining scrub habitat and could also develop land that includes wilderness hiking and biking trails along with forcing a closure of the Hobe Mountain boardwalk and observation tower.

A draft conceptual plan depicts where three golf courses could be built at Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound. This is part of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Great Outdoors initiative, which proposes developing golf courses, pickleball courts and more to state parks across Florida. (Florida Department of Environmental Protection)

In a series of posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, the DEP wrote: “We are considering the addition of golf — one of our nation’s most popular sports — in a way that will minimize habitat impacts and leverage already-disturbed areas.”

The park is surrounded by 14 golf courses that either abut the park, or sit within a four mile radius of its boundaries. And Martin County, where the park sits, is home to 28 golf courses, according to LetsGolf.com.

Outcry has rapidly gained traction since the plan was unveiled Monday.

“Destroying some of the last pristine scrub land in Southeast Florida would be a crime,” said Linda Smithe, who is part of the Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group.

Scrub is among some of the most critically endangered plant communities in the state. 

Julie Wraithmell, the executive director of Audubon Florida, the oldest statewide conservation organization, said Florida scrub “is a very rare and declining habitat type in part because it is high and dry and well drained.”

It is also prime habitat for the Florida’s only endemic bird, the scrub-jay, listed as threatened under the federal government’s Endangered Species Act. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the scrub-jay’s largest threats include habitat destruction and environmental degradation from development.

“Oftentimes (their) habitat is developed, and the jays have nowhere else to go,” Wraithmell said.

When Smithe first heard about the initiative, she said she thought it was a “hoax.”

“There might be a problem in that many golf courses are expensive and you have to be a member and all that sort of thing. But you have to balance that with the greater good… protecting our Florida legacy,” she said.

Gopher tortoises, also a threatened species, could also be impacted by development on state parks because the burly reptiles require dry uplands to create the burrows that serve as their homes.

“It feels like a sad day to me that state parks, which is a place where you would expect that imperiled species would be protected, would instead potentially be a place where they’d be applying to relocate imperiled species because of development,” Wraithmell said.

Though some golf courses try to limit chemical use, most fairways and greens are made of monocrop grass, free of weeds and wild grass. This means using pesticides, weed killers and fertilizer, all of which harms ecosystems.

Fertilizer in particular is harmful to South Florida waterways — phosphorus fuels algae blooms. In fresh water, those blooms can produce toxic fumes, in saltwater, algae blooms choke out vital seagrass habitat and can lead to fish kills.

At Mizell-Eula Johnson Park, which sits on a slim, 2.5-mile barrier island in Dania Beach, the DEP is proposing up to four pickleball courts, which would be wedged among the park’s vast mangrove waterways, bird habitats and beachfront.

“Dr. Von. D Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park is in the heart of one of Florida’s busiest regions,” DEP wrote on X. “Converting an underutilized paved area to pickleball courts will benefit both locals & out-of-town visitors.”

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection unveiled a plan dubbed the Great Outdoors initiative that proposes bringing golf courses, pickleball courts and more to state parks across Florida, which has sparked statewide outrage. This conceptual map shows where up to four pickleball courts could be built in Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Dania Beach. (Florida Department of Environmental Protection)

Oleta River State Park, which sits on more than 1,000 mostly forested acres in the northern tier of Miami-Dade County, could also get up to four pickleball courts, as well as a disc golf course and up to 10 new cabins or what the DEP called “glamping opportunities,” which is a portmanteau of “glamorous” and “camping.”

The park’s three existing “primitive” campsites can host up to 30 campers each, according to its website. The sites have two tables, a fire circle, a bathroom and a cold-water shower.

Oleta is somewhat of an oasis among its highly congested urban surroundings, offering trails for mountain biking or walking, and openings to Biscayne Bay or the Oleta River for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking or fishing.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection unveiled a plan dubbed the Great Outdoors initiative that proposes bringing golf courses, pickleball courts and more to state parks across Florida, which has sparked statewide outrage. This map indicates where “glamping,” pickleball and disc golf elements could be installed. in Oleta River State Park in northern Miami-Dade County. (Florida Department of Environmental Protection)

New less nature-focused activities could be introduced if the Great Outdoors initiative is implemented, such as pickleball, which is one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S.

DEP’s reasoning for modifying the park, according to a post on X, is to keep up “with increasing demand by adding additional cabins, pickleball courts and disc golf courses.”

South Florida is no stranger to the pickleball trend. A wave of courts has already hit South Florida in the past couple years, with cities including Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, Coconut Creek, Palm Beach Gardens, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach either recently launching new pickleball facilities or planning to in the future.

Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman, R-Highland Beach, guesses that the motivation for the Great Outdoors plan could be to create more jobs and provide more public recreation opportunities — but she also conceded the initiative seems quite contradictory to DEP’s previous preservation efforts.

Her concerns are similar to many of those outraged on social media: “Find out why this came about, what’s behind it, and who thought of turning our parks into what normally is handled by county and municipalities,” she said.

Gossett-Seidman has previously worked hand-in-hand with the DEP. In June, her legislation, The Safe Waterways Act (House Bill 165), was vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis despite overwhelming support from both the state Senate and House. The bill would have increased warnings about potentially hazardous waterway conditions, particularly those that could create health risks.

The DEP “did a great job” in helping Gossett-Seidman with the bill, she said, which is also why the new state park proposals are puzzling, to say the least.

“I’ve not had one letter of support (for the DEP proposal),” she said, rather: “I’ve had several letters of shock and dismay.”

Public meetings for each of the eight affected counties will be held all at the same time from 3 to 4 p.m. on Aug. 27. State law requires “reasonable notice” of public meetings, hearings and workshops at least seven days before the event, a requirement which was just barely met.

A petition titled “Protect Jonathan Dickinson State Park: stop the golf courses!” created Tuesday had more than 60,000 signatures on Thursday afternoon. Audubon Florida created a form that submits letters to DeSantis’ office urging for the abandonment of the Great Outdoors’ proposals.

Lisa Hoffmeyer, who has lived in Hollywood near the Mizell-Eula Johnson Park for more than 25 years, plans to attend the Aug. 27 meeting but has a public comment email drafted if she can’t make it.

“Parks should be left more passive, and I am tired of seeing them pave over our green places,” she said.

The area of Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park across the berm from the Pelican Pavillion where the state plans to build pickleball courts, is seen Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in. Dania Beach. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

The move “feels like an assault on the remaining pieces of the state that kind of feel like old Florida,” said Allie Hartmann, the communications director for Friends of the Everglades.

“The best tool we have in our toolbox right now is the public outrage,” Hartmann said. “This just massive public response is what’s giving us hope that this proposal can be stopped.”

The other state parks that could be affected are:

— Honeymoon Island State Park in Pinellas County

— Hillsborough River State Park in Hillsborough County

— Anastasia State Park in St. Johns County

— Camp Helen State Park in Bay County

— Topsail Hill Preserve in Walton County

— Grayton Beach State Park in Walton County

“The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat” is the latest straight-to-streaming release from Searchlight Pictures, the adaptation of Edward Kelsey Moore’s best-selling 2013 novel debuting this week on Hulu.

Given its production values, that the film was routed right to home theaters feels appropriate. Oh, they’re fine, to be sure — they just won’t wow you.

That said, the friendship — the deep, heavily tested sisterhood — at the heart of director and co-writer Tina Mabry’s movie is big-screen-worthy.

The bond shared by Black women Odette, Barbara Jean and Clarice is brought to life via two sets of actresses and two timelines. Together — and, unfortunately, at times, alone — they will face racism, disease, addiction, loss and pain. As a viewer, you hope only that they’ll come out stronger for it on the other side.

Although “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat” briefly introduces us to Odette (an excellent Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor of “King Richard” and “The Color Purple”) late in her life before taking us back to a time shortly before her birth in 1950, the story begins in earnest in 1968. It is then that teen pals Clarice (Abigail Achiri, “The Underground Railroad”) and Odette (Kyanna “KeeKee” Simone, “All American”) befriend Barbara Jean (Tati Gabrielle, “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”), who has recently lost her mother and faces living alone with her abusive stepfather. (In a fun scene, Odette stands up to him in a way that surprises not only Barbara Jean but close friend Clarice).

Clarice and Odette reach out to all-around good guy Big Earl (Tony Winters, “Queen Sugar”) — owner of the film’s titular diner, where the trio will be given the nickname “The Supremes” — who insists Barbara Jean move into the room vacated by his grown daughter.

At the diner, the young ladies spend time with gentlemen suitors. For Clarisse, there is slick football player Richmond (Xavier Mills, “The Wood”), and for Odette, the quiet-and-shy James (Dijon Means, “P-Valley”).

And while Barbara Jean is pursued by the older Lester (Cleveland Berto, “A Journal for Jordan”), she has her eyes fixed upon new diner hire Ray (Ryan Paynter, “Dopesick”), who the girls agree is very nice-looking for a white boy.

Although Chick doesn’t quite see it, Barbara Jean believes the world isn’t ready for two people like them to be together — and she soon is presented with terrifying evidence to support her theory.

Tati Gabrielle, left, Abigail Achiri and Kyanna “KeeKee” Simone portray friends who will go on to share years of good and not-so-good times in “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat.” (Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures)

We spend time with the older versions of Barbara Jean (Sanaa Lathan, “Love & Basketball,” “The Best Man”), Clarise (Uzo Aduba, “In Treatment,” “Orange Is the New Black”) and Odette beginning around the turn of the century, as they mourn the loss of someone special with husbands Lester (Vondie Curtis Hall, “Harriet”), Richmond (Russell Hornsby, “Seven Seconds”) and James (Mekhi Phifer, “8 Mile”) by their sides. (Also, know that Chick will resurface, now portrayed by Julian McMahon of “Nip/Tuck” fame.)

Most of the trials and tribulations still lie ahead for the Supremes, who still regularly occupy the same table at Earl’s, where they can talk and share the good and bad of life.

Mabry (“Mississippi Damned”), who shares the writing credit with Cee Marcellus, does a nice job juggling the story’s two timelines, going back and forth a few times smoothly.

More importantly, she shows a deft touch, aided by the actors, with the story’s character-driven moments. The one that hits home the hardest comes when two of the women learn late in the affair that the other has been keeping something highly concerning from them, carrying the burden by herself. The looks they give her, showing both incredible frustration with her and great concern for her, are perfect.

And then there’s a moment we won’t spoil, set back where we encountered Odette in the film’s opening moments as she sits under a tree. It’s, well, it’s just perfect — something sure to put a smile on your face.

That’s true in general of “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat,” even as it makes the occasional misstep. For example, the long-foreshadowed and almost obligatory near-implosion of their friendship feels forced and unearned based on all we’ve seen to that point.

This story — at least the screen version of it — uses a sycamore tree as a metaphor for the trio’s strength and longevity. It’s an effective bit of symbolism for three women well worth knowing.

‘The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat’

Where: Hulu.

When: Aug. 23.

Rated: PG-13 for thematic content, sexual content, strong language including racial slurs, and violent content.

Runtime: 2 hours, 4 minutes.

Stars (of four): 2.5.

 

By DEEPTI HAJELA Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — It started a couple of years ago when Juliana Pache was doing a crossword puzzle and got stuck.

She was unfamiliar with the reference that the clue made. It made her think about what a crossword puzzle would look like if the clues and answers included more of some subjects that she WAS familiar with, thanks to her own identity and interests — Black history and Black popular culture.

When she couldn’t find such a thing, Pache decided to do it herself. In January 2023, she created blackcrossword.com, a site that offers a free mini-crossword puzzle every day. And Tuesday marked the release of her first book, “Black Crossword: 100 Mini Puzzles Celebrating the African Diaspora.”

It’s a good moment for it, nearly 111 years after the first crossword appeared in a New York newspaper. Recent years have seen an increasing amount of conversation around representation in crossword puzzles, from who’s constructing them to what words can be used for answers and how the clues are framed. There’s been a push to expand the idea of the kinds of “common knowledge” players would have to fill them out.

“I had never made a crossword puzzle before,” Pache, 32, said with a laugh. “But I was like, I can figure it out.”

And she did.

Made ‘with Black people in mind’

Each puzzle on Pache’s site includes at least a few clues and answers connecting to Black culture. The tagline on the site: “If you know, you know.”

The book is brimming with the kinds of puzzles that she estimates about 2,200 people play daily on her site — squares made up of five lines, each with five spaces. She aims for at least three of the clues to be references to aspects of Black cultures from around the world.

Pache, a native of the New York City borough of Queens with family ties to Cuba and the Dominican Republic, had a couple of goals in mind when she started. Primarily, she wanted to create something that Black people would enjoy.

I’m “making it with Black people in mind,” she said. “And then if anyone else enjoys it, they learn things from it, that’s a bonus but it’s not my focus.”

She’s also trying to show the diversity in Black communities and cultures with the clues and words she uses, and to encourage people from different parts of the African diaspora to learn about each other.

“I also want to make it challenging, not just for people who might be interested in Black culture, but people within Black culture who might be interested in other regions,” she said. “Part of my mission with this is to highlight Black people from all over, Black culture from all over. And I think … that keeps us learning about each other.”

What, really, is ‘general knowledge’?

While on the surface if might just seem like a game, the knowledge base required for crosswords does say something about what kind of knowledge is considered “general” and “universal” and what isn’t, said Michelle Pera-McGhee, a data journalist at The Pudding, a site that focuses on data-driven stories.

In 2020, Pera-McGhee undertook a data project analyzing crossword puzzles through the decades from a handful of the most well-known media outlets. The project assessed clues and answers that used the names of real people to determine a breakdown along gender and race categories.

Unsurprisingly, the data indicated that for the most part, men were disproportionately more likely than women to be featured, as well as white people compared to racial and ethnic minorities.

It’s “interesting because it’s supposed to be easy,” Pera-McGhee said. “You want … ideally to reference things that people, everybody knows about because everyone learns about them in school or whatever. … What are the things that we decide we all should know?”

There are efforts to make crosswords more accessible and representative, including the recently started fellowship for puzzle constructors from underrepresented groups at The New York Times, among the most high-profile crossword puzzles around. Puzzle creators have made puzzles aimed at LGBTQ+ communities, at women, using a wider array of references as Pache is doing.

Bottom line, “it is really cool to see our culture reflected in this medium,” Pache said.

And, Pera-McGhee said, it can be cool to learn new things.

“It’s kind of enriching to have things in the puzzle that you don’t know about,” she said. “It’s not that the experience of not knowing is bad. It’s just that it should maybe be spread out along with the experience of knowing. Both are kind of good in the crossword-solving experience.”

Mia Taylor | TravelPulse (TNS)

After years of remaining a reclusive country, North Korea is preparing to allow entry to tourists.

As of December, international visitors will be allowed to explore the northeastern city of Samjiyon, according to a report from Reuters.

The move appears to be just be the first step toward a wider relaxation of tourist visitation rules for North Korea, say tour operators.

“We have received confirmation from our local partner that tourism to Samjiyon and likely the rest of the country will officially resume in December 2024,” Beijing-based Koryo Tours recently announced on its website.

Another travel agency, KTG Tours, has similarly announced that tourists will be able to visit Samjiyon this coming winter.

This development follows the resumption of international flights in and out of North Korea last year. A small group of Russian tourists subsequently visited the country in February. And later, in June, Russian President Vladimir Putin also paid a visit.

Still, North Korea has not been open to mass international tourism since 2020.

“Having waited for over four years to make this announcement, Koryo Tours is very excited for the opening of North Korean tourism once again,” said the tour company, per Reuters.

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Koryo Tours expects its North Korean partner will confirm itineraries and dates over the next few weeks.

As for what tourists can expect to find when they visit, Reuters describes Samjiyon as a “socialist utopia”, and “a model of highly-civilized mountain city” with new apartments, hotels, a ski resort and commercial, cultural and medical facilities.

Separately, CNN has described Samjiyon as a city that straddles the Chinese border and is in close proximity to the highest peak on the Korean Peninsula, Mount Paektu, an active volcano. The volcano area is considered the cradle of the Korean people, per CNN.

©2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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